About Us

1960's - 70's

The Kingston Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society had its beginning in 1967 when a group of people gathered in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Hall on Wednesday evenings to learn Scottish Country Dancing. The St. Andrew's Society of Kingston was instrumental in establishing what was then known at The St. Andrew's Scottish Country Dance Society. Over the years the small group of dancers became a larger group and from 1972 until a few years ago the classes were held in the mezzanine gym of Duncan McArthur Hall, Queen's University. At one time there were three classes--beginners, intermediate and advanced. The beginners classes were held in St. Paul's Anglican Church hall. Later, classes were held in Frontenac Public School until it closed. Then we moved to the Limestone Community Education Centre. Currently, our classes are held in St. Luke's Anglican Church hall on Nelson Street.

The Branch has participated in Folklore by dancing at various pavilions on the invitation of the host pavilion. Dancers participated in the cultural events for the 1976 Olympics, The 150th Anniversary of the Rideau Canal, for the Royal Visit for the Opening of the Loyalist Parkway in July 1985 and in the 1986 Kingfest Military Tattoo. In recent years a group of dancers participated in the Annual Festival of the Trees.

1980's

In 1980 the group applied to The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in Edinburgh to become a Branch of that Society and Branch status was conferred. Since that time the number of adult classes offered per week has been three, at the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Once a month there are social dances held in St. Luke's Church Hall.

1990's

The Kingston Branch dancers with help from dancers from the area, have also participated in Heritage Tattoos of 1995 , 1997 and 1999. Branch dancers continue to respond to requests to entertain at various institutions in the area.

Recent

The Branch has held its Annual Workshop and Ball on the first weekend of November each year until 2019. In 2016, we celebrated 50 years of Scottish Country Dancing in Kingston. The Kingston Branch has earned the reputation for hospitality and dancers from many parts of North America participated in our weekend. It was the highlight of our dancing year. We dance in Kingston and Picton.