Join us for a relaxed afternoon of fun and friendship. These events offer us a chance to meet up with dancing friends beyond the dance floor. Each session will be different, with a variety of musicians, highlights from our archives and lots of time to chat and share memories over a cup of tea and coffee.
We hope this will allow you to connect with friends who share your passion for Scottish dancing and its music. Space at this free event is limited so advance booking is essential.
These events are free thanks to the support of a private donation.
On Wednesday 4th February 2026, it was a cold and wet afternoon in Edinburgh — but fortunately we were heading for the Murrayfield Hotel, where members and friends gathered to welcome us to our “Music and Memories” event. Tea and chocolate cake were much appreciated, and, of course, provided the perfect opportunity to catch up with dancing friends.
To prompt our memories, a wonderful selection of photographs and videos played on a large screen throughout the afternoon. Social dancing, demonstrations, overseas trips and, of course, performances of An Edinburgh Fancy and Strictly Scottish all featured across the decades. More than a few chuckles could be heard as familiar faces and fashions appeared. What memories they brought back!
Our guest fiddler, Tim Macdonald, was a delight. With a warm and engaging manner, he shared stories of his life and musical journey. Growing up in the USA, Tim was clearly something of a child prodigy, first handling a violin at the age of three. Under the guidance of excellent and inspiring teachers, he developed remarkable musicality and dexterity. His love of Scottish fiddle music soon became evident, and he went on to perform — and win competitions — across various parts of the United States.
His links with Scotland were forged when he was invited to study at the University of Edinburgh. Living in Queen Street, he became immersed in Edinburgh life, and through the encouragement of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Edinburgh Branch, he has since played for many of our classes and events. Musical collaborations with Peter Shand and Pete Clark further deepened his love and understanding of the Scottish tradition.
During the afternoon, Tim demonstrated his creative and confident approach to bowing technique, producing rich, resonant sounds — particularly when playing on double strings. We were treated to beautifully expressive strathspeys and felt privileged to have such a talented musician in our company.
Now settled in Dunbar with his wife and two-year-old son, Tim continues to work towards his PhD at the University of Edinburgh. His thesis focuses on Niel Gow, and we are sure his research will further enrich our understanding of this esteemed musician.
Thank you, Tim, for a most uplifting afternoon and for your beautiful fiddle playing to such an appreciative audience. Our thanks also go to our committee members and helpers who contributed to a very happy and successful event.
Wendy Strang, February 2026
It was almost a full house at the Murrayfield Hotel on Wednesday 3 December, as members and friends gathered for an afternoon of Music and Memories with our guest musician, the incomparable Iain MacPhail.
Guests were welcomed with tea, coffee and seasonal treats before the real star of the afternoon took centre stage. A master storyteller as well as a celebrated musician, Iain needed little introduction.
He shared vivid tales of his early life in Argyllshire—from playing the Highland bagpipes as a youngster to moving to Edinburgh to live with his grandparents as a teenager. Their neighbours, however, were less enthusiastic about the pipes, so an accordion was deemed a more neighbour-friendly alternative!
Lessons with the renowned Chrissy Latham, and meeting Dorothy Leurs, soon brought Iain into our society's musical life - he has been playing for our demonstration team, classes and events ever since. Our association with him now spans more than 50 years, and we are proud that he is one of our Vice-Presidents.
Iain's musical journey has taken him around the world: across Europe, to Japan and Buenos Aires, and throughout the UK. He delighted us with stories from our Eastern European tour with Johnnie Walker—particularly how a friendly "wee dram" on the coach helped us sail to the front of every border-control queue!
Speaking of the synergy between music and dance, Iain shared his belief that the two should flow seamlessly together. He rounded off the afternoon by playing one of his favourite tunes, The Weaver and His Wife by Andrew Rankine—well known to us as the music for The Luckenbooth Brooch—followed by one of his own compositions, Mrs Mary Printy, the signature tune he wrote in honour of his grandmother.
It was an afternoon filled with laughter, memories, and the unmistakable warmth of Iain MacPhail's music—a perfect seasonal celebration.
Elizabeth Harry, December 2025
On Wednesday 29 October it was lovely to arrive to a busy room, full ok kent faces, for an afternoon of Music and Memories with Pete Clark and his fiddle.
Pete has played for many Branch events and classes in the past, and he paid special tribute to pianist Doreen McKerron with whom he played for some of our annual shows. He entertained us with his story telling, and took us back in time with a history of the tunes he played, remembering especially the Gow family who left us such a legacy of wonderful music.
Pete has been instrumental (pun not intended!) in ensuring that Neil Gow will be known in his native Inver and Dunkeld for generations to come, due to the statue now installed there. It was a treat to listen to Pete playing and talking about tunes we enjoy dancing to, their origins and variations in tempo.
After tea and shortbread, our chairman David Watson surprised Moira Reekie by presenting her with a Branch Award for her contributions to Edinburgh Branch over many years. A dancer in times gone by, it is as a pianist that many of us know Moira, as we have been so lucky to have her playing for classes and events in Edinburgh and beyond. Many attending the afternoon have danced to Moira’s wonderful music and her own compositions.
The event was much enjoyed by the very appreciative attendees, and all thanks go to Pete and the organisers ~ well done and thank you! Roll on the next one in December with Iain MacPhail.
Maggie McLeish, October 2025
This inaugural event was lovely, and I am not the only one to hope that there will be many more to come.
Many of us have invested a lot of our lives in Scottish country dancing and feel an immense loss when we can no longer keep up with these friends. Occasions like this go a long way to reminding us that we remain a part of a special community.
The images from our archive were mesmerising and capture something that was phenomenal in its heyday. It was wonderful to see our archive being well preserved and to have some insight into Edinburgh Branch’s involvement in the first live TV broadcast from Scotland.
Along with the excellent cakes we had musical entertainment from a first-class musician. The pulse of Ewan Galloway’s music had most of us wanting to take to the floor!
Richard Austin, April 2025
It was wonderful to see our archive being well preserved and to have some insight into Edinburgh Branch’s involvement in the first live TV broadcast from Scotland.
Richard Austin, April 2025
You are invited to use the Book now button to reserve a place at a forthcoming get-together.
If you have any other question, please get in touch by clicking the Get in touch button below and compete the form. Alternatively phone us on 07505 703828.
fun, fitness & friendship
