The St Bernard’s Waltz is one of the most beginner-friendly dances in the Scottish ceilidh repertoire — and one of the most reliably crowd-pleasing. It’s gentle enough for grandparents, fun enough for kids, and just structured enough that everyone feels like they know what they’re doing. At a wedding ceilidh, that combination is gold.

What Is the St Bernard’s Waltz?

The St Bernard’s Waltz is a progressive partner dance danced in couples, typically in a large circle. Despite the name, it’s not a waltz in the traditional ballroom sense — there’s no three-beat timing to worry about. It’s danced in 4/4 time and follows a simple, repeating sequence of steps that most people pick up within the first verse of music.

It’s been a fixture at Scottish country dances and ceilidhs for generations, remaining popular precisely because it’s so accessible. You don’t need any dance experience to enjoy it.

How the Dance Works

Couples stand side by side in a large circle, all facing the same direction (anticlockwise). The basic sequence runs like this:

• Step-together, step-together — two side steps moving towards the centre of the circle
• Step-together, step-together — two side steps moving back out
• Step-hop forward — move forward (anticlockwise) with a light hop on each step, four counts
• Turn your partner — take both hands with your partner and turn in a full circle, four counts

Then the sequence repeats — and in the progressive version, each time you turn your partner you move one place around the circle to dance with a new partner. That’s where the social magic of the dance comes in. Over the course of a few minutes, everyone gets to dance with everyone else.

Why It Works So Well at Weddings

• It’s genuinely easy. The steps are simple and the music moves at a comfortable pace. Even guests who’ve never done any Scottish dancing can get involved without feeling lost.
• It’s progressive. Because you rotate partners throughout the dance, guests who might not know each other get to interact — one of the best ice-breakers in the ceilidh repertoire.
• It suits all ages. The gentle pace and straightforward footwork work just as well for grandparents as for the wedding party.
• It photographs beautifully. The large circle formation, the partner turns, the smiling faces — great for wedding photos and video.

Calling the St Bernard’s Waltz

As your ceilidh caller, I walk everyone through the steps before the music starts. For the St Bernard’s Waltz I’ll demo the side-step section first, then the step-hop forward, then the partner turn — and we’ll often have a slow practice run before going full speed. By the time the music kicks in, most people have the basic shape of it.

I call the transitions throughout the dance — “step to the centre,” “and back,” “forward now,” “turn your partner” — so nobody has to remember the sequence independently. The calls keep everyone together and mean that even guests who lost track can jump back in.

When I Use It in a Wedding Ceilidh Set

The St Bernard’s Waltz typically works well early in the ceilidh set, after the first couple of easier dances have warmed everyone up. It also works nicely as a gentle landing point after something more energetic — if the Strip the Willow or the Dashing White Sergeant has left everyone out of breath, the St Bernard’s Waltz gives people a chance to recover without sitting down.

Other Ceilidh Dances at Your Wedding

The St Bernard’s Waltz is usually one of five or six dances in a full wedding ceilidh set. The others I call most often include:

• Gay Gordons — the classic opener, couples dance together around the room
• Dashing White Sergeant — high energy, groups of three weaving through each other
• Strip the Willow — the crowd favourite, full of spinning and energy
• Canadian Barn Dance — another progressive partner dance, slightly more structured
• Virginia Reel — a longways set dance with a satisfying weaving pattern

For those interested in the deeper tradition of Scottish country dancing, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) is the world’s leading organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish country dance — a great resource for anyone who falls in love with the St Bernard’s Waltz at their wedding ceilidh.

Thinking about a ceilidh at your wedding? I’d love to help you plan it. Get in touch and tell me about your day.