About Ardbrae Scottish Country Dancers of Ottawa

Ardbrae is an Affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (RSCDS), head-quartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. The RSCDS has 160 branches and over 200 Affiliates around the world in 27 countries spanning 6 continents.

Do I have to be Scottish to join?

NO! People from all walks of life enjoy dancing. Standardized teaching guarantees that you can learn to dance in Ottawa and, when you travel, you can drop in on a local class or social and be warmly received. Just remember to pack your shoes!

Do I need a partner?

NO! The dancing is done in sets of 6 or 8 people and it is customary to change your “partner” for every dance. Thus, you soon get to meet and know everyone in the group.

Do I need special shoes?

Beginners should come with a pair of soft soled shoes. After you have realized that this is FUN and you want to keep dancing you may want to invest in a pair of ghillies (“highland dancing shoes”), or for some women, a pair of ballet slippers. These can be purchased locally. 

What should I wear?

Light, comfortable clothing is recommended. Women often choose to wear a skirt.

Some men choose to wear a kilt, but this is not required.

How do I get started?

Ardbrae holds Beginner classes for adults of all ages on Monday evenings, from early September to late April, at the Churchill Recreation Centre, 345 Richmond Road, Ottawa. [Note: We like a good sprung floor for dancing!]

The first 3 classes for new dancers are FREE.

Here are the details about dates and times of classes.

Here is the information about the cost of membership.