Video: The Irish Rover

THE IRISH ROVER
TWENTY-TWO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by James B. Cosh and TWO OTHERS
(Reel – 32 Bars)

THE IRISH ROVER
TWENTY-TWO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by James B. Cosh and TWO OTHERS
(Reel – 32 Bars)

Music. Description

Bars.
1–8 First couple lead through third couple, cast up one place on own side; first woman wheel right hand with second couple, first man wheel right hand with third couple.

9–12 First couple dance half reels of four with first corners, then

13–16 half reels of four with second corners. At end of reels first couple turn left hand in centre ready to

17–24 give left shoulders to person in first corner’s position for two reels of three across the dance. First couple finish in second place, own side.

25–26 First couple change places with person in their first corner’s position (i.e. first lady right hand to third lady and first man right hand to second man).

27–28 Change left hands on sides; first lady with second man, first man with third lady. (First corners now back in original places.)

29–30 First lady changes places, giving right hand to third man (in second lady’s position), while first man changes places, giving right hand to second lady (in third man’s position).

31–32 First and second ladies and first and third men change places, giving left hands on own side of the dance.The order is now 2, 1, 3, 4.

Repeat from second place.

Tune – “The Irish Rover”

Video: The Thistle and the Columbine

THE THISTLE AND THE COLUMBINE
8 x 32 Jig

1–8 1st couple set and cast off one place, 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4. 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance right hands across once round, the first couple finish facing their first corners.

9 – 16 1st couple dance the track of a reel of four to finish back to back in the center of the dance in second place facing their own sides WHILST 2nd and 3rd couples dance rights and lefts.

17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles, the 1st couple finishing in the centre of the dance facing down on their own side with nearer hands joined.

25 – 32 1st couple with nearer hands joined dance down between 3rd couple, cast up one place to meet in the centre of the dance facing up and with nearer hands joined dance up between the 2nd couple and cast off one place.

This dance was devised by Miss Janet Renton in August 2007 for a forthcoming visit to Colorado, USA. The dance was named after the emblem of Scotland and the Columbine flower which is the State flower of Colorado, USA.

Video: Old and Dangerous

Old and Dangerous
San Andreas Collection
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a 4-couple

1-4 1st & 2nd couples set, 1st woman cast down, 2nd man cast up as 1st man and 2nd woman pass LEFT shoulders to face partners on the 1st corner diagonal

5-8 1st & 2nd couples dance half reel of four

9-16 Revolving chain:

Bar 1 1st and 2nd couples turn partner with RIGHT hand half way
Bar 2 1st woman and 2nd man turn LEFT hand as 1st man and 2nd woman travel 1/8 on outside (line is up and down the set)
Bars 3-6 Repeat bars 1-2 twice more (end of bar 4 – line is on 2nd corner diagonal; end of Bar 6 – line is across the set)
Bars 7-8 Men turn with RIGHT hands ¾ to progressed positions while women do the same, 1st man and 2nd woman remain facing out

17-24 1st man cast up and 2nd woman cast down, dance back to back and set while: 1st woman & 2nd man dance back to back, then set twice advancing, passing retiring 2nd woman and 1st man respectively, then passing each other to face partner, still on the diagonal

25-32 1st & 2nd couples turn partner two hands once round (2 bars), half poussette (4 bars), and set (2 bars)

Repeat having passed a couple

Devisor: Gary Thomas, 2007
Music: “Old and Dangerous” by Gary Thomas

The dance is named after the windows in the building where we practice. There are signs that say not to use them as they are “old and dangerous”. Sometimes we feel the same way.

Video: DANCING DOLPHINS

DANCING DOLPHINS
THE DOLPHIN BOOK, 11 SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by Barry Skelton, Auckland, New Zealand, 1994
8 x 32 bar Jig Devised by Barry Skelton 28th October 1993

A jig for three couples danced in longwise four couple sets.

1 8 First couple, cross with the right hand and cast off one place. (Second couple step up on bars 3 & 4.) First couple turn each other with the left hand 1 ¼ times. First couple finish facing the lady’s side, the man has his partner on his right. ***

9–16 First couple in tandem, dance a right shoulder reel of three with second and third lady. *

17–24 First couple in tandem, dance a left shoulder reel of three with second and third men. **

25–32 First couple with promenade hold dance out the ladies’ side and down around third lady. First couple dance up the middle, drop hands and cast around second couple to finish in second place.

First couple repeat from second place.

• First lady, followed by her partner, they pass third lady with the right
  shoulder to begin. First couple turn by the right to face up the set. First man,
  followed by first lady pass second lady with the right shoulder. First man,
  followed by first lady pass third lady with the left shoulder. First couple
  turning by the left they face down the set. First lady, followed by first man.
  Dance across the set to face third man.

** First lady, followed by her partner, pass third man with the left shoulder
to begin. First couple turn by the left to face up the set. First man, followed
by first lady, pass second man by the left shoulder. First man, followed by
first lady pass third man with the right shoulder. First couple turning by the
right they face down the set. First lady, followed by first man, dance across
the set to finish between second and third lady.

*** Note: First couple should begin parallel with the side of the set and
remain parallel with the set throughout the reel. This will require good
covering. First couple must be aware of their partner especially on the turns.
First couple cover with each other not just follow each other. Where the
instructions say follow also read cover.

Suitable Music: The Lantern Of The North
Record: The London Highland Club Diamond Jubilee Andrew Rankin

Video: Miss Emily Gordon’s Jig

Miss Emily Gordon’s Jig
Dancing on Air, 12 new dances devised by Bill Zobel & Muriel Johnstone

1–2 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn with right hands half-way to face partner in the middle of the set, retaining right hands and joining left hands below the right.
3–6 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples slip down the middle for four steps, then slip back to the top.
7–8 Using two pas de basque, all three couples change places with partner, retaining joined hands but lifting right hands over the ladies’ heads to finish in allemande hold facing the top.

9–16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance allemande. On bars 15 – 16, 1st and 3rd couples dance two pas de basque to finish in the middle of the set, 1st couple facing up and 3rd couple facing down with nearer hands joined.

17–18 3rd and 1st couples change places, 1st couple dancing through the arch made by 3rd couple.
19–20 1st and 3rd couples change sides, lady dancing under her partner’s arm.
21–22 1st and 3rd couples change places, 3rd couple dancing through the arch made by 1st couple.
23–24 3rd and 1st couples change sides, lady dancing under her partner’s arm to finish on own sides, 3rd couple in 1st place facing down and out, 1st couple in 3rd place facing up and out.

25–28 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples dance half reel of three on the sides, 2nd couple dancing in and down, 1st couple dancing out and up to begin.
29–32 1st and 2nd men turn 1 ½ times with left hand, 1st and 2nd ladies turn 1 ½ times with right hand.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Tune: Em’s Tattie Scones (Muriel Johnstone)

Dance devised by Bill Zobel for Emily, who has quietly supported Scottish Dance in Delta for decades and makes the best ‘Tattie Scones’ in Canada.

Note: the first figure of this dance was devised by Robert McOwen of Boston and used in his dance ‘Burns Night’, published in the Boston Branch book ‘Celebrate Fifty Years of Dancing’.

Video: The Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher
RSCDS, Book 45
(96-bar Strathspey for four couples in a square set)

Part 1
1–8 All dance eight hands round and back.

9–16 The swirl

9–10 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with the right hand once round to finish in allemande hold facing across the set.

11–12 1st and 3rd couples dance round each other half way, men passing left shoulders, to finish in the middle of the set. On bar 12, 1st and 3rd couples release right hands and retain left hands.

13–16 1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across. On bar 16 they dance in and, pulling back left shoulder, dance on to finish back to back with partner facing the side couples. 1st woman and 3rd man face 2nd couple, 3rd woman and 1st man face 4th couple.

17–24 All dance reels of four across the dance, passing right shoulders to begin.

25–26 All set.

27–32 1st man with 3rd woman, 3rd man with 1st woman, retaining nearer hands, dance out between the 4th and 2nd couples respectively, cross and cast to places then, giving right hands, change places with partners.

Part 2
1–4 All four couples, joining nearer hands with partners, set then advance to join hands in a circle in the middle.

5–8 Releasing partners’ hands and retaining nearer hands with corners, all retire on the diagonal and set.

9–16 1st woman and 4th man, 2nd man and 3rd woman dance rights and lefts. To begin, 1st woman gives right hand to 2nd man and 4th man gives right hands to 3rd woman.

17–24 1st man and 2nd woman, 4th woman and 3rd man dance rights and lefts. To begin, 1st man gives right hand to 4th woman and 2nd woman gives right hand to 3rd man.

25–28 All four couples, joining nearer hands with corners, set then advance to join hands in a circle in the middle.

29–32 Releasing corners’ hands and retaining nearer hands with partners, all retire to original places and set.

Part 3
1–8 2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 9-16 of Part 1.

9–16 All dance reels of four up and down the dance, passing right shoulders to begin.

17–18 All set.

19–24 2nd man with 4th woman, 4th man with 2nd woman, retaining nearer hands, dance out between the 1st and 3rd couples respectively, cross and cast to places then, giving right hands, change places with partners.

25–32 All dance eight hands round and back.

Devised by Eileen Orr, RSCDS Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch and first published by that branch in the Silver Anniversary Book of Dances (2001). The swirl was devised by Alex Gray of South Wales Branch and first introduced in two dances published by Edinburgh Branch in Edinburgh Diamond Jubilee Dances 1984.

The dream catcher is like a spider’s web, decorated with beads, semi-precious stones, feathers and strips of leather. Native North Americans believe that good and bad dreams come from the night sky and that bad dreams are trapped in the web, allowing only good dreams to get through. The bad dreams then evaporate in the rays of the early morning sun.

Note:
The RSCDS Technique Committee has provided the following additional information:

Bars 9-10 1st & 3rd couples dance a complete turn RH, finishing in allemande hold, facing into the set.

Bars 11-12 1st & 3rd couples dance half way round each other, men passing left shoulder, to finish in the middle of the set, facing towards their original places (1st couple facing 1st couple’s place), – during bar 12 all release RH and join up LH in the middle.

Bars 13-15 1st & 3rd couples dance LH across, nearly once round (more than ¾).

Bar 16 1st & 3rd couples release LH and all pull back L Sh to turn completely round, moving slightly forward, (a “pirouette” movement), to finish ready for the reels of 4 across, 1st & 3rd couples are back to back with partner, 1M facing 4L, 1L facing 2M.

In practice the LH across is virtually all the way round and the pirouette is then almost on the spot.

Note: Although we have referred to it as a “pirouette”, a small travelling step is used to turn round.

Video: ANGUS MacLEOD

ANGUS MacLEOD
(Reel)

1 – 2 2nd and 3rd couples dance into the centre of the set with two skip-change and face diagonally in.

3 – 4 They set, turning right about on the second step to face the corners of the set, men facing men, women facing women. 2nd and 3rd couples are hereafter referred to as “centres,” 1st and 4th couples as “corners.”

5 – 6 Passing right shoulder with two skip-change, centres change places with their corners, who face diagonally in.

7 – 8 All set, corners turning right about.

9 – 10 Passing right shoulder again, corners dance out and centres dance in to face diagonally in.

11 – 12 All set, centres turning right about, and

13 – 16 Centres turn their corners by the right hand once round and

17 – 20 Dance left hands across once round, finishing facing their corners again.

21 – 32 Double diagonal reels of four: to begin, centres pass their corners right shoulder. As the dancers pass in the middle they give left hands across for two steps, half round. Corners finish in their original places, but

33 – 34 Centres, giving left hand to partner, change places (2nd woman and 3rd man doing a “polite” turn) to finish back to back in the middle of the set, facing their partner’s original corner.

35 – 36 All set.

37 – 40 Each turns the person he is facing by one hand so that centre couples begin by going between corner couples (left hand for 2nd woman and 1st man, 3rd man and 4th woman: right hand for 2nd man and 1st woman, 3rd woman and 4th man).

41 – 48 Centres, facing diagonally in, set, with two pas de basque and four points, twice.

49 – 52 Centres dance between corner couples and cast into the middle again, facing diagonally in, and

53 – 56 Set, with two pas de basque and four points, once.

57 – 64 With 3rd couple making an arch and 2nd dancing under it, 2nd dance down and, together, cast up round 4th woman and dance up the middle to the top of the set, while 3rd couple dance up and, together, cast off round 1st man and dance down the middle to the bottom of the set, After casting, 2nd man and 3rd woman pass left shoulder. On 63-64 1st couple move down and 4th move up.

Repeat once more with new centres and new corners.

Dance devised by Alex. T. Queen, of the R. S. C. D. S., Southport Branch, Pipe Major Clan MacLeod Band.
COPYRIGHT, 1969, HUGH FOSS.

Snow on the Mountain
32-bar jig for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set

1-4 1st couple giving right hands, cross over and cast to second place (2nd couple stepping up on bars 3-4).
5-8 1st couple dance half a figure of eight, 1st woman up around 2nd woman, 1st man down around 3rd man, turning right about at the end to finish back-to-back in the middle of the set facing out own side.

9-16 Petronella double triangles: 1st couple dance as regular double triangles, but on bars 15-16, they swivel to their right to finish 1st woman facing up, 1st man facing down.
2nd and 3rd couples dance as follows:
1-2 Set as in double triangles
3-4 Petronella turn moving one place counter clockwise / to their right around the rectangle (2nd man to 3rd man’s place, 3rd man to 3rd woman’s place, etc.)
5-8 Repeat bars 1-4 to finish in the diagonally opposite position.

17-20 1st woman with top couple (3rd couple), and 1st man with bottom couple (2nd couple), dance right hands across once round in four bars, 3rd man and 2nd woman finish facing out.

21-24 3rd man, followed by 3rd woman and 1st woman, and 2nd woman, followed by 2nd man and 1st man, chase clockwise half way around the set and continuing to move in a clockwise direction, flow directly into

25-32 2nd couple, 1st couple, and 3rd couple dance six hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Music: “​ Return to Eilean Dubh​ ,” by Sherry W. Ladig. Suggested alternate is “Miss Grace Hey’s Delight”
or other jigs with a 16-bar B part.
Devised 2003 by Lara Friedman-Shedlov for Audrey McClellan’s novel “The White Rose of Scotland,” the
second in her trio of romance novels about life on the fictional island of Eilean Dubh.
I believe the original deviser of the formation “petronella double triangles” was John Bowie Dickson, in
the dance “Pinewoods Reel.”

Video: Old and Dangerous

Old and Dangerous
San Andreas Collection
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a 4-couple

1-4 1st & 2nd couples set, 1st woman cast down, 2nd man cast up as 1st man and 2nd woman pass LEFT shoulders to face partners on the 1st corner diagonal

5-8 1st & 2nd couples dance half reel of four

9-16 Revolving chain:

Bar 1 1st and 2nd couples turn partner with RIGHT hand half way
Bar 2 1st woman and 2nd man turn LEFT hand as 1st man and 2nd woman travel 1/8 on outside (line is up and down the set)
Bars 3-6 Repeat bars 1-2 twice more (end of bar 4 – line is on 2nd corner diagonal; end of Bar 6 – line is across the set)
Bars 7-8 Men turn with RIGHT hands ¾ to progressed positions while women do the same, 1st man and 2nd woman remain facing out

17-24 1st man cast up and 2nd woman cast down, dance back to back and set while: 1st woman & 2nd man dance back to back, then set twice advancing, passing retiring 2nd woman and 1st man respectively, then passing each other to face partner, still on the diagonal

25-32 1st & 2nd couples turn partner two hands once round (2 bars), half poussette (4 bars), and set (2 bars)

Repeat having passed a couple

Devisor: Gary Thomas, 2007
Music: “Old and Dangerous” by Gary Thomas

The dance is named after the windows in the building where we practice. There are signs that
say not to use them as they are “old and dangerous”. Sometimes we feel the same way.

No Video

A DANCING CAREER
or
A DANCE IN KOREA
THE GREENBURN BOOK, A Collection of Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1997 – 1998
Jig – 2 couples – 32 bars

1–4 1st couple, joining nearer hands, dance down between 2nd couple and then cast up back to place.

5–8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across.

9–16 1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple’s places. At the same time, 2nd couple set to each other, cross giving right hands, set on opposite sides and cross back to own sides giving right hands. 2nd couple stay facing out.

17–20 1st couple lead down the middle and 2nd couple dance up on the sides to first place and then follow 1st couple down the middle.

21–24 2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, lead up the middle and stay in the middle ready for : –

25–32 2nd and 1st couples dance a two-couple promenade.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

devised in September 1997
for Campbell and Isobel Barclay of Kippford and for the dancers in Korea

Video: At the Summit

Video: At the Summit

At the Summit

32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 4 1st couple turn once round with both hands to face up and cast off one place on own sides as 2nd couple step up.

5 – 8 1st couple cross, giving right hands, cast round first corners by the right and finish back to back in the middle, facing their first corners.

9 – 12 1st couple set to their first corners. 1st couple then cast around each other by the right to finish in their partner’s first corner position, while their corners dance into the middle and, pulling back right shoulders, finish back to back, facing their original positions.

13 – 16 1st couple and first corners set to each other. First corners cast round each other by the right to finish on the opposite sides in each other’s original positions, while 1st couple dance into the middle and, pulling back right shoulders, finish back to back, facing their second corners.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat bars 9–16 with second corners but pass by the right on bars 23-24 to finish in second place on opposite sides. Second corners finish on the opposite sides in each other’s original positions.

25 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples set and link twice to finish on their own sides in the order 2, 1, 3.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Tune: The Anglins of Ottawa by Muriel Johnstone

Devised by Craig and Jody Williams

This dance was devised for Bob and Barbara Anglin in appreciation of their support and encouragement as we began teaching in Ottawa and running the Ottawa Valley workshop.
We had an exceptional day with Bob & Barbara at the summit of Whistler before the TAC AGM in July, 2009.

Note: The movement described in bars 9-24 was first devised by the late Alex Hay and published in his dance “Peter White”.

Video: The White Cockade

Video: The White Cockade

The White Cockade
RSCDS Book 5 – No. 11
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, cross over. They repeat back to places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in first place in the middle of the set.

17 – 20 1st couple cast off to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.

21 – 24 1st and 3rd couples dance four hands once round to the left.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

William Campbell: 3rd Book of New and Favourite Country Dances and Strathspey Reels, London c.1782. Original tune: The White Cockade (Traditional, earliest version Aird 1782 as The Ranting Highlandman)

No Video for this dance

Snow on the Mountain
32-bar jig for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set

1-4 1st couple giving right hands, cross over and cast to second place (2nd couple stepping up on
bars 3-4).
5-8 1st couple dance half a figure of eight, 1st woman up around 2nd woman, 1st man down around
3rd man, turning right about at the end to finish back-to-back in the middle of the set facing out
own side.

9-16 Petronella double triangles:
1st couple dance as regular double triangles, but on bars 15-16, they swivel to their right to
finish 1st woman facing up, 1st man facing down.
2nd and 3rd couples dance as follows:
1-2 Set as in double triangles
3-4 Petronella turn moving one place counter clockwise / to their right around the rectangle
(2nd man to 3rd man’s place, 3rd man to 3rd woman’s place, etc.)
5-8 Repeat bars 1-4 to finish in the diagonally opposite position.

17-20 1st woman with top couple (3rd couple), and 1st man with bottom couple (2nd couple), dance
right hands across once round in four bars, 3rd man and 2nd woman finish facing out.
21-24 3rd man, followed by 3rd woman and 1st woman, and 2nd woman, followed by 2nd man and
1st man, chase clockwise half way around the set and continuing to move in a clockwise
direction, flow directly into

25-32 2nd couple, 1st couple, and 3rd couple dance six hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Music: “​ Return to Eilean Dubh​ ,” by Sherry W. Ladig. Suggested alternate is “Miss Grace Hey’s Delight”
or other jigs with a 16-bar B part.

Devised 2003 by Lara Friedman-Shedlov for Audrey McClellan’s novel “The White Rose of Scotland,” the
second in her trio of romance novels about life on the fictional island of Eilean Dubh.
I believe the original deviser of the formation “petronella double triangles” was John Bowie Dickson, in
the dance “Pinewoods Reel.”

Video: Balmoral Strathspey

Balmoral Strathspey
Book 22 – No. 3

1 – 8 First couple with second, and third couple with fourth, dance right and left.

9 – 12 First couple with second, and third couple with fourth, set and dance right hands across half way round.

13 – 16 All set, and, giving right hands in passing, cross to own sides. (The order is now 2, 1, 4, 3.)

17 – 24 Reels of four at the sides, second couple facing first, and fourth couple facing third. (Fig. 1.)

25 – 32 First, fourth and third couples allemande to finish, first couple at bottom, fourth couple in third, and third couple in second place. (Fig. 2.)

Repeat, with a new couple leading.

Devised by John A. Charles, Kawerau, New Zealand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 17-24 1st, 4th and 3rd couples should complete the reel in seven steps using the eight to dance towards partner for the allemande.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
17-24 1st, 4th & 3rd cpls dance reel in 7 bars &, on bar 24, dance into position for allemande.