Country dancing in Scotland was also influenced by the long relationship
with France through the Auld Alliance. Dance teachers brought back steps
and rules of etiquette from the French Court dances. This influence is noted
by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in its Scottish Country
Dance Manual, Chapter 1: “The rules of ballroom etiquette, still observed
by the Scottish country dancers, can probably be directly linked to the
example set by French dancers and teachers, especially those at the Court.”
Scottish Country Dancing evolved and grew through the 1700’s and
1800’s to closely resemble the form that we dance today. Its popularity
was very wide spread in Scotland. From royalty and nobility, to the
ordinary people of the land, it was enthusiastically embraced and
incorporated into the social fabric of Scotland.