TACTFUL DANCERS
32-bar hornpipe for 3 couples in a 4-couple set
Music: David Jones’s Locker, by Chris Dewhurst, or similar hornpipe

1-4 1st and 2nd men, and 1st and 2nd women, facing on the sides, set and turn half way, men with left hand and women with right hand. 2nd couple make polite turns as they finish in top place.

5-8 1st and 3rd men, giving right hands, turn once round; meanwhile, 1st and 3rd women, giving left hands, turn once round.

9-10 1st couple change places with second corners (2nd woman and 3rd man) giving left hands.

11-12 Original second corners (now in 2nd place on opposite sides) change places with first corners (2nd man and 3rd woman) giving right hands.

13-14 Original first corners (now in 2nd place on opposite sides) change places with 1st couple (in 2nd corner positions) giving left hands.

15-16 Giving right hands to partner, all cross over and face in, pulling right shoulder back. Dancers are now on opposite sides in the order 312.

17-24 Dance set and link for 3 couples, twice, to finish on own side in the order 213.

25-32 Circle six hands round and back.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Chris Ronald, August 2016, in honour of Elizabeth Woodbury.

Notes:
The dance recognizes Elizabeth’s love of sailing, particularly J27s which can have a crew of six.

Bars 1-8 depict greeting the other crew members; bars 9-16 tacking, bars 17-24 ‘all hands on deck’, and bars 25-32 celebrate the successful conclusion of an event.

The title alludes to the tacking figure on bars 9-16. The figure was inspired by a similar movement in Iain Boyd’s dance: The Cashmere Shawl. In that dance right hands are given first, but in this dance left hands are given first, since the starboard tack has right-of-way over the port tack! PS. I find it helps to teach bars 9-16 first.

Video: Strathglass House

Video: Strathglass House

Video: Strathglass House

Strathglass House
Book 13 – No. 9
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–4 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and dance six hands round to the left halfway.

5–8 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples repeat bars 1-4 to original places, again moving to the left.

9–12 1st couple lead down, cross over below 2nd couple and dance behind 3rd couple to meet below them facing up.

13–16 1st couple lead up to the top and cast off one place on opposite sides to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 15-16.

17–24 1st couple turn first corner with right hand, partner with the left hand, second corner with the right hand, partner with the left hand to finish between corners.

25–28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance and retire.

29–32 1st couple, giving both hands, turn one and a half times to finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

R Bremner:
A Second Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances c. 1765.

Original tune:
Mr Muir Mackenzie’s Favourite (Mr Sharpe of Hoddom)

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TACNotes:’
1 – 8 On second setting step (bars 2 & 6) 1st man & 3rd woman must begin to move into circle shape so that the half circle is completed in two steps (bars 3-4 & 7-8).
13 – 16 Nearer hand lead. 2nd cpl step up on bars 15-16.

Video: Sarona

SARONA
dance devised by John Drewry
for San Francisco Branch of the R.S.C.D.S.
Strathspey – 4 couples — 32 bars.
Tune – “Sarona” by J. Scott Skinner — “The Scottish Violinist” page 49.
In this dance 3rd and 4th couples start on wrong sides.

1–2 1st couple and 4th couple dance petronella-wise into the centre of the dance to form a straight line down the centre with 1st man and 4th man back to back in the middle of the line (2nd couple step up about half a place, while 3rd couple step down about half a place).

3–4 All set to partners in two diamond formations.

5–8 1st couple with 2nd couple, and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance right hands across to the same positions as at the end of Bar 2.

9–12 1st couple and 4th couple dance half a reel of four down the centre of the dance.

13–14 4th couple change places with one another, passing by the right, while 1st couple, similarly, change places with one another. The dancers should still be in a straight line down the centre at the end of Bar 14.

15–16 4th man turns 2nd lady with both hands three quarters round, while 4th lady turns 2nd man with both hands three quarters round to form a straight line across the dance with 4th couple between 2nd couple.

1st man, similarly, turns 3rd lady with both hands, while 1st lady turns 3rd man with both hands to form a straight line across the dance with 1st couple between 3rd couple.

17–20 2nd couple with 4th couple, and 3rd couple with 1st couple, dance half reels of four across the dance.

21–22 2nd couple dance into the centre (passing the 4th couple by the right) then they pass one another by the right to finish in top place facing down with 2nd lady on the left of 2nd man.

3rd couple, similarly, dance into the centre (passing 1st couple by the right), then they pass one another by the right to finish in fourth place facing up with 3rd lady on the left of 3rd man.

4th lady dances out to the ladies’ side, passing 2nd man by the right, then down on the side to second place. 1st lady dances out to the men’s side, passing 3rd man by the right, then up on the side to third place.

4th man dances out to the men’s side, passing 2nd lady by the right, then, pulling his left shoulder back, he dances down to second place.

1st man, similarly, dances out to the ladies’ side, passing 3rd lady by the right, then, pulling his left shoulder back, he dances up to 3rd place.

23–24 With 2nd and 3rd couples and 4th man and 1st lady, and 1st man and 4th lady joining nearer hands, all set in a square formation.

25–26 2nd couple, 4th man with 1st lady, 1st man with 4th lady, and 3rd couple, advance one step to form a circle, then releasing hold of hands they dance in slightly and pull right shoulder back to face out. (This second step is almost a turning on the spot and care should be taken to preserve the circular formation).

27–28 All dance out clockwise in a chase.

29–32 Eight hands round to the left to finish on the side lines in the order 2,4,1,3 with 1st and 3rd couples on wrong sides.

Video: The Sailor

Video: The Sailor

The Sailor
RSCDS Book 24 – No. 4
32-bar hornpipe for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–2 1st couple, giving right hands, cross down, 1st woman to face 2nd and 3rd men, 1st man to face 2nd and 3rd women. 2nd couple step up.

3–4 1st woman with 2nd and 3rd men and 1st man with 2nd and 3rd women, joining nearer hands, set. (Fig.)

5–8 1st woman casts up round 2nd man to finish between 2nd couple, all facing down; 1st man casts down round 3rd woman to finish between 3rd couple, all facing up. All set in lines of three across.

9–16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the set. To begin, 1st woman and 2nd man, 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the right. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides.

17–24 1st couple lead down the middle (two steps) and up, cross at the top and cast off one place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Collected by Miss Jenny MacLachlin.
Original tune: The Davy Hornpipe (Traditional)

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TACNotes:’
3-4 Note Fig. – not a double triangles position.
5-8 Cast – not a right hand turn with 2nd man and 3rd woman.

Video: The Peat Fire Flame

Video: The Peat Fire Flame

THE PEAT FIRE FLAME
THE BON ACCORD BOOK OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by John Drewry
Reel – 3 couples – 40 bars.
Tune – “The Peat Fire Flame’.

1–6 1st couple cast off one place, then dance half a figure of eight round 2nd couple to finish in second place on the wrong sides. (2nd couple move up on 1-2).

7–8 1st couple turn by the left hand to face first corners.

9–12 1st couple turn first corners by the right hand then pass each other by the right shoulder to face second corners.

13–16 1st couple turn second corners by the left hand then pass each other by the left shoulder to face first corners again.

17–20 1st couple dance half a reel of four with their first corners, then pass each other by the left shoulder to go into:-

21–24 A half reel of four with second corners. 1st couple finish facing first corners again, who are now on the wrong side of the dance.

25–26 1st couple set to first corners.

27–28 1st couple, with two skip change of step, dance round one another to the right to finish facing second corners.

29–30 1st couple set to second corners.

31–32 1st couple, with two skip change of step, dance round one another to the right to finish in second place on wrong sides facing out.

33–36 2nd and 3rd couples dance half rights and lefts to bring them back to their own sides in top and third places (omit the polite turns at the end because the dancers finish two places apart). 1st man casts off to below third place on the ladies’ side and then dances up the centre of the dance to meet his partner, who casts up to above top place on the men’s side and then dances down the centre of the dance.

37–40 1st couple turn by the right hand one and a quarter times to finish in second place on own sides, but stay facing out ready to cast off at the beginning of the next turn of the dance. 2nd and 3rd couples turn by the right hand.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

NOTE: At the end of the second turn of the dance, the original 1st couple, who must go to fourth place, finish facing out at the end of the right hand turn. Then, on the first two steps of the new turn, they cast off to fourth place, while the new top couple cast off to second place.

Video: John McAlpin

JOHN McALPIN
(Strathspey)
Hugh Foss, Galloway Album (1964)

1–2 1st couple advance (one step), take right hands, let go and retire (one step).

3–4 Then, giving left hands, cross over and turn left about.

5–6 1st couple, taking right hands, lead down to 2nd place, centre of the dance (2nd couple move up), and

7–8 Turn by the left hand (see Fig. 1).

9–16 1st couple turn first corner by the right hand, partner by the left, second corner by the right, and, giving left hands to partners, cross back to own sides, 2nd place.

17–18 1st, 2nd and 3rd women, taking hands, set.

19–20 They advance (two steps), while the three men, taking hands, set.

21–24 The women retire (two steps) and set, while the men advance and retire.

25–26 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples cross over, giving right hands, form a circle (see Fig. 2) and

27–28 Dance six hands half round to the left.

29–32 They cross over again, giving left hands, form a circle (see Fig. 3) and dance six hands half round to the right.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: Best Set in the Hall

Best Set in the Hall
RSCDS Book 46
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and 1st woman, followed by her partner, casts off two places, crosses over below 3rd couple, casts up and dances in to face first corner. 1st man dances up the middle of the set to face his first corner. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners set and, 1st couple, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in partner’s first corner position. At the same time, first corners dance in towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing own places.

13 – 16 1st couple and first corners set and first corners, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in opposite corner’s position. At the same time, 1st couple dance towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing second corners.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat bars 9-16 with second corners and pass each other by the right to finish in second place on opposite sides. 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples face clockwise.

25 – 28 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance clockwise halfway round the set.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Helen Greenwood, Auckland, New Zealand.
Note: the movement in bars 9-24 was devised by the late Alec Hay.

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Notes Compiled by teachers, Summer School , St Andrews 2010
15-16 1st couple turn on the spot.
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TACNotes:1-8 1st woman dances straight in on bar 8 to face 1st corner.

Video: The Spirit of the Dance

THE SPIRIT OF THE DANCE
T.A.C. 50th Anniversary Collection
32 Strathspey for three couples by Irene Paterson

1–8 1st and 2nd couples dance the tourbillon, first couple finish facing out.

1–2 1st and 2nd couples turn with two hands half-way round. After one bar, 1st man releases his left hand to dance into 2nd woman’s place, while 1st woman dances into her original place. 2nd woman similarly release her left hand to dance into 1st man’s place while 2nd man dances into his original place.

3–4 1st couple set to 2nd couple.

5–6 1st and 2nd couples turn with both hands half-way round. After one bar, 1st woman releases her left hand to dance into 2nd man’s place while 1st man dances into 2nd woman’s place while 2nd woman dances into 1st man’s place.

7–8 2nd and 1st couples, giving right hands, cross over.

9–16 1st couple cast to their right, woman going round 3rd woman right shoulder, man round 2nd man, right shoulder, pass each other right shoulder in the centre of the set and cast to the right, woman round 2nd woman, man round 3rd man, to second place own sides, pass partner right shoulder to finish in second place on opposite sides.

17–28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.

17–18 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples cross over giving right hands.

19–20 2nd woman and 1st man change places on the sides, while 1st woman and 3rd man do the same, while 2nd man and 3rd woman change places diagonally, all giving left hands.

21–22 1st man and 3rd woman, 2nd woman and 3rd man and 2nd man and 1st woman all cross giving right hands.

23–24 3rd couple and 2nd couple change places on the sides, while 1st couple change places diagonally, all giving left hands.

25–26 3rd man and 1st woman, 3rd woman and 2nd man and 1st man and 2nd woman all cross giving right hands.

27–28 1st woman and 2nd man, 3rd woman and 1st man change places on the sides, while 3rd man and 2nd woman cross diagonally, all giving left hands.

29–32 1st couple turn one and a half times with both hands to finish in 2nd place ready to start again.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Irene Paterson of Mukilteo, Washington State, in memory of Bob Blackie, a wonderful friend, dancer and teacher. He left us far too soon in May 1998.

The Bob Blackie Memorial fund was created by his good friend Ed Jones to acknowledge Bob’s longtime work with TAC. The fund brings a recipient to Summer School each year.

Video: MacLeod’s Fancy

MacLeod’s Fancy
RSCDS Book XXXIII – No.3
(Jig)

1–2 1st and 4th couples set facing diagonally inwards.

3–8 1st man and 4th woman turn with the right hand three-quarters round; 1st man dances through 4th man’s place and casts up to his original place, while 4th woman dances through 1st woman’s place and casts off to her original place. Meanwhile, 1st woman casts off to 4th woman’s place, and 4th man casts up to 1st man’s place; they turn with the right hand three-quarters round to return to their original places where they stay facing out.

9–16 All dance reels of four on own sides and finish as though going to repeat the reels.

17–18 1st and 2nd men, 1st and 2nd women, 3rd and 4th men, and 3rd and 4th women, turn with the right hand half-way round to bring 1st and 4th couples into the middle of the set where they give left hands across and retain hold of the 2nd and 3rd couples with the right hand to form a St. Andrew’s Cross.

19–20 All set in the “Cross” formation.

21–24 1st and 2nd men, 1st and 2nd women, 3rd and 4th men, and 3rd and 4th women turn with the right hand once round, releasing hands at the end of bar 23 so that 1st couple can dance down to third place and 4th couple can dance up to second place. (1st man and 4th woman make polite turn.) The order is now 2, 4, 1, 3.

25–26 1st and 4th couples, joining nearer hands on the sides, set to partners.

27–28 1st and 4th couples cross over to opposite sides – the women retaining hold of nearer hands and dancing between their partners. On reaching opposite sides, the women turn away from each other, while the men turn toward each other.

29–32 4th couple, joining right hands, lead up between 2nd couple crossing over to own sides and cast off to second place, while 1st couple joining left hands, lead down between 3rd couple crossing over to own sides and cast up to third place.

Repeat from new places.

Devised by John Drewry. Inscribed to Duncan MacLeod of Glasgow.
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TACNotes:’
21–24 All dance for 4 bars.

Video: Glasgow Country Dance

Video: Glasgow Country Dance

Glasgow Country Dance
RSCDS Book 23 – No. 6
Medley of 16-bar strathspey and 16-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Strathspey
1–2 1st and 2nd couples, giving both hands to partners, turn to finish in the middle of the set, women facing down, men facing up, 1st man and 2nd woman back to back.

3–6 1st and 2nd couples dance a half reel of four.

7–8 1st and 2nd couples, giving both hands to partners, turn, 2nd couple finishing in first place with 1st man between them and 1st woman between 3rd couple, all facing down.

9 – 16 1st woman with 3rd couple and 1st man with 2nd couple dance down the middle. All turn by the right and dance up. On bar 16, 1st man and 2nd couple turn by the right to face down. 1st woman finishes between 3rd couple, all facing up.

Reel
1–4 All clap. 1st man dances a half reel of three with 2nd and 3rd women, passing 3rd woman by the right to begin. 1st woman dances a half reel of three with 2nd and 3rd men, passing 2nd man by the right to begin

5–8 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round. 1st woman finishes between 3rd couple facing down and 1st man between 2nd couple facing up.

9–12 All clap. 1st man dances a half reel of three with 3rd and 2nd women, passing 3rd woman by the left to begin. 1st woman dances a half reel of three with 3rd and 2nd men, passing 2nd man by the left to begin.

13–16 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a quarter times to finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Robert Campbell, Hamilton (Ontario) Branch.

Original tunes:
Strathspey: Miss Milligan (Robert R Goulay)
Reel: Clydeside Lassies (Surenne)

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TACNotes:’
Part 1 7–8 1st woman should dance strongly up into the turn so that 1st man can dance up & finish between 2nd cpl without strain. The whole first figure is a continuous movement.

Video: Sands of Morar

Video: Sands of Morar

SANDS OF MORAR
Book 45. No. 6
(Strathspey)

1–8 1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple, giving right hands when crossing down from own side and left hands when crossing back.

9–16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides, joining nearer hands with partner when possible. To begin 1st couple dance in and down, 2nd couple dance out and up and 3rd couple dance in and up. 2nd couple finish facing out.

17–20 1st couple turn with both hands once round and, retaining nearer hands, dance down to third place. 2nd couple dance out and up to first place and, joining nearer hands, dance down to second place to finish in the middle behind 1st couple. 3rd couple dance in to give nearer hands (3rd man right hand, 3rd woman left hand) and dance up and out to first place to finish in the middle behind 2nd couple. All three couples are in the middle of the set facing down.

21–22 All three couples set.

23–24 1st couple cast up to first place, while 2nd couple, following them, cast up to second place and 3rd couple dance down to third place.

25–32 1st and 2nd couples dance the tourbillon as follows:

25-26 1st and 2nd couples turn with both hands halfway round. After one bar, 1st man releases his left hand to dance into 2nd woman’s place while 1st woman dances into her original place. 2nd woman similarly releases her left hand to dance into 1st man’s place while 2nd man dances into his original place.

27-28 1st couple set to 2nd couple.

29-30 1st and 2nd couples turn with both hands halfway round. After one bar, 1st woman releases her left hand to dance into 2nd man’s place while 1st man dances into 2nd woman’s place. 2nd man similarly releases his left hand to dance into 1st woman’s place while 2nd woman dances into 1st man’s place.

31-32 2nd and 1st couples, giving right hands, cross over.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Barry Priddey, RSCDS Sutton Coldfield Branch and originally published by Glasgow Branch in The Diamond Jubilee Book (1983).

Tune: Pinky House, Traditional
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The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 23-24 1st and 2nd couples must cast quickly so that 3rd couple can dance into place by the end of bar 24.
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TACNotes:
23-24 1st cpl, followed by 2nd cpl, must cast quickly to allow 3rd cpl to dance down & short way into places.
27-28 Retain nearer hands with partner at end of bar 28 ready for 2H turn on bar 29.
29-30 At beginning of bar 30, 1st woman & 2nd man draw partners along sidelines with RH, then release to cross set.

Video: The Black Black Oil

THE BLACK BLACK OIL
THE DEESIDE BOOK OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES, Part 2 by JOHN DREWRY

Reel : 5-couple set : 32 bars
Tune : “Fitful Head” by Tom Georgeson The Duke of Edinburgh’s Welcome to Shetland (Shetland Times Ltd.)

1–4 1st couple half-turn by the right hand, moving down to face one another across the centre of the dance in second place, then they set to one another. 3rd couple, similarly, half-turn down to fourth place and set. (2nd and 4th couples move up one place each on Bars 1-2)

5–8 1st couple, giving left hands in passing, cross to own sides, then 1st lady casts up round 2nd lady, and dances into the centre of the dance to face 2nd man, while 1st man casts off behind 4th man, and dances into the centre to face 4th lady. 3rd couple dance similarly, 3rd lady finishes facing 4th man, and 3rd man finishes facing 5th lady.(1st man and 3rd lady pass one another by the left between 4th couple)

9–16 1st lady dances a reel of three across the dance with 2nd couple, passing 2nd man by the right. 1st man and 3rd lady dance a reel of four across the dance with 4th couple. 3rd man dances a reel of three across the dance with 5th couple, passing 5th lady by the right.1st and 3rd couples finish the reels in the centre of the dance between their first corners. (1st man and 3rd lady pass by the right)

17–18 1st and 3rd couples give left hands to partners and right hands to their first corners and they balance in line.

19–20 1st and 3rd couples turn their first corners by the right hand into the centre of the dance, where the corners join left hands.

21–22 They balance in line again.

23–24 1st and 3rd couples turn their first corners by the right hand out to the sides, and finish facing second corners.

25–28 Second corners “pass and turn”. At the end, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners by the right hand half-way round (i.e. to own sides), and retain hold of right hands.

29–32 1st and 3rd couples continue turning partners by the right hand once round, then cast off one place each on own sides.

Repeat with a new top couple, and with original top couple in third place.

Sorry,  no video.

Purdy Pink Shoes
32-bar jig for two couples in a three or four-couple longwise set

1–2 1st and 2nd couples set advancing to join right hands with partners, 1st woman and 2nd man joining left hands in balance-in-line formation.

3–4 1st and 2nd couples balance in line.

5–6 1st and 2nd couples turn partners with the right hand half way round.

7–8 1st man and 2nd woman turn with the left hand three quarters of the way round while 1st woman and 2nd man dance clockwise one quarter of the way round them to finish facing partners in a line across the dance.

9–16 1st and 2nd couples dance a reel of four across the dance. On bars 15-16, 1st woman and 2nd man, having briefly passed left shoulders on bar 14, curve towards the right to finish at the ends of a line of four up and down the middle of the dance. 1st man and 2nd woman complete the reel by briefly passing left shoulders with one another on bar 16 to face partners. All finish in a line up and down the middle of the dance facing partners, women facing up and men facing down.

17–24 2nd and 1st couples dance a reel of four up and down the middle of the set.

25–28 2nd and 1st couples set to partners and dance a petronella turn to own sides.

29–32 2nd and 1st couples turn partner with the right hand once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Elaine Hoag and dedicated to Ardbrae member, Deborah Connors, who dances in “purdy” hot pink shoes and brings so much energy and joy to her dancing.

Suitable recorded music (6 x 32 bars):
‘Purdy Pink Band Shoes’ by The Music Makars on Catch the Wind, Track 9

Video: John of Bon Accord

Video: John of Bon Accord

John of Bon Accord
RSCDS Book XXXIII – No. 5
(Reel)

1–16 Four progressive half-reels of three across the dance – danced as follows:

1–4 1st couple with 2nd woman dance a half-reel of three. 1st woman passes her partner with the right shoulder to begin and finishes in the middle of the set facing her own side of the dance. 1st man finishes in 1st woman’s original place and 2nd woman in 1st man’s original place.

5–8 1st couple with 2nd man dance a half-reel of three. 1st woman passes her partner with the left shoulder to begin and finishes in the middle of the set facing the men’s side of the dance. 1st man finishes in 2nd man’s original place and 2nd man in 1st woman’s original place.

9–12 1st couple repeat bars 1-4 with 3rd woman who finishes in 2nd man’s original place.

13–16 1st couple repeat bars 5-8 with 3rd man, who finishes in 2nd woman’s original place. 1st couple finish in third place in the middle of the set.

17–20 1st couple turn with right hands and cast up one place on own sides. 3Rd couple step down on bars 19-20.

21–24 1st couple dance half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

25–28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with right hands three-quarters round to finish in a line up and down the dance; facing partners and retaining right hands, all set.

29–32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with right hands to finish on own sides and then, joining hands on the sides, set to partners.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Roy Goldring and inscribed to John Drewry of Aberdeen.

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The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 1-16 In the four progressive half reels across the dance, the 1st woman cuts each reel through the middle giving her partner, successively, right, left, right and left shoulders.

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TAC Notes:’
1-16 For the four consecutive half reels of three, 1st woman starts by facing her partner, giving him R, L, R, & then L shouders. Note: support dancers all dance up into their half reels & finish one place up on opposite sides.
29-30 This is a tight turn – do not “steal” on bar 28.

Video: MacLeod’s Fancy

MacLeod’s Fancy
RSCDS Book XXXIII – No.3
(Jig)

1–2 1st and 4th couples set facing diagonally inwards.

3–8 1st man and 4th woman turn with the right hand three-quarters round; 1st man dances through 4th man’s place and casts up to his original place, while 4th woman dances through 1st woman’s place and casts off to her original place. Meanwhile, 1st woman casts off to 4th woman’s place, and 4th man casts up to 1st man’s place; they turn with the right hand three-quarters round to return to their original places where they stay facing out.

9–16 All dance reels of four on own sides and finish as though going to repeat the reels.

17–18 1st and 2nd men, 1st and 2nd women, 3rd and 4th men, and 3rd and 4th women, turn with the right hand half-way round to bring 1st and 4th couples into the middle of the set where they give left hands across and retain hold of the 2nd and 3rd couples with the right hand to form a St. Andrew’s Cross.

19–20 All set in the “Cross” formation.

21–24 1st and 2nd men, 1st and 2nd women, 3rd and 4th men, and 3rd and 4th women turn with the right hand once round, releasing hands at the end of bar 23 so that 1st couple can dance down to third place and 4th couple can dance up to second place. (1st man and 4th woman make polite turn.) The order is now 2, 4, 1, 3.

25–26 1st and 4th couples, joining nearer hands on the sides, set to partners.

27–28 1st and 4th couples cross over to opposite sides – the women retaining hold of nearer hands and dancing between their partners. On reaching opposite sides, the women turn away from each other, while the men turn toward each other.

29–32 4th couple, joining right hands, lead up between 2nd couple crossing over to own sides and cast off to second place, while 1st couple joining left hands, lead down between 3rd couple crossing over to own sides and cast up to third place.

Repeat from new places.

Devised by John Drewry. Inscribed to Duncan MacLeod of Glasgow.
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TACNotes:’
21–24 All dance for 4 bars.

Video: Petronella

Video: Petronella

Petronella
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 1
32-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–2 1st couple dance a petronella turn, i.e. they dance a three-quarters turn, moving diagonally to their right into the middle of the set and pull back right shoulders to face partner.

3–4 1st couple set to each other.

5–16 1st couple repeat bars 1– 4 always moving to the right until they are back in original positions.

17–24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.

25–32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Introduced at Nathaniel Gow’s Annual Ball in Edinburgh, 1820.
J P Boulogne: The Ball-Room or the Juvenile Pupil’s Assistant, Glasgow 1827.

Original tine: Petronella (Traditional)

No Video

THE SANDS OF ASILOMAR
dance devised by John Drewry
for the dancers of San Francisco
Strathspey – 4 couples – 32 bars.
Tune – “The Sands of Asilomar” _ See Manuscript – Tune in E flat composed by Paul Machlis

BARS

1 – 2 All turn partners with both hands half-way round and stay in the centre of the dance facing partners – 3 to 4 feet apart.

3 – 4 Joining nearer hands up and down the dance, all set to partners.

5 – 8 The men all cast off and, with 4th man leading, cross over to own sides and dance up. The women all cast up and, with 1st woman leading, cross over to own sides and dance down. All are now on own sides in the order 4,3,2,1.

9 – 10 4th couple turn with the right hand half – way round while moving down towards second place; 1st couple, similarly, turn with the right hand half-way round while moving up to third place.

11 – 12 4th and 1st couples dance right hands across half-way round to return to original places.

13 – 14 3rd and 2nd couple turn partners with the right hand half – way round.

15 – 16 3rd and 2nd couples dance right hands across half – way round to return to original places.

17 – 18 1st woman and 2nd man, (and 3rd woman and Nth man), change places passing by the right without giving hands.

19 – 20 All turn partners half – way round with both hands opening up into:-

21 – 24 1st couple with 2nd couple, and 3rd couple with “th couple, dance four hands round to the left one and a quarter times to finish with all in the centre with nearer hands joined with partners, with 1st and 3rd couples facing down and 2nd and uth couples facing up.

25 – 26 All set with nearer hands joined with partners. During the setting lst and 2nd couples, and 3rd and 4th couples, change places – as in “Mary Hamilton”.

27 – 28 2nd couple dance up slightly then out into top place with a “casting off” movement; 3rd couple dance down slightly then out into fourth place with a “casting up” movement. 1st and 4th couples set again and change places while setting.

29-32 4th couple dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place. 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to third place. The finishing order is 2,4,1,3.

Repeat from new places.

Video: City of Stirling Reel

Video: City of Stirling Reel

City of Stirling Reel
32R 3C (4C set)
Roy Goldring, Auld Friends Meet
Pick-up of snowball chain
1-2 1st & 2nd women (also 1st & 2nd men) change places with right hands
3-4 1st & 3rd women (also 1st & 3rd men) change places with left hands. 2nd couple cross giving left hands and face down.
5-6 1st couple cross giving right hands and face up. 2nd woman & 3rd man (also 2nd man & 3rd woman) change places with right hands.
7-8 1st & 2nd women (also 1st & 2nd men) change places with left hands. 3rd couple at the top, cross giving left hands.

Order now 3, 1, 2 all on opposite sides. No polite turn by 1st woman on bar 8.
9-10 1st couple cross to own sides passing right shoulders to face out.
11-12 1st man & 3rd woman (also 1st woman & 2nd man) turn halfway with right hands. 1St couple face each other on the diagonal (no interweaving)
13-14 1st couple followed by 1st corners, pass by the left on the diagonal (no interweaving).
15-16 1st couple curve into 2nd place on opposite sides. 2nd man & 3rd woman finish in own corner places.

Similar to bars 9-16
17-18 1st couple cross to own sides passing left shoulders to face out.
19-20 1st woman & 3rd man (also 1st man & 2nd woman) turn halfway with left hands. 1st couple face each other on the diagonal.
21-22 1st couple followed by 2nd corners, pass by the right on the diagonal.
23-24 1st couple curve into 2nd place on opposite sides. 2nd woman & 3rd man finish in own corner places.

25-28 All turn partners once round with right hands.
29-32 1st couple dance half figures of eight; 1st woman crossing up between 2nd couple, 1st man crossing down between 3rd cople. Finish in 2nd place on own side.

Video: ST. ANDREW’S FAIR

ST. ANDREW’S FAIR
Five Scottish Country Dances No. 2
(Jig)

1–8 1st couple cross over giving right hands, cast off two places, cross over below 3rd couple giving left hands and cast up to second place on own side. 2nd couple step up bars 3–4.

9–12 2nd, 1st and 3rd couple turn partner with right hand half-way round, retaining hold of hands with women facing up, men facing down, all three couples set.

13–16 2nd woman, followed by 1st and 3rd women, dances across the set then down her own side line. Similarly, 3rd man, followed by 1st and 2nd men, dances across the set then up his own side line. (Order now 3, 1, 2).

17–24 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples six hands round and back.

25–32 Repeat bars 9–16, but all turn partner with left hand. After the setting, the 2nd woman and 3rd man lead their lines in an anti-clockwise direction back to their own side lines.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by R. Goldring, 1980.
Tune: Jockey’s Dance

Video: Maxwell’s Rant

Maxwell’s Rant
32R 3C (4C Set) RSCDS Book 18
1–16 1st couple, with 2nd and 3rd couples, dance reels of three on opposite sides and then on own sides. 2nd and 3rd couples remain on own sides throughout.
17–20 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.
21–24 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.
25–28 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to second place on own sides.
29–32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round.

Video: Invercauld’s Reel

Invercauld’s Reel
Book 11 – No. 10
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–4 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5–8 1st couple cross down between the 3rd couple and cast up to second place on opposite sides.

9–16 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts. 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17–24 1st couple set to and turn corners.

25–30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides, 1st couple passing 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.

Bowman MS, c. 1755-1760.
Original tune: Invercauld’s Reel (McGlashan, 1786; Stewart’s Collection, 1762).
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TACNotes:’
5-8 Giving RH to partner, when crossing, is helpful.

Video: General Stuart’s Reel

General Stuart’s Reel or
The New Way of Gildon (Reel)
Book 10 – No. 3

1–4 1st man sets to 2nd woman and casts off one place. 2nd man steps up on bars 3–4.

5–8 1st woman sets to 2nd man and casts off to second place. 2nd woman steps up on bars 7–8.

9–12 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand then, passing each other by the right shoulder, face second corners.

13–16 1st couple turn second corners with the left hand then, passing each other by the right shoulder, face first corners.

17–24 1st couple set to first corners, set to each other across the dance, set to second corners, then set to each other up and down the dance and finish man facing up and woman facing down the dance. 1st couple turn by the right throughout.

25–30 1st couple dance reels with their corners. 1st couple begin the reels by giving right shoulders to second corners.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Source: The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.
Music: The Stuarts’ Rant, Bremner, 1768.
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The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 9-16 Corners dance two steps when turning.
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TACNotes:’
9-16 Corners must dance into middle to meet 1st cpl on bars 9 & 13 then out to places on bars 10 & 14 releasing 1st cpl to face up & down the set.

Video: Delvine Side

Delvine Side
Book 2 – No. 9

1–4 1st and 2nd couples set and, passing partners by the right, cross to opposite sides.

5–8 1st and 2nd couples repeat bars 1-4, back to places.

9–16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.

17–24 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande. 1st couple finish facing first corners.

25–32 1st couple, giving both hands, turn first corners, dance round partner by the right, turn second corners and, passing by the right, cross to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

William Campbell: 15th Book of New and Favourite Country Dances and Strathspey Reels, London 1794 as Delvin Side.
Original tune: Delvine Side (McGlashan’s Collection)
Delvine is near Dunkeld.

Video: The Lass of Richmond Hill

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.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Fiona Turnbull, RSCDS Richmond Branch.
First published in Richmond Anniversary Book 1952-1992. ©RSCDS Richmond Branch, printed with permission.

Video: THE FALKIRK LASS

THE FALKIRK LASS
THREE COUPLES 8 x 32 STRATHSPEY
The Merse Collection [Elaine Brunken]

1 -:- 4 1st couple turn by the right hand, and cast off one place. (2nd couple step up on 3 and 4).

5 -:- 8 1st couple cross by the left hand, 1st lady cast down around 3rd man, to finish between 3rd couple as 1st man casts up around 2nd woman, to finish between 2nd couple (all face up or down).

9 -:- 12 All advance for one step, retire for one step and change places by the right hand, up and down the dance.

13 -:- 16 All advance for one step, retire for one step, 2nd and 3rd couples change places by the right hand, up and down the dance while the 1st couple turns ¾ by the right hand to face 1st corners.

17 -:- 20 1st corners pass and turn: 1st couple dance around 1st corners by the right shoulder, dance in through the ends and pass each other by the right shoulder, up and down the dance to face 2nd corners, while corners dance in (1 bar), turn with two hands (1 bar), and dance out to place (2 bars).

21 -:- 24 2nd corners pass and turn, 1st couple pass right shoulders to finish to finish in 2nd place on their own sides.

25 -:- 32 All three couples circle round to the left and back to the right.

** Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: The Wild Geese

The Wild Geese
Book 24 – No. 3
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–4 1st and 3rd couples set advancing to join nearer hands in a line up and down the set, men with partners on their right. 1st and 3rd couples set.

5–8 1st couple, retaining right hands, turn three quarters and cast off to third place on own sides and, at the same time, 3rd couple turn with the right hand and lead up to first place.

9–16 3rd and 1st couples repeat bars 1-8 but in bars 15-16, 3rd couple cast off and 1st couple lead up to places.

17–24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Collected by Miss Jenny MacLachlan.
Original tune: Mrs MacPherson of Cluny (Joseph Lowe)

Video: Flowers of Edinburgh

Flowers of Edinburgh
Book 1 – No. 6
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–6 1st woman casts off two places, crosses to the opposite side and dances up behind 2nd and 3rd men to her partner’s original place. 1st man follows his partner, crossing over and dancing behind 2nd and 3rd women, and up the middle to his partner’s original place.

7–8 1st couple set to each other.

9–14 1st couple repeat bars 1-6, with 1st man casting off and 1st woman following. 1st couple finish in original places.

15–16 1st couple set to each other.

17–24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.

25–32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Kate Hughes’ Dancing Book (MS), Dundalk 1867.
Original tune: Flowers of Edinburgh (Traditional)