Video: The Ribblesdale Strathspey

The Ribblesdale Strathepey
A 32-bar strathspey for a 3-couple set
Tune: The Ribblesdale Strathspey

1 – 12 The 1st, 2nd & 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.

13 The 1st couple start mirror setting movement down the set, the man going to his right and the lady to her left, advancing to finish with both hands joined.

14 The 1st couple finish mirror setting movement, moving back up the set and releasing the top hands.

15 – 16 The 1st couple cast into 2nd place, the man leading with his right foot and the lady leading with her left foot as the joined hands are brought through the middle before releasing. 2nd couple step up.

17 – 24 The 2nd and 1st couples dance a poussette right round.

25 – 32 The 1st couple dance a figure of 8 round the 2nd couple, momentarily giving left hands on the first crossing and right hands on the second crossing. The 3rd couple step up on the last 2 bars as the 1st couple dance into 3rd place.

Repeat with a new leading couple.

Jeff Middleton composed the dance this dance for the Ribble Valley Branch in recognition of the continuing success of the Branch, 16 October 2008.

Lady Jayne of Castle Glen
A 32 bar reel for three couples in a four couple set

Craig Williams, February 2017

1 – 8 1st couple dance down the middle and cast up around third couple. They meet above third couple and dance up to the top and cast off to face 1st corners, 2nd couple step up on bars 7 & 8.

9-12 1st couple dance first four bars of set to corners and partner, finishing back to back in the middle in second place.

13-16 1st couple dance half reels of three on the sides, passing 1st corner by the right to begin. 1st couple pass by the left to finish facing 2nd corner position.

17-20 1st couple dance first four bars of set to corners and partner, finishing back to back in the middle in second place, man facing up, woman facing down.

21-24 1st couple dance half reels of three across the set, giving right shoulder to the person in second corner position to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25-28 All three couples chase halfway clockwise.

29-32 All three couples turn partner once round with right hand.

Video: Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel

Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel
RSCDS Book 7 – No. 5
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across for three steps and left
hands back. 1st couple cast off one place on own sides and 2nd couple dance up to first place.

9 – 12 1st couple lead up the middle to finish back to back between 2nd couple, 1st man facing 2nd woman and 1st woman facing 2nd man. 1st and 2nd couples set.

13 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle to finish back to back between 3rd couple, 1st man facing 3rd woman and 1st woman facing 3rd man.
1st and 3rd couples set.

17 – 20 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand 1st man finishing between 3rd couple facing up and 1st woman between 2nd couple facing down.
1st couple set and advance toward second corners.

21 – 24 1st couple turn second corners with the right hand finishing between corners. 1st couple set to each other.

25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass first corners by the left to begin.

31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.
Original tune: Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel (Bremner, 1761)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
13-16 Nearer hand lead. 1st woman, maintaining eye contact with 3rd man, finishes first setting step facing up towards 2nd man & uses the second setting step to advance towards him a little. 1st man moves slightly up on second setting step.
19-20 Set to partner while advancing to face 2nd corner.

New Dance – Yet to be named
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a four couple set
Craig Williams, July 2017

1 – 2 1st couple turn RH to finish between 2nd couple, 1st man facing 2nd man, 1st woman facing 2nd woman.
3 – 4 1st couple set to 2nd couple
5 – 8 1st couple dance right shoulder 2nd couple and pass each other left shoulder to finish 1st man facing 2nd woman, 1st woman facing 2nd man

9 – 16 1st & 2nd couple Reel of four.

17 – 20 Set with Glasgow Highlanders setting step.
21 – 24 1st and 2nd couple pull back right shoulder and cast into right hands across. Finish 1st couple facing each other up and down the set

25 – 28 1st couple turn 3/4 with the right hand to finish facing up. Dance up, crossing over and cast off into 2nd place

29 – 32 2nd & 1st couple turn once round with the right hand

No Videos this week.

Long Frank’s Reel

A 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set.
Tune: Frank & June Hewitson

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance mirror reels of 3 on the sides. 1st couple begin by crossing down, 2nd couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and up.

9 – 10 1st couple dance down with nearer hands joined and separate onto the opposite side facing down, 2nd couple dance out and up into 1st place.

11 – 12 1st man & 3rd lady turn once round with the right hand while 1st lady & 3rd man turn once round with the left hand. 1St couple face up.

13 – 16 1st man & 2nd lady turn 1 1/2 times with the left hand while 1st lady & 2nd man turn 1 1/2 times with the right hand.

17 – 20 1st couple dance half figure of 8 round 2nd couple, crossing down to begin.

21 – 24 1st & 2nd couples dance right hands across and stay in the middle with partners ready for:-

25 – 32 1st & 2nd couples dance an allepousse. i.e. 1St couple dance a 2 couple allemande into 2nd place while 2nd couple dance a poussette into 1st place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

This dance was devised for Frank Hewitson of Ribble Valley Branch RSCDS who I looked up to since I was in short pants! Frank sadly passed away in 2009, aged 92

Dance devised by David G. Queen 2005

Saxie’s Baa, 32J 2C (3C Set)
The Green Lady Book of Scottish Country Dances by Barry Priddey
1–8     1M and 2W dance a figure of eight round partners; to begin they pass each other by the right, dance round partner by the left
then pass each other right again to complete the figure on own sides.
9–16     1C and 2C dance rights and lefts.
17–24    1W and 2M dance a figure of eight round partners; to begin they pass each other by the left, dance round partner by the right
then pass each other left again to complete the figure on own sides.
25–32     1C and 2C dance the Knot progression.

There is one video this week!

Oxton Reel
144-bar strathspey for six couples in a six-couple longwise set

Part A
1 – 6 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, who dance up the sides to begin, cast off and dance down behind their own lines.

7 – 12 1st couple, meet at the bottom of the set and lead up the middle, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part B
1 – 12 1st couple take promenade hold and, turning to the right to begin, dance a figure of eight down and up the set, to places, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part C
1 – 12 All repeat bars 1 – 12 of part B, but with hands joined behind their backs.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part D
1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance a grand chain with two steps to each hand. 1st couple and 4th couple face across, 2nd couple and 5th couple face down and 3rd couple and 6th couple face up to begin.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part E
1 – 12 All six couples dance into the middle, and with each man behind his partner and hands on her waist, 1st and 4th couples facing down and the others facing up. 1St, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance reels of three in tandem. To begin 1st and 2nd couples and 4th adn 5th couples pass by the right.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part F
1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance six hands twice round to the left.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Collected at Oxton, Berwickshire.
Original tune: Cameron’s got his wife again (Bremner)

Video: The  Thistle and the Columbine

The Thistle and the Columbine
8×32 Jig

1-8 1st couple set and cast off one place, 2nd couple step up on bars 3 & 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 while 2nd and 4rd 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 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 on August 2007 for a forthcomming 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

The Threesome Reel
Medley of 48-bar strathspey and 48-bar reel for three dancers

The dancers comprise a man between two women with nearer hands joined. The man may hold the corner of a handkerchief in each hand, the opposite corners of which are held by the women. Alternatively, ribbons can be used.

Strathspey
1 – 8 With eight strathspey travelling steps, the women dance round the man in opposite directions, the woman on his left keeping to the outside and the women on his right keeping to the inside and going under the arch made by the others. The man turns slowly round in the same direction as the women going under the arch, using travelling step. All finish in places.

9 – 16 All set with Highland Strathspey setting steps

17 – 48 Repeat twice with different Highland strathspey setting steps.

Reel
1 – 8 Repeat three times with Highland reel setting steps.

Collected in Perthshire and Angus

Original tunes:
Strathspey: Mrs Stewart Nicholson’s (Nathaniel Gow)
Reel: Sleepy Maggy (Bremner, 1757)

The Judge’s Jig
32 bar jig for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts up and down the dance. To begin, 1st and 2nd women (also 1st and 2nd men) change places with right hands. At the end of bar 8, 1st couple finish facing out.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance double figures of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off two places and 3rd couple cross up to the top. At the end of bar 16, 1st couple again finish facing out.

17 – 20 1st and 2nd women turn 1 ½ times with right hands and 1st and 2nd men turn 1 ½ times with left hands to change places.
21 – 24 1st couple dance a half figure of eight crossing up between 2nd couple to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the sides. To begin: 1st couple dance in and down, 3rd couple dance out and up, 2nd couple dance out and down.
31 – 32 1st couple cross giving left hands

Repeat having passed a couple.

Note: At the end of the first turn, 1st woman finished facing out but 1st man curves slightly to finish to finish just inside the side lines ready to give right hand to the ‘new’ 2nd man.

For Johan Berg.
Tune: Venskaben (Muriel Johnstone)
Roy Goldring (2005) – Auld Friends Meet

The City of Preston Reel
A 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast to 2nd place; 2nd couple step up on bars 3 & 4

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and cast to their left to finish 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 3rd woman.

9 – 16 Dance Reels of 3 across the dance giving right shoulder to begin.

17 – 20 Joining hands three and three across the dance, all advance and retire up & down the set.

21 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, change places up and down, and cast to their right to finish on the sidelines between their corners.

25 – 28 Joining hands, all advance and retire.

29 – 30 All set.

31 – 32 1st couple cross over giving right hands to finish in 2nd place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Lavinia Morris to celebrate Preston receiving City status and dance by the beginners’ class of 2008/2009.

Sorry, no videos this week.

North Grove
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set, circle once round to the left and dance in on bar 8 to meet partners. All finish facing up ready for:

9 – 16 Three couple promenade. On bars 15 – 16, 1st couple cast off to 2nd place and 2nd couple dance up to top place.

17 – 18 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to the opposite side line and face 1st corners.
19 – 20 1st couple set to 1st corners.
21 – 22 1st couple set to partner.
23 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd corners.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the side lines. To begin, 1st couple give right shoulder to 2nd corners.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to own side.

Repeat having passed a couple.

For Alice Murphy
Tune: Murphy’s Measure (Nandy Dickson)
Roy Goldring 1993 – Auld Friends Meet

The Judge’s Jig
32 bar jig for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts up and down the dance. To begin, 1st and 2nd women (also 1st and 2nd men) change places with right hands. At the end of bar 8, 1st couple finish facing out.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance double figures of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off two places and 3rd couple cross up to the top. At the end of bar 16, 1st couple again finish facing out.

17 – 20 1st and 2nd women turn 1 ½ times with right hands and 1st and 2nd men turn 1 ½ times with left hands to change places.
21 – 24 1st couple dance a half figure of eight crossing up between 2nd couple to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the sides. To begin: 1st couple dance in and down, 3rd couple dance out and up, 2nd couple dance out and down.
31 – 32 1st couple cross giving left hands

Repeat having passed a couple.

Note: At the end of the first turn, 1st woman finished facing out but 1st man curves slightly to finish to finish just inside the side lines ready to give right hand to the ‘new’ 2nd man.

For Johan Berg.
Tune: Venskaben (Muriel Johnstone)
Roy Goldring (2005) – Auld Friends Meet

North West 50th
32 bar reel for 5 couples

1 – 4 1st couple cross giving right hands and cast off one place to finish in the centre of the dance facing down. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st woman and 3rd man turn 1 ½ times with right hands while 1st man and 3rd woman turn 1 ½ times with left hands. 1st couple finish in 3rd place facing out. 2rd couple finish facing 2nd place facing in.

9 – 16 Reels of three on the side. To begin: 1st couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and down, 2nd couple dance out and down. 1st couple finish facing out and down.

17 – 20 1st woman and 4th man turn 1 ½ times with left hands while 1st man and 4th woman turn 1 ½ times with right hands. 1St couple finish in 4th place facing in.
21 – 24 1st couple dance half figure of eight around 4th couple, crossing up to begin and finish in 4th place facing in and down.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the side. To begin: 1st coupel dance in and down, 5th couple dance out and up, 4th couple dance out and down. 1st coupel finish in 4th place facing in and down. 5th couple finish in own place facing in and up.
31 – 32 1st and 5th women change places with left hands while 1st and 5th men change places with right hands. Order now 2, 3, 4, 5, 1.

Repeat from new positions

For the 50th Anniversary of the North West Craven Branch of the RSCDS. 19th December 1958 – 19th December 2008.

Tune: The Kettle Drum (Traditional)
Roy Goldring (2007) – Auld Friends Meet

No Videos this week

I’ll mak’ ye fain to follow me
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st woman, followed by 1st man, cast off two places and crossed over to 3rd man’s place, with 1st man in 3rd woman’s place. 2nd and 3rd couples step up on bars 3-4

5 – 8 1st man, followed by 1st woman, casts up behind 3rd and 2nd women, and crossed to original place: 1st woman finished in her place. 2nd and 3rd couples step down on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up.

13 – 16 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and cast off one place and lead up to face first corners.

17 – 24 1st couple set to and turn corners to finish between them facing first corners.

25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass first corners by the left to begin.

31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to second place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

W Boag: A Collection of Favourite Reels & Strathspeys, London 1797 as I’ll make you be fain to follow me.

Original Tune: I’ll mak ye fain to follow me (Gow’s Repository – earlier version, Oswald 1756)

Jovial Jack
32 bar reel for three couples in a four couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple dance reels of three on own sides. 1st and 2nd men passing right shoulders, 1st and 2nd women passing left shoulders.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle for three steps and up for three steps and cast to second place facing down. 2nd couple step up on bars 15 – 16.

17 – 20 1st and 3rd couples set and turn (men by the right hand, women by the left) 1st couple finish facing up

21 – 24 1st and 2nd couples turn (men by the left hand, women by the right) and all three couples set.

25 – 23 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples circle round and back.

Repeat having passed a couple.

To start the third and alternate turns the 4th couple dance up into the reel as 1st couple step down into their place.

Devised by Brenda Burnell to celebrate Jack Oliver’s 80th birthday on December 1st 2008 at the Askwith class

Lady Aberdeen Strathspey
32 bar Strathspey for three couples

1 – 8 Mirror reel of 3 with crossing. 1st couple cross on bar 1 to enter the reel through second place. 2nd couple cross on bar 3 and third couple cross on bar 5. Finish the reel on opposite sides.

9 – 12 All set once and cross giving right hands

13 – 16 1st couple cast off below 3rd couple and dance up the middle to finish in second place. Meanwhile, 2nd and 3rd couple set again, 2nd couple giving inside hands dance up to first place and face out and down as 3rd couple set again.

17 – 20 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance three hands across. 1st lady dances right hands across with 2nd and 3rd ladies, as 1st man dances left hands across with 2nd and 3rd men. Finish with 1st couple in the center facing up, left hands joined. 2dd and 3rd couples in original places.

21 – 24 1st couple cross up between 2nd couple, using left hands, and cast into second place, dance into the center and face down.

25 – 28 All dance three hands across. 1st lady with 2nd and 3rd men by the right hand; 1st man with 2nd and 3rd ladies by the left hands; 1st couple end in the center facing down with the left hands joined.

29 – 32 1st couple cross below 3rd couple and cast up into second place on own side.

Repeat having passed a couple.

MUSIC: Rosemary Read (1991) by Murray Schoolbraid

Devised by Mary S. Brandon
Published in The Emigrant Scot

Video: Rothesay Country Dance – Animation

Rothesay Country Dance
48-bar jig for two couples in a four couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and up

9 – 12 1st couple set and, giving both hands, turn halfway round to finish in partner’s place

13 – 16 1st man and 2nd woman, and 1st woman and 2nd man, giving right hands, turn one and a half times to change places

17 – 24 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

25 – 28 2nd and 1st couples dance a half ladies chain.

29 – 32 1st and 2nd couples, giving right hands, turn partners ot original places.

33 – 40 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands round and back, finishing in the middle of the set, facing partner with both hands joined.

41 – 48 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette

Repeat having passed a couple.

Collected in Rothesay, Isle of Bute

Original Tune Dumfries House (J. Riddell, 1766)

Candyfloss
32 bar strathspey for three couples in a three couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 3rd couples set and turn three quarters with the right hand into the middle of the dance (1st man and 3rd woman back to back), ready for a reel of four.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dancehalf a right shoulder reel of four; at the end 1st man and 3rd woman give left hands and turn a to end between the second couple.

9 – 12 2nd woman, 1st man, 3rd woman, and 2nd man dance half a right shoulder reel of four

13 – 16 2nd woman with 1st man and 3rd woman with 2nd man set, change places giving left hand and the 2nd couple passing left.

17 – 20 2nd man with 1st couple, and 2nd woman with 3rd couple dnace right hands across in “second corners” positions.

21 – 24 While 1st couple turn with both hands in third placem and 3rd couple turn with both hands in first place, 2nd couple pass left shoulders to dance out through the sidelines, 2nd man between 3rd and 1st women and 2nd woman between 1st and 3rd men, and dance clockwise halfway round the set to second place on own sides. All take promenade hold facing up.

25 – 32 3rd, 2nd and 1st coupls dance a 6 bar promenade then 3rd couple cast off to second place, 2nd couple dance up to first place, and 1st couple return to third place, finishing 2, 3, 1.

Repeat with a new top couple

Devised by Veronica Hughes of Brighouse.

Jovial Jack
32 bar reel for three couples in a four couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple dance reels of three on own sides. 1st and 2nd men passing right shoulders, 1st and 2nd women passing left shoulders.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle for three steps and up for three steps and cast to second place facing down. 2nd couple step up on bars 15 – 16.

17 – 20 1st and 3rd couples set and turn (men by the right hand, women by the left) 1st couple finish facing up

21 – 24 1st and 2nd couples turn (men by the left hand, women by the right) and all three couples set.

25 – 23 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples circle round and back.

Repeat having passed a couple.

To start the third and alternate turns the 4th couple dance up into the reel as 1st couple step down into their place.

Devised by Brenda Burnell to celebrate Jack Oliver’s 80th birthday on December 1st 2008 at the Askwith class