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.
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.
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 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.
Huntly Castle John Drewery, The Canadian Book of Scottish Country Dances Strathspey – 3 couples – 32 bars,
Huntly Castle, now a ruin, was formerly the seat of the Earls, lator the Marquises of Huntly – the chiefs of Clan Gordon.
Tune – “My Only Jo and Dearie O’ Gow’s Repository , 3rd Part, Pace 12, This is the tune to which Bum!s song “I goed a waeful gait yestreen” is usually set,
1 – 6 1st and 2nd couples set on the sides, then circle to the left once round to finish with 1st couple in top place,with nearer hands still joined, facing down. and 2nd couple in second place facing up.
7 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set,
9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a Rondel to change places, 1st couple finish in second place facing out.
17 – 24 Reels of three on the sides. To begin: – 1st couple dance out and down; 3rd couple, joining nearer hands, dance in and up; 2nd couple, joining nearer hands, dance in and down. All join inside hands with partners where possible in the reels. At the end: – 2nd couple dance in to join nearer hands facing down; 1st couple dance to second place on own sides; 3rd couple dance in to join nearer hands facing up.
25 – 26 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set,
27 – 30 Six hands round to the left. On Bar 30, all dance into the centre, pulling right shoulders back to face out.
31 – 32 All spiral out clockwise (in a chase) to own sides,
FERLA MOR or THE BIG GREY MAN THE DEESIDE BOOK OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES, Part 1, by JOHN DREWRY
The Ferla Mor (a corruption of the Gaelic “Am Fear Liath Mor”) or the Big Grey Man, is reputed to haunt the upper part of Ben Macdhui. Travellers usually encounter him when alone and in misty conditions – they become aware of his presence by a feeling that someone is following them.
In this dance, the first man becomes the Ferla Mor as he follows his partner during the reels — Bars 9 – 24.
Reel : 3 couples : 32 bars
Tune : “Lochiel House” by Angus Fitchet, The Angus Fitchet S.D. Collection page 2 (Mozart Allan)
1 – 8 1st couple set to one another , then turn by the right hand half-way round moving down to face one another across the centre of the dance in second place; they set again then turn by the right hand once round to finish with 1st lady facing her first corner, and with 1st man immediately behind her facing in the same direction. (2nd couple step up on Bars 3 – 4)
9 – 16 1st couple dance a reel of three diagonally across the dance with their first corners. They begin by passing 2nd man by the right, and 1st man follows his partner as closely as convenient. 1st lady, with her partner still behind her, finishes the reel facing her second corner.
17 – 24 1st couple, with 1st man still following his partner, dance a reel of three with their second corners, passing 3rd man by the right. On the last two steps, as she dances down the centre of the dance, 1st lady pulls her left shoulder back to face her partner and they turn by the left hand to face own first corners.
25 – 28 1st couple turn first corners by the right hand, then pass by the right to face second corners. (The corners dance four steps)
29 – 32 1st couple turn second corners by the right hand, then pass by the right to second place on own sides.
Postie’s Jig A 32-bar jig for four couples ina four-couple longwise set
1 – 2 1st and 4th couples set.
3 – 4 1st couple cast off one place while 4th couple cast up one place. 2nd couple step up to top place while 3rd couple step down to fourth place.
5 – 8 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple while 4th couple dance a half figure eight round 3rd couple.
9 – 12 1st man with 4th man and 1st woman with 4th woman, take nearer hands and cross to the opposite side of the set, the men making an arch for the women to dance under. Give free hand to corner person and turn (i.e. 1st man to 2nd man and 1st woman to 2nd woman etc). Corners finish in places, while 1st couple meet and join nearer hands to face down and 4th couple meet and join nearer hands to face up.
13 – 16 1st couple and 4th couple, with nearer hands joined, change places up and down, the 4th couple making an arch for the 1st couple to dance under. Give free hand to corner person and turn (i.e. 1st man to 3rd man and 1st woman to 3rd woman etc.). Corners finish in places, while 1st and 4th men meet and join nearer hands on own side and 1st and 4th women meet and join hands on own side.
17 – 24 Repeat the pattern of crossing and turning as in bars 9 – 12 and 13 – 16. When changing places across the set the men always make the arch and when changing up and down the set the couple dancing up always make the arch. Finish in the order 2, 1, 4, 3 with the 1st and 4th couples on the opposite side.
25 – 28 1st and 4th couples dance half rights and lefts.
29 – 32 1st and 4th couples turn by the right hand once round to finish in the order 2,4, 1, 3.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by Roy Clowes.
Original tune: Lassie Come and Dance with Me by Neil Grant.
1–8 1st and 2nd women, and at the same time 1st and 2nd men, turn once round with both hands,opening out on the side lines and continuing into four hands round to the left and then 1st and 2nd couples turn partners once round to finish in the middle of the set, ready for promenade. On bar 8, 3rd couple dance in and take promenade hold.
9–16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples promenade. On bars 15 – 16, 1st couple cast off to second place, while 2nd couple dance up to first place and 3rd couple return to original place.
17–20 1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across, finishing on the sidelines.
21–24 1st and 2nd couples dance left hands across, 1st couple finishing in second place facing down.
25–32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple begin the reels by giving right shoulder to 3rd couple, and at the end they face down ready to repeat the dance.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Betty Grant, Toronto, Ontario, 1984, in memory of her great, great grandmother Elizabeth Turnbull Dickson who left her home, Bedrule, near Jedburgh, in 1834 to emigrate to Canada.
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing: Bar 20 1st woman dances into second place on her own side pulling her right shoulder back, to prepare for left hands across. Bar 24 1st woman dances straight out to second place on her own side, to give right shoulder to 3rd woman as she enters the reels of three.
TACNotes:’ 1-8 1st & 2nd cpls stay in the middle at end of bar 6, & flow into the 2H turns. 17-20 On bar 20, 1st woman turns R about into sidelines & faces up ready for LH across. 21-24 On bar 24, 1st woman dances into 2nd place, facing down, to enter reel with 3rd woman. 25-32 1st cpl finish facing down, 3rd cpl facing up, ready for bar 1 of repetition.
Beach Dancer A 32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set For Margaret Blackhall, a teacher at Kamo Club who lives on the coast at Ngunguru. Devised by Eddy West 2003.
1-4 First couple set and cross giving right hand. 5-8 First couple set to second couple and change places on the side giving left hands (men remain facing out).
9-16 Second and first couples dance a ladies chain, first man finishes facing out. First couple must continue into the next figure without hesitation.
17-20 First man casts down round third lady and crosses to third place, own side then casts up behind third man to second place, first lady follows to own side third place then dances up the middle to second place on own side.
21-24 First and second ladies, and at the same time first and second men, turn giving left hands.
25-32 Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on the sides, first couple passing third couple right shoulder to start.
Repeat having passed a couple
Suggested recorded music “Over the Pond II” – Sound Company CD “On Track”.
The Reel of the 51st Division RSCDS Book 13 – No. 10 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple set to each other and cast off two places, meet below 3rd couple and lead up the middle to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
9 – 12 1st couple set to and turn first corners with the right hand, finishing in a diagonal line by joining left hands with partner.
13 – 14 1st couple and first corners balance in line.
15 – 16 1st couple, releasing right hands with corners, turn each other one and a quarter times to face second corners.
17 – 22 1st couple repeat bars 9-14 with second corners.
23 – 24 1st couple cross to second place on own sides.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Jimmy Atkinson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and Peter Oliver, Seaforth Highlanders (London Scottish), with advice from Tom Harris-Hunter, Royal Army Service Corps while all were interned in the Prisoner of War camp at Laufen in Germany.
Original tune: The Drunken Piper or Highland Rory Alex. McLeod, c. 1880
The original instructions in the form of notes, written by Tom Harris-Hunter on a scruffy piece of paper when he was a prisoner of war, clearly show that the dance was intended for a five couple set as it is still danced in Perthshire.
TACNotes:’ 1-8 Set (no stealing) bars 1-2, cast bars 3-5, dance in to meet on bar 6, lead up on bar 7 to face corners on bar 8.
Longfield Reel James Lamb: A Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 6 1st couple cast off two places and dance up the middle of the set to original places. At the same time, 3rd couple dance up to first place and cast off to original places.
7 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set.
9 – 12 2nd couple dance a half figure of eight up round 1st couple.
13 – 16 2nd couple dance a half figure of eight down round 3rd couple to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 1st couple step in.
17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by James Lamb of Wakefield Caledonian Children’s class when aged 13.
Postie’s Jig The Ormskirk Scottish Dances by Roy Clowes
Jig for a Four Couple Set
1 – 2 First and fourth couples set.
3 – 4 First couple cast down and second couple step up, while fourth couple cast up and third couple step down.
5 – 8 First couple dance half fugure of eight round second couple while fourth couple dance half figure of eight round third couple. Now at diag. 1.
9 – 12 First man and fourth man, first lady and fourth lady, with nearer hands joined, cross over, men making arch for ladies to pass under. Give “free” hand to corners and turn, i.e. first man to second man and first lady to second lady etc.Corners finish in places and first couple join nearer hands to face down while fourth couple faces up. Now at diag. 2.
13 – 16 Repeat bars 9 – 12 up and down, fourth couple making the arch.
17 – 24 Repeat bars 9 – 16 to places, diag. 1.
25 – 28 First and fourth couples dance half rights and lefts.
29 – 32 First and fourth couples turn partners with right hands.
Huntly Castle Strathspey – 3 couples – 32 bars, John Drewery, The Canadian Book of Scottish Country Dances
Huntly Castle, now a ruin, was formerly the seat of the Earls, lator the Marquises of Huntly – the chiefs of Clan Gordon.
Tune – “My Only Jo and Dearie O’ Gow’s Repository , 3rd Part, Pace 12, This is the tune to which Bum!s song “I goed a waeful gait yestreen” is usually set,
Bars
1 – 6 1st and 2nd couples set on the sides, then circle to the left once round to finish with 1st couple in top place,with nearer hands still joined, facing down. and 2nd couple in second place facing up.
7 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set,
9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a Rondel to change places, 1st couple finish in second place facing out.
17 – 24 Reels of three on the sides.
To begin: – 1st couple dance out and down; 3rd couple, joining nearer hands, dance in and up; 2nd couple, joining nearer hands, dance in and down. |
All join inside hands with partners where possible in the reels.
At the end: – 2nd couple dance in to join nearer hands facing down; 1st couple dance to second place on own sides; 3rd couple dance in to join nearer hands facing up.
25 – 26 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set,
27 – 30 Six hands round to the left. On Bar 30, all dance into the centre, pulling right shoulders back to face out.
31 – 32 All spiral out clockwise (in a chase) to own sides,
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. (Fig.)
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)
FERLA MOR or THE BIG GREY MAN THE DEESIDE BOOK OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES, Part 1, by JOHN DREWRY
The Ferla Mor (a corruption of the Gaelic “Am Fear Liath Mor”) or the Big Grey Man, is reputed to haunt the upper part of Ben Macdhui. Travellers usually encounter him when alone and in misty conditions – they become aware of his presence by a feeling that someone is following them.
In this dance, the first man becomes the Ferla Mor as he follows his partner during the reels — Bars 9 – 24.
Reel : 3 couples : 32 bars
Tune : “Lochiel House” by Angus Fitchet The Angus Fitchet S.D. Collection page 2 (Mozart Allan)
1 – 8 1st couple set to one another , then turn by the right hand half-way round moving down to face one another across the centre of the dance in second place; they set again then turn by the right hand once round to finish with 1st lady facing her first corner, and with 1st man immediately behind her facing in the same direction. (2nd couple step up on Bars 3 – 4)
9 – 16 1st couple dance a reel of three diagonally across the dance with their first corners. They begin by passing 2nd man by the right, and 1st man follows his partner as closely as convenient.
1st lady, with her partner still behind her, finishes the reel facing her second corner.
17 – 24 1st couple, with 1st man still following his partner, dance a reel of three with their second corners, passing 3rd man by the right.
On the last two steps, as she dances down the centre of the dance, 1st lady pulls her left shoulder back to face her partner and they turn by the left hand to face own first corners.
25 – 28 1st couple turn first corners by the right hand, then pass by the right to face second corners. (The corners dance four steps)
29 – 32 1st couple turn second corners by the right hand, then pass by the right to second place on own sides.
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.
Video: Fair Donald
Fair Donald RSCDS Book 29 – No. 4 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple dance down between 2nd couple and cast up to meet in the middle of first place, facing down.
5 – 8 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to face 1st corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.
9 – 16 1st couple dance a reel of four with first corners. 1st couple pass each other by the left to face second corners.
17 – 24 1st couple dance a reel of four with second corners. 1st couple finish between 2nd couple facing up.
25 – 26 1st couple cast off one place on own sides.
27 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set and, giving both hands, turn once round.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Original tune: Lady Dick Lauder’s Strathspey (James Taylor, A Collection of Strathspeys and Reels, Volume 2, 1845).
The Montgomeries’ Rant RSCDS Book 10 – No. 1 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and 1st woman casts up one place while 1st man casts off one place. 1st woman finishes between 2nd couple facing 2nd man with 1st man between 3rd couple facing 3rd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
9 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the set. 1st woman and 2nd man and 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the right to begin. On bar 16, 1st couple, with nearer hands joined, face 2nd woman.
17 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd woman. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 3rd man and set. 1st couple move round to face 3rd woman and set. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 2nd man and set. 1st couple finish facing second corners.
25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass second corners by the right to begin.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.
Original tune: Lord Eglintoune (John Riddell, c. 1766) but usually danced to Lady Montgomerie (Lord Eglintoune, 1796).
TACNotes:’ 17-24 1st woman is on her partner’s left to begin &, on bar 24, turns L about, with assistance from her partner, to face her second corner.
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.
Mrs Stewart of Fasnacloich RSCDS Leaflet – No. 18 (Reel)
Figure 1 – Bar 9
Figure 2 – Bar 28
1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples petronella turn into centre to face partners and set.
5 – 6 1st and 2nd couples turn partners by right hand three-quarters way round, then, retaining partners’ hands.
7 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across halfway round to finish, 2nd couple in first place and 1st couple in second place, on own sides.
9 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to third place. (Fig. 1). 1st couple finish facing second corners; 2nd and 3rd couples dance the long way round into place.
17 – 20 1st couple dance half a diagonal reel of four with second corners. Then 1st couple turn each other by the left hand to face first corners.
21 – 24 1st couple dance half a diagonal reel of four with first corners, passing left shoulders. Then 1st couple pass each other by the left to finish back to back in the centre, 1st man facing up, 1st woman facing down.
25 – 27 1st man dances three hands round with 3rd couple, while 1st woman dances three hands round with 2nd couple.
28 – 30 Releasing left hand, 1st man leads his circle down the women’s side, while 1st woman leads her circle up the men’s side to form a large circle. Six hands round to the left. (Fig. 2).
31 – 32 All 3 couples set.
TACNotes:’ 19-20 1st cpl dance a wide LH turn instead of passing L shoulder. 24 1st cpl pass L shoulder. 25-30 Controlled slip steps. If 1st cpl release LH in the small circles at end of bar 27, then large circle may be formed by end of bar 28.
12 Coates Crescent RSCDS Book 40 — No. 5 (Strathspey)
1 – 4 All four couples, joining hands on the sides, set to partners and cross over giving right hands.
5 – 8 Repeat bars 1–4.
9 – 10 1st couple, giving nearer hands, dance down between 2nd couple. At the same time, 4th couple, giving nearer hands, dance up between 3rd couple.
11 – 12 1st and 4th women, giving nearer hands, dance out between 2nd and 3rd women and cast back to original places. At the same time, 1st and 4th men, giving nearer hands, dance out between 2nd and 3rd men and cast back to original places.
13 – 16 1st couple lead down to fourth place. 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 15–16.
17 – 24 3rd and 4th couples dance rights and lefts.
25 – 32 2nd couple with 3rd couple and 4th couple with 1st couple dance four hands across and back.
Repeat, with a new top couple.
Devised by the Publications and Research Committee, 1998. Tune: The Glendale Strathspey (Copyright R. Mathews).
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing: Bars 13–16 1st couple dance straight into fourth place.
TACNotes:’ 13–16 1st cpl dance towards partner to begin & and finish by dancing straight into 4th place.
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance Right Hands across and Left Hands back to place.
9 – 14 1st Lady followed by the 2nd Lady dance across the top of the set, behind the men’s line, 1st Lady dances below the 2nd man, and 2nd Lady dances between the two men, and across to their own side, both pull LEFT shoulders back.
15 – 16 1st and 2nd ladies join hands and Set. (Men do not set back)
17 – 22 1st Man followed by the 2nd Man dance across the top of the set, behind the ladies’ line, 1st Man dances below the 2nd lady’s position, 2nd Man dances between the two ladies, and across to their own side, both pull RIGHT shoulders back.
23 – 24 1st and 2nd Men join hands and Set. (Ladies do not set back)
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance Rights and Lefts.
Devised by Elaine Brunken as a wee warm up dance. Note: Please include the polite turns at the end of Rights and Lefts, prior to entry to the wheels.
Flowers of Edinburgh RSCDS 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.
1 – 4 1st couple set and cast off to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8 Joining nearer hands, 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to second place.
9 – 12 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with the right hand.
13 – 16 2nd man, followed by 1st and 3rd men, and 3rd woman, followed by 1st and 2nd women, dance clockwise half way round to finish on opposite sides in order 3, 1, 2.
17 – 20 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance back to back with partners.
21 – 24 Joining nearer hands on the sides, 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples set and then turn partners half way round with the right hand to finish ready for allemande.
25 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples allemande.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Mrs. I. Van Maarseveen, Pretoria, South Africa for a beginners class and dedicated to Alistair Aitkenhead, Stanley Wilkie, Margo Monteith and Lyn Christie.
Tune: Andersons
TACNotes:’ 9-12 Finish bar 12 on sidelines, with 1st & 3rd men facing up & 1st & 2nd women facing down.
The Saltire Strathspey RSCDS Book 45. No. 4 (Strathspey)
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.
A Wee Nothin’ Moments in Time 32 Bar jig for 2 couples
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance Right Hands across and Left Hands back to place.
9 – 14 1st Lady followed by the 2nd Lady dance across the top of the set, behind the men’s line, 1st Lady dances below the 2nd man, and 2nd Lady dances between the two men, and across to their own side, both pull LEFT shoulders back.
15 – 16 1st and 2nd ladies join hands and Set. (Men do not set back)
17 – 22 1st Man followed by the 2nd Man dance across the top of the set, behind the ladies’ line, 1st Man dances below the 2nd lady’s position, 2nd Man dances between the two ladies, and across to their own side, both pull RIGHT shoulders back.
23 – 24 1st and 2nd Men join hands and Set. (Ladies do not set back)
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance Rights and Lefts.
Devised by Elaine Brunken as a wee warm up dance. Note: Please include the polite turns at the end of Rights and Lefts, prior to entry to the wheels.
The Reel of the Royal Scots RSCDS Leaflet – No.7 (Reel)
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.
