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. STDT is a flexible-funded organisation of the Scottish Arts Council. Registered Office: 30-31 Queen St, Edinburgh, EH2 1JX.

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

- Edinburgh's Ceilidh Culture

- Hairst Festival, Angus

- Local Authorities throughout Scotland

- Traditional dance performers and artists

All of this runs in parallel with our programme of activities across Scotland including workshops, ceilidhs, classes and dance demonstrations.

We want everyone to enjoy our traditional dance culture now and in the future. To become a Friend of the Trust and play your part in conserving an important part of our culture, just click on the "Contact" page, insert your details and request a Membership Form. Not only will you be helping us to carry on our work, you will receive "STDT News" magazine; receive regular updates on activities; enjoy discounted rates for STDT events and you will be a part of the serious tradition of having a fantastic dancing time!

Friends will receive "STDT News" newsletter on a quarterly basis. The magazine provides an excellent insight into all our activities, and lots of information across dance styles.

STDT completed two successful traditional dance development project in South Lanarkshire and South Ayrshire in 2007-2008: from nursery school age to secondary were exposed to Scottish traditional dance. It is particularly rewarding that many of those participants were young people for whom this opportunity would not normally be available. Our development of traditional dance continues in the Clackmannanshire area, Fife and Aberdeen City

It is the ultimate aim of the Trust to have a Traditional Dance Artist in every Local Authority in Scotland, and we are well on our way to achieving this target. We have a Traditional Dance Artist in Residence, Clackmannanshire in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council . T

We also have a Traditional Dance Artist in Aberdeen City in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, funded by Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund. In addition, the post of Traditional Dance Development Officer, Fife is under the auspices of STDT for 3 days per week. STDT is very excited at these developments, but will continue to strive to improve activity in other areas throughout Scotland.

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

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.

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 just 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.

The first stage of our formal resource centre is now in place by the production of the Archive Collection Catalogue. This is available on-line at present. We are hoping that the National Archive & Resource Centre for Scottish Dance will be housed in a new refurbished Speirs Centre in Alloa. There will be a space dedicated to Scottish dance within the exciting development and in the extension there will be a performance area. It is hoped that the Archive & Resource Centre will open late 2009 or early 2010.