Video: The Ruby Celebration Strathspey

The Ruby Celebration Strathspey
A 32 bar Strathspey for 3 couples in a 2 couple set

1 – 8 1s+3s Petronella turn & set; Petronella turn & set. (1) 2 (3)

9 – 16 2s dance Diagonal R&L (2M down, 2L up). 3 2 1

17 – 24 2s+1s dance Bourrel:

17 – 20 2M+1L set advancing, 3/4 turn 2H & twirl to end BtoB (Lady facing up & Man down) while partners chase anticlockwise to face partner

21 – 24 Set to partners & turn 2H own sides having changed places

25 – 32 3s+1s+2s circle 6H round & back

Devised by Anne Thorn in April 2018 for the 40th Helensburgh Weekend School.

Video: J. B. Milne

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.

Video: Triple Happiness

Triple Happiness
RSCDS Book 52
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 2 1st couple advance one step, take right hands briefly, and retire one step.
3 – 4 1st couple, giving left hands, turn halfway to finish in the middle facing down.
5 – 8 1st couple, retaining left hands, lead down, cross below 2nd couple and cast up to original places.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance the knot. On bars 15-16 1st couple, retaining left hands, turn to face first corners. 2nd couple finish in first place.

17 – 20 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with first corners. First corners turn with both hands. 1st couple pass by the right shoulder to finish facing second corners.

21 – 24 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with second corners. Second corners turn with both hands. 1st couple pass by the right shoulder to finish in second place on own sides facing clockwise.

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

29 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples, giving both hands to partner, turn halfway, release hands and, pulling right shoulder back, dance on a curve to own sides of the set.

Finish in order 3, 1, 2.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Yoshiki Oyama, RSCDS Tokai Branch, January 2016.

Devised for the Scottish country dance group Mie Scottish Country Dance Family on the occasion of their special ball.

Video: The Royal Deeside Railway

The Royal Deeside Railway (Reel)
RSCDS Book 40

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.

Video: The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh

The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 23 – No. 4
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples set and link.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples set and link.

9 – 12 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples advance one step and retire one step and, giving both hands to partners, half turn to face partners in the middle of the set.

13 – 16 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples set and cast by the right to opposite sides. 2nd couple face each other, 3rd couple face down and 1st couple face up.

17 – 18 2nd couple, giving right hands cross over. 3rd and 1st women, 3rd and 1st men, giving right hands, change places.

19 – 20 2nd man and 1st woman, 2nd woman and 1st man, giving left hands, change places. 3rd couple, giving left hands, cross over.

Finish in the order 1,2,3, 1st couple on opposite sides.

21 – 24 1st and 2nd couples set and link. 1st couple finish back to back in the middle of the set facing opposite sides.

25 – 28 1st man with 2nd and 3rd women, 1st woman with 2nd and 3rd men advance one step and retire one step. 1st couple advance one step and turn right about to face in. 2nd and 3rd couples advance one step and turn right about to finish back to back facing own sides. (Note)

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples repeat bars 25 to 28, 1st couple, giving right hands on bars 31-32, to cross to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Alec Hay, Auckland, New Zealand.
Original Tune: The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh (Traditional)

Note: The deviser did not intend that hands be given in bars 25-28.

Video: Jeannie o’ the Witchin’ E’e

Jeannie o’ the Witchin’ E’e
RSCDS: Scottish Dances collected by Mary Isdal MacNab
(Jig)

l – 4 1st woman advances to partner and sets to him.
5 – 6 1st woman dances round behind 2nd man and faces him. Fig. 1.
7 – 8 1st woman sets to 2nd man

9 – 12 1st woman gives right hand to partner then left hand to 2nd man and all three set twice.
13 – 16 1st man turns his partner under his right arm to finish in allemande position facing 2nd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 15-16.

17 – 22 1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple, passing 2nd woman with right shoulder to begin. Fig. 2.
23 – 24 1st man turns his partner under his right arm to finish back to back in the middle of the set, 1st man facing 2nd woman and 1st woman facing 2nd man, ready for a reel of four.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a reel of four across the dance, 1st couple finish facing each other in the middle having passed each other with right shoulders.

33 – 40 1st couple set twice then turn one and a half times with the right hand to finish on own sides in second place.

Repeat having passed a couple

Dedicated to my friend Miss Jean Milligan

Collected originally in Ayrshire but gifted by Mrs Fassiefern Bain of Vancouver, late of Appin, daughter of the Rev. W. Stewart, Nether Lochaber

RSCDS: Scottish Dances collected by Mary Isdal MacNab

Video: THE DANCING BELLS

THE DANCING BELLS
Ann Campbell – Who’s Who in Toronto
A 32-bar Jig for three couples in a four-couple set

1 – 8 1st couple set, cast off one place, cross over giving right hands, and cast, 1st man round 3rd woman and 1st woman round 2nd man, to finish 1st woman between 2nd couple facing down and 1st man between 3rd couple facing up. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

9 – 12 1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple advance and retire.

13 – 16 1st couple change places up and down giving right hands and cast to the right to finish in second place on opposite sides, while 2nd and 3rd men and 2nd and 3rd women turn giving right hands.

17 – 20 1st man with 2nd and 3rd women, and 1st woman with 2nd and 3rd men, advance and retire.

21 – 24 1st man dances a half figure of eight round second couple and 1st woman dances a half figure of eight round 3rd couple to finish in second place.

25 – 28 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple while 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple. 1st couple pass by the right shoulder.

29 – 32 1st man dances left hands across with 2nd couple while 1st woman dances left hands across with 3rd couple. 1st couple finish in second place.

Repeat from new places.

Devised in October, 2004.
Written to mark significant birthdays of Carole and Ron Bell.

Suggested Music: “The Dancing Bells”
Bobby Brown & The Scottish Accent
Celtic Fire in the Music (Disc 2, Track 2) ;

Video: Bedrule

Bedrule
RSCDS Book XXXIII
(Strathspey)

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.

Video: SANDS OF MORAR

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

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

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

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

21 – 22 All three couples set.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

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

Tune: Pinky House, Traditional

The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 23-24 1st and 2nd couples must cast quickly so that 3rd couple can dance into place by the end of bar 24.

TACNotes:
23-24 1st cpl, followed by 2nd cpl, must cast quickly to allow 3rd cpl to dance down & short way into places.
27-28 Retain nearer hands with partner at end of bar 28 ready for 2H turn on bar 29.
29-30 At beginning of bar 30, 1st woman & 2nd man draw partners along sidelines with RH, then release to cross set.

Video: ROARING JELLY

ROARING JELLY
Dance devised by Hugh Foss. (Published in Glendarroch Sheet No. 6)
(Jig)

1 – 4 1st couple cross over, giving right hands, and cast off one place (2nd couple move up on 3–4).

5 – 8 Giving right hands again, they cross back and the man casts up one place to go between 2nd couple and the woman casts off one place to go between 3rd couple.

9 – 16 The three couples dance six hands round to the left and back. They take hands in threes at the end of bar 8 and don’t let go until the end of bar 16. 2nd and 3rd men – and women – let go of each other at bar 15.

17 – 24 1st couple go up and down the dance, giving right hands, and 1st man dances a figure of eight round 3rd couple, passing 3rd man right shoulder to begin, while 1st woman, passing 2nd woman right shoulder, dances a figure of eight round 2nd couple. 1st couple end in 2nd place, ‘wrong’ sides.

25 – 30 Reels of three at the sides: to begin, 1st man passes 2nd woman right shoulder and 1st woman 3rd man right shoulder.

31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross back to own sides, 2nd place.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Tune: Roaring Jelly, as given in Kerr’s Caledonian Collection, p. 18, but with each 8 bars repeated, and Allan’s Reels, etc. p. 25.

No Video

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.

Video: The Braes of Breadalbane

The Braes of Breadalbane
RSCDS Book 21. – No. 7.
(Strathspey.)

1 – 4 First couple turn with right hand and cast off one place. Second couple move up.

5 – 8 First couple turn with left hand, the woman casts up, and the man casts down to finish three and three across the dance.

9 – 12 First, second and third couples set twice.

13 – 16 First woman casts down while first man casts up. They turn each other with right hand and finish three and three on own side of dance.

17 – 20 First, second and third couples set twice.

21 – 24 All three couples turn partners with both hands and return to places.

25 – 32 First and second couples dance right and left across and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Tune – The Braes of Breadalbane.
Skillern, 1795.

TACNotes:’
12 1st cpl turn R about, ready to cast.

Video: The Ferry Louper

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.

Video: Up in the Air

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.

Video: The Pawling Porch

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.

Suggested Tune: The Merrymaking (Traditional)

Video: Huntly Castle

Huntly Castle
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.

Strathspey – 3 couples – 32 bars,

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,

Repeat, having passed a couple,

Video: Beach Dancer

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”.

No Video

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.

Video: The Minister on the Loch

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

Video: The Waternish Tangle

The Waternish Tangle
8 x 32 Jig

1 – 4 1st couple giving right hands cross down to 2nd place and set. 2nd couple move up on bars | 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|st 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.

Repeat from 2nd place.

Devised by Andrea Barfoot, Isle of Skye Branch.

Video: The Minister on the Loch

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