A HIGHLY respected figure in the Scottish country dancing scene has praised teachers and pupils across Inverclyde after being dazzled by the young people's performances.

Jimmie Hill adjudicated the country dancing categories at Inverclyde Music Festival and was impressed by the performances of the youngsters who competed.

In the autumn last year Jimmie hosted workshops at Whinhill Primary School and welcomed teachers from eight schools across the district.

Jimmie, who comes from Millport, said the teachers were all very enthusiastic and loved learning more about the dancing, and said that passion has been passed on to Inverclyde school pupils.

He added: "Learning more about the dancing gives teachers a bit more confidence when they're taking pupils through it.

"If teachers have that confidence, it passed onto the young people."

Jimmie said learning about Scottish country dancing is not just about the dancing itself.

He added: "The skills you learn can be passed on and used in so many other disciplines.

"The pupils develop their communication, counting and listening skills and learn more about working as part of a team.

"They're continuing a fantastic Scottish tradition as well as they're doing something that their parents and grandparents used to do.

"It's all about making things more accessible and helping young people learn that it's a really fun thing to take part in."

Joined by accordionist Ian Muir, Jimmie welcomed pupils from St John's Primary in Port Glasgow who were taking part in Scottish country dancing at the festival for the first time.

Teachers Pauline Paul and Olivia Fleming worked with the boys and girls for weeks leading up to the festival to make sure they were all in step with each other before their performance.

Pauline said: "They've all been working very hard and rehearsing every week.

"We've all really enjoyed learning more about it."

==

PIC - Accordionist Ian Muir, festival president Isabel Lind and Scottish country dancing adjudicator Jimmie Hill with pupils from P4/5 at St John's Primary before their festival appearance.