International Summer Course - 50th Anniversary - Golden Ages CANCELLED

GOLDEN AGES

INTERNATIONAL SUMMER COURSE

50^th Anniversary Year

15th – 20th June 2026 

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

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 Select tickets).

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.

THE TIMETABLE

Monday 15^th June 2026

10:00 – 12:00: HISTORICAL DANCE : Medieval Circle Dance

Dancing at the Community Centre

13:00 HISTORICAL VISIT : TARBOLTON

Minibus departs to visit to Tarlboton, Bachelor’s Club – where Robert Burns first learnt to dance (Tickets £5, concessions £3.50)

www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bachelors-club

16:00 Depart Tarlbolton to return to Sanquhar

Tuesday 16^th 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)

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/sanquhar-tolbooth-museum-p251181

14:00 – 18:00 HISTORICAL DANCE : Renaissance Dance

Dancing at the Community Centre

Wednesday 17^th June

09:30 HISTORICAL VISIT : DUMFRIES

Robert Burns House (free admission) https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/robert-burns-house-p250471

Robert Burns Centre (free admission) https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/robert-burns-centre-p251171

Ellisland Farm (admission cost £2.50) https://www.ellislandfarm.co.uk

13:00 return to Sanquhar

14:00 – 18:00 HISTORICAL DANCE : Dance of 17^th & 18^th century

Thursday 18^th June

10:15 HISTORICAL VISIT : ALLOWAY

Alloway Cottage & Burns Museum (Admission £12, concession £9)

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum

Lunch available in café.

14:00 – 18:00 Return to Sanquhar for HISTORICAL DANCE : Robert Burns Dances

Friday 19^th June

19:00-20:00 Free Concert - Golden Ages of Sanquhar

Free Concert at St Bride's Church. Historial dance and music related to the famous figues of the town.

Saturday 20^th June

11:00 – 18:00 DRAMATIC DANCE MOVEMENT CHOIR DAY

[09:00 – 10:30 Warm up (optional) Some participants will be travelling at this time]

11:00 – 14:00 Session 1

14:00 – 15:00 Lunch break (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.

The course will conclude with a special ROBERT BURNS MIDSUMMER BALL on Sunday 21^st June at the Woodland House Hotel, with an afternoon dance workshop - please book separately.  Ball Tickets £65 - concession price £35

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.

Full Week (Mon-Sat) no concessions

• Early Bird Nonsuch Member £290 (book by 1 April 2026 - annual membership £20 for new members)
• Early Bird (book by 1 April 2026) £300
• Nonsuch Member £320 (annual membership £20 for new members)
• Full Price £330

• Mon - Thurs £60/day no concessions 
• Friday free concert
• Sat £60, Student concession £30
• Monday 15th
• Tues 16th
• Wed 17th
• Thurs 18th
• Sat 20th

• Minibus supplement £10 per day (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday Ball) 13 places available please book in advance