International Summer Course

Golden Ages

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

Timetable

Monday 15th June
10:00–12:00 Historical Dance – Medieval Circle Dance
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)
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).
14:00–18:00 Historical Dance – Renaissance Dance
At the Community Centre

Wednesday 17th June
09:30 Historical visit – Dumfries
Robert Burns House (free admission)
Robert Burns Centre (free admission)
Ellisland Farm (admission cost £2.50)
13:00 return to Sanquhar
14:00–18:00 Historical Dance – Dance of 17th & 18th century
At the Community Centre

Thursday 18th June
10:15 Historical visit – Alloway
Alloway Cottage & Burns Museum (Admission £12, concession £9)
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 optional sightseeing (with own transport)
10:00–13:00 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 – 8pm Concert The Golden Ages of Sanquhar at St Bride’s Church (free to attend)

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 Dramatic Dance Movement Choir Day
(At Sanquhar Town Hall)
09:00–10:30 Optional warm up (some participants will be travelling at this time)
11:00–14:00 Session 1
14:00–15:00 Lunch (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 at the Woodland House Hotel, with an afternoon dance workshop.

Please complete the BOOKING FORM to attend the ball.

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.

Costs

Early booking is available to 1st April 2026.
BOOKING with Ticket Tailor (plus booking fee)

Full week
Early Bird £300
Early Bird Nonsuch Member £290
Full Week (Mon-Sat) no concessions Non Members £330
Full Week (Mon-Sat) no concessions Members £320
(Nonsuch Membership £18 per year join here)

Daily rate
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday £60 no concessions
Friday 19 concert FREE
Saturday 20th Movement Choir Day Special Offer £30 to students

Minibus supplement £10 per day (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday Ball)
Only 13 places available so please book early.

Sunday 21st June Midsummer Ball Tickets £65 also with concession price £35