Adult RECREATIONAL
HIGHLAND DANCE CLASSES IN VANCOUVER

“ There are no age limits when it comes to Highland dancing. ”

DOES ANY OF THIS RING A BELL?

— You’re an adult that’s longed for days of kilts, soft shoes, and Highland dancing.
— You danced competitively when you were young and now want to restart for fun.
— You’re looking for a new way to stay fit and join a supportive community.

THEN YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

Shot of Scotch offers group and private Scottish Highland dance classes for non-competitive adults and workshops for absolute beginners. That means whether you’re perfecting your Highland Fling or don’t even know what a Highland Fling is, we have a class for you.

Our small class sizes mean every student receives ample attention, opportunities for growth, and individual challenges.

Above all though, the focus is on FUN! (plus fitness, technique, and Highland dance traditions).

REGISTER →

SPRING WEEKLY CLASSES

Sunday & Tuesday classes held at The Dance Centre (677 Davie St).
Thursday class held at The SPACE (2nd floor of Lonsdale Quay Market).
Max. 10-12 students per class.
Pre-registration and full session commitment required.

Featured

BEG/NOV LEVELS

Sundays | 2:30-4:00 PM

BEG/NOV LEVELS

Slower pace for returning premier dancers to review steps and regain stamina, and beginner/novice dancers to work on the basics. Focus on Fling, Sword, Lilt, S. Trs., Flora, Basic Reel steps. Students must know at least a 4-step Fling.

SPRING SESSION #1
MAR 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 | APR 6, 13 & 27
8 classes
$240 Non-members
$216 SoS Van Society Members

BEG/NOV LEVELS

INT/PREMIER LEVELS

Sundays | 4:00-5:30 PM

INT/PREMIER LEVELS

Breakdown of steps, with primary focus on technique, stamina and strength. Class for both premier level dancers and intermediate dancers expanding their repertoire to include all highlands, nationals as well as jig and hornpipe.

SPRING SESSION #1
MAR 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 | APR 6, 13 & 27
8 classes
$240 Non-members
$216 SoS Van Society Members

INT/PREMIER LEVELS

OPEN LEVEL

Tuesdays | 7:30-9:00 PM

OPEN LEVEL

This class is open to beginner, novice, intermediate and premier levels and will focus on improving technique of the basic movements of highland dance and strengthening the dances you know. Students must know at least a 4-Step Highland Fling.

SPRING SESSION #1
MAR 4, 11, 18 & 25 | APR 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
9 classes
$270 Non-members
$243 SoS Van Society Members

OPEN LEVEL

Thursdays | 7:30-9:00 PM

OPEN LEVEL

This class is open to beginner, novice, intermediate and premier levels and will focus on improving technique and building strength. Students must know at least a 4-Step Highland Fling or have previous dance experience (ballet, jazz etc).

SPRING SESSION #1
MAR 6, 13, 20 & 27 | APR 3, 10, 17 & 24
8 classes
$240 Non-members
$216 SoS Van Society Members
$35 Single Class Drop-in

OPEN LEVEL

REGISTER →

Testimonials Education

“I started dancing at the age of 4. Now at the age of 60 through Shot of Scotch I am able to return to something I love in a safe and nurturing environment. I look forward to my classes and will continue to dance as long as my body allows.”

— MICHELLE, PREMIER STUDENT

"I have been taking the adult premier class for over three years and could not speak more highly of it.
Helpful and skilled teachers teaching the class, positive and encouraging dancers attending the class, and overall, a great community that I am proud to be part of!"

— NICOLA, PREMIER LEVEL STUDENT

“I started with SoS as an absolute beginner, and I keep coming back to each session because of the amazing community of teachers and dancers.
It is a fantastic place for adult dancers to come together to learn and develop their skills.”

— JESS, NOVICE STUDENT

“ The Shot of Scotch beginner workshop was fun, inclusive, and a great workout!
It was a very wonderful way to reconnect with my heritage. ”

— Caitlin, Absolute Beginner Workshop student

ABSOLUTE BEGINNER WORKSHOPS

Have you always wanted to give Highland Dancing a try but didn't know where to begin? No experience is necessary!
Learn all the basic positions and movements from the very beginning and walk away knowing how to dance a 4-step Highland Fling!

We host 2 Absolute Beginner Workshops each year and our next will be in Fall 2025.

Class FAQs

Classes are taught by our Artistic Director Susan Nase and a rotating roster of Shot of Scotch company dancers. All of our teachers are at the premier level which means they have years of experience both taking and teaching Highland classes. Click the registration link to learn more about our current teachers.
The focus is on fun, fitness, technique and learning about the traditions of Highland dance.
Each class includes a full warmup, barre and strengthening work, technique, new material as well as a full cool down. Since we are non-competitive, all dancers work at their own level and pace. Our goal is to keep you dancing long-term in a healthy and fun way.
We run our classes in 2-month sessions from September to June each year on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday/Thursday evenings.
Classes are kept small so we ask for full financial commitment to each session, but it’s not a problem if you need to miss a class or two – we understand that life can get busy! Over the summer months we offer more flexibility with weeknight classes and drop-in cards so you can keep up your dancing AND still get away for those summer weekend trips.
Absolutely not! These classes are meant for you, and you will be in good company. Many of our students have come back to Highland after taking a break. Our classes are a great way to get back into the swing of things without the pressure of competition, or risk of serious injury from too much intensity too soon.
We run 2 Absolute Beginner Workshops each year which will teach you all the basic positions and movements from the very beginning and you’ll walk away knowing how to dance a 4-step Highland Fling! If (when) at the end of the workshop you have been bitten by the Highland Dance bug, you'll have all the foundation you need to join our ongoing beginner classes.
Join our mailing list to be the first to get info on our next workshop.
Classes are in large studios with lots of room for physical distancing for those wanting to keep a little more space. Masks are welcomed while dancing and we’ll stay up to date with the Dance Centre COVID-19 protocols if restrictions change. All students will have the option to “Zoom in” from home if they feel at all unwell and don’t want to attend class in-person.