A weekend of dancing and discussion
Join us in Dumfries for the 2026 Autumn Gathering and 97th AGM of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
Dancers from all over the world head to the annual Autumn Gathering to take part in classes and discussion forums, together with the Friday evening dance and Saturday ball. Whether attending as delegates or spectators, for just a class, the evening dances or the whole weekend, you’ll be sure of a warm Dumfries welcome.
A Fresh Start for the Autumn Gathering
For some time now, members have told us the same thing: the Autumn Gathering weekend has been becoming too expensive to attend. While the RSCDS has always worked hard to keep ticket prices as low as possible, rising venue and event costs in Glasgow and Edinburgh have made this increasingly difficult.
Accommodation has added to the challenge. With hotel prices in both cities continuing to climb, the overall cost of the weekend has put it out of reach for too many of our members.
We’ve listened—and this year, we’re making a change.
Welcome to Dumfries
We’re delighted to announce that this year’s Autumn Gathering will take place in Dumfries, at the Loreburn Hall—a move that allows us to create a more affordable and accessible weekend for everyone.
Dumfries offers excellent transport links. It is well connected by rail, with regular services to Glasgow and Carlisle, and the station is just a five-minute walk from the venue. For those travelling further afield, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are both within around two to two-and-a-half hours by road or rail. The town is also easily reached by car via the A75, A76 and M74, with convenient parking nearby.
One of Dumfries’ biggest advantages is the availability of reasonably priced accommodation, all within easy walking distance of the venue. Average accommodation prices are 15% lower in Dumfries than Glasgow and there is a wide range of Hotels and guest houses within a 10 minute walk of Loreburn Hall.
With everything close at hand, Dumfries provides a welcoming, walkable, and much more affordable base for the weekend.
Fees
| Type | Cost |
| Weekend ticket* | £50 |
| Weekend ticket (12-25)* | £35 |
| Friday Dance | £25 |
| Saturday Ball | £30 |
| Friday Dance (Non-dancer/under 18 dancer) | £10 |
| Saturday Ball (Non-dancer/under 18 dancer) | £10 |
| Saturday Class | £10 |
| Sunday Class | £10 |
*Weekend tickets include access to all events noted below.
Programme at a Glance
- Friday Dance – Music by Liam Stewart and his Band
- Saturday Class – Taught by TBC with music by Liam Stewart
- 97th AGM – Saturday afternoon, where members gather to guide the Society’s future
- Saturday Ball – Music from Neil Galloway and his Band
- Sunday Class - Taught by Rachel Shankland with music by Ian T. Muir
Teachers and Musicians
| Teachers | Musicians | Bands |
| Rachel Shankland (Sunday) | Liam Stewart (Saturday) Ian T. Muir (Sunday) | Liam Stewart and his Band (Friday Dance) Neil Galloway and his Band (Saturday Ball) |
Information and Programmes
Coming soon
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Venues
Friday & Saturday Loreburn Hall, Newall Terrace, Dumfries, DG1 1LN
FAQs
Get answers to our most commonly asked questions below.
Looking for more guidance? Get in touch and we'll try to help.
We are delighted to be partnering with the Carindale Hotel for accommodation who are offering our attendees a special rate
- £99.50 per person, per night in shared rooms
- £149.50 per night in single rooms
These rates include:
- Classic Accommodation
- Two course dinner, bed & breakfast
- Carparking, WiFi and vat
Upgraded rooms are available at a supplement.
Enter the Promo Code RSCDS26 onto the website booking page here or when calling the Hotel, quote RSCDS26.
For the final agenda, candidate profiles and voting arrangements for both the candidate elections (digital voting) and the AGM motions (in person voting in the agenda) visit our Governance page. Updates for 2026 to follow shortly.
Bookings opening soon.
Tickets are available to purchase on the website. Click the blue "Book now" button to book online and select your preferred option(s). Please note that no physical tickets will be issued. Your email confirmation will act as your ticket and can be printed or presented on your phone at the venue as proof of purchase.
If you purchase a Weekend ticket then this will cover ALL activities across the Autumn Gathering 2026 weekend including dances and classes. Accommodation is not included and must be sourced by yourself.
Alternatively, you can select individual classes and dances as preferred.
If you wish to request a refund for 2026 Autumn Gathering event tickets, then please note that the Society charges a one off administration charge of £10 per attendee to cover bank transaction costs.
If, due to circumstances outside our control, we are required to cancel the 2026 Autumn Gathering event then we will inform all ticket buyers and a full refund will be provided. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society shall assume no liability for any losses resulting from individual hotel bookings or pre-booked travel. Please check your personal travel insurance policy.
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].
Please let us know if you would instead prefer to donate your ticket money to the Society if any of the above circumstances apply.
This event is suitable for dancers aged 12+ and with sufficient dance experience for the programmes. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Upcoming Events
Summer School 2026
Families and Friends Weekend 2026
