There are two main styles of traditional dancing in Scotland - Scottish Country Dancing and Highland Dancing.

Scottish Country Dancing is Scotland’s version of social partner dancing. It’s always danced in groups, in much the same way as courtly dancing or square dancing. Many Scots will know enough to get up and join in one or two Scottish Country Dances. They're often danced at social events (even at the pub, as in the picture below!), whereas only trained dancers would attempt Highland Dancing.

Scottish Country Dancing is an ideal hobby, because it’s good exercise as well as being very social. If you don’t have a partner, you have the chance to dance with a number of different people. And if you do have a partner, you have to cooperate with and talk to the other couples in your group – so it’s a great ice-breaker if you’ve just moved into a new neighbourhood.

Danced properly, Scottish Country Dancing is energetic, though there are plenty of chances to take a breather because usually, only one or two couples are dancing at any one time. However, while in motion, the dancers are up on their toes at all times, skipping and hopping in a variety of bouncy steps.

The dancers form into lines (or for a reel, a circle), each dancer facing his or her partner. Most dances follow a similar pattern: the top one or two couples dance with each other for a few bars, then move to the bottom of the group so the next one or two couples can have their turn. Within that simple pattern there is scope for a huge number of variations: for instance, the top couple can peel off and dance down the outside of the group, or weave in and out of the other dancers, or dance down the middle. Sometimes the other couples simply take a couple of steps to move up the line, and sometimes the whole group breaks into dance, crossing over or changing places multiple times until they settle down into a new order.

Highland Dance is a performance art, not a social dance. If you're a Highland Dancer, you’ll probably attend classes, take exams and perhaps compete at Highland Games. It's usually danced solo: if you see a line of Highland dancers, they’re more likely to be competing against each other than dancing together! Sometimes you’ll see Highland dancers performing en masse at events like the Edinburgh Tattoo. There are also a few specific dances (like the sword dance) that are performed by a group of two, three or four dancers.

Highland dancers wear a lighter version of full Highland dress.

Outside Scotland, you'll see other costumes being worn - but to the purist, all dances except one (the Seann Triubhas) should be danced in a kilt (a tartan skirt is permitted for women, but rarely worn in Scotland). Other costumes are allowed in the National Dances, which are a separate class of dances created in the 19th century for women (who weren't allowed to take part in Highland Dancing).

Highland Dancing requires similar technique to ballet, including a turnout (though not as extreme as ballet), pointed toes, and curved arms. Highland dancers become very fit and toned, because the dances are energetic and are danced on the toes almost throughout. The downside is that the calves can become large and over-developed, which girls can find embarrassing (I've never met a female Highland dancer who can wear knee-high zip boots!).

Scottish dancing has spread throughout the world with Scottish migration. Like other national dances, it's now danced by many people who have little or no connection with its country of origin, simply because it's enjoyable and challenging.

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All text copyright Marisa Wright. Photo courtesy of Jon Thomson on Flickr.