Summer School 2026

Summer School 2026 Information Booklet

Each week of Summer School, we open one of our evening social dances at Younger Hall to the public, giving everyone the opportunity to join us on the dance floor and experience the unique Summer School atmosphere.

Tickets for these evenings are limited and will go on sale on a rolling, week-by-week basis through the RSCDS Shop.

Tickets will go on sale at 12 noon on the following dates:

If you are attending Summer School on a residential or non-residential package, entry to the Younger Hall dances is included in your booking.

Please note that entry to Younger Hall is not included for those attending on a Morning Only ticket.

*Please note in Week 3 Younger Hall Public dance takes place on the Friday due to Younger Hall availability.

RSCDS Summer School – Terms & Conditions

Week 1

Summer School 2026 – Programme for Week 1

Summer School 2026 – Diagrams for Week 1

Summer School 2026 – Cribs for Week 1

Week 2

Summer School 2026 – Programme for Week 2

Summer School 2026 – Diagrams for Week 2

Summer School 2026 – Cribs for Week 2

Week 3

Summer School 2026 – Programme for Week 3

Summer School 2026 – Diagrams for Week 3

Summer School 2026 – Cribs for Week 3

Week 4

Summer School 2026 – Programme for Week 4

Summer School 2026 – Diagrams for Week 4

Summer School 2026 – Cribs for Week 4

Summer School 2026 – Timetable, Week 1

Summer School 2026 – Timetable, Week 2

Summer School 2026 – Timetable, Week 3

Summer School 2026 – Timetable, Week 4

Location & venues

The venues for Summer School classes are located in both University Hall and around the town of St. Andrews. After breakfast at University Hall or Agnes Blackadder there is more than enough time to get to your class as the venues are located centrally in town – a maximum walk of approximately 25 – 30 minutes.

University Hall: Kennedy Gardens, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DL

Agnes Blackadder Hall: North Haugh, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9XW

Travel Information

If you plan to travel by road please consult the AA, RAC or equivalent on the best route and road conditions.

If you plan to travel by air, Edinburgh Airport is nearest although onward travel by train and/or bus is available from Glasgow and Prestwick.

The nearest train station is Leuchars, where buses or taxis are available for onward travel.

Stagecoach and Strathtay Buses come to St. Andrews bus station.

The following website may help with your travel plans:

www.visitstandrews.com

All dancers will attend a Scottish country dance class of their own ability each morning. Please carefully read the class descriptions before completing the application form. It is recommended that under 18’s attend during Youth Week in week 3.

Class options

We hope to be able to offer all of the classes listed below, but reserve the right to cancel any should demand be insufficient. In such cases, dancers will be contacted in order to move to the most appropriate other class. The Schools Director, in consultation with your class teacher, reserves the right to move, up or down, anyone who, in their opinion would benefit from attending a different class.

Class information

Classes for all levels of Scottish Country Dancing are held during the mornings of Monday to Saturday at various venues throughout St. Andrews. All are within approximately 25-30 minutes walking distance of University Hall.

This is a course of practical dancing and everyone is expected to actively participate in morning classes for all six days. During the afternoons additional voluntary classes may be offered. The examination courses and music courses will involve morning and afternoon classes. There are no classes on Sundays.

Step classes will be run in the afternoons.

Classes by week

Teaching Certificate: Units 2 and 3 is now sold out. If you would like to put your name down for the waiting list, please email [email protected].

Class Descriptions and Lists of Formations

Summer School 2026 – Class Descriptions and Lists of Formations

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

There is social dancing for all dancers attending Summer School on most evenings. This is held in University Hall and/or elsewhere. There is also a ceilidh each Friday evening which you may wish to join.

Every Thursday there are public dances in the Younger Hall. Dancers attending Summer School, (except morning only dancers) will not be required to buy a ticket as it is included in the Summer School fees. Tickets for non Summer School attendees will be released 3 weeks prior to the event date.

Due to Younger Hall availability, in week 3 the public dance in Younger Hall will take place on Friday 7th August 2026.

The designated responsible adult for Summer School MUST accompany young dancers aged 8 – 17 years to all social dances. Only dancers aged 8 years and above may be on the dance floor during social dancing.

Branches and Groups nearby also offer opportunities for social dancing during Summer School and details will be available from the RSCDS Office in University Hall.

The smooth running of Summer School is successfully achieved through the collaborative efforts of RSCDS Office staff members, the Summer School teachers and musicians, as well as through the volunteer support generously given by attendees. If you wish to help, for example, by assisting at registration or in the pop up shop, then please select the appropriate box on the online booking form.

It would be very much appreciated if ALL dancers attending Summer School could give at least one hour to help make up the classes required for the practical teaching part of the examinations. Some classes will be expected to do this as part of their morning tuition.

Accommodation can only be booked for students at Summer School – dancers or musicians.

Attendees can opt to stay in either University Hall or Agnes Blackadder, both of which are located at St. Andrews University.

Summer School is based in University Hall, Kennedy Gardens. This is an historic building in its own attractive grounds near the University playing fields. The rooms are study bedrooms, either single or twin, many have wash-hand basins, but all other bathroom facilities are shared.

Accommodation can also be booked in Agnes Blackadder Hall (formerly New Hall) for adults only. This venue is approximately 15 minutes from University Hall. All bedrooms have an en-suite shower, toilet and wash-hand basin. Most of the bedrooms have one double bed and can be occupied by one or two dancers. All rooms have a television. Agnes Blackadder Hall has a bar, spacious foyer and dining room, where breakfast is served.

The RSCDS Office, pop up shops and most social functions are based in University Hall.

Included in the booking fee is breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner on the day you arrive and breakfast on the day you depart is also included). All meals are buffet style and dietary restrictions can be observed, so please make sure to let us know in the booking form.

Agnes Blackadder residents: please note that other than breakfast all meals will be served at University Hall in the Dining Hall.

All university bedrooms are serviced daily and are provided with towels, and of course, bedlinen. Coffee/tea-making facilities are available in nearby well equipped kitchens.

Attendees who decide to reside in accommodation other than University Hall or Agnes Blackadder Hall will be considered Non-Resident.

Other University accommodation can be booked directly through St Andrews University and there are a number of hotels, B&B and caravans available in or near the town.

WiFi access

There is free WIFI access throughout University Hall and Agnes Blackadder Hall.

Laundry

Facilities available include washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. Washing machines and dryers operate by a downloadable app, Washstation. Details are displayed in the laundry rooms.

For full rooming information please see Terms & Conditions and FAQs.

Summer School registration opens at 4pm every Sunday during the event period. Room keys can be picked up from the desk in the foyer of University Hall. Attendees arriving early are welcome to leave their bags.

Attendees staying in Agnes Blackadder Hall can check in at this building from 3pm onwards, then make their way to University Hall to register at the RSCDS office.

When departing please ensure that your room is cleared by 10am and return your key to University Manager’s office. Luggage may be left  until departure time – please speak with University staff.

RSCDS Summer School – Frequesntly Asked Questions