VIDEO: Plateau Scottish Country Dancers a Regional Attraction

Monday nights at the Danish Hall in Enumclaw are fun and lively as the Plateau Scottish Country Dancing class gets underway.

Instructors and organizers Jim and Pat McDonald have been running the class since 2002. They came to this thanks to an appreciation first for Scottish music and then a desire to expand their own cultural awareness to Scottish dancing, said Pat.

The couple likens Scottish country dancing to square dancing. There is no calling in Scottish dancing, said Jim, though in practice, he still calls out directions to help the group work through their routines.

There are similar movies, such as the 'do si do,' but Scottish dancing requires more concentration on precise footwork as well as the ability to memorize patterns that can get quite complex, said Pat. 

"Square dance has grown out of this genre of country dancing from the British Isles," said Pat.

The group of people who return week after week have also formed a nice community in itself, said Jim. 

Over the years, the size of the group has fluctuated, but each July, a core group of dancers perform at the Highland Games that take place at the .

On this February evening, the group is already beginning to rehearse for that event. Newbies are welcome to drop in, though as the Highland Games gets closer, the group will concentrate more on perfecting their performance.

Classes start up again each September, and everyone is welcome to come check out the dancing, said the couple.

From this one event, the group has networked with many people around Puget Sound who are interested in exploring this facet of Scottish culture.