The Bridge City Strathspey A 32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3 couple triangular set
1-8 All couples set and link twice. Finish facing partner.
9 – 12 All set to partner, turn by the right hand 3/4, bringing the women into the centre, retaining right hands joined with partner. 13 – 16 All balance in line with partners with Highland Schottische setting step, as follows: setting to the right, releasing right hands, passing partners face to face and joining left hands, setting to the left, releasing left hands, passing partners face to face. All women join left hands in the centre at the end of bar 16.
17 – 24 All dance a targe for 3 couples as follows: 17 – 18 All women, dance left hands across two positions around, while men dance one position clockwise around the outside of the set, to meet partner. 19 – 20 All turn partner with the right hand once round. 21 – 24 Repeat the previous 4 bars finishing one position to the right of original places, facing partner with women in the centre and men on the sides of the set.
25-26 All set advancing to pass partner by the left shoulder, pull back right shoulder to face partner. 27-28 All turn partner 3/4 with 2 hands out to places. 29-30 All dance passing partner by the right shoulder to meet a new partner and take promenade hold. The women will be on the right of their new partner, facing counter clockwise. The dancers will be between positions in the set. 31-32 All dance counter clockwise to finish in new places.
Repeat twice more to meet your original partner.
The strathspey part of a set of dances for the Saskatchewan Centennial Originally published in A Collection of Scottish Country Dances for Saskatchewan’s Centennial Year by the RSCDS Saskatchewan Branch in 2005
The city Saskatoon is known as The Bridge City. The South Saskatchewan River runs through the city and there are many bridges crossing the river.
Bannocks and Brose TWELVE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES devised by Members of the Birmingham Branch, R.S.C.D.S., 1973 Devised by Anna Holden (Jig)
1 – 4 First couple dance half figure of eight round the second couple. 5 – 8 First and second couples half Rights and Lefts.
9 – 12 First and third couples half Rights and Lefts.Second, third and first couples are now on their wrong side of the dance.
13 – 16 All three couples turn partners one and a half times with right hands. Second couple finish on own side lines, third and first couples finish in the middle facing the top, as in Fig.
1 – 2 1st man casts off one place. 2nd man steps up.
3 – 8 1st man and 3rd woman set and turn with right hands to places.
9 – 10 1st woman casts off one place. 2nd woman steps up.
11 – 16 1st woman and 3rd man set and turn with left hands to places.
17 – 20 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple, while 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple, 1st couple finish in the centre, with left hands joined, facing the opposite side. (Fig.).
21 – 24 1st couple set and dance out to opposite side.
25 – 28 1st man dances right hands across with 2nd couple, while 1st woman dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 1st couple finish in the centre with left hands joined, facing own side.
29 – 32 1st couple set and dance out to own side.
TACNotes:’ 3-4 Emphasize that 1st man stays on the sidelines as he sets to 3rd woman. 24 1st cpl flow through 2nd position on the side, before entry into RH across on bar 25. 32 1st man may finish facing out to flow on into his cast on bars 1-2 of the repetition.
The Lass of Richmond Hill RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple lead down middle and up to the top to finish in the middle of the set, facing up.
9 – 14 1st couple cast off one place and, passing partner by the left, dance round first corners by the right and into the middle of the set. 2nd couple step up on bars 9-10. 15 – 16 1st couple , giving left hands, turn to face first corners.
17 – 24 1st couple and first corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish facing second corners.
25 – 32 1st couple and second corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.
Bonnie Stronshiray Robert M. Campbell, Dancing Gems & Glasgow Assembly 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Robert M. Campbell, Glasgow Assembly Music: Bonnie Stronshiray, READY…AND! Bobby Brown & The Scottish Accent
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner with both hands to finish in a line up and down the middle of the set, dance a half reel of four, then turn partner with both hands to finish on own sides, having changed places.
9 – 12 1st couple set to each other, advancing to pass left shoulders and turn first corners with both hands, ending with 1st woman between the 2nd couple facing down and 1st man between the 3rd couple facing up.
13 – 16 1st couple set to each other, advancing to pass left shoulders and turn second corner with both hands, ending with 1st couple between their corners.
17 – 20 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples cross giving a right hand; as 1st couple faces out and casts to their right, corners pull their right shoulder back to face each other diagonally to advance and retire, one step each way.
21 – 24 Repeat bars 17-20, crossing up and down the set, with 1st couple finishing facing their fourth corner position (the person they just cast around).
25 – 32 1st couple dance a half reel of four on the second corner diagonal (fourth corner position), dance round each other left shoulder and dance a half reel of four on the first corner diagonal (third corner position). On the last two bars, 1st couple turn with the right hand to finish in second place on own side.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Dance Notes: Stronshiray is the former name of the part of southwest Argyll from which Bob Campbell’s family came. (ref Glasgow Assembly book). Although there is no mention of this place on maps anymore, there are some notes that there is a connection to the Campbell’s STRONSHIRA HOUSE — a stone-built house on the edge of Loch Fyne that is available to rent and may reference Stronshiray.
The Greenbelt Jig Elaine Brunken, Moments int Time 32 Bar Jig for 3 couples
1 – 6 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ladies Dance around their partners passing Right shoulder, and dance back to place. 7 – 8 1st, 2nd, and 3 couples Cross over giving Right Hands. (All are on opposite sides)
9 – 14 1st, 2nd, and 3″ men Dance around their partners passing Right shoulder, and dance back to place (Opposite sides). 15 – 16 1st, 2nd, and 3rd couples Cross over giving Right Hands. (1st couple remain facing out)
17 – 24 1st couple Cast off 2 places, join nearer hands and Dance up the middle, and Cast off to 2nd place. 17 – 19 cast 2 places (2nd couple step up on 17&18) 20 – 22 dance up the middle 23 – 24 cast to 2 place
25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3 couples Advance and Retire. 29 – 32 2nd 1st and 3rd couples Turn by the Right Hand.
At the end of 2 repetition 1st couple finish in 3rd place and step to the bottom The new 3rd lady dances up from the bottom. 3 man steps up on bars 1-2
Repeat having passed a couple
Devised in March 2010 at the St. Columba’s Class in Greenbelt, Maryland. It’s an easy wee jig for all levels and a good warm up dance.
Easily adapts to a 2 couple dance: 1-16 and 25-32 done by 1st and 2nd couple. Bars 17-24 1st couple cast off one place in 4 bars (dance in for one and out for one, then cast for 2), dance up to the top, and cast into 2nd place. (2nd couple step up on 19 & 20)
Suggested Tune: Ride the Wind (Tatsu-Do) (Muriel Johnstone)
Davy Nick Nack Bob Campbell, Glasgow Assembly And Other Scottish Country Dances Reel
1 – 4 First, second and third couples cross over giving right hands to finish a little in front of opposite side lines, and set. 5 – 8 All cross back to own places, and set.
9 – 16 First couple turn time and a half with the right hand, cast off one place on opposite sides, then turn with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with first corners. Second couple step up on bars 13–14.
17 – 18 First couple turn first corners with the right hand to change places, corners finishing back to back facing first couple. 19 – 20 First couple set to corners in their new position. 21 – 24 First couple turn their first corners back into place with the right hand then turn each other with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with second corners.
25 – 28 The same as bars 17–20 but with second corners. 29 – 32 First couple turn second corners back into place with the right hand then, giving left hands briefly in passing, curve into second place on own sides.
Monymusk RSCDS Book 11 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round and cast off one place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one-and-a-quarter times to finish 1st woman between the 2nd couple facing down, and 1st man between the 3rd couple, facing up.
9 – 12 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple set twice. On bars 11-12, 1st couple turn to the right into second place on opposite sides.
13 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set twice.
17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st woman passes 3rd man and 1st man passes 2nd woman by the right to begin.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to second place, own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Francis Werner: Book XVIII for the year 1785 as Mony Musk. Original tune: Monymusk (Joshua Campbell’s Collection, 1788) Composed by Daniel Dow and called by him Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk’s Reel.
TACNotes:’ 11-12 1st cpl petronella turn to sidelines, assisted by 2nd man & 3rd woman.
Ladies’ Fancy RSCDS Book 13 32-bar jig for two couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman, giving right hands, turn once round back to place.
5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to face down with 1st woman on her partner’s right. (Note) 2nd woman steps up on bars 7-8 to be on left of 1st man.
9 – 16 1st man with 1st and 2nd women dance down the middle and up. On bars 15-16, 1st man hands his partner across in front of him.
17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands back to finish in the middle of the set, facing partner with both hands joined.
25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Note: in bars 7-8, it is helpful to join both hands.
Collected in Angus but see D Anderson’s Ball-Room Guide c. 1886 Original tune: Peggie’s Wedding (Bremner, here from Gow)
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing: Bars 15-16 On coming up the middle on bars 15-16, 1st man brings his partner round to her own side of the dance and hands her right hand to 2nd man who has come in behind him to receive it. 2nd woman quickly changes her hand and the wheel is formed.
TACNotes;’ 16 1st man hands his partner across in front of him towards own side, while 2nd woman pulls L shoulder back to face down ready for RH across.
The Irish Rover RSCDS 30 Popular Dances, Vol. 2 A 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple, cast up one place on own side; 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple while 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 2nd couple step up on bars 1 — 2.
9 – 12 1st couple dance half reels of four with first corners, then;
13 – 16 1st couple dance half reels of four with second corners. On bar 16, 1st couple turn left hand in centre ready to;
17 – 24 Pass left shoulders with person in first corner’s position for two reels of three across the dance. 1st couple finish in second place on own side.
25 – 32 1st couple dance diagonal rights and lefts:
25 – 26 1st couple change places with person in their first corner’s position (i.e. 1st woman right hand to 3rd woman and 1st man right hand to 2nd man).
27 – 28 Change left hand on sides; 1st woman with 2nd man, 1st man with 3rd.woman. (First corners now back in original places).
29 – 30 1st woman changes places giving right hand ‘to 3rd man (in 2nd woman’s position), while 1st man changes places giving right hand to 2nd woman (in 3rd man’s position).
31 – 32 1st and 2nd women and 1st and 3rd men change places, giving left hands on own side of the dance.
Repeat having passed a couple.
Devised by James B. Cosh. Original tune: The Irish Rover – Traditional. Source: Twenty -Two Scottish Country Dances by James B. Cosh and Two Others.
On the fourth of July eighteen hundred and six We set sail from the sweet cove of Cork We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks For the grand city hall in New York ‘Twas a wonderful craft, she was rigged fore-and-aft And oh, how the wild winds drove her She’d stood several blasts, she had twenty-seven masts And we called her the Irish Rover.
The Irish Rover tune is from a traditional Irish folk song about a magnificent but improbable sailing ship that after seven years at sea eventually sinks, leaving a sole survivor: the song narrator!
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Skating On The Rideau Canal Lindsay Clarke, Ardbrae Celebrates 60 Years A 32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3 couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance an Inveran reel, 1st couple crossing down to begin. 2nd couple finish facing out.
9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance an inverted Inveran reel, 3rd couple crossing up to begin; 2nd couple dance out and down and 1st couple dance in and down.
17 – 20 All 3 couples dance “1/2 turn and twirl” to cross to the opposite side. (Giving partners right hand, all turn halfway to finish in the middle of the set facing each other, and pulling back right shoulders, dance on a curve out to the opposite sides.)
21 – 24 1st and 2nd couples chase clockwise 2 places while 3rd couple turn right hand 1 ½ times. All finish on own sides in order 2,1,3
25 – 28 All 3 couples dance “1/2 turn and twirl” to cross to the opposite side.
29 – 32 1st and 3rd couples chase clockwise 2 places, while 2nd couple turn right hand 1 ½ times, all finishing on own sides in order 2,3,1. 3rd woman dancing into 2nd woman’s position finishes facing out.*
Repeat from new places
*At the end of the third and last repetition, woman dancing into 2nd place would face in for bow and curtsy.
Inspiration for dance: Skaters who glide effortlessly and smoothly, without stopping. Therefore all couples keep dancing throughout, hopefully reaching the required spot just in time to glide through without waiting for the music to prompt the next move. On a busy day, skaters would weave around each other, occasionally meeting up with a friend perhaps, for a brief hello.
The Archivist A 32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 4-couple set
1 – 8 1st, 2nd, and 3nd couples dance 3-couple set and rotate as follows: All three couples set and cast to finish in lines of 3 across the dance, men facing down, women up. All change places right hands with the dancer opposite. All chase clockwise one place on to finish on the sidelines in order 3,2,1 with 1st man facing out.
9 – 12 1st man casts up behind the men’s line and down in front of 3rd man to finish in 2nd place facing out and down, while 1st woman dances up the middle and casts off around 3rd woman to finish in 2nd place facing in and down. 2nd couple step down on bars 11–12. Dancers in order 3,1,2
13 – 16 1st couple dance a half reel of three on the sides, giving a left shoulder to 2nd couple to begin. Dancers dance straight into place – 1st man and 3rd woman pull back a right shoulder at the end of the reel to face in, 2nd woman pulls back a left shoulder. Dancers in order 2,1,3
17 – 20 Starting from the sidelines and passing each other by the right shoulder to begin, 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with their 1st corners, the corners turn giving both hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder to face their 2nd corners.
21 – 24 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with their 2nd corners, the corners turn giving both hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder to 2nd place on their own sides.
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance a poussette right round. Finish in order 2,1,3
Repeat having passed a couple
At the end of second repetition for each dancing couple, the following alternate ending may be danced: 31 – 32 2nd couple finish the poussette as normal. 1st couple finish bar 31 in the centre facing down with nearer hands joined. On bar 32, 1st couple down to 4th place. 3rd couple dance up the sidelines (2 bars) to finish ready to begin the 3-couple set and rotate with a new top couple.
Suggested music: The Quaich (Many Happy Returns – Hanneke Cassel and Dave Wiesler)
In memory of Elaine Hoag, an archivist both professionally, with Library and Archives Canada, and in her dancing life with the Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa. With our mutual love of the strathspey poussette and covering opportunities, it’s the kind of strathspey we would have enjoyed dancing together.
1 – 2 1st man casts off one place. 2nd man steps up.
3 – 8 1st man and 3rd woman set and turn with right hands to places.
9 – 10 1st woman casts off one place. 2nd woman steps up.
11 – 16 1st woman and 3rd man set and turn with left hands to places.
17 – 20 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple, while 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple, 1st couple finish in the centre, with left hands joined, facing the opposite side. (Fig.).
21 – 24 1st couple set and dance out to opposite side.
25 – 28 1st man dances right hands across with 2nd couple, while 1st woman dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 1st couple finish in the centre with left hands joined, facing own side.
29 – 32 1st couple set and dance out to own side.
TACNotes: 3-4 Emphasize that 1st man stays on the sidelines as he sets to 3rd woman. 24 1st cpl flow through 2nd position on the side, before entry into RH across on bar 25. 32 1st man may finish facing out to flow on into his cast on bars 1-2 of the repetition.
Miss Emily Gordon’s Jig Dancing on Air 32 bar Jig for 3 couples
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 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 1/2 times with left hand, 1st and 2nd ladies turn 1 1/2 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’.
The Lass of Richmond Hill RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple lead down middle and up to the top to finish in the middle of the set, facing up.
9 – 14 1st couple cast off one place and, passing partner by the left, dance round first corners by the right and into the middle of the set. 2nd couple step up on bars 9-10. 15 – 16 1st couple , giving left hands, turn to face first corners.
17 – 24 1st couple and first corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish facing second corners.
25 – 32 1st couple and second corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.
Ladies’ Fancy RSCDS Book 13 32-bar jig for two couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman, giving right hands, turn once round back to place.
5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to face down with 1st woman on her partner’s right. (Note) 2nd woman steps up on bars 7-8 to be on left of 1st man.
9 – 16 1st man with 1st and 2nd women dance down the middle and up. On bars 15-16, 1st man hands his partner across in front of him.
17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands back to finish in the middle of the set, facing partner with both hands joined.
25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Note: in bars 7-8, it is helpful to join both hands.
Collected in Angus but see D Anderson’s Ball-Room Guide c. 1886 Original tune: Peggie’s Wedding (Bremner, here from Gow)
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing: Bars 15-16 On coming up the middle on bars 15-16, 1st man brings his partner round to her own side of the dance and hands her right hand to 2nd man who has come in behind him to receive it. 2nd woman quickly changes her hand and the wheel is formed.
TACNotes; 16 1st man hands his partner across in front of him towards own side, while 2nd woman pulls L shoulder back to face down ready for RH across.
Monymusk RSCDS Book 11 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round and cast off one place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one-and-a-quarter times to finish 1st woman between the 2nd couple facing down, and 1st man between the 3rd couple, facing up.
9 – 12 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple set twice. On bars 11-12, 1st couple turn to the right into second place on opposite sides.
13 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set twice.
17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st woman passes 3rd man and 1st man passes 2nd woman by the right to begin.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to second place, own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Francis Werner: Book XVIII for the year 1785 as Mony Musk.
Original tune: Monymusk (Joshua Campbell’s Collection, 1788) Composed by Daniel Dow and called by him Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk’s Reel.
TACNotes:’ 11-12 1st cpl petronella turn to sidelines, assisted by 2nd man & 3rd woman.
The White Heather Jig James B. Cosh, RSCDS 30 Popular Dances, Vol. 2 A 40-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple turn with right hand and cast off to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st couple turn with left hand one and a half times and finish back to back between 2nd couple, 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 2nd woman.
9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a reel of four across. 1st couple pass right shoulder to finish facing first corners.
17 – 24 1st couple turn corners and partner to finish back to back between 3rd couple. (1st woman facing 3rd man and 1st man facing 3rd woman).
25 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance a reel of four across, 3rd couple finish in second place and 1st couple meet in the centre between 3rd and 4th couples.
33 – 36 1st couple turn with left hand and cast off on own side. 4th couple step up on bars 35–36.
37 – 40 1st couple turn with right hand.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by James B. Cosh. Original tune: Six-Twenty Two Step by Sir Jimmy Shand M.B.E. Source: Twenty-Two Scottish Country Dances and Two Others.
HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS By Joyce & Gary Lindsey, Patty Lindsay, and Lee Fuell A 32bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set. Recommended Music: Christmas Reels 8×32, from Scottish Christmas Dance Party recorded by Jim Lindsay and His Band.
1-8 1st couple dance down the middle and back, finish in first place facing out.
9-16 1st, 2nd, and 3rd couples dance mirror reels on the side, 1st couple starting by going out and down to begin.
17-20 1st couple cast into second place while 2nd couple dances up and curves into top place; 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set.
21-24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partner with right hand. 25-32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance 6 hands round and back.
Note: The last time through the dance, all 4 couples dance bars 19-32 (25 – 32 will be 8 hands round and back)
The Archivist Emily Porter, Ardbrae Celebrates 60 Years A 32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 4-couple set
1 – 8 1st, 2nd, and 3nd couples dance 3-couple set and rotate as follows: All three couples set and cast to finish in lines of 3 across the dance, men facing down, women up. All change places right hands with the dancer opposite. All chase clockwise one place on to finish on the sidelines in order 3,2,1 with 1st man facing out.
9 – 12 1st man casts up behind the men’s line and down in front of 3rd man to finish in 2nd place facing out and down, while 1st woman dances up the middle and casts off around 3rd woman to finish in 2nd place facing in and down. 2nd couple step down on bars 11–12. Dancers in order 3,1,2
13 – 16 1st couple dance a half reel of three on the sides, giving a left shoulder to 2nd couple to begin. Dancers dance straight into place – 1st man and 3rd woman pull back a right shoulder at the end of the reel to face in, 2nd woman pulls back a left shoulder. Dancers in order 2,1,3
17 – 20 Starting from the sidelines and passing each other by the right shoulder to begin, 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with their 1st corners, the corners turn giving both hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder to face their 2nd corners.
21 – 24 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with their 2nd corners, the corners turn giving both hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder to 2nd place on their own sides.
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance a poussette right round. Finish in order 2,1,3
Repeat having passed a couple
At the end of second repetition for each dancing couple, the following alternate ending may be danced: 31 – 32 2nd couple finish the poussette as normal. 1st couple finish bar 31 in the centre facing down with nearer hands joined. On bar 32, 1st couple down to 4th place. 3rd couple dance up the sidelines (2 bars) to finish ready to begin the 3-couple set and rotate with a new top couple.
Suggested music: The Quaich (Many Happy Returns – Hanneke Cassel and Dave Wiesler)
In memory of Elaine Hoag, an archivist both professionally, with Library and Archives Canada, and in her dancing life with the Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa. With our mutual love of the strathspey poussette and covering opportunities, it’s the kind of strathspey we would have enjoyed dancing together.
HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS By Joyce & Gary Lindsey, Patty Lindsay, and Lee Fuell A 32bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set. Recommended Music: Christmas Reels 8×32, from Scottish Christmas Dance Party recorded by Jim Lindsay and His Band.
1-8 1st couple dance down the middle and back, finish in first place facing out.
9-16 1st, 2nd, and 3rd couples dance mirror reels on the side,1st couple starting by going out and down to begin.
17-20 1st couple cast into second place while 2nd couple dances up and curves into top place; 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set.
21-24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partner with right hand.
25-32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance 6 hands round and back.
Note: The last time through the dance, all 4 couples dance bars 19-32 (25 – 32 will be 8 hands round and back)
Arthur’s Seat Scottish Country Dances of the Eighteenth Century by Jack McConachie Longways set in Reel time for 4 (or 5) couples — 3-couple dance — 32-Bar sequence.
STEPS: “Skip Change” Step (for travelling), and Pas de Basque (for setting) MUSIC: “Arthur’s Seat”: “Lord Ramsay”. Tempo: 56 Bars per minute.
1 – 8 First and second couples dance right Hands Across once round (4 travelling steps), then first couple cast off (on own sides) to 2nd place (2 travelling steps), and set to each other (2 steps). Second couple lead up (with nearer hands), between first couple, on Bars 5–6, to finish at the top, (turning the nearer way into place) (Diagram 1).
9 – 16 First and third couples dance left Hands Across once round, then first couple cast off on own sides) to 3rd place, and set to each other. Third couple lead up (with nearer hands) between first couple, on Bars 13–14, to finish in 2nd place (turning the nearer way into place.)
17 – 24 First couple lead up (with nearer hands), to the top and cast off (on own sides), round 2nd couple and meet below them (4 travelling steps); first couple then lead down (with nearer hands) between third couple and cast up (on own sides), round them to pass each other by the left (in 2nd place) to finish facing their 1st Corners (4 travelling steps). Third couple move down on Bars 23–24 (Diagram 2).
25 – 30 First couple “set to Corners — set to partner” (Diagram 3) (see notes below), finishing with the lady facing up, and the man facing down (6 steps).
31 – 32 First couple turn by the right to own sides, in 2nd place.
First couple repeat from 2nd place (with third and fourth couples), and cross to own sides, to the bottom of the Set, on the last 2 steps, while fourth couple move up to 3rd place.
Each couple repeat in turn, as first couple.
Notes: First couple release hands on Bar 4 and dance outwards, and down to 2nd place on the next 2 steps, while second couple join nearer hands (man’s right and the lady’s left), and lead up between the first couple on Bar 5, then release hands and dance out to own sides, in top place on Bar 6, turning the nearer way into place (the lady turning to her left, and the man to his right).
The above also applies to first and third couples on Bars 13–14.
“To the top” on Bars 17–18 means above second couple (who are in top place).
“Set to Corners—set to partner.” First couple (beginning back to back with each other, facing their 1st Corners), set to 1st Corners (with Pas de Basque on the right foot), turning to their right, and at the same time moving slightly to the side, on the 2nd step (Pas de Basque on the left foot to face each other across the dance (2 steps).
First couple set to each other (Pas de Basque on the right foot), turning to their right, and moving slightly to the side on the 2nd step, (Pas de Basque on the left foot), to face their 2nd Corners (2 steps).
First couple then set to 2nd Corners, turning to their right and moving slightly to the side, on the 2nd step, to face each other up and down the dance (2 steps).
The “Corner dancers” set normally with 2 Pas de Basques.
The White Heather Jig James B. Cosh, RSCDS 30 Popular Dances, Vol. 2 A 40-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple turn with right hand and cast off to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st couple turn with left hand one and a half times and finish back to back between 2nd couple, 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 2nd woman.
9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a reel of four across. 1st couple pass right shoulder to finish facing first corners.
17 – 24 1st couple turn corners and partner to finish back to back between 3rd couple. (1st woman facing 3rd man and 1st man facing 3rd woman).
25 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance a reel of four across, 3rd couple finish in second place and 1st couple meet in the centre between 3rd and 4th couples.
33 – 36 1st couple turn with left hand and cast off on own side. 4th couple step up on bars 35–36.
37 – 40 1st couple turn with right hand.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by James B. Cosh. Original tune: Six-Twenty Two Step by Sir Jimmy Shand M.B.E. Source: Twenty-Two Scottish Country Dances and Two Others.
