Royal Scottish Country Dance Society San Francisco Branch – Weekly Classes & Youth Programs

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society San Francisco Branch – Weekly Classes & Youth Programs offers social Scottish Country Dancing classes, including weekly evenings of social Scottish Country Dancing classes. The program includes a KID’S CLASS 7+ and Scottish Country Dancing classes for youth ages 7 and up, along with dance parties and events such as the Valentine’s Ball, Beginner’s Ball, Monthly Party, Solstice Party, Jean Patrick Memorial Dance, Berkeley Christmas Party, ‘Tween Party, Hogmanay, and the Asilomar Weekend Workshop.

• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: Weekly social Scottish Country Dancing classes, with sessions for new beginners starting every September in most locations and at other times in some cities, plus special events held throughout the year
• Price: Fees vary from class to class, but typically, the first class is free and ongoing fees range from $4 to $10, payable by cash or checks

The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS), based in Edinburgh, was founded in 1923 to preserve this joyful social dance tradition, and the San Francisco Branch sponsors classes, social dances, and formal balls throughout the Bay Area. Scottish Country Dancing is demonstrated at Scottish Games & Gatherings and at many other fairs and events, and the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society has 160 branches and more than 300 affiliated groups worldwide that organize dance parties and events year round. The Reel & Strathspey Club was formed on November 23, 1946, has been affiliated with RSCDS since early 1947, and gave demonstrations at Folk Dance Festivals and at Woodminster as part of the Oakland Folk Dance Council.

Classes are taught by a trained and qualified teacher. For new dancers and for many social occasions, the only items needed are comfortable casual clothing and soft flexible shoes such as sneakers. Scottish Country Dancing is the traditional ballroom dancing of Scotland and is known for its lively and energetic nature, with steps and basic formations that are easily learned and danced with partners in sets of two or more couples doing a variety of formations. Most events are accompanied by exuberant live music performed by a fiddle and piano or by a whole band, with dance tempos ranging from lively jigs, hornpipes, and reels to slower strathspeys, and the dancing is accompanied by uplifting, rhythmic music that corresponds with the formations and phrasing of the dance.

Scottish country dancing is described as fun, energetic social dancing in which sets of 3 to 4 couples trace interweaving patterns with and around each other, and it is open to everyone and enjoyed worldwide, with as many people doing Scottish country dancing outside Scotland as in it. The activity makes no gender distinction in its movements, is described as an equal opportunity activity, and dancers are encouraged to invite a new partner for each dance, with no partners needed to attend classes or parties. The program notes that man or woman, young or old, everyone can take part, and that Scottish country dancing is full of patterns that encourage mathematical thinking, with many elements of the school curriculum, from health and well being through social skills and the expressive arts to academic subjects such as Math, supported by and developed through Scottish country dancing.

Participants have said, “I don’t think many people know how much fun Scottish Country Dancing is,” and, “It’s so energetic and fun, you can do it with anyone.” Other comments include, “People are so friendly and helpful, we have a really nice group of people in our class. I’m so glad I found it,” “The live music is fantastic. The Bay Area is blessed with so many wonderful musicians. They really lift our spirits,” and, “I wish I started dancing when I was younger.”

Last updated July 25, 2026.