The Engine Room
32 bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1–8        1st , 2nd and 3rd couples set and mirror reels of three on sides; on bar one, all join hands, on bar two, drop hands to face the direction to start the mirror reels, 1st couple in and down, 2nd couple out and up, 3rd couple in and up

9–16    1st couple back to back, cast off one place as 2nd couple step up, and cross with RIGHT hands to face out.

17–20    1st couple dance around 1st corners, pull back RIGHT shoulders to end back to back, 1st woman facing up, 1st man facing down while: 1st corners dance back to back on the diagonal

21–24    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance half double triangles up and down    (corners set 4 bars)

25–28    1st couple dance around 2nd corners, pull back RIGHT shoulders to end back to back facing opposite sides while: 2nd corners dance back to back on the diagonal

29–32    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance half double triangles; 1st couple finish on own sides second place (corners set 4 bars)

Repeat having passed a couple

Note:  On Bars 31-32 of the second repetition, 1st couple finish the half double triangles by dancing to the bottom of the set as 3rd couple moves up with pas de basque

Devisor:  Ron Wallace and Gary Thomas, 2007
Music:  “The Engine Room” by Muriel Johnstone, To Dance To!

This dance was written for Muriel Johnstone for the occasion of her 60th birthday, and presented to her at the Santa Rosa Class’s annual Beginners Ball.

Gypsy Weaver   
A 32 bar Strathspey for 3 couples

1–2        First couple and third couple dance right shoulder ¾ of the way around partners to finish in a line of four up and down the center of the dance (women facing down, men facing up).

3–6        First couple and third couple dance a half reel of four up and down the center of the dance.

7–8        First couple and third couple dance right shoulder ¾ of the way around partner to finish on own sides, order 3 2 1.

9–12    Second couple and first couple (bottom couples) set and link.

13–16    Third couple and first couple (top couples) set and link (first woman and third man remain facing out).

17–19    Half reels of three on the sides in 3 bars (first couple and third couple pass right shoulder to begin, first woman remains facing out at the bottom).

20–24    First woman, followed by her partner, casts up around third woman and across the dance; first woman pulls back her left shoulder and turns her partner with the left hand to finish facing first corners (3C step down on bars 23-24).

25–32    First couple dance “Corners Pass and Turn”: First couple dance right shoulder around first corner position as first corners turn with two hands and dance back to place; First couple pass right shoulder in the middle to face second corner; First couple dance right shoulder around second `corner position as second corners turn with two hands and dance back to place; First couple pass right shoulder to finish in second place on own sides.

After the second repetition, the fourth couple should begin from fourth position, dancing up slightly as they pass right shoulder round each other while the first couple steps down on bars
1 & 2.

Suggested tune: Gypsy Weaver, by Liz Donaldson
More Memories of Scottish Weekend

Devised by Denise Peet of the Washington, D.C. Branch RSCDS

Cloud Cover
by Sue McKinnell
3X32 Strathspey for 3C
(Set Dance)

1-8        1C set and turn BH once round then dance down between 2C and 3C and cast up to 2nd place to end facing 1st corners. 2C step up on bars 3-4.
9-16    1C set to and turn 1st corners BH to face 2nd corners; set to and turn 2nd corners BH and pass RS to end in 2nd place on own sides.
17-24    2C and 1C dance the knot.
25-32    1C, 2C, and 3C dance a three-couple bourrel: 1M and 2W, similarly 2M and 3W, set advancing to each other and turn BH halfway then away from each other to end back to back in the center of the set, woman facing up and man facing down. Meanwhile, 1W and 3M chase a little more than halfway CCW around the set to end facing new partners.
All set to partners and turn them BH to their own sides.

Suggested music is Set of Strathspeys from Terpsichore by Elke Baker and Liz Donaldson.
This dance was written when we finally had an overcast day after a long, hot summer drought.

The Porridge Drawer
T. Edward Gardiner
32 bar jig for 2 couples;

Bars 1-8    Ones and twos dance right hands across half way; set; dance left hands back; and set
Bars 9-12    Twos dance half figure of eight through the ones above them
Bars 13-16    Ones and twos dance half rights and lefts
Bars 17-24    Twos and ones dance ladies chain
Bars 25-28    Ones dance half figure of eight through the twos above them
Bars 29-32    Both couples turn with the right hand

In nineteenth century Scotland, a porridge drawer was a common feature in most
households, at least in the northeast part of the country. It was an empty drawer, usually
the top one in a chest of drawers, but sometimes a drawer in an end table or bedside
table. When being used, it was lined with waxed paper and filled with fresh porridge,
which was then allowed to set. Over the next few days anyone could break off a piece
whenever necessary. Children took a “piece of porridge” to school for lunch. Farmers
might take a piece for their lunch if they were working fields relatively far away from the
house and didn’t want to walk back and forth at lunchtime. It can be considered the
ancestor of the Granola bar.

Video: On the Morning Tide

ON THE MORNING TIDE
THE ISLAND BAY COLLECTION
Sixteen Scottish Country Dances Devised by Members of the Island Bay Club
A three couple, 32 bar hornpipe.

1–8        First and second couples dance four hands across and back.

9-12       First couple turn with right hands once round and cast down round second couple on own sides. Second couple move up on bars 11 – 12.

13–16    First woman dances a half figure of eight up round second couple while first man dances a half figure of eight down round third couple.

17–20    First couple dance diagonal half rights and lefts with second man and third woman.

21–24    First couple dance diagonal half rights and lefts with second woman and third man.

25–26    Third, first and second couples set with nearer hands joined on the sides.

27–28    Third, first and second couples turn partner with right hands once round.

29–32    Third, first and second couples dance a circular chase, clockwise, halfway round the set to finish back on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by lain Boyd to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Island Bay Scottish Country Dance Club.

Video (Skip to 2:15 for the dance): The Meeting of the Waters
Video: The Meeting of the Waters

THE MEETING OF THE WATERS
Iain Boyd, Strathtay Album (New Zealand, 1969)

“The Meeting of the Waters” is a three couple, 48 bar reel
for four couples in a longwise set.

1–8        First and second couples dance a reel of four across the dance. First man and second woman pass by left shoulders while first woman casts off and second man casts up to commence.

9–16    First couple dance a parallel figure of eight on own sides round second and third couples passing second couple by right shoulders to commence.

17–24    First woman casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple, casts up round third man and crosses over to second woman’s place, while first man follows his partner across the dance, casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple and casts up round third man to second man’s place. Second couple move up on bars 19 – 20.

25–28    First and third couples dance right hands across once round.

29–32    Second and first couples dance left hands across once round.

33–40    Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on own side. First and third couples pass by right shoulders to commence.

41–48    Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back.

Repeat having passed a couple.

“The Meeting of the Waters” was devised to commemorate the 1964-65 Summer School held in Wanganui, the ‘River City’.

Sorry, no videos are available of either dance this week.

The Engine Room
32 bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1–8        1st , 2nd and 3rd couples set and mirror reels of three on sides; on bar one, all join hands, on bar two, drop hands to face the direction to start the mirror reels, 1st couple in and down, 2nd couple out and up, 3rd couple in and up

9–16    1st couple back to back, cast off one place as 2nd couple step up, and cross with RIGHT hands to face out.

17-20    1st couple dance around 1st corners, pull back RIGHT shoulders to end back to back, 1st woman facing up, 1st man facing down while: 1st corners dance back to back on the diagonal

21–24    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance half double triangles up and down (corners set 4 bars)

25–28    1st couple dance around 2nd corners, pull back RIGHT shoulders to end back to back facing opposite sides while: 2nd corners dance back to back on the diagonal

29–32    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance half double triangles; 1st couple finish on own sides second place (corners set 4 bars)

Repeat having passed a couple

Note:  On Bars 31-32 of the second repetition, 1st couple finish the half double triangles by dancing to the bottom of the set as 3rd couple moves up with pas de basque

Devisor:  Ron Wallace and Gary Thomas, 2007
Music:  “The Engine Room” by Muriel Johnstone, To Dance To!

This dance was written for Muriel Johnstone for the occasion of her 60th birthday, and presented to her at the Santa Rosa Class’s annual Beginners Ball.

The Jubilee Greeting
(32-Bar Strathspey for Three Couples)

1–4        1st couple turn with both hands halfway round and, staying in the middle (close enough to join hands), set to each other.

5–8        1st couple, giving right hands, cross back to own sides and cast off to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9–12    1st couple turn their first corners with both hands three quiarters round and open out to face diagonally across the dance with nearer hands still joined. (The corners are on the right of 1st man or woman.) 1st couple and their corners then set.

13–16    1st couple and first corners advance diagonally, pass the opposite person by the left shoulder and then, staying in the middle, dance left hands across part way round. The corners return to place while 1st couple finish in the middle facing second corners. The dancers should retain hold of nearer hands during bar 13.

17–24    1st couple repeat bars 9-16 with second corners. At the end, 1st couple finish facing partner’s first corner.

25–32    1st man dances a reel of three across the dance with 2nd couple. He begins by giving right shoulder to 2nd man. 1st woman, similarly, dances a reel of three across the dance with 3rd couple. She begins by giving right shoulder to 3rd woman. At the end 1st couple dance to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

This dance was devised by John Drewry, and the music composed by Moira Reekie,
for the 1991 Silver Jubilee of the Ottawa Branch of
the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.

It was performed for the first time in public in Ottawa,
at the Ottawa Branch Homecoming Dance
on 16 November 1991.

Video: Castle Douglas

CASTLE DOUGLAS
12 More Social Dances by Roy Goldring, 1993
32-bar strathspey for 3 couples

1–4        First couple dance in towards each other and cast off one place. They meet in the centre of the dance facing second woman, nearer hands joined. Second couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5–6        First couple set to second woman moving to the left on bar 6.

7–8        First couple set to second man. On bar 8, the first couple again move to the left to face the men’s side of the dance.

9–12    First woman dances right hands across with second couple; first man dances left hands across with third couple. On bar 12, first woman turns right about and first man turns left about to face each other up and down the dance.

13–16    First couple set and turn with both hands to finish facing third man, nearer hands joined.

17–20    Similar to bars 5 – 8. First couple set to third man and third woman and finish facing the women’s side of the dance.

21–24    First man dances left hands across with second couple; first woman dances right hands across with third couple. On bar 24, first man turns left about and first woman turns right about to face each other up and down the dance.

25–28    First couple set and dance a petronella turn to second place on own side.

29–32    Second, first and third couples turn partners once round with both hands.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Video: Celtic Cross

THE CELTIC CROSS
The Carnforth Collection of Scottish Country Dances devised by Derek Haynes
4 x 48 bar Reel, Square set

1–4        All four women dance right hands across once round; at the same time the men dance anti-clockwise half-way round the outside.

5–8        Retaining right hands, women give left hands to the opposite man, (1W & 3M, 2W & 4M, 3W & 1M, 4W & 2M). All set, then half-turn, left hands, to bring the men into the centre, women to the outside.

9–12    Men dance right hands across once round while the women dance anti-clockwise half-way round the outside.

13–16    Retaining right hands, the men give left hands to partners. All set then quarter turn, left hands, onto the side opposite original places.

17–24    1st and 3rd couples advance (2 steps), retire (2 steps); then dance half rights and lefts.

25–32    2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 17-24.

33–40    All set to partners and turn them right hand; set to corners then turn them three-quarters, right hand, into promenade hold.

41–48    Men promenade their corners once round anti-clockwise. Men finish in their original places with their new partner.

Repeat, with new partners.

Tune:    St Columba’s Sword. Trad.

I have updated the program cribs you can access them here: Program Cribs

I have also updated the schedule. Be sure not to miss your favourite dance: Intermediate Class Schedule

Video: The Inimitable Derek

The Inimitable Derek
RSCDs Three Dances, 2006
(32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple set)

1–4        1st and 2nd women, giving left hands, and 1st and 2nd men, giving right hands turn one and a quarter times to finish in a line across the dance with 1st couple back to back in the middle.

5–6        1st and 2nd couples set.

7–8        1st and 2nd women, giving right hands, and 1st and 2nd men, giving left hands, turn three quarters to finish with 1st couple in second place and 2nd couple in first place, facing out.

9–16        Reels of three on the sides. To begin, 2nd and 1st women and 1st and 3rd             men pass right shoulders.

13–14     1st woman crosses down to third place on the opposite side and 1st man crosses up to first place on the opposite side.
15–16     1st woman and 3rd man and 1st man and 2nd woman (second corners) turnwith the right hand to finish in balance in line position, while 2nd man and 3rd woman (first corners) curve into place.

17–18    1st couple and second corners balance in line.

19–20    1st couple turn with the left hand to finish in balance in line position with first corners.

21–22    1st couple and first corners balance in line.

23–24    1st couple turn with left hands to finish side by side in the middle of the set, woman facing up and man facing down.

25–28    1st woman with 2nd and 3rd women and 1st man with 2nd and 3rd men, dance right hands across once round to finish with 1st woman facing up and 1st man facing down.

29–32    1st woman dances up to the top and casts off round 2nd woman while 1st man dances down and casts up round 3rd man to second place on their own side.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by:   Roy Goldring, 2005
Original Tune:   The Woody Woodpecker, Donald Ridley
In memory of the greatly gifted Derek Haynes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
1-4 Cpls finish in a straight line across the set between 1st & 2nd positions.

Miss Katy B, 32R 4C (4C Set), Alasdair Gray
1-8        All dance 8H round to left for 3 bars, pivot left & chase back to places
9-16    1s+2s also 3s+4s dance LH across, then turning right about dance RH across & 1s end BtoB between 2s Man facing Lady
17-32    1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th couples dance the spurtle to finish in the order 2, 3, 4, 1   

On The Quarter-Deck,
32R 2C (4C Set)                            I. Boyd, SCDs from The Harbour City
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.
25–32    2nd and 1st couples dance right and left.

MacDonald of the Isles,
32S 3C (3C Set)                                D. Haynes, 2nd Carnforth
1–8     2nd couple dance a diagonal reel of four with 1st corners. On bar 8 2nd couple dance left shoulder around each other to face 2nd corners, ready to dance into a –         
9-16    Diagonal reel of four with 2nd corners. All finish on the side lines with 1st woman and 3rd man looping round by their right on bar 16.
17–18    1st couple cross over giving right hands.
19–20    1st and 2nd couples change places giving left hands.
21–22    2nd couple cross over while 1st and 3rd couples change places on the sides, all giving right hands.
23–24    2nd and 3rd couples change places on the sides as 1st couple cross to own sides, all giving left hands.
25–28    3rd and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts.
29–32    Half figures of eight: 3rd woman crosses down then casts up around 1st woman and 3rd man crosses up then cast off round 2nd man.

The Moudiewart,
32J 3C (4C Set)                                      RSCDS Book 11
1–4    1st man and 2nd woman advancing set to and turn each other with right hands.
5–8    1st woman and 2nd man do the same.
9–16    1st couple lead down the middle, up again and cast off one place. (2nd couple move up.)
17–20    They lead down through the 3rd couple, cast up one place and cross over to face corners.
21–24    1st couple set to corners.
25–30    Reels of three at the sides.  1st couple begin the reel by giving right shoulder to 2nd corner.
31–32    1st couple cross over to own sides one place down.

Monymusk,
32S 3C (4C Set)                                        RSCDS Book 11
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.

Craigleith,
88R 4C (4C Sq Set), R. Goldring, RSCDS Third Graded Book
1-8    1st and 3rd ouples dance rights and lefts. 1st and 3rd men finish facing out.
9-16    1st adn 3rd coupels dance a ladies’ chain
17-32    2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 1-16
33-36    All four women advance and retire.
37-40    All four women dance right hands across, finish facing out.
41-48    All four women dance clockwise all the way rounf the outside of the set, dancing behind partners to begin.
49-52    All four men advance and retire
53-56    All four men dance left hands across, finish facing out.
57-64    All four men dance anti-clockwise all the way round the outside of the set, dancing behind partners to begin.
65-70    1st and 3rd couples, taking promenade hold, dance round the inside of the set to original places, men passing by the left.
71-72    1st and 3rd couples set, facing into the centre.
73-78    2nd and 4th couples taking promenade hold, dance round the inside of the set to original places, women passing by the right.
79-80    2nd and 4th couples set, facing inwards
81-88    All four couples dance eight hands round and back.

Flowers of Edinburgh,
32R 3C (4C Set)                                    RSCDS Book 1
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.

Ca’ the Ewes tae the Knowes,
32S 2C (4C Set)                                RSCDS Book 16
1–8    1st couple cast off, dance down behind their own lines and cast up to original places.
9–16    1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round, cast off one place and dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple. On bars 15-16, 1st couple lead up to top, 1st man passing his partner in front of him to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.
17–24    1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.
25–32    2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

The Shetland Shepherdess,
32J 3C (4C Set)                             Ron Wallace, The San Andreas Collection
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.

The Reel of the Royal Scots,
32R 3C (4C Set)                                RSCDS Leaflet
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 3rd place and cast up to 2nd 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).
17–24    1st couple turn 1st corners with right hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder. 1st couple turn 2nd corners with right hands.1st couple passing right shoulders cross to 2nd place on own sides.
25–32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples six hands round and back.

Video: Timepiece

Timepiece

32 bar Jig for 3 couples

FROM THE REDWOOD FOREST by Gary Thomas and Ron Wallace

1-4    1st couple cross right hands and cast off one place, 2nd couple step up bars 3-4

5-8    1st couple cross over with left hands and cast left, 1st woman up around 2nd woman and 1st man down around 3rd man

9-12    1st couple turn once round by the left while 2nd and 3rd couple turn once round by the right

13-16    1st couple cast left, 1st woman dances between 2nd couple and 1st man dances between 3rd couple, to finish in 2nd place on opposite sides, while 2nd and 3rd couples set and petronella turn one place to the right

17-20    1st couple turn once round by the left while 2nd and 3rd couples turn once round by the right

21-24    1st couple cast left, 1st woman dances between 3rd couple and 1st man dances between 2nd couple, to finish in 2nd place on own side, while 2nd and 3rd couples set and petronella turn one place to the right

25-26    1st couple petronella turn one place to the right to end 1st man between 3rd couple to face up, 1st woman between 2nd couple to face down, while 2nd and 3rd couples set

27-32    2nd and 3rd couples La Baratte*, while 1st couple set advancing to join right hands then dance the last four bars of La Baratte

Repeat having passed a couple

Music: “Timepiece” by Gary Thomas

Devised by Gary Thomas, 1990.

La Baratte (The Churn) This figure was danced in the Quadrilles in Canada.

3-4    Each man, giving right hand, turns the woman opposite him halfway round. They retain hands, but dance sufficiently past each other to stretch their arms almost to the full extent

5-6    Each dancer returns on the line along which he, or she, has just travelled. During bar 5, the woman dances under the man’s right arm (pulling back by the right) so that she has her back towards him. The man is now directly behind the woman and he extends his arms sideways with his hands palm upward, just above her shoulder height. The woman puts her left hand under the man’s left hand curling her fingers over his so that both handholds are symmetrical. Releasing right hands, the woman dances under the man’s left arm, again pulling back by the right. The dancers retain left hands

7-8    All turn partners half way by the left to end on own sides

Video: General Stuart’s Reel

General  Stuart’s  Reel or

The New Way of Gildon  (Reel)

RSCDS 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:

Bars   9-16    Corners dance two steps when turning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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: Chrysanthemum

CHRYSANTHEMUM
96 bar Reel for 4 couples in a 4 couple square set
Devised by Betty Grant

1–2        Each woman casts to right behind partner and into centre.
3–6        Right hands across once round (past partner).
7–8        Each woman casts to left behind partner to original place.

9–16        Men repeat by casting to left behind partner into centre, then dance left hands across once round (past partner) and cast to right behind partner to finish in place facing partner.

17–24    STAR GRAND CHAIN halfway round (2 steps each hand). Women finish with backs to the centre facing partners. Men are slightly outside circle facing in to partners.

25–32    Dance back to back with partner and turn with the right hand one and a quarter times to finish in circle. Retain right hands.

33–40    Continue STAR GRAND CHAIN halfway round and women again finish with backs to centre facing partner. Men slightly outside circle facing in.

41–48    Dance back to back with partner and turn with the right hand one and a quarter times to finish with women facing out and men facing in.

49–64    SCHIEHALLION REELS (16 bars)  Finish in place.

65–72    In couples nearer hands joined, slip step to left (2 bars) one quarter round and set once (2 bars). Slip step to right (2 bars) to place and set. Bar 8, women advance set towards centre and retaining nearer hands with partner form a cross facing clockwise.

73–80    Dance right hands across in couples. Bar 8, release right hands in centre and curve out to original positions ready to form a circle.

81–88    Eight hands round and back. Retain hands in circle.

89–92    Advance using 2 short skip change of steps, then with nearer hands still joined with partner only, retire using 2 long skip change of steps to original size of square. Finish facing corner.

93–96    Turn corner with LEFT hand once round. Finish facing partner for bow and curtsey.

This dance was devised by Betty Grant, Toronto, Ontario in 1986 to commemorate her visit to Tokyo as a member of the Oriental Fling tour led by the late Bob Blackie and was presented to the Tokyo Scottish Bluebell Club.

Chrysanthemum –
A native of China, the ‘pompom’ originated from the Chusan Daisy, Elaborate Japanese varieties have been developed over hundreds of years. The first chrysanthemum in Britain was grown at Kew Gardens in 1790 and came from France. Chrysanthemums are a worldwide family of flowers. We Scottish Country Dancers are also a worldwide family.                                Betty Grant

Note on Chrysanthemum:
In the Star Grand Chain men give right hand to partner and dance into the centre, left shoulder to left shoulder, as woman dance outside the circumference but holding hands and extending arms longer than usual.  They then release hands and give left hands to next woman to bring women into the centre left shoulder to shoulder, again extending arms.  Repeat right hand and left hand, adjusting on the last left such that women are in the centre facing partner, on the outside, ready for back to back.  Then turn partner 1 ¼ times to form the square set again (releasing hands as usual), then repeat the Star Grand Chain back to place followed by back to back and a 1 ¼ turn before the Schehallion reel.  The Star Grand Chain is, therefore, making the regular grand chain into a series of points of a star. The idea of the Star Grand Chain and the Schehallion Reel is to form the petals of a Chrysanthemum.

Video: The Lea Rig

The Lea Rig
RSCDS Book 21 – No. 5
32-bar strathspey for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–16        1st couple dance a petronella turn to face each other up and down the middle and set. 1 st  couple repeat this three times to finish in original places. On bars 1-2, 2nd couple step up and, on bars 3-4 set. 2nd couple dance petronella turns and set, following the 1st couple one place behind. On bars 15-16, instead of setting, 2nd couple dance a petronella turn to original places.

17–24    1st couple lead down the middle and up.

25–28    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across once round to finish facing partners in a diagonal line across the set with 1st woman and 2nd man back to back in the middle.

29–32    1st and 2nd couples dance a half poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

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TACNotes:’
17-24    1st cpl finish in original places on sidelines.

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

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

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

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

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

First couple repeat from second place.

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

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

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

Video: General Stuart’s Reel

General  Stuart’s  Reel or
The New Way of Gildon  (Reel)
RSCDS 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars   9-16    Corners dance two steps when turning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 1: At the Summit
Video2 : At the Summit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Tune: The Anglins of Ottawa by Muriel Johnstone
Devised by Craig and Jody Williams

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

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