Edinburgh Highland Dancers Logo

Claire Barnet gained her Scottish Official Highland Dancing Association teaching qualification in February 2012 and has run the Edinburgh Highland Dancers School since October 2013.

Claire has been Highland Dancing since the 1980's, and performed at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo as well as touring the world with the Scottish Highland Dance Company.

Group Photo

Highland Dancing is an energetic and enjoyable traditional discipline that can be done just for fun, or with a view to gaining exam qualifications and competition experience. Such dances include the Highland Fling and traditional Sword Dance.

The Edinburgh Highland Dance School was originally founded by Barbara McBryne in 2006.

Following Scottish government guidelines, lessons are restarting on Wed 26 April 2021.
The collection of lockdown Training Videos to practice the main skills are still available to access.

Highland Dancing lessons are open to all ages and abilities, for both boys and girls. Beginners are especially welcome.

Lessons take place every Wednesday evening at St Thomas of Aquins School, Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES. [map]

Junior Group

5:30 - 6:15pm .... Pre-Primary, Primary and Beginners
6:00 - 6:45pm .... Advanced Beginners (ie all who have sat the Bronze exam)
6:15 - 7:00pm .... Novice (ie Silver Exam, and above)
6:30 - 7:15pm .... Advanced Novice
7:00 - 7:45pm .... Adults' class (once this is permitted)

Dancers are requested to be ready to dance, dressed in t-shirt & shorts (or similar) for the start time of each class.

Face masks must be worn in the school's public areas, but they do not need to be worn in the dance studio.

Hand sanitiser must be used when entering or leaving the dance studio.

The cost is £5.50 per lesson, or £20.00 for four weeks' lessons, payable in advance.

The dance school's teacher, Claire Barnet, can be contacted for more details by mobile 07590 293 833 or by email.

The Highland Fling

The Sword Dance

The Hullachan Reel

The Flora

Barracks Johnnie

Seann Truibhas

Here are all the dances that can be taught in lessons:

Pas De Bas Huntly Fling The Flora
Pas De Bas with High Cuts Linkumdodie Scottish Lilt
Highland Fling Highland Laddie Blue Bonnets

Sword Dance

 Barracks Johnnie Village Maid
Seann Truibhas Scotch Measure Over the Water
Hullachan Reel Broadswords Broadswords
Strathspey and Half Tulloch Irish Jig Flowers of Edinburgh
Strathspey and Highland Reel Sailor's Hornpipe  
Strathspey, Highland Reel and Half Tulloch    

By excelling at many of the above dances, Edinburgh Highland Dance school members have won the following titles and trophies over the years:

East Lothian Babies Cup
British Championship Babies Champion
Scottish Championship Babies Champion
British Championship Beginners Champion
British Championship Novice Runner-Up
British Championship Intermediate Runner-Up
Airth Highland Games Novice Runner-Up
Airth Highland Games Overall Intermediate Section Winner
North Berwick Highland Games Adult Champion