Prairie Gold CD and Book of Dances

The Branch has produced a CD and accompanying book of dances to celebrate its 50th year of dancing. The music is played by Scotch Measure and all the dances have a local connection, all except one being devised by a past or current Branch member.

Click on the above link to hear samples of music, read a brief description of the dances, and get ordering information.

Learn the Basics of Scottish Country Dancing

The first step to a healthier lifestyle. This is not highland, but the social dancing of Scotland. No partner required to enjoy this social dance form to lively jigs and reels. Attend our Open House and Welcome Dance at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 830 North Drive at Point Road. See the Upcoming Events below. Beginner classes start on Thursdays beginning Sept. 13. Go to the Members page for registration forms for the basic class.

Scottish Country Dancing

Dance to Jigs, Reels, Strathspeys and the occasional Hornpipe.

Scottish Country Dancing (SCD) provides pleasure and enjoyment for all ages. It is a sociable form of contra dancing in which dancers form two lines with couples facing each other. You don't need a partner — you dance with a different partner each dance. And where else can a man dance without pants?

Dances can be descriptive, celebratory, or just plain dances. You may dance the Saint John River, a lovely strathspey in which dancers trace the course of the Saint John River in New Brunswick, or smile at some Victorian naughtiness in Kiss Under the Stairs, or thumb your noses at your captors in The Reel of the 51st Division, devised by WWII Prisoners of War.

View the video and see the introduction page for more information.

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The Winnipeg Branch

The Winnipeg Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society is an organization dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Scottish Country Dancing. Classes begin in September and are taught by teachers certified by the International Headquarters of the RSCDS.
Visitors are always welcome.

Visitors from other branches

Visitors from other branches are always welcome to join us for an evening of dancing. See our class schedule and list of events for times and places.

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR SNOW DAYS


A decision to cancel that day’s class will be made no later than 4:00 pm.

An email will be sent out to all members as soon as possible.

IF THE WEATHER IS NASTY, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL BEFORE HEADING OUT TO CLASS.

If you do not have access to email,please let your class teacher know and leave a phone number where you can be reached. If in doubt, please call your class teacher or Jane at (204) 667-0814.

Note: This policy will also apply to extra or special classes and socials that are not on a class day.

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Contents

Health benefits of Scottish Country Dancing

Several articles describing the health benefits of Scottish Country Dancing.

  • strengthening bones
  • improving memory
  • improving balance

Following is youtube video on why it is good for you to be involved in Scottish Country Dancing.

Click here for a great video on the health benefits of SCD

Following are 2 videos for your enjoyment. One is a short little video with some history of Scottish Country Dancing. The other is the video from The R.S.C.D.S. Edinburgh Branch. The Edinburgh Branch held a public ceilidh on July 1st 2017 in Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday!. Enjoy!

A cheeky little video of the history of SCD


A Ceilidh for Canada

Have Questions?

You may find your answer here.

Mug Pub revisited

Mug Pub, sponsored by the Winnipeg Branch for 20 years, was an immensely popular pavilion at Folklorama . Enjoy some scenes from Mug Pubs past.

Scotch Measure

Playing music we love to dance to for over 30 years. Hear some samples.

Winnipeg Branch History

The Winnipeg Branch has been in operation since 1963 and has had many proud moments.

Upcoming Events

Jean Highmoor

The funeral service for Jean Highmoor will be Saturday, 15th December at 1:00 p.m. at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave, across from Brookside Cemetery.

Light & Airy

The current edition of the Light & Airy can be found December 2018 here.

Third Day of Christmas

Formerly called Betwixt and Between, The Third Day of Christmas promises a fun time on December 27, after Christmas and before the New Year. Location is St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, 830 North drive, beginning at 8:00pm. There is no charge for the event. The evening is open to all Branch members and their friends and family. There is no set dance programme. Dances will be chosen to suit the attendees. Share your leftover Christmas snacks and baking. Contributions for the social aspect would be appreciated.

Fort Garry Social Class turns 50!

January 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Fort Garry Social Class, which came into being in late January 1969 right here at St. Paul’s. An evening of abbreviated dance instruction led by our present teacher par excellence, Peter McClure, followed by a dessert and tea reception. We especially look forward to having some former class members join us, and hearing some their recollections of the “early days”. Those early members are a Winnipeg treasure that set a standard for RSCDS Winnipeg, although they may not have recognized the fact in 1969. Come out and join our class on the evening of Monday, January 14th at St. Paul’s Parish Hall for 8:00 p.m.

Burns Dinner and Dance

Save January 26th, 2019 on your calendar! RSCDS Winnipeg Branch is organizing a Burns' Night Dinner and Dance to celebrate with Scots all over the world. Robert Burns, 18th century poet, is remembered by a night of eating, drinking, reciting of poems, singing of songs, dancing and of course an appreciation of malt whiskey! It is an evening steeped in ritual. The haggis is piped in followed by the recitation of the famous “Ode To A Haggis”. The meal (always including neeps 'n tatties, haggis, and beef) is rounded out by a special “Toast to the Immortal Memory”. The Burns' Night Gala will be held this year at the Masonic Memorial Centre, 420 Corydon Avenue (at Confusion Corner). Please join in for an evening of good food, good friends, dancing, and some impromptu recitation of Burns' poetry! Everyone is welcome! Tickets are avaiable from Pat C (Monday class), Heather C (Tuesday class) and Barb L (Thursday class). Programme and crib notes can be downloaded here

Annual Workshop and Ball

The 48th Weekend Workshop will be held April 26-28, 2019 so mark those dates for next year! The Friday ceilidh, Saturday Classes and lunch will be at St Paul’s Anglican Church (our usual dance class space) where the church hall and Narthex room will be used for the two classes offered. The afternoon period is free time. The Saturday dinner and ball will be at the Holiday Inn West where there is a wood floor and dining space at the periphery of the dance floor. On Sunday the combined class will be again at the Holiday Inn West, followed by lunch or brunch. The brochure and registration form is available here The workshop committee is looking forward to an enthusiastic response. We have two wonderful teachers coming this year, Rebecca Blackhall Peters from Summerland, BC and Craig Williams from Ottawa. With their experienced teaching and the music we've enjoyed from Ron Krug (Winnipeg) and Dennis Orr (Seven Persons, AB), it looks like a great weekend. Rides will be available for out of town guests staying at the Holiday Inn West.