Video: Maxwell’s Rant

Maxwell’s Rant
RSCDS Book 18 – No. 10
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.

Original tune: Maxwell’s Rant (Traditional)

Video: Hooper’s Jig

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)

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).

Video: Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan

Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan
14 Social Dances for 2000, by Roy Goldring
32 bar reel for 5 couples

1 – 4 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5 – 8 1st couple, followed by 3rd couple, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off. 1st couple finish in 3rd place, 3rd couple finish in 2nd place.

9 – 16 1st, 4th and 5th couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin:- 1st couple cross down to 4th place, 4th couple dance out and up, 5th couple dance in and up.

17 – 24 1st, 3rd and 2nd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin:- 1st couple cross up to second place on own side, 3rd couple dance out and down, 2nd couple dance in and down.

25 – 28 1st couple set and cast off one place. 4th couple step up on bars 27 – 28.

29 – 32 1st couple, followed by 5th couple, dance up between 4th couple and cast off. 1st couple finish in 5th place, 5th couple finish in 4th place.

Repeat from new positions

Note: 1st couple should begin and end each reel in 3rd place in the sidelines.
For Muriel
Tune: The Ardrossan Hornpipe by Muriel Johnstone

No Video

The Three Creeks Shore
Aye Afloat, The Portknockie Collection of Scottish Country Dances, devised by Margaret Zadworny
8 x 32 – 3 Couple Jig

1 – 4 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4.

5 – 8 1st lady dance right hands across with 2nd couple while 1st man dance right hands across with 3rd couple to finish in 2nd place; 1st lady facing in and down and 1st man facing in and up.

9 – 16 1st couple figure of eight on own sides. 1st lady pass 3rd lady left shoulder and 1st man pass 2nd man left shoulder to begin.

17 – 20 1st lady dance left hands across with 3rd couple while 1st man dance left hands across with 2nd couple. First couple finish in the middle with right hands joined.

21 – 24 1st couple turn with right hand once round.

25 – 32 1st lady with 3rd couple and 1st man with 2nd couple dance reels of three across. 1st lady pass 3rd man with right shoulder, while 1st man pass 2nd lady with right shoulder to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place.

Repeat from second place.

No Video

Swirling Waters
John Drewry, Greenburn Book
Strathspey – 3 couples – 32 bars

for the dancers in Edmonton.

1 – 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, joining nearer hands, set on the sides and then, giving right hands to partners, cross to opposite sides. 1st couple stay facing out.

5 – 8 1st couple cast off to third place on opposite sides and then turn with the right hand half way round to finish facing up with hands in promenade hold. 2nd and 3rd couples step up on Bars 5-6.

9 – 12 1st couple, dancing together, dance half a reel of three across the dance with 3rd couple. They begin by giving right shoulder to 3rd man. At the end, 1st couple finish in the middle facing up while 3rd couple dance down to third place on own sides.

13 – 16 1st couple, still dancing together, dance half a reel of three across the dance with 2nd couple. They begin by giving left shoulder to 2nd woman. At the end, 1st couple finish in the middle in first place facing up while 2nd couple dance down to second place and in to meet each other below 1st couple ready for allemande. Hands should be raised into allemande position on the last beat of Bar 16.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples allemande. On Bars 23-24, 2nd couple retire in the usual way into first place, but 1st couple turn with the left hand one and a quarter times to finish in the middle with 1st man below his partner.

25 – 28 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple, while lst man dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners TWICE with both hands.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

NOTE The North Saskatchewan River flows through Edmonton. Further downstream it unites with the South Saskatchewan to form the Saskatchewan, which flows into the north end of Lake Winnipeg and then, via the Nelson River, into Hudson Bay – a very long journey.

I was told that the name “Saskatchewan” means “Swirling Waters” in the language of the local natives.
The double turning on bars 29-32 was suggested by Avis Harrison of Leeds. It enhances the swirling effect.

Video: The Kissing Bridge

The Kissing Bridge
RSCDS Book 47
32 bar reel 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.

9-16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin 1st couple cross down, 1st woman passing 3rd man by the left and 1st man passing 3rd woman by the right while 2nd couple dance out and up. 1St couple finish in partner’s place.

17-24 1st couple lead down the middle. On bar 20, 1st couple change to own sides, 1st woman dancing under her partner’s right arm. 1st couple lead up to the top to finish facing partner with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.

25-32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat having passed a couple

Devised by Romaine Butterfield, New Zealand Branch
A “kissing bridge” is another name for a North American “covered bridge”.

No Video

There Cam’ a Young Man
Let’s All Dance, by Iain Boyd
32 / J / 3

1 – 4 1st couple dance down between 2nd couple with nearer hands joined and cast up round 2nd couple on own sides.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner with right hands once round to finish beside partner, facing up in promenade hold.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a promenade.

17 – 24 1st couple dance down between 2nd and 3rd couples with nearer hands joined, cast up round 3rd couple on own sides, dance up between 2nd couple with nearer hands joined and cast down round 2nd couple on own sides. 2nd couple move up on bars 7 and 8 of the phrase.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance 6 hands round and back.

Repeat from new places.

Music: “There Cam’ a Young Man” played ABAB (Kerr’s First Collection, page 31, tune 3): recorded music: “Miss Nancy Frowns” Bobby Crowe and his SCD Band Music for 8 SDC from Bk. 13 & 14 (RSCDS 34)

Note: Devised by Iain Boyd during March and April 1980 and modified on Friday, June 21st, 1991.

Video: The White Cockade

The White Cockade
RSCDS Book 5 – No. 11
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, cross over. They repeat back to places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in first place in the middle of the set. (Fig.)

17 – 20 1st couple cast off to second place on own sides.
2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.

21 – 24 1st and 3rd couples dance four hands once round to the left.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

William Campbell: 3rd Book of New and Favourite Country Dances and Strathspey Reels, London c.1782.
Original tune: The White Cockade (Traditional, earliest version Aird 1782 as The Ranting Highlandman)

Video: The Kissing Bridge

The Kissing Bridge
RSCDS Book 47
32 bar reel 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.

9-16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin 1st couple cross down, 1st woman passing 3rd man by the left and 1st man passing 3rd woman by the right while 2nd couple dance out and up. 1St couple finish in partner’s place.

17-24 1st couple lead down the middle. On bar 20, 1st couple change to own sides, 1st woman dancing under her partner’s right arm. 1st couple lead up to the top to finish facing partner with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.

25-32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat having passed a couple

Devised by Romaine Butterfield, New Zealand Branch
A “kissing bridge” is another name for a North American “covered bridge”.

No Video

Megan’s Favourite
David Queen, The Queen Collection, Vol. 1

32 Bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple set

1 – 4 All clap as 1st couple cross passing right shoulder and cast into 2″ place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 3 & 4.

5 – 6 1st couple dance a petronella turn so that the 1st man is between the 2nd couple facing down and the 1st lady is between the 3rd couple facing up.

7 – 8 All set.

9 – 14 All dance right shoulder reels of three across with the 1st couple dancing to their right to begin.

15 – 16 All clap as the 1st couple dance a petronella turn onto their own sides in 2nd place.

17 – 24 1st couple dance down the middle and up finishing ready for an allemande, 2nd couple step down on bars 19 & 20 and step in behind the 1st couple ready for a poussette.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a two couple allepousse ie. 1st couple dance an allemande while the 2nd couple dance a poussette.

This dance is dedicated to Miss Megan Thomas, whose favourite figure is a poussette, she also likes to clap a lot!

Video: Lady Auckland’s Reel

Lady Auckland’s Reel
RSCDS Book 18 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd women dance between 1st and 2nd men, cast round partners and, giving both hands, turn once round to face partners. 1st and 2nd couples, giving both hands, turn once round to original places.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd men repeat bars 1-8, dancing between partners to begin.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Wm. Campbell’s 8th Book of New and Favourite Country Dances, & Strathspey Reels c. 1787.
Original tune: Lady Auckland’s Reel (Traditional)

The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 1-8 The phrasing of bars 1-8 needs care. 1st and 2nd women lead through between 1st and 2nd men for two bars, cast round their own partner for two bars and face each other. They must be well over to their own side before they turn each other on bars 5-6 and the men dance forward to turn partners on bar 7 in the middle of the set before all dance back to places. On bar 8 the men must be right back into the line before they begin to dance on bar 9.

TACNotes:’
1-8 We suggest that 1st & 2nd women meet in middle of set at end of bar 4, ready to turn each other on bars 5-6. Their partners dance in on bar 7 to begin turn, & all finish on sidelines on bar 8.
9-16 Turns take place in middle of set as in bars 1-8.

Video: Collie Law

Collie Law
A 32 bar jig for 2 couples
R Goldring
24 Graded & Social Dances

1- 4 1st and 2nd couples, joining nearer hands on the sides, advance and retire
5-8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner once round with right hands finishing in the center, facing up, ready for: –

9-16 1st and 2nd couples dance Allemande

17-24 1st couple, crossing up to begin, dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.

25-32 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across & left hands back

Video: Flowers of Edinburgh

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.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Kate Hughes’ Dancing Book (MS), Dundalk 1867.
Original tune: Flowers of Edinburgh (Traditional)

Video: Lady Auckland’s Reel

Lady Auckland’s Reel
Book 18 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd women dance between 1st and 2nd men, cast round partners and, giving both hands, turn once round to face partners. 1st and 2nd couples, giving both hands, turn once round to original places.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd men repeat bars 1-8, dancing between partners to begin.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Wm. Campbell’s 8th Book of New and Favourite Country Dances, & Strathspey Reels c. 1787.
Original tune: Lady Auckland’s Reel (Traditional)

The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 1-8 The phrasing of bars 1-8 needs care. 1st and 2nd women lead through between 1st and 2nd men for two bars, cast round their own partner for two bars and face each other. They must be well over to their own side before they turn each other on bars 5-6 and the men dance forward to turn partners on bar 7 in the middle of the set before all dance back to places. On bar 8 the men must be right back into the line before they begin to dance on bar 9.

TACNotes:’
1-8 We suggest that 1st & 2nd women meet in middle of set at end of bar 4, ready to turn each other on bars 5-6. Their partners dance in on bar 7 to begin turn, & all finish on sidelines on bar 8.
9-16 Turns take place in middle of set as in bars 1-8.

Video: The Abbot of Unreason

The Abbot of Unreason
The Tin Woodman and Other Dances, by Milton Levy

dance devised by Milton Levy, 1982

Jig – 3 couples – 32 bars

Tune – “Away To Chincoteague”

1 – 4 1st couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down the middle. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st man dances round below his partner, who dances under his arm, and they dance up to finish back to back facing second place on opposite sides.

9 – 16 “Balance and Turn Corners”
9 – 10 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set as in double triangles.
11 – 12 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand once round.
13 – 14 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set as in double triangles.
15 – 16 1st couple turn second corners with the left hand once round.

17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple pass their first corners by the right. On bars 23-24, 1st couple dance from second corner position to second place on own sides.

25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, with nearer hands joined, dance one pas de basque to the right and then dance six hands round to the left and remain in the circle.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance one pas de basque to the left and then dance six hands round to the right to finish on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Note At the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries, the Abbot of Unreason was master of the Christmas Revels at the court of Scotland.

Video: The “Ballater” Reel

The “Ballater” Reel
Let’s All Dance
32/R or S/32 by John Trew

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and up; staying in the middle ready for…

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts.

25 – 32 1st couple dance a figure of eight around the 2nd couple.

Repeat from new places.

Music: Any good reel or strathspey

Note: This dance was devised for use with a very senior group of adults. In reel time, this dance would be suitable for young children. The dance could be amended to include more advanced figures. Ballater is a Scottish town

No Video

There Cam’ a Young Man
Let’s All Dance
32 / J / 3 by Iain Boyd

1 – 4 1st couple dance down between 2nd couple with nearer hands joined and cast up round 2nd couple on own sides.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner with right hands once round to finish beside partner, facing up in promenade hold.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a promenade.

17 – 24 1st couple dance down between 2nd and 3rd couples with nearer hands joined, cast up round 3rd couple on own sides, dance up between 2nd couple with nearer hands joined and cast down round 2nd couple on own sides. 2nd couple move up on bars 7 and 8 of the phrase.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance 6 hands round and back.

Repeat from new places.

Music: “There Cam’ a Young Man” played ABAB (Kerr’s First Collection, page 31, tune 3): recorded music: “Miss Nancy Frowns” Bobby Crowe and his SCD Band Music for 8 SDC from Bk. 13 & 14 (RSCDS 34)

Note: Devised by Iain Boyd during March and April 1980 and modified on Friday, June 21st, 1991.

Video: The Old Man of Hoy

The Old Man of Hoy
Let’s All Dance
32/H/2 by Iain Boyd

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples set twice with nearer hands joined on the sides.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across once round to finish beside partner – 1st couple facing down and 2nd couple facing up.

9 – 12 st and 2nd couples set twice with nearer hands joined with partner.

13 – 16 st and 2nd couples dance right hands across once round to finish beside partner facing up in promenade hold.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

Repeat from new places.

Music: Any good hornpipe |

Note: Devised by Iain Boyd on Tuesday, July 24th, 1969 while cycling home after taking the Upper Hutt Methodist Girls’ Brigade Group. “I devised the dance as I needed something with setting plus a new formation other than rights and lefts which the group had already done in square dancing.” I.B.