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Scottish Country Dancing is the ballroom dancing of Scotland, dating back to the 18th century and continuing today. One might say it is the social dancing of old and contemporary Scotland. The dances were and are performed at grand balls and at town halls all around Scotland, and they are now enjoyed by people all over the world. Many dances are performed in four couple long-wise sets. They are energetic, lively and graceful. The dancers are accompanied by fiddles, piano, flute, and the like. Bagpipes are rarely used. The music consists of lively reels, jigs, hornpipes, as well as graceful strathspeys. As in the Waltz, Tango, East Coast and West Coast Swing etc., specific footwork is used in Scottish Country Dancing. The five most commonly used steps are easily learned, but  for better or worst, depending on your point of view, do not include running and walking. A tradition has developed in Scottish Country Dancing that if there is an excess of ladies, the ladies may dance on the men's side of the set. This way the extra ladies can dance, or sit out , if they preper to do so.