STDT is a national organisation which exists to promote and encourage participation and enjoyment in all forms of Scottish traditional dance. It is a registered Scottish charity no: SCO24389 and a company limited by guarantee no: SC161754. Registered Office: 5th Floor, Quartermile Two, 2 Lister Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9GL

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/stdt

STDT moved offices in August 2007 to the Speirs Centre, Primrose Street, Alloa. This was the result of two years of negotiations with Cultural and Community Services of Clackmannanshire Council. The move indicates a significant development in the partnership of STDT with Cultural and Community Services. The Speirs building that STDT have moved to is going to be renovated and extended and will provide a much awaited permanent home for the national archive and resource centre for Scottish dance. There will also be a performance area within the newly developed Speirs building that will enable a significant increase in the number of performances of Traditional dance. It is hoped that the newly refurbished Speirs Centre that will also house the library, the museum, a touring exhibition space and education rooms will be open by 2010.

We had a Traditional Dance Artist in Residence, Clackmannanshire in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council . At the end of the two year programme, Lisa Kennedy became STDT's Resident Dance Tutor.

STDT also continues to strive to improve activity in other areas throughout Scotland.

STDT seeks to raise the profile of traditional dance nationally & internationally. The Trust is about enjoyment, collaboration and partnership in the process and results of our events & activities .

NATIONAL

Our 5th Traditional Dance Festival took place in the Central Region in March 2008 and was a huge success in terms of numbers watching, participating or competing in traditional dance. In addition, the Trust organises and supports various opportunities for demonstration of, and participation in, all our dance traditions through our own events but also in partnership with other organisations.

INTERNATIONAL

We held a Ceilidh for a group of French Students here at The Speirs Centre and the Tutor had to issue instructions in French. It was a great success and the 50 students and teachers greatly enjoyed themselves.

Lisa Kennedy our Resident Dance Tutor has also lead 2 separate Ceilidh Classes for visiting students from the U.S.A.

On 10th August 2008, STDT & Clackmannanshire Council hosted a performance by a group of Basque Dancers who came to Scotland to give some performances and to learn about our Scottish Culture & Traditions. This was a fantastic exchange of cultures and was enjoyed by everyone involved.

STDT continues to develop its outreach activity in schools and communities.

A 2 year project in South Ayrshire schools working with P.7's and then following them to S.1 in High School. We hosted two Celebration of Dance Days in each of the two High Schools when pupils performed for their peers. This was a huge undertaking for STDT, involving 5 tutors over 7 weeks. The logistics were difficult as many of the primary schools were very small and situated in rural locations not accessible by public transport, but the results were worth the effort with around 89% of the children rating the workshops as "Great" or "Good."

We have completed a nine month dance residency in South Lanarkshire, collaborating with Cultural Co-ordinator Kimberly White and the contemporary dance company Spinal Chord. The project covered 4 cluster areas and the Primary feeder Schools for Biggar, Cathkin, John Ogilvie and Calderglen High. The project consisted of two 6 week blocks, during which each school received a 1 hour session per week of Scottish Fusion dance. This involved learning various Ceilidh dances and combining them with contemporary dance styles, such as, African, Hip-Hop,Salsa and Bollywood.

Both of the 6 week blocks resulted in a final performance at each cluster High School, as a final showcase of their work.
During the course of the residency, 3 Continuing Professional Development sessions were also offered to all P.E teachers and primary staff as an introduction to teaching dance. The sessions offered ideas and simple techniques for teaching Ceilidh dance and choreographing Scottish Fusion routines.
In the final stages of the residency Peer Leadership training was offered to High School pupils to become Dance Mentors. This 6 week block provided them with the skills to facilitate dance.

STDT is keen to develop an active and useful dialogue between dance advocates representing all sectors.

We continue to develop collaborations with other organisations and festivals in Scotland, including:

- National Museums of Scotland

- Historic Scotland

- Hairst Festival, Angus

- Clackmannanshire Council

- Local Authorities throughout Scotland

- Traditional dance performers and artists

Help us to continue our work by becoming a FRIEND of the Trust. In return we will keep you up to date on our Events and Classes and also send you a newsletter twice a year. Membership is £15 per annum and the concession rate is £12.50.

If you would like to join us contact us. Please see Contact section for details.