Mary Brennan

There's classical, contemporary - flamenco and aerial, a stamp of Irish traditions and even the sound of prancing hooves: clearly 2015 is going to be dipping a toe into a remarkable variety of dance styles, and that's even before we rock up to the welcome return of those burlesque ballerinas, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo in the autumn.

Old favourites and new works come together across a year that sees a number of classical ballet companies adding to the programmes offered by own Scottish Ballet - the latter currently still on tour with the seasonal family treat that is Darrell's beguiling Nutcracker. There's a hint of similar magical-fantastical escapades in the story-ballet Coppelia - what is the mysterious Doctor up to behind closed doors? Is he really just a toy-maker? Birmingham Royal Ballet bring Peter Wright's highly-acclaimed version of the Hoffmann tale of romance, mischief and mechanical dolls to Edinburgh's Festival Theatre (Feb 4 - 7), with a special "First Steps" performance of a cut-down Coppelia for 3 to 7 year olds (on Friday 6.) If Coppelia has comedy at the heart of the central love story, then Romeo and Juliet has tragedy at the heart of its narrative. Northern Ballet(NB) already have the late Christopher Gable's production created with Massimo Morricone but, as NB's artistic director David Nixon explains, he's adding another version of the ballet to their repertoire. "I've chosen Jean-Christophe Maillot's interpretation of Romeo and Juliet because it is an inspired contemporary response to the classic play - and one that will provide a complete contrast and different point of view for our audience and artists who already know our existing, indeed signature, production."

Maillot's choreography was originally made for Les Ballets de Monte Carlo: it will have its UK premiere at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre (Feb 26 - 28) as part of Northern Ballet's 45th anniversary programmes.

Later in the year, Royal New Zealand Ballet will bring their new version of Giselle to Edinburgh (October 27 - 31) while their production of Cinderella - choreographed by Christopher Hampson in 2007 - will have its UK debut when Scottish Ballet (where Hampson is now artistic director) present it as their Christmas production.

There's plenty of innovation in the contemporary work already in the lists across Scotland. Kam-ri Dance Theatre is touring The Typist during February (opening first at the Arches, Glasgow, Feb 12 -14). The roots of this dance-theatre piece lie in the Spanish Civil War, and the evacuation - in 1937 - of 4000 children to the UK. One of them, Esperanza, a typist, decides in the post-war years to go back despite the dangers lurking in Franco's domain...Alexei Sayle narrates, and the flamenco dance is performed to live music.

The poetry and plays of WB Yeats are the inspiration behind The Second Coming (at Tramway, Jan 16 - 19). If the words, the traditional Irish music, song and dance, all make the heart and imagination soar - well, for sure, Fidget Feet Aerial Dance make that high-flying feeling a reality, as they integrate circus skills into a narrative that includes archive audio and film footage of Yeats himself.

It's many years since Jasmin Vardimon's company was seen in Glasgow. Park (at Theatre Royal, Jan 28) is a tremendous reminder of how Vardimon's dance-making is like a slice of modern life translated into a vibrant fusion of physical theatre, funky music, text and (new 3D) imaging. Park is the urban setting for the eight characters who play, fight, fall in love... and learn to survive. The short tour takes Park to Eden Court, Inverness (Jan 31) and His Majesty's, Aberdeen (Feb 26).

Quick, quick - be slow, slow and you might miss out on Strictly Come Dancing Live, at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow (Jan 30 - Feb1). Simon Webbe and Caroline Flack are among the dancing celebrities who hope your vote will make them the Glitter Ball-room champions on the night. As for those prancing hooves - well they belong to the equine stars of Les Amis d'Onno's latest production, The Enchanted Wintergarden. Rumour has there will even be a unicorn in this fairy-tale spectacle for family audiences at Summerhall, Edinburgh (Jan 23 - 25) and Cottiers, Glasgow (Jan 31).