Thistle & Shamrock Dance Academy

A Vibrant Celtic Dance Community

For more than two decades, our academy has welcomed dancers of every age and ability into the spirited world of Scottish Highland dance. From a child's very first Pas de Basque to a seasoned competitor polishing a Highland Fling, our studio is a place where tradition, discipline, and pure delight meet on the dance floor. We believe Highland dance is for everyone, and our classes are built to grow alongside each student.

Our mission is simple: to provide the highest quality dance education while inspiring creativity and a lifelong love of dance in every student. That mission shapes everything we do, from the way new dancers are folded gently into existing classes to the care our instructors take preparing competitors for the regional Highland Games circuit.

What We Teach

Highland dancing is one of the oldest and most athletic forms of solo dance in the world, with roots stretching back centuries across the glens and clan gatherings of Scotland. Our curriculum follows the recognized syllabus used in competition and accreditation, covering the classic Highland and National dances:

• Highland dances — the Highland Fling, Sword Dance (Gillie Callum), Seann Triubhas, and the energetic Strathspey & Highland Reel.
• National dances — the graceful Scottish Lilt, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, the Earl of Errol, and the lively Sailor's Hornpipe and Irish Jig.
• Beginner & KiltKix fitness — foundational technique and a high-energy Highland-inspired movement class for newcomers and the young at heart.

Every dance carries a story, and we love telling those stories as we teach the steps. To learn more about the art form itself, visit our introduction to Scottish Highland dance.

Classes for Every Dancer

We offer in-person and virtual instruction across the week, with separate tracks for younger beginners and for all-levels Highland and National work. New students are never left to sink or swim — when a dancer joins, we place them in an existing class and add an extra teacher or advanced student to help them find their feet. Explore our class programs or check the current weekly schedule.

Rooted in Tradition, Recognized in Competition

Our instructors are accredited through the established governing bodies for Scottish dance, including the British Association of Teachers of Dance, and our dancers regularly compete at sanctioned Highland Games up and down the East Coast. Highland dance is recognized internationally and overseen by national boards such as the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing. If competition is your goal, our competition preparation page explains how we get dancers ready for the platform.

Begin Your Highland Dance Journey

Whether you are a parent searching for an enriching activity for your child, an adult rediscovering a love of movement, or a competitive dancer seeking expert coaching, you will find a warm welcome here. Learn for the fun of it, or become a champion — the choice is yours, and we will be with you every step. Get in touch to arrange a visit.