WELCOME TO AN ENTERTAINMENT SITE FOR SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS!
Enjoy this curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
A Gypsy Encampment
Thomas Austen Brown (1859–1924)
Jun 19
Traveler's Days
Gypsy Dreams
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"It is only thus that we can appreciate the enormous debt we owe the travellers for keeping the Scottish heritage alive."
~ Donald Archie MacDonald
Inspired by a daydream, devisor Terry Glasspool, created this elegant 32-bar strathspey includes a figure referred to as the "Gypsy Poussette" a special box setting step, as well as a Gypsy turn, and a Tournée! The devisor was also inspired by a particular lilting phrase from "The Birks of Invermay" by the band Terpsichore which is the suggested music. And according to the devisor, "gives a dreamy, almost ethereal quality, as though the dancers are drifting through the music itself."
Few traditions capture the spirit of freedom, artistry, and celebration quite like the music and dance associated with travelling peoples. Across Europe and elsewhere, travelling communities developed rich musical traditions marked by expressive fiddle playing, spirited rhythms, and dances full of energy, grace, and individuality. Their music has inspired generations of performers and composers, while their culture has become woven into the folklore and imagination of many nations.
In Scotland, the Travelling People developed their own distinctive traditions of music, storytelling, craftsmanship, and community life. Folklorists including Hamish Henderson, Margaret Bennett, and Donald Archie MacDonald recognized that Traveller families played a vital role in preserving many of Scotland's traditional songs, stories, and oral traditions. Their rich cultural heritage remains an important part of Scotland's living history, reflecting strong family bonds, cherished traditions, and a deep love of music, storytelling, and dance.🕺 💃 🤎 ❤️ 💙 🎻
Gypsy Dreams
The Scottish Travellers are a distinct cultural group whose presence in Scotland can be traced back several centuries. Historical records from at least the sixteenth century describe travelling families moving throughout the Highlands, Lowlands, and islands. While their exact origins remain a subject of scholarly debate, Scottish Travellers developed a unique identity, traditions, and way of life within Scotland. They are generally distinguished from both the Roma peoples of continental Europe and the Irish Travellers, although all three groups share a history of mobility.
Traditionally, Scottish Travellers earned their living through a variety of occupations that required travel. These included tinsmithing, basket making, horse dealing, pearl fishing, hawking goods, seasonal agricultural work, and the collection and sale of scrap materials. Travelling families often followed established routes and attended markets, fairs, and hiring trysts throughout Scotland. Their movements were closely linked to seasonal employment opportunities and local economic needs.
One of the most significant contributions of Scottish Travellers has been the preservation of Scotland's oral traditions. Because stories, songs, and historical accounts were passed down within families rather than through written records, Travellers became important custodians of traditional Scottish culture. During the twentieth century, folklorists collected thousands of songs, ballads, folktales, and customs from Traveller communities. Much of the material now preserved in Scottish archives originated from Traveller singers and storytellers.
Among the best-known Traveller tradition bearers were Jeannie Robertson (1908–1975), Belle Stewart (1906–1997), Stanley Robertson (1940–2009), and Duncan Williamson (1928–2007). Their repertoires included centuries-old ballads, local legends, supernatural tales, and traditional songs. Recordings made by folklorists such as Hamish Henderson helped preserve many works that might otherwise have been lost.
The language traditionally associated with Scottish Travellers is known as Cant or Beurla Reagaird. This mixed language incorporates elements of Scots, Gaelic, and specialized Traveller vocabulary. It was historically used within Traveller communities and served both practical and social purposes.
During the twentieth century, changes in agriculture, transportation, housing policy, and employment opportunities reduced the need for a travelling lifestyle. Many Traveller families became permanently settled, although some continued to travel seasonally. Despite these changes, Scottish Travellers remain an important part of Scotland's cultural landscape. In 2014, the Scottish Government formally recognized Scottish Travellers as a distinct ethnic group, acknowledging their unique history, culture, and contribution to Scottish society.
For more, click the painting below, Gypsies in a Landscape by
Alexander Fraser (1827–1899).
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
