Dances for January 27, 2025
Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa
Video: The Bees of Maggieknockater
The Bees of Maggieknockater
John Drewry, RSCDS 30 Popular Dances
A 32-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple cross, giving right hands, and cast to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across. On bar 8, 3rd woman turns towards 1st man and takes promenade hold facing the woman’s side while 1st woman turns towards 3rd man and takes promenade hold facing the man’s side.
9 – 12 1st man and 3rd woman dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th women, passing 4th woman right shoulder to begin while 1st woman and 3rd man dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th men, passing 2nd man right shoulder to begin. On bar 12, 1st and 3rd men pass right shoulder to take promenade hold with partner, 1st couple facing down and 3rd couple facing up.
13 – 16 1st couple dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th men, passing 2nd man (in 4th place) left shoulder to begin while 3rd couple dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th women, passing 4th woman (in top place) left shoulder to begin. On bar 16, 1st and 3rd women pass left shoulder to take promenade hold with 3rd and 1st men respectively, 1st woman and 3rd man facing down and 1st man and 3rd woman facing up.
17 – 20 1st woman and 3rd man dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th women, passing 4th woman right shoulder to begin while 1st man and 3rd woman dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th men, passing 2nd man right shoulder to begin. On bar 20, 1st and 3rd men pass right shoulder to take promenade hold with partner, 1st couple facing up and 3rd couple facing down.
21 – 24 1st couple dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th women, passing 4th woman (in top place) left shoulder to begin while 3rd couple dance a half reel of three with 2nd and 4th men, passing 2nd man (in 4th place) left shoulder to begin. 1st couple finish in the centre in 2nd place facing down while 3rd couple finish in original places facing up.
25 – 28 1st man turns 3rd woman left hand one and a half times while 1st woman turns 3rd man right hand one and a half times. 3rd couple finish in 2nd place and 1st couple cross down to 3rd place on their own side.
29 – 32 1st man turns 4th man right hand one and a half times while 1st woman turns 4th woman left hand one and a half times.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by John Drewry. Published with permission of the Scottish Country Dance Teachers’ Association (Canada).
Original tune: Forres Country Dance by Robert R Gourlay.
Source: The Canadian Book of Scottish Country Dances.
Video: The Reel of the Royal Scots
The Reel of the Royal Scots
RSCDS Leaflet
(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.
TACNotes:
17-24 Corners dance for 4 bars.