The RSCDS Leeds Branch was delighted to welcome dancers from across the UK to our 70th Annual Scottish Country Dance Festival, where we enjoyed a wonderful day of dancing, music and friendship.
We were honoured that the festival was officially opened by Sebastian Wanless, Chair-elect of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, who warmly welcomed everyone and spoke about the importance of Scottish Country Dancing in bringing people together through a shared love of music, movement and community.
The dance programme offered an enjoyable mix of familiar favourites and more challenging dances as well as some Highland and Ladies Step dances, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy. Throughout the gloriously sunny day the field was filled with enthusiasm, laughter and the pleasure of dancing with both old friends and new acquaintances.
The wonderful music from Màrtainn Skene inspired dancers all day and into the evening dance, perfectly capturing the spirit and energy of each dance. Their sensitive musicianship and infectious enthusiasm were greatly appreciated and contributed enormously to the success of the festival.
One of the greatest pleasures of the day was welcoming dancers from so many different Branches and Clubs. Festivals like this remind us that Scottish Country Dancing is about far more than the dances themselves—it is about friendship, hospitality and the connections we make across the Society. We are deeply grateful to every dancer who travelled to Leeds and helped create such a warm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
The day was a wonderful celebration of Scottish Country Dancing, and we are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Leeds for our next festival on Saturday 10 July, when we will once again have the pleasure of dancing to the music of Màrtainn Skene.
We hope many friends, old and new, will join us for another memorable day of dancing.
