Scottish Country Dancing – Truly Something Magical

There really is something magical about Scottish Country Dancing (SCD). And that something has rubbed off on us, the Milan Scottish Country Dancers. What other activity can you do from the age of 8 to 80, having fun, keeping fit and making new friends at the same time? A tall order, but we do it all the time.

SCD is truly intergenerational: I’ve been dancing with my daughter Sara for years. Now I can’t wait to dance with our first grandson, Ian. Admittedly he’s barely 6 months old, but we have high hopes of starting a course for kids, hopefully before I reach 80. So if you have children or grandchildren who you think would enjoy SCD, do get in touch with us. People often imagine that you have to come as a couple to a dancing course or event, but with SCD nothing could be further from the truth. You can find any number of partners at the course. Even change them for each dance.

SCD is also good value: you can start off with no equipment at all, though at some stage you may want to invest £30 in a pair of ghillies (dancing shoes). And the men often end up buying a full kilt outfit, which is a good deal more expensive. But it’s an excellent investment. I’ve been wearing mine since we got married in 1978. With the added advantage that you can let it out as your girth spreads.

Admittedly, the straps have a limit. Mine reached that stage a few years ago. So I went to a kilt shop in Edinburgh and the man offered me three options:

1. You can buy a new kilt (for about £500)
2. Have your present kilt unstitched and remade up (for about £250)
3. Buy two extension straps to add to your present ones (for about £5)

Guess which one I chose 😉

Fun, Fitness and Friendship

These are the three magic words that the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) uses to sum up the benefits of SCD. Three “intangibles” that aren’t easy to quantify, but you know when you’ve got them. And it makes you look forward to a Monday or a Thursday evening, leaving the house even if it’s cold, dark and wet outside. What’s the urge? It’s because you know you’ll feel better than if you stay at home and watch the telly. It’s got something to do with endorphines. Decided to look it up, rather than just use the word blindly. This is what I found: 

“Endorphin comes from the words “endogenous,” which means within the body, and “morphine,” an opiate pain reliever. Put together, that means endorphins are natural pain relievers. They are “feel-good” chemicals because they can make you feel better and put you in a positive state of mind. Endorphins are neurotransmitters released by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. As natural hormones, they can alleviate pain, lower stress, improve mood, and enhance your sense of well-being. The body releases endorphins when you do pleasurable activities such as eating, exercise, and sex, etc.”

So who says SCD isn’t sexy?

Come join us. More info on courses and events at www.milanscd.it. 

Article by John Murphy for Easy Milano

President, Milan Scottish Country Dancers ASD