INTERNATIONAL SUMMER COURSE
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 is available for participants to visit local historical sites.
Entry Fees for historic visits can be paid upon arrival at the site
Minibus to be booked in advance (see booking form).
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.
Historical Dancing will be taught in workshops every day. The dances are social dances danced as enjoyed by people from different historical periods from the medieval times to the nineteenth century. The dances are part of the Nonsuch repertoire, with published instructions and music. The classes for all levels will be taught by Darren Royston in a fun and easy-to-learn format. Together we will learn steps and patterns throughout the week, to make sure participants are confident to join the historical ball at the end of the course.
Please complete the BOOKING FORM
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nonsuchhistorydance/1858273
THE TIMETABLE
What to Wear? For dance classes, participants are advised to change into dance shoes with a low heel and wear comfortable clothes to move in. There will be opportunities to wear some historical designed costumes.
Monday 15th June 2026
10:00 – 12:00: HISTORICAL DANCE : Medieval Circle Dance
Dancing at the Community Centre
13:00 HISTORICAL VISIT : TARBOLTON
Minibus departs to visit to Tarbolton, Bachelor’s Club – where Robert Burns first learnt to dance (Tickets £5, concessions £3.50)
www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bachelors-club
16:00 Depart Tarlbolton to return to Sanquhar
Tuesday 16th June
10:00 – 13:00 HISTORICAL VISIT : SANQUHAR
Sanquhar Castle, the Tolbooth Museum, St Bride’s Church: The History of Robert the Bruce, the Crichton family of the Renaissance, Mary Queen of Scots and King James VI of Scotland. (free admission)
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/sanquhar-tolbooth-museum-p251181
14:00 – 18:00 HISTORICAL DANCE : Renaissance Dance
Dancing at the Community Centre
Wednesday 17th June
09:30 HISTORICAL VISIT : DUMFRIES
Robert Burns House (free admission) https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/robert-burns-house-p250471
Robert Burns Centre (free admission) https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/robert-burns-centre-p251171
Ellisland Farm (admission cost £2.50) https://www.ellislandfarm.co.uk
13:00 return to Sanquhar
14:00 – 18:00 HISTORICAL DANCE : Dance of 17th & 18th century
Thursday 18th June
10:15 HISTORICAL VISIT : ALLOWAY
Alloway Cottage & Burns Museum (Admission £12, concession £9)
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum
Lunch available in café.
14:00 – 18:00 Return to Sanquhar for HISTORICAL DANCE : Robert Burns Dances
Friday 19th June
For those not wishing to perform in the concert: sightseeing options available with own transport
ST BRIDE’S CHURCH, SANQUHAR
10 – 13:00 Morning Rehearsal with musicians and setting up church
14:00 – 15:30 Afternoon rehearsal with course students
16:00 – 17:30 After school rehearsal with children
18:30 costume and set up
7pm concert (free to attend)
One Hour concert 7pm – 8pm
FREE CONCERT : THE GOLDEN AGES OF SANQUHAR
Historical dance and music related to famous figures of the town
Medieval Sanquhar of Robert the Bruce (Sumer is Icumen In)
Renaissance Sanquhar of James Crichton (John Dowland Lute Songs, Dances of the French Orchesography: The Scots Branle, Dances from Mantua: Austria Gonzaga, Galliards & Scotch Jigs)
Dances of Dumfries House & Robert Burns: (1782 Minuets from John Riddell’s Scots Reels & Minuets, Lull Me Beyond Thee country dance, Beethoven’s Ecosaisse Opus 83)
Saturday 20th June
SANQUHAR TOWN HALL
11:00 – 18:00 DRAMATIC DANCE MOVEMENT CHOIR DAY
[09:00 – 10:30 Warm up (optional) Some participants will be travelling at this time]
11:00 – 14:00 Session 1
14:00 – 15:00 Lunch break (bring own refreshments)
15:00 – 17:00 Session 2
17:00 – 18:00 Sharing Session (open to the community)
Theme:
The Golden Ages of Dance as the Music of the Spheres: historical styles of Sanquhar and a celebration for the future.
Participants will create a Dance Drama inspired by the history of the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar including Victorian waltzing with the Strauss family connected to 1882 when the Town Hall was first opened.
This fun day of creative movement for all ages uses the method of movement choir choreography developed from the ideas of Rudolf Laban.
Sunday 21st June
The course will conclude with a special ROBERT BURNS MIDSUMMER BALL on Sunday 21st June at the Woodland House Hotel, with an afternoon dance workshop.
ROBERT BURNS MIDSUMMER BALL
Please complete the BOOKING FORM
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nonsuchhistorydance/1708292
PRICE LIST
EARLY BOOKING is available to 1st April
BOOKING with Ticket Tailor (plus booking fee)
Nonsuch Membership £18 per year [LINK to join]
Full Week (Mon-Sat) no concessions
Full Price £330
Nonsuch Member £320 (annual membership £18)
Early Bird £300
Early Bird Nonsuch Member Full Week £290 (annual membership £18 per year)
Daily £60 no concessions (Friday 19 will be concert fee so no fee)
Monday 15th
Tuesday 16th
Wednesday 17th
Thursday 18th
Friday 19th Concert day (free booking at Ticket Tailor)
Saturday 20th Movement Choir Day (Special Offer £30 to students)
Minibus supplement £10 per day (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday Ball) 13 places available please book in advance
Sunday 21st June Midsummer Ball Tickets £65 also with concession price £35