Most of these dances needed some interpretation, and the dance style itself underwent serious standardisation, becoming much more balletic instead of the easy-going style that was the norm in the early 20th century, and which the RSCDS's founders considered sloppy and untraditional.
After some argument, in the late 1940s the RSCDS also started publishing newly devised dances.
Today the RSCDS numbers some 11,000 members all over the world, served from the headquarters in Edinburgh, and the continuous well-being of the Scottish country dance scene is largely due to the efforts of the Society.
The RSCDS offers teacher training and holds an annual summer school in St Andrews, Fife for four weeks in July and August.
In addition to the annual summer school, the RSCDS offers a winter school in February and a youth orientated Spring Fling in April, which is held in the UK and Europe respectively.