J. B. Milne A 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman set advancing and, giving right hands, turn once round.
5 – 8 2nd man and 1st woman set advancing and, giving right hands, turn once round.
9 – 12 1st couple set advancing and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish facing the top.
13 – 16 1st couple cast off one place and dance a petronella turn to finish 1st woman between 2nd couple, all facing down, and 1st man between 3rd couple, all facing up. 2nd couple step up on bars 13 – 14.
17 – 20 1st couple set to each other and, giving right hands, turn three-quarters to finish in second place on opposite sides. At the same time, 2nd and 3rd women and 2nd and 3rd men, giving right hands, change places and set to partner.
21 – 24 1st couple set to each other and, giving right hands, turn three-quarters to finish 1st woman between the couple in third place and 1st man between the couple in top place. At the same time, 3rd and 2nd couples, giving right hands, cross over and set facing on the sides.
25 – 28 1st couple set to each other and, giving right hands, change places. At the same time, 3rd and 2nd women and 3rd and 2nd men, giving right hands, change places and set to partner.
29 – 30 1st woman casts off to second place and 1st man casts up to second place. At the same time, 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands, cross over.
31 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, taking hands on the side, set.
Repeat having passed a couple.
Devised by Hugh Foss. Original tune: J. B. Milne by Angus Fitchet. Source: Angus Fitchet Scottish Dance Album.
1 – 4 1st couple giving right hands cross down to 2nd place and set. 2nd couple move up on bars 1 and 2. 5 – 8 1st couple giving left hands cross down to 3rd place and set. 3rd couple move up on bars 5 and 6.
9 – 12 1st couple cross giving right hands then change places on the sides with the 3rd couple giving left hands. 13 – 16 2nd and 1st couples cross with the right hands then giving left hands on the sides turn 3/4 to finish in a line across the dance with the women in the middle, right hands joined.
17 – 24 The Targe danced as follows: 17 – 18 1st and 2nd women, in the middle, dance a 3/4 turn while 1st and 2nd men dance anticlockwise round them for a 1/4 of a circle. 19 – 20 1st man and 2nd woman, and at the same time 1st woman and 2nd man, turn once around giving left hands. 21 – 22 1st and 2nd women dance a 3/4 turn giving right hands while 1st and 2nd men dance anticlockwise round them for a 1/4 of a circle. 23 – 24 1st man and 2nd woman, and at the same time 1st woman and 2nd man, turn giving left hands so that 2nd couple finish in top place and 1st couple finish facing down the dance on opposite sides.
25 – 32 1st couple dance down crossing below 3rd couple, cast up round them, dance up between 2nd couple and cast down to 2nd place on own sides.
Ardbrae Angels a 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set Elaine Hoag
1-8 1s+2s+3s dance Mirror Reels of 3 (1s dance in and down to begin)
9-16 1s+2s+3s dance a Crossover Reel of 3 (1s cross over to 2nd place opposite side to begin; 2s and 3s continue to reel on their own side). 1s finish the reel facing their own 1st corner while 2s accelerate at the end of the reel to finish at the top
17-24 “Interrupted Hello-Goodbye Setting” (1s finish in 2nd place own side)
17-18 1s+1st corners set, 1s finishing between corners facing partner 19-20 1s turn each other ¾ RH to face 2nd corner 21-22 1s+2nd corners set, 1W finishing between 3s, 1M between 2s 23-24 1s turn each other ¾ RH to 2nd place own side
25-32 Six hands round and back
After the 2nd repetition, dancing couple steps to the bottom as 4th couple dances in and up to begin the Mirror Reel of 3
** In the dance world, “angels” are individuals who are especially active in supporting dance groups and encouraging new dancers.
First danced at Ardbrae’s Spring Social on March 29th, 2020. Dedicated to all of Ardbrae’s “dance angels,” but especially to Deborah Connors and Guy Quesnel who have cheerfully supported the Ardbrae Scottish Country Dancers of Ottawa in countless ways for many years, and who celebrate birthdays on March 28th and 29th respectively.
The Ferry Louper 24 GRADED and SOCIAL DANCES, Devised by Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch R.S.C.D.S. 32 bar jig for 3 couples
1 – 8 First, second and third couples dance clockwise (chase) round to places.
9 – 16 First and second couples dance right hands across and back with left hands. First couple finish facing out.
17 – 24 First couple cast off two places, dance up the middle and cast off one place. Second couple step up on bars 23 – 24.
25 – 28 Second, first and third couples advance and retire.
29 – 32 Second, first and third couples turn partners with right hands once round.
Repeat having passed a couple.
Recommended tune:- Castle Hill (M.A.J.)
NOTE: The term ‘Ferry Louper’ is an Orkney expression which refers to someone who lives of the Orkney Islands but who was not born there – i.e. someone who just jumped (or ‘louped’) onto the ferry and came over.
Up in the Air RSCDS Book 20 – No. 2 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple cast off, dance down behind own lines and cast up to original places. On bar 8, 1st , 2nd and 3rd couples dance in to meet partners and face up.
9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a promenade. On bars 15-16, 1st couple cast off one place to finish facing first corners while 2nd couple dance up to first place.
17 – 20 1st couple set to first corners and then to second corners, finishing between them.
21 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands once round to the left.
25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance and retire.
29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving both hands, turn partners to own sides, 1st couple turning one and a half times.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
W Boag: A Collection of Favourite Reels & Strathspeys by the Most Eminent Composers, 1797.
Original tune: Sir George Clark of Pennycuik (Nathaniel Gow)
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing: Bar 20 1st couple, pulling back right shoulder, turn between corners ready to begin the circle.
TACNotes:’ 8 All 3 cpls dance into position for promenade (2nd & 3rd cpls, L foot). 20 1st cpl use last setting step to turn R about into sidelines.
The Pawling Porch Moments in Time, 21 Scottish Country Dances devised by Elaine Brunken 32 Bar Reel for 3 couples
1 – 4 1st couple Set and cast off one place. (2nd couple step up on bars 3-4) 5 – 8 1st couple Dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to second place.
9 – 12 1st couple and 1st corners Advance and Retire. 13 – 16 1st couple and 1st corners Turn with the Right Hand.
17 – 20 1st couple and 2nd corners Advance and Retire. 21 – 24 1st couple and 2nd corners Turnwith the Right Hand. (1st couple pass Right shoulder to own side.)
25 – 32 2nd, 1st , and 3rd couple dance Circle Round and Back.
Repeat having passed a couple
Devised May 2005, at the Pawling Weekend in Sylvan Lake, New York.
Muriel (Johnstone) and I had a small porch off our cabin, which seemed to become the place everyone stopped for a drink after classes, before lunch, after lunch, before dinner…….. (now there’s a surprise!)
Pawling Weekend (run by the New York Branch) and situated 45 miles north of ‘the City’ is a brilliant weekend. The New York Branch is one of the friendliest, most welcoming groups that I have met in my many travels.
The Minister on the Loch RSCDS Four Dances 2008 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette right round.
9 – 16 1st couple dance down the middle for two steps and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish in the middle facing up. 1st couple dance up the middle for two steps and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish in the middle facing up.
17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples dance a double figure of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off and 3rd couple cross up. 1st couple finish in original places, facing out.
25 – 28 1st and 2nd women, giving right hands, and 1st and 2nd men, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to change places.
29 – 32 1st and 3rd women, giving left hands, and 1st and 3rd men, giving right hands, turn one and a half times to change places.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by Roy Goldring for Robert MacKay
Original tune: Muriel Johnstone’s compliments to Robert MacKay (Muriel A Johnstone)
Originally published in 24 Graded and Social Dances devised by Roy Goldring
The dance takes its name from the painting: Reverend Robert Walker (1755-1808) Skating on Duddingston Loch by Sir Henry Raeburn
No Video
Ardbrae Angels A 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set Elaine Hoag Suggested music: Thistle House Live, Track #13 (“The King’s Rant”)
1-8 1s+2s+3s dance Mirror Reels of 3 (1s dance in and down to begin)
9-16 1s+2s+3s dance a Crossover Reel of 3 (1s cross over to 2nd place opposite side to begin; 2s and 3s continue to reel on their own side). 1s finish the reel facing their own 1st corner while 2s accelerate at the end of the reel to finish at the top
17-24 “Interrupted Hello-Goodbye Setting” (1s finish in 2nd place own side) 17-18 1s+1st corners set, 1s finishing between corners facing partner 19-20 1s turn each other ¾ RH to face 2nd corner 21-22 1s+2nd corners set, 1W finishing between 3s, 1M between 2s 23-24 1s turn each other ¾ RH to 2nd place own side
25-32 Six hands round and back
After the 2nd repetition, dancing couple steps to the bottom as 4th couple dances in and up to begin the Mirror Reel of 3
** In the dance world, “angels” are individuals who are especially active in supporting dance groups and encouraging new dancers.
First danced at Ardbrae’s Spring Social on March 29th, 2020. Dedicated to all of Ardbrae’s “dance angels,” but especially to Deborah Connors and Guy Quesnel who have cheerfully supported the Ardbrae Scottish Country Dancers of Ottawa in countless ways for many years, and who celebrate birthdays on March 28th and 29th respectively.
Sugar Candie RSCDS Book 26 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, passing each other by the left, dance round first corners by the right. On bar 8, 1st couple pull back by the right to finish back to back in the middle, woman facing up, man facing down.
9 – 12 1st woman and 2nd couple, 1st man and 3rd couple dance three hands round to the left. 1st couple pull back by the right to finish facing each other up and down the set.
13 – 16 1st couple set and, giving both hands, turn to face first corners. On bar 16, 1st couple open out as 1st man releases his partner’s right hand.
17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand, partner with the left hand, second corners with the right hand and, giving left hand to partner, turn to face first corners.
25 – 30 1st couple dance reels of three on the sides passing first corners by the left to begin.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Original tune: The Earl of Angus and Arran (William Marshall, A Collection of Scottish Melodies, Volume 4, 1844).
Maxwell’s Rant RSCDS Book 18 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
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.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Rutherford: Compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both old and new… Vol 1, London, c. 1755 as Maxwill’s Rant.
Hooper’s Jig Miss Milligan’s Miscellany of Scottish Country Dances 32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 All clap and 1st couple, passing right shoulders, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across once round.
9 – 12 All clap and 1st couple, passing by the right, cross over and cast up to original places. 2nd couple step down on bars 11-12.
13 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance left hands across once round.
17 – 18 1st man and 3rd woman, giving right hands, change places.
19 – 20 1st woman and 3rd man, giving right hands, change places, while 1st man and 3rd woman dance round ready to cross back.
21 – 22 1st man and 3rd woman, giving right hands, change places and 1st man faces out. At the same time, 1st woman and 3rd man dance round ready to cross back.
23 – 24 1st woman and 3rd man, giving left hands, cross over with 3rd man guiding 1st woman into second place while 1st man casts off to second place. 2nd couple step up.
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Rutherford, D: Compleat collection of 200 of the most celebrated country dances, both old and new, c. 1756, London Customary tune: Peter’s Peerie Boat (Tom Anderson)
1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman, 3rd woman and 4th man turn with both hands one and a half times to change places.
5 – 8 All four men dance left hands across once round. Staying in the middle, all release left hands and, giving right hands to partner, all finish facing anticlockwise, nearer hands joined with partners. (Fig. 1)
9 – 12 All set and link to change places with partners.
13 – 16 All set and link finishing on the sidelines facing partners. (Fig. 2)
17 – 24 All dance reels of four on the sides.
25 – 28 1st woman and 2nd man, 4th woman and 3rd man turn with both hands one and a half times to change places, all finishing on opposite sides in the order 2,1,4,3.
29 – 30 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands, cross over while 1st and 4th couples dance left hands across halfway round finishing in the order 2,4,1,3.
31 – 32 All set to partners.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by Barbara Anglin, RSCDS Ottawa Branch and originally published by that branch in A Gatineau Gathering (2001).
Tune: Blinkbonny, George Meikle
TACNotes:’ Bars 1-4 1st man & 4th man finish facing in, anticipating the change of direction on bar 5. Bars 11-12 Women dance well into middle to prevent spreading of set outwards at bar 16. Bars 25-28 1st & 4th women finish similarly to bar 4.
On the Quarter-Deck Scottish Country Dances from THE HARBOUR CITY. A 32 bar hornpipe for 2 couples in a 4 couple longwise set.
1 – 4 1st couple set once and cross over giving right hands.
5 – 8 1st couple set once and turn with right hands just over halfway round.
9 – 12 1st couple and 2nd man dance right hands across once round.
13 – 16 1st couple and 2nd woman dance left hands across once round.
17 – 20 1st woman, followed by her partner, dances down the middle for two steps, both turn right about and 1st man, followed by his partner, dances back up the middle.
21 – 24 1st man casts down behind 2nd woman and crosses over into 2nd man’s place while 1st woman dances up the middle and casts down behind 2nd woman to finish in 2nd woman’s place. 2nd couple move up on bars 23 and 24.
1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands round to finish, 1st couple facing down, 2nd couple facing up, nearer hands joined.
5 – 6 1st and 2nd couples set. On the second step, 1st couple turn towards each other to face up.
7 – 8 1st couple cast off to second place, while 2nd couple dance up to first place and face out.
9 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides, all joining nearer hands with partner where possible. (Fig. 1). 2nd and 3rd couples turn the long way round to places.
17 – 18 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set.
19 – 20 2nd and 1st couples turn partners by the left hand halfway round, to finish facing down the dance.
21 – 24 1st couple, followed by 2nd couple, lead down, cross over below 3rd couple (Fig. 2) and cast up to original place.
Progression: “The Knot” 25 – 26 1st and 2nd couples turn partners halfway round by right hand to finish in the centre, facing down, the woman turning clockwise under her partner’s arm to allemande position. (Fig. 3).
27 – 28 2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, dance up the woman’s side of the dance to positions as in Fig. 4.
29 – 32 2nd and 1st couples turn partners by the left hand to own sides.
The Galloping Carousel 25 DANCES FOR 25 YEARS, RSCDS Ottawa Branch, 1991 32 bar jig for 4 couples
The dance tells the story of painted horses on a carousel who tire of prancing in endless circles and dream of breaking away to gallop freely. But even in their dreams they always return to the carousel.
1 – 4 1st couple with 2nd couple, and 3rd couple with 4th couple, dance right hands across once round, ending with 1st woman and 4th man facing out.
5 – 8 1st woman, followed by her partner, dances behind the women’s side of the dance into fourth place on opposite sides, while 4th man, followed by his partner, dances behind the men’s side into first place on opposite sides.
9 – 12 Top two couples and bottom two couples dance right hands across once round, ending with 4th man and 1st woman facing out.
13 – 16 4th man, followed by his partner, dances behind the women’s side of the dance back to place, while 1st woman, followed by her partner, dances behind the men’s side back to places, ending with the 1st couple facing down the dance and 4th couple facing up. On bar 16, 2nd couple faces up and 3rd faces down.
17 – 20 On the sidelines, 1st and 2nd couples set and change places right hands, while 3rd and 4th couples do likewise.
21 – 24 On the sidelines, 1st and 4th couples set and change places left hands. (The order is now 2, 4, 1, 3.)
25 – 28 4th couple dances up between 2nd couple and casts back down to second place, while 1st couple dances down between 3rd couple and casts back up to third place.
29 – 32 All four couples turn partners once round back to places with right hands.
Devised by John de Chastelain Music: “Killearn”, or “Genevieve’s Jig”, Music for Book 32
The Scallywag RSCDS Book 51 40-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple dance in towards each other almost to touch shoulders and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a quarter times to face first corners.
9 – 12 1st couple set to first corners and, giving right hands, turn to finish 1st woman facing 2nd woman and 1st man facing 3rd man.
13 – 16 All dance half reels of three across the set, passing left shoulders to begin and finishing in lines of three facing up and down the set.
17 – 20 Taking hands, all advance and retire.
21 – 24 1st couple dance round each other by the right shoulder to finish facing third corners (second corner person in partner’s first corner position).
25 – 32 Repeat bars 9 – 16 from new positions. 2nd and 3rd couples finish the half reels of three on own sides facing in, while 1st couple finish facing each other up and down the set.
33 – 34 1st couple set advancing and take right hands.
35 – 36 1st woman turns under her partner’s right arm while setting (pulling back her right shoulder) as 1st man sets moving slightly towards the women’s side. They finish side by side in the middle of the set, facing up, 1st woman on her partner’s left, retaining right hands.
37 – 40 1st couple lead up, cross over above 2nd couple, and cast off to second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
On the last two bars of the second time through, 1st coup1e cast to the bottom of the set.
Devised by Jennifer P Kelly, RSCDS San Francisco Branch, February 1997. An appropriately flirtatious dance devised to honour Mikkel Thompson on reaching his half century.
32/R or S/3 by Carolyn Hunt (1993) San Francisco Branch
1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance mirror reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple dance in and down, 2nd couple dance out and up, and 3rd couple dance in and up.
9 – 12 1st couple cross over with right hands and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4 of the phrase.
13 – 16 1st couple dance a half figure of eight crossing up between 2nd couple to begin.
17 – 20 1st couple turn 1st corners with right hands, then pass partners with right shoulders to approach 2nd corners. Corners use all four steps.
21 – 24 1st couple turn 2nd corners with right hands, then pass partners with right shoulders to own sides of the dance in 2nd place. Corners use all four steps.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples circle 6 hands round and back.
Repeat from new places.
Music: Any good ree] or strathspey
Note: As a new 1st couple begins at the top, 3rd couple dance up into the reel from 4th place and the former 1st couple step to the bottom.
The black-haired lassie is Julie Osborne, who was in the Stockton beginners’ class. (CH)
ON THE QUARTER-DECK Scottish Country Dances from THE HARBOUR CITY.
A 32 bar hornpipe for 2 couples in a 4 couple longwise set.
1 – 4 1st couple set once and cross over giving right hands.
5 – 8 1st couple set once and turn with right hands just over halfway round.
9 – 12 1st couple and 2nd man dance right hands across once round.
13 – 16 1st couple and 2nd woman dance left hands across once round.
17 – 20 1st woman, followed by her partner, dances down the middle for two steps, both turn right about and 1st man, followed by his partner, dances back up the middle.
21 – 24 1st man casts down behind 2nd woman and crosses over into 2nd man’s place while 1st woman dances up the middle and casts down behind 2nd woman to finish in 2nd woman’s place.2nd couple move up on bars 23 and 24.
The Scallywag RSCDS Book 51 40-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple dance in towards each other almost to touch shoulders and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a quarter times to face first corners.
9 – 12 1st couple set to first corners and, giving right hands, turn to finish 1st woman facing 2nd woman and 1st man facing 3rd man.
13 – 16 All dance half reels of three across the set, passing left shoulders to begin and finishing in lines of three facing up and down the set.
17 – 20 Taking hands, all advance and retire.
21 – 24 1st couple dance round each other by the right shoulder to finish facing third corners (second corner person in partner’s first corner position).
25 – 32 Repeat bars 9 – 16 from new positions. 2nd and 3rd couples finish the half reels of three on own sides facing in, while 1st couple finish facing each other up and down the set.
33 – 34 1st couple set advancing and take right hands.
35 – 36 1st woman turns under her partner’s right arm while setting (pulling back her right shoulder) as 1st man sets moving slightly towards the women’s side. They finish side by side in the middle of the set, facing up, 1st woman on her partner’s left, retaining right hands.
37 – 40 1st couple lead up, cross over above 2nd couple, and cast off to second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
On the last two bars of the second time through, 1st coup1e cast to the bottom of the set.
Devised by Jennifer P Kelly, RSCDS San Francisco Branch, February 1997. An appropriately flirtatious dance devised to honour Mikkel Thompson on reaching his half century.
MacDonald of Keppoch RSCDS Book 49 Medley of 2 x 32 -bar strathspey and 2 x 32-bar reel for four couples in a square set
1 – 6 1st and 3rd couples dance the first six bars of rights and lefts, men dancing a polite turn on bar 6, to finish in the middle of the set, back to back with partner, facing the side couples (1st woman facing 2nd woman, 1st man facing 4th man, 3rd woman facing 4th woman, and 3rd man facing 2nd man).
7 – 8 All set.
9 – 16 1st couple with 2nd woman and 4th man, 3rd couple with 2nd man and 4th woman dance reels of four across the set. 1st and 3rd couples finish in a line up and down the middle of the set, women facing each other in the middle (Fig.).
17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples dance a reel of four. 1st and 3rd women pass by the right to begin; all pass by the left at the ends, by the right in the middle and finish in original places facing partner.
25 – 26 All set.
27 – 30 All, giving right hands, turn partner one and a quarter times.
31 – 32 All four couples, in promenade hold, dance on one place anti-clockwise.
Repeat in strathspey time from new positions, finishing opposite original places. Repeat twice more in reel time and finish in original places.
Devised by Chris Ronald, New York Branch.
The title of the dance refers to the clan of which the Ronald family is a sept.
On The Quarter-Deck Scottish Country Dances from THE HARBOUR CITY. A 32 bar hornpipe for 2 couples in a 4 couple longwise set.
1 – 4 1st couple set once and cross over giving right hands.
5 – 8 1st couple set once and turn with right hands just over halfway round.
9 – 12 1st couple and 2nd man dance right hands across once round.
13 – 16 1st couple and 2nd woman dance left hands across once round.
17 – 20 1st woman, followed by her partner, dances down the middle for two steps, both turn right about and 1st man, followed by his partner, dances back up the middle.
21 – 24 1st man casts down behind 2nd woman and crosses over into 2nd man’s place while 1st woman dances up the middle and casts down behind 2nd woman to finish in 2nd woman’s place. 2nd couple move up on bars 23 and 24.
The Northern Lights TAC Silver Anniversary 3 x 32 Bar Strathspey
1 – 4 1st Man and 2nd Lady set to each other advancing, then turn each other with both hands (3/4 turn) to finish back to back in the centre, Man facing down, Lady facing up (they release hands and pivot right about on Bar 4 – i.e. Bob Campbell’s “Birl” from Frae A’ The Airts) Meanwhile: 2nd Man and 1st Lady dance around anticlockwise to finish facing their partner in a line up & down in the centre of the dance
5 – 8 2nd and 1st couples set to partners and turn with both hands to finish on own side of the dance, 1st couple now in 2nd place, 2nd couple in 1st place
9 – 16 1st couple repeat Bars 1 – 8 with 3rd couple. On bars 15 and 16 they turn with both hands finishing in position ready for Allemande. On bar 16, 2nd couple (at top) dance in to position for Allemande.
17 – 24 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples dance Allemande
25 – 28 1st and 2nd couples (top and bottom) dance Half Rights and Lefts; WHILE the 3rd couple (in 2nd place) set and cross over giving Right hands
29 – 32 All 3 couples set and cross to own sides giving Right hand to partner
Repeat with new top couple
Dedicated to the Ladies of Prince George, B.C. Devised by Chas. F. Dobie of Carisbrooke S.C.D.C.
NOTE: The following note appears in the back of Glasgow Assembly and other Scottish Country Dances by Bob Campbell (Fifth Printing, 1990):
“THE BOURREL This progression, first used in Campsie Glen, also appears in The Northern Meeting and Frae A’ The Airts and was originally known as the Birl. As birling, in its strict sense, does not occur in our dancing the term Bourrel has been substituted.”
1 – 2 1st and 2nd women turn with the left hand, while 1st and 2nd men turn with the right hand, 1st couple finishing back to back in the centre of the set in second place.
3 – 4 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set as in double triangles.
5 – 6 1st and 3rd women turn with the right hand, while 1st and 3rd men turn with the left hand to change places.
7 – 8 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples set as in double triangles.
9 – 16 1st couple followed by 3rd couple, dance up between the 2nd couple and cast off, then dance down to third place and cast up to second place, 3rd couple finishing in original places. (1st and 3rd couples join nearer hands with partner on every occasion when dancing up or down in the centre). (Fig.).
17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with right hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder. 1st couple turn second corners with right hands. 1st couple passing right shoulders cross to second place on own sides.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples six hands round and back.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Roy Goldring to celebrate the 350th Anniversary of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in 1983.
1 – 4 1st couple, without giving hands, dance down, cross below 3rd couple and cast up to finish in the middle of the set facing 2nd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8 1st couple and 2nd woman dance right hands across once round.
9 – 12 1st couple and 2nd man dance left hands across once round. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set facing up, with the woman in front of the man.
13 – 16 With 1st woman leading, 1st couple dance up and cast off on own sides round 2nd couple to finish in the middle of the set facing 3rd man.
17 – 20 1st couple and 3rd man dance right hands across once round.
21 – 24 1st couple and 3rd woman dance left hands across once round. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set facing down, with the woman in front of the man.
25 – 28 With 1st woman leading, 1st couple dance down and cast up on own sides round 3rd couple to second place.
29 – 32 All three couples turn with the right hand once round.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised in 1987 by Ron Arrowsmith, Vancouver for the Kerrisdale Community Centre Scottish Country Dance Class. Tune: On the Fiddle (Copyright J. Hornsby)
TACNotes:’ 5–12 1st woman is ahead of her partner in both ‘wheels’. 1st cpl finish in middle below 2nd cpl – approximately at 2nd position. 17–24 1st woman is again ahead of partner in both ‘wheels’, 1st cpl finish in middle at 2nd place, above 3rd cpl.
Hana Strathspey RSCDS Tokyo Branch, 25th Anniversary Dances A 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross between 2nd couple, cast round 3rd couple on opposite sides and, giving right hands, cross between 3rd couple, and cast round 2nd couple to own sides.
9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, turn with the right hand and turn with the left hand.
17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance helix.
17-18 1st and 2nd couples set advancing and pass by the left shoulders to finish in centre back to back. 19-20 1st and 2nd couples, pulling right shoulders back, cast round partners dancing towards own places. 21-24 1st and 2nd couples, giving right hands to partners, turn halfway and, retaining partner’s hand, dance right hands across halfway.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
Devised by Alex Gray, 22 March 2009 Recommended tune: Hana by Rentaro Taki (1879 – 1903) For the Tokyo Branch of RSCDS to celebrate 25 years dancing and more to come (especially for Hiroko for the musical inspiration and Tom for organizing the event).
It’s all right RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances 32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, cross over to finish facing clockwise.
5 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples chase halfway to finish in the order 3,2,1 on own sides.
9 – 16 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples repeat bars 1-8 to finish in original places.
17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up.
25 – 32 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over, cast off one place and, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 29-30.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Elma See. For those who forget which is their ‘right’ hand.
The “Ballater” Reel Let’s All Dance 32/R or S/32 by John Trew
1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and up; staying in the middle ready for…
9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.
17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts.
25 – 32 1st couple dance a figure of eight around the 2nd couple.
Repeat from new places.
Music: Any good reel or strathspey
Note: This dance was devised for use with a very senior group of adults. In reel time, this dance would be suitable for young children. The dance could be amended to include more advanced figures. Ballater is a Scottish town.
The Kissing Gates A Strathspey for 3 couples in a three-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts. All finish facing diagonally to the centre, 1st man and 2nd woman having made polite turns.
5 – 6 1st man and 2nd woman set, whilst 1st woman and 2nd man change places diagonally, giving right hands.
7 – 8 1st and 2nd couples chase clockwise one place. 2nd couple are now in top place and 1st couple in second place.
9 – 12 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across once round. 1st man finishes facing out on his own side in second place, ready for:
13 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across once round to finish facing partners across the dance.
17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples repeat bars 1 – 8.
25 – 32 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat, with a new top couple.
Suggested music:
‘The Silver Star’ recorded by Rob Gordon and his Band, on The Complete Caledonian Ball, LCOM9007 Track 8.
Dance devised by Ken Jones.
Note: A kissing gate is a gate which allows people to pass through, one at a time, but not livestock. The gate “kisses” the enclosure either side rather than needing to be securely latched. However, some people use the name as an excuse to kiss the following person before letting them through.
1 – 8 First couple lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step and lead up for four. Finish ready for allemande, second couple coming in behind first couple on last bar. 9 – 16 First and second couples allemande to change places. 17 – 24 First couple dance the figure of eight round the second couple who stand still. 25 – 32 First and second couples dance four hands round and back to places – 8 slip steps to left and 8 to right.
Collie Law A 32 bar jig for 2 couples R Goldring 24 Graded & Social Dances
1- 4 1st and 2nd couples, joining nearer hands on the sides, advance and retire 5-8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner once round with right hands finishing in the center, facing up, ready for: –
9-16 1st and 2nd couples dance Allemande
17-24 1st couple, crossing up to begin, dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.
25-32 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across & left hands back
Miss Gibson’s Strathspey RSCDS Leaflet – No. 10 (Strathspey)
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set on side lines joining nearer hands, then turn partners with two hands once round, opening out into four hands once round to the left. Finish in original places.
9 – 16 1st and 2nd couple dance the KNOT On the last 2 bars 1st couple turn with left hands to first corners while 2nd couple dance over to own sides, in top place.
17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with right hands, partner with left hands, second corners with right hands, and partner with left hands, finishing ready for,
25 – 28 Right hands across, 1st man with 3rd couple, 1st woman with 2nd couple. 1st couple pass right shoulders into –
29 – 32 Left hands across, 1st man with 2nd couple, 1st woman with 3rd couple, 1st couple finishing in second place.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Derek Haynes, 1979. Inscribed to Miss Muriel Gibson, Secretary R.S.C.D.S.
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing: Bar 24 1st couple stay in the centre of the set at the end of the left hand turn ready to dance right hands across. Bar 28 Similarly, 1st couple pass right shoulders in the centre of the set to dance left hands across. They do not dance out to the sidelines.
TACNotes:’ 23-24 1st cpl dance a wide, three-quarter LH turn & flow into RH across on bar 25. 28 As 1st cpl pass R shoulders, 2nd & 3rd cpls turn inwards ready to give left hands. Do not dance out to sidelines.
No Video
The Links o’ Forth Robert M. Campbell, Glasgow Assembly and other SCDs Hornpipe for three couples
1 – 8 First and second couples dance “THE KNOT”, first couple to finish facing outon own sides, i.e.,
1 – 2 First and second couples turn partner half way round with the right hand to finish in the centre facing down, the women turning clockwise under their partner’s arm into Allemande position.
3 – 4 Second couple, followed by first couple, curve round and dance up the women’s side, Right hands are released on bar 4, the men passing their partner across in front of them to finish with the women slightly in the lead. See Figure 1.
5 – 8 Both couples turn their partner with the left hand, second couple to finish in top place, first couple to finish facing out on own sides in second place. (As they dance both couples centre their turns in the middle.)
9 – 16 First man and first woman cast round the dancer on their left, meet in the middle to turn once round with the left hand then cast round the dancer on their left to finish on own sides in second place. See Figure 2.
17 – 20 First couple turn their first corners with the right hand and meet in the middle to pass by the right shoulder. First corners dance for the four bars to finish back in place.
21 – 24 Passing by the right shoulder first couple turn second corners with the left hand then dance round each other by the left shoulder to finish facing out on opposite sides. Second corners dance for the four bars to finish back in place.
25 – 32 First couple dance reels of three on opposite sides, first man giving left shoulder to second woman, first woman left shoulder to third man to begin. On bars 31-32 first couple cross over, first man up, first woman down, to finish in second place on own sides.
There and Back Graded and Social Dances 3 devised by Roy Goldring 32 bar Reel for 3 couples
1 – 8 1st couple, crossing down to begin, dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.
9 – 16 Reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple cross down to 2nd place, 2nd couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and up. 1st couple finish in partner’s place.
17 – 24 Reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple cross down to 2nd place on own side. 1st couple finish in own place.
25 – 28 1st couple dance (nearer hands joined) down between 2nd and 3rd couples, divide and cast up one place. 2nd couple step up one place on bars 27-28. 29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn with right hands.
The Shetland Shepherdess The San Andreas Collection by Ron Wallace 32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple set
1 – 4 1st couple dance down between 2nd couple and cast up to original place
5 – 8 1st couple half figure of 8 down around 2nd couple
9 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couple cross-over mirror reels of three on the sides, 1st couple cross to 2nd place on own side to begin, 2nd couple out and up and 3rd couple in and up; 2nd couple ends facing out
17 – 18 1st and 2nd women half turn by the LEFT hand while 1st and 2nd men half turn by the RIGHT hand 19 – 20 1st and 3rd women turn by the RIGHT hand while 1st and 3rd men turn by the LEFT hand, 1st couple ends in the middle facing up, and 3rd couple ends back in 3rd place (for 1st couple the turn is ¾ but for the 3rd couple the turn is once round) 21 – 24 1st couple dance up the middle to the top of the set and cast to 2nd place own side
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance and retire, all clap (last beat of Bar 28), and all turn partner by the RIGHT hand once round.
Music: “The Shetland Shepherdess” by Ron Wallace
This title was inspired by a trip to Oslo, Norway, to teach SCD where I met Caroline Nicol, a Shetland shepherdess shepherding in Norway! The dance and music are dedicated to Susan Hagen, my hostess, and all the fine folk in the Oslo SCD Group.
The Button Boy The Allanton Collection, 9 New Dances 32 bar Reel
1 – 8 First couple dance reels of three on their own sides first and second men giving right shoulder, first and second ladies giving left shoulder to begin.
9 – 16 First couple dance reels of three on opposite sides, first man giving right shoulder to third lady, first lady giving left shoulder to third man to begin. Second couple finish the reels in first place, first couple in the middle of the set back to back, facing the opposite side.
17 – 24 Double Triangles, first couple finish facing the bottom of the set with nearer hands joined, first man with his partner on his right.
25 – 32 First couple dance down the middle, change sides at the end of bar 28 (lady dancing under her partner’s arm), and back into second place.
Repeat having passed a couple.
Dance devised by Bill Zobel
The nautical flavour of the tune gave rise to the title “The Button Boy”. In the Naval tradition of manning the mast, the button boy is the seaman chosen to climb all the way to the top and stand on the button. This is deemed to be a high accolade.
This tune is a favourite of Bill’s who could also be described as the “button boy” when sitting at the sound desk in our recording studio at Allanton.
