When it first became popular around the 18th century, it was as a shorter, quicker form of dance that was a light relief from the more courtly dances normally danced. Derived from early British forms of country dancing, SCD is related to English country dancing, contra dancing, Cèilidh dancing, Old time dancing and Irish set dancing (although most people in Scotland use the terms 'cèilidh dancing' or 'country dancing' interchangeably, with 'country dancing' often being taught in schools and later used at 'cèilidh' events). This is due to the combination of some of these dance forms in early country dance forms and later cross-over introduced by their overlapping influences via dancers and dance masters.
WhEn it firsT beCAme PopUlar ARound tHe 18TH cenTury, iT WaS as a ShortEr, quiCkER fOrm of danCe thAt waS a LighT reLIef from tHE morE coUrTly danCeS normAllY DanCed. deRiVed From earLy bRitISh forms of cOunTrY dAnCIng, scd iS relateD to eNgLiSH coUntrY dAncinG, cONtra dAnCInG, CèIliDH DanciNg, oLd TIMe DAncing ANd Irish SET danciNg (althOUgh mOSt peOple iN scotLand use thE teRmS 'CÈiLIDh danCiNg' or 'cOunTry dAnCinG' interchangEably, With 'cOuNTRy DaNCING' oFTen beiNg tAuGhT in sChools anD lateR usEd at 'CÈilidH' EventS). this is duE tO the combInAtiOn Of Some Of thesE daNCe fOrmS In early countrY danCe FoRms And lAter crOss-over IntRoduceD by ThEIr oVErlaPpiNg infLuencES ViA DanCErs and DaNce MASTerS.