Ceilidh dancing

The general format of Ceilidh dancing is the set. A set consists of four couples, with each pair facing another in a square or rectangular formation. Each couple exchanges position with the facing couple, and also facing couples exchange partners, while all the time keeping in step with the beat of the music.

However, about half of the dances in the modern Scots Ceilidh are couple dances performed in a ring. These can be performed by fixed couples or in the more sociable 'progressive' manner, with the lady moving to the next gentleman in the ring at or near the end of each repetition of the steps.

There is also a form of dancing which in the US would be called square or line dancing - The Siege of Ennis, The Walls of Limerick and The Stack of Barley being the most popular dances in this genre; some of the Ceilidh dance formations are named after famous historical battles and events, others after items of daily rural life as the last three examples show.

Step dancing is another form of dancing often performed at Ceilidhs, the form that was popularised in the 1990's by the world-famous Riverdance ensemble. Whereas Set dancing involves all present, whatever their skill, Step dancing is usually reserved for show, being performed only by the most talented of dancers.