Nonsuch History & Dance
Golden Anniversary Year 2026

ROBERT BURNS
MIDSUMMER BALL
Sunday 21st June 2026

Come and dance to the tunes that inspired the songs of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Venue
Woodland House Hotel, Woodlands Avenue, Newbridge, Dumfries SCOTLAND DG2 0HZ

https://woodlandhousehotel.co.uk

Learn the dances at an afternoon workshop from 2pm to 5pm.
Evening Ball from 7pm to 10pm.

Dance to the music of A&B
Aidan Broadbridge (violin) and Brian Prentice (piano).

Teaching the dances in the afternoon and Master of Ceremonies at the Ball will be Nicolas Broadbridge, a specialist in Playford dances and founder of The Assembly Dancers of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Dances are selected from the new anthology by Sue Knight of Dumfries Historical Dance Group and longstanding member of Nonsuch History & Dance.

There is no formal dress code. You may choose to wear historical costume, traditional dress or simply summer chic!

Prices: TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

www.nonsuchdance.co.uk

Please email for booking form or use our contact form.

info@nonsuchdance.co.uk

Further details will be available on request, including list of dances and instructions.

During the Ball there will be an intermission presentation of “The Ballad of John Barleycorn” with the matched dance “Lull Me Beyond Thee.”

We look forward to seeing you there!

15th – 21st June 2026

GOLDEN AGES
Come for a week of sightseeing, dancing and socialising in the beauty of Scotland.

Discover the places where the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns was inspired.

Reimagine the historical world of medieval King Robert the Bruce. Dance the dances of Renaissance Scottish courtiers from the time of Mary Queen of Scots. Waltz together in nineteenth century social dancing in the beautifully renovated Town Hall of the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar.

Transport by minibus will be organised to allow participants to spend their mornings doing historical sightseeing, before taking lunch and then learning dances that relate to the location and vicinity. Accommodation is recommended at local guesthouses, hotels or even camping for the more adventurous. The week will allow many trips and social events to meet fellow participants, dance together and learn local history.

Register for more information by emailing info@nonsuch.co.uk.

A PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE FOLLOWS:

Monday 15th June 2026 : Medieval Day
Morning: Sanquhar Castle
Afternoon: Early Dance Principles as taught by June McKay

Tuesday 16th June 2026 : Renaissance Day
Morning: St. Bride’s Church & Tolbooth Museum
Afternoon: 16th & 17th Century dancing, including the Nonsuch country dance (Playford)

Wednesday 17th June 2026 : Baroque Day
Morning: Tarbolton where Robert Burns learnt to dance

www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bachelors-club

Afternoon: 17th & 18th Century dancing including French Minuet (legacy of Madeleine Inglehearn) and Spanish Fandango of Don Juan (legacy of Geraldine Stephenson)

Thursday 18th June 2026 : Robert Burns Day
Morning: Robert Burns sites in Dumfries and surrounding area

Afternoon: 18th century Country Dance (including Lull Me Beyond Thee) (research from Sue Knight)

Friday 19th June 2026 : Dumfries House Day
A guided tour with Lunch at café.

Dance the Country Dance created especially for the Nonsuch anniversary, to the music of country dance “Dumfries House” contained in John Riddell’s 1766 Collection.

Saturday 20th June 2026 : Sanquhar Town Hall Day, 1882
Dances of the 19th Century including Quadrille & Caledonians.
Dance classes 10am – 5pm.
Dinner Break
Victorian Ball 7pm – 9pm

The course will conclude with a special ROBERT BURNS MIDSUMMER BALL on Sunday 21st June at the Woodland House Hotel.