What We Do

Scotland's National Network for Traditional Dance

We support the diverse forms of traditional dance in Scotland as part of our intangible cultural heritage through FREE membership and three major routes - residencies, festivals and productions.

We encourage collaboration and exchange across all trad dance forms practised in Scotland. We work with our members, the traditional arts network and the contemporary art world, including policymakers, cultural, artistic and educational organisations to create and extend opportunities, including new commissions, publications and events.

We are a registered charity (SCIO SC045085) and an integral part of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), alongside our friends at Traditional Music Forum and Scottish Storytelling Forum.

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Our new social dance series where Scotland meets the World

Ceilidh Plus

We believe that the tradition bearers of Scottish Ceilidh would be delighted to share the stage and dance floor with the dance traditions of other cultures which have become an integral part of contemporary Scotland. Hence, Ceilidh Plus – a space for the folk fusion of Scottish Ceilidh with other world trad dances. Help us establish a new tradition. Join us for our fourth Ceilidh Plus as part of our fourth Pomegranates Festival and dance to Scottish, Polish, plus Hungarian live music on Saturday, 26 April 2025 6-9.30pm at Edinburgh’s King’s Hall. 

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Our new podcast uncovers Mary, Queen of Scots’ passion for dance

Trad Dance Cast

To celebrate Women’s History Month of March 2025 and ahead of our Pomegranates Festival (25-30 April 2025) we launched a new podcast episode highlighting the role of women in traditional dance. Released on 8 March 2025 to mark International Women’s Day, the episode features dance researcher and new Scot Alena Shmakova discussing her work on dance history in Scotland, from the Renaissance to the Georgians, with a focus on Mary, Queen of Scots and lead dancer Sophia Parker. 

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Our international trad dance festival

Pomegranates

Every spring since 2022 Pomegranates becomes a platform for our diverse members to teach, learn and perform and thus sow the seeds and sequins of world trad dance across the country. Once again Pomegranates explores the intrinsic links of world trad dance with art, film, fashion, and heritage crafts through exhibitions and tours, shows and workshops, residencies and family events – all free and Pay What You Can. Explore the full programme of our fourth festival edition 25-30 April 2025

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The Latest from Traditional Dance Forum

Pomegranates Festival is Produced through a Major Academic Partnership

Initiated and curated by us at the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland, the Pomegranates Festival of world trad dance is produced...
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Celebrating Traditional Dance on Screen

The opening night of this year’s Pomegranates Festival of international traditional dance (25-30 April 2025), kicks off with a packed programme...
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Trad Dance, Venice Carnival and Masks or Lorraine Pritchard’s exhibition at this year’s Pomegranates Festival

We are delighted to announce Masks – this year’s Pomegranates Festival exhibition, which features over 20 hand-crafted Venetian and world dance...
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