About Us

 The RSCDS Chicago Branch is one of many Scottish Country Dancing Branches in the Midwest. All RSCDS Branches operate under the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society. We encourage you to check the website The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society for information on the worldwide community of Scottish Country Dancers.  Information concerning the Chicago Branch is available on the main RSCDS website:

"Everyone can dance, when they find music that they love." Whether it's the first few bars of a hornpipe or the exhilaration of leading down the middle and back, something about Scottish music captivates people, and keeps them coming back for more.

A group of dancers in Illinois felt that same passion for the Scottish dance, which led them to meet up on February 7, 1980 at the Community Foundation Center for Palos Park to start a class together. Seven happy years of dancing later, they were granted branch status and, helmed by certificated teachers Martin Mulligan and David and Avril Quarrie, they became the Chicago Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.

Since those early days, our community has grown. We have one regular class: Silk and Thistle, which meets in the suburbs. Together, our branch hosts a variety of events including spring and fall dances and a Midwinter Ball. We also team up with the Milwaukee and Madison branches to host the Midwest Scottish Weekend every summer, inviting teachers and musicians from across the country. 

Here is a page of links to local and worldwide Scottish Country Dance groups and resources.  And a link to a bookmark you can print to help spread the word!