In the early seventies Highland Dancing teachers would only meet each other at festivals and competitions. These meetings were the only opportunity the teachers had to discuss technical questions and other dance related issues.

One of these teachers, Mrs Valerie Geddes, thought it would be a good idea to form an association of teachers where the issues raised during these informal chats could be openly debated and resolved for the benefits of the whole of the dancing community.

This was put to the teachers of the main dancing schools of the time. They all agreed it was an excellent idea and as a result, a preliminary meeting was arranged at Valerie's house in March 1973. The following teachers attended, Mrs Sophie Reid, Mrs Rosaleen Cooper, Mrs Jean Gibson, Mrs Mary Hosker, and Miss Janet Cook. The idea was discussed and all present concluded that forming an association of teachers was the only direction to go if Highland Dancing was to progress in England.

Office bearers were elected, Mrs Jean Gibson as the secretary, Mrs Valerie Geddes as the treasurer with Mrs Sophie Reid, Mrs Rosaleen, Cooper, and Miss Janet Cook elected to the committee. Valerie's husband, Mr Allan Geddes, was asked to fill the role of chairman, which he did for many years.

The first meeting of the newly formed committee was held on 1st July 1973 and from the day the Association has never looked back. The committee busied itself with establishing rules and regulations, organising lectures, and devising a name for this new alliance, and so the Highland Dancing Teachers Association of England was founded.

The first Annual General Meeting of the HDTAE was held on the 31st March 1974 with 15 members attending. The Association was found to be of great assistance to both teachers and pupils and it has continued to do so since then.

The HDTAE applied for membership of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing and this was granted in 1979. Membership meant the HDTAE's voice could now be heard at the SOBHD meetings and that the association would be up to date on all the latest developments in the world of Highland Dancing.