Category Archives: Dance Type

Dances by type – reel, strathspey or jig

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Dances for January 30, 2023

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2023

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)

Dances for January 23, 2023

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2023

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)

Dances for January 16, 2023

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2023

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.

Dances for January 9, 2023

3x32 Strathspeys, 8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2023, Uncategorized

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.

Video: The Kissing Gates

The Kissing Gates
A Strathspey for 3 couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts. All finish facing diagonally to the centre, 1st man and 2nd woman having made polite turns.

5 – 6 1st man and 2nd woman set, whilst 1st woman and 2nd man change places diagonally, giving right hands.

7 – 8 1st and 2nd couples chase clockwise one place. 2nd couple are now in top place and 1st couple in second place.

9 – 12 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across once round. 1st man finishes facing out on his own side in second place, ready for:

13 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across once round to finish facing partners across the dance.

17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples repeat bars 1 – 8.

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

Repeat, with a new top couple.

Suggested music:

‘The Silver Star’ recorded by Rob Gordon and his Band, on The Complete Caledonian
Ball, LCOM9007 Track 8.

Dance devised by Ken Jones.

Note: A kissing gate is a gate which allows people to pass through, one at a time, but not livestock. The gate “kisses” the enclosure either side rather than needing to be securely latched. However, some people use the name as an excuse to kiss the following person before letting them through.

Video: Lady Catherine Bruce’s Reel

Lady Catherine Bruce’s Reel
RSCDS Graded Book

1 – 8 First couple lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step and lead up for four. Finish ready for allemande, second couple coming in behind first couple on last bar.
9 – 16 First and second couples allemande to change places.
17 – 24 First couple dance the figure of eight round the second couple who stand still.
25 – 32 First and second couples dance four hands round and back to places – 8 slip steps to left and 8 to right.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

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: The Deil amang the Tailors

The Deil amang the Tailors
RSCDS Book 14 – No. 7
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples set to partners and dance right hands across halfway round.

5 – 8 2nd and 1st couples set to partners and dance left hands across halfway round to original places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.

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

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dale’s Collection of Reels and Dances c. 1799.
Original tune: The Deil amang the Tailors (Gow)

Dances for December 12, 2022 – Ardbrae Christmas Social

3x32 Strathspeys, 88 Reels, 8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, 8x40 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2022

Video: The Bramble Circle

The Bramble Circle
Let’s All Dance
32/R or J/single circle by Elinor M. Vandegrift

All face the center of the circle. Men have their partner on their right.

1 – 8 All circle round and back

9 – 12 All advance (2 steps) and retire (2 steps).

13 – 16 Repeat bars 9-12. Finish facing partner.

17 – 20 Turn partner right hand once round and finish facing the dancer behind (woman face the man who was originally on her right and man face the woman who was originally on his left).

21 – 24 Turn the new partner left hand 1 1/4 times, finishing in promenade hold facing counterclockwise, women on the right of their new partner.

25 – 32 Promenade, finishing in single circle ready to repeat the dance.

Repeat with new couples.

Music: Any good reel or jig 4 times through

Note: Audience participation or 1st night dance. “Written in honour of Seattle’s Bramble Band members who give generously of their time to play for many ‘audience participation’ events.” E.M.V.

Video: A Wee Nothin’

A Wee Nothin’
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.

Suggested tune: Miss Hannah of Elgin

Video: The Birks of Invermay

The Birks of Invermay
Book 16 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman, giving both hands, turn once round.

5 – 8 1st woman and 2nd man, giving both hands, turn once round to places. On bar 8, 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance into the middle of the set to join both hands and face up.

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a promenade.

17 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place, lead up between 2nd couple, cross over to own sides and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Skillern’s compleat Collection of Two Hundred & four Reels and Country Dances c. 1789 as Birks of Endermay.

Original tune: The Birks of Invermay (Surenne)

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: The Braes of Tulliemet

The Braes of Tulliemet
RSCDS Book 7 – No. 12
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

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

5 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off to third place on opposite sides. 3rd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 3rd and 1st couples dance four hands once round to the left.

13 – 16 1st couple dance up to the top and cast off one place to face first corners. 3rd couple step down on bars 15-16.

17 – 24 1st couple set to and turn corners and finish facing first corners.

25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass 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.

A Perthshire dance. Collected in the Borders.

Original tune:
The Braes of Tulliemet (Miss Stewart’s Collection, 1761).

TACNotes:’
9-12 Finish on sidelines.

Video: The Highland Rambler

The Highland Rambler
Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch, Silver Jubilee.
(a 40 bar reel for 3 couples)

1 – 4 1st couple dance towards each other then cast to 2nd place; 2nd couple steps up.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance Right Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.

9 – 12 1st and 2nd couples dance Left Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.

13 – 16 1st lady followed by her partner casts up around 2nd lady and dances down the middle to finish 1st lady between 3rd couple and 1st man between 2nd couple; all facing down.

17 – 24 In lines of three, all dance down the set, turn (pulling back right shoulders) and dance up again; 1st couple remains facing up.

25 – 28 1st man followed by his partner casts off one place on the ladies’ side and dances across the set to 2nd place on his own side; 1st lady finishes on her own side.

29 – 32 1st couple turns by the Right Hand.

33 – 40 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance Six Hands Round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: The Findlay’s Jig

The Findlay’s Jig
14 Social Dances for 2000, devised by Roy Goldring
32 bar jig for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and back finishing at the top in the centre.2nd and 3rd couples step in on bar 8.

9 – 16 3 couple allemande.

17 – 20 1st couple dance in, face down and cast up to the top. 3rd and 2nd couples step down on 19-20.

21 – 24 2nd couple repeat bars 17-20. 1st and 3rd couples step down on bars 23-24.

25 – 32 6 hands round and back.

Repeat having passed a couple

For Faustina and Ian Findlay
Tune: The Groom’s Jig by Ian Findlay

Video: The Piper and the Penguin

The Piper and the Penguin
The Scotia Suite of Scottish Country Dances devised by Roy Goldring
(Reel for Four Couples in a Square Set)

1 – 4 The women dance round their corners, passing in front of them to begin.

5 – 8 The women dance right hands across and remain in the centre.

9 – 12 The women dance round their partners, passing in front of them to begin.

13 – 16 The women dance left hands across and finish in original places.

17 – 32 The men repeat bars 1–16, but dance in front of partners before dancing right hands across, and in front of their corners before dancing left hands across.

33 – 36 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn partners one and a quarter times.

37 – 40 1st man, followed by his partner, dances between 4th couple and cast back to place. Similarly, 3rd couple dance between 2nd couple and cast back to place.

41 – 48 1st and 3rd couple dance rights and lefts.

49 – 64 2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 33–48, 2nd couple dancing between 1st couple and 4th couple dancing between 3rd couple.

65 – 72 The women dance in and pull back right shoulders (2 bars), dance out (2 bars), and cast clockwise half way round the set to opposite woman’s place.

73 – 80 The men repeat bars 65–72, but pull back left shoulders at the end of bar 74, and cast anticlockwise.

81 – 84 All turn partners with the right hand, just over once round, to finish in promenade hold facing anticlockwise.

85 – 88 All promenade halfway round the set. On bar 87, all release right hands and the men lead their partners to original places ready for the bow and curtsey.

Video: MacDONALD OF THE ISLES

MacDONALD OF THE ISLES
The Second Carnforth Collection of Scottish Country Dances devised by Derek Haynes.
Strathspey for three-couple sets

1 – 8 2nd couple dance a diagonal reel of four with first corners. On bar 8 2nd couple dance left shoulder around each other to face second corners, ready to dance into a –

9 – 16 Diagonal reel of four with second corners. All finish on the side lines with 1st woman and 3rd man looping round by their right on bar 16.

HORSESHOE CHAIN aka PICK-UP or SNOWBALL CHAIN

17 – 18 1st couple cross over giving right hands.

19 – 20 1st and 2nd couples change places giving left hands.

21 – 22 2nd couple cross over while 1st and 3rd couples change places on the sides, all giving right hands.

23 – 24 2nd and 3rd couples change places on the sides as 1st couple cross to own sides, all giving left hands.

25 – 28 3rd and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts.

29 – 32 Half figures of eight: 3rd woman crosses down then casts up around 1st woman and 3rd man crosses up then cast off round 2nd man.

Repeat from new places.

Tune: The Smith’s a Gallant Fireman. Recorded on Alastair Hunter’s Lorne Choice, DACD 9716 and also on Deirdre Adamson’s Come Scottish Country Dancing, DACD 9614.

First published on a Glendarroch S.C.D. Sheet in 1966.

Video: The Deil amang the Tailors

The Deil amang the Tailors
RSCDS Book 14 – No. 7
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples set to partners and dance right hands across halfway round.

5 – 8 2nd and 1st couples set to partners and dance left hands across halfway round to original places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.

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

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dale’s Collection of Reels and Dances c. 1799.
Original tune: The Deil amang the Tailors (Gow)

Dances for December 5, 2022

88 Reels, 8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Strathspeys, 8x40 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2022

Video: The Machine Without Horses

The Machine Without Horses
Book 12 – No. 12
32-bar jig 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 and 3rd couples dance right hands across once round.

9 – 12 1st couple set and cast up one place. 2nd couple step down on bars 11-12.

13 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance left hands across once round.

17 – 24 1st couple, followed by 2nd couple who dance up the sides to begin, dance down between 3rd couple cast up round them, dance up to the top, and cast off into second place, while 2nd couple dance up into top place.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

John Rutherford: Twelve Selected Country Dances…for the year 1772.
Original tune: The Machine Without Horses (Rutherford, 1772).

Video: The Birks of Invermay

The Birks of Invermay
RSCDS Book 16 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman, giving both hands, turn once round.

5 – 8 1st woman and 2nd man, giving both hands, turn once round to places. On bar 8, 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance into the middle of the set to join both hands and face up.

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a promenade.

17 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place, lead up between 2nd couple, cross over to own sides and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Skillern’s compleat Collection of Two Hundred & four Reels and Country Dances c. 1789 as Birks of Endermay.

Original tune: The Birks of Invermay (Surenne)

Video: The Piper and the Penguin

The Piper and the Penguin
The Scotia Suite of Scottish Country Dances devised by Roy Goldring
(Reel for Four Couples in a Square Set)

1 – 4 The women dance round their corners, passing in front of them to begin.

5 – 8 The women dance right hands across and remain in the centre.

9 – 12 The women dance round their partners, passing in front of them to begin.

13 – 16 The women dance left hands across and finish in original places.

17 – 32 The men repeat bars 1–16, but dance in front of partners before dancing right hands across, and in front of their corners before dancing left hands across.

33 – 36 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn partners one and a quarter times.

37 – 40 1st man, followed by his partner, dances between 4th couple and cast back to place. Similarly, 3rd couple dance between 2nd couple and cast back to place.

41 – 48 1st and 3rd couple dance rights and lefts.

49 – 64 2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 33–48, 2nd couple dancing between 1st couple and 4th couple dancing between 3rd couple.

65 – 72 The women dance in and pull back right shoulders (2 bars), dance out (2 bars), and cast clockwise half way round the set to opposite woman’s place.

73 – 80 The men repeat bars 65–72, but pull back left shoulders at the end of bar 74, and cast anticlockwise.

81 – 84 All turn partners with the right hand, just over once round, to finish in promenade hold facing anticlockwise.

85 – 88 All promenade halfway round the set. On bar 87, all release right hands and the men lead their partners to original places ready for the bow and curtsey.

Video: The Highland Rambler

The Highland Rambler
Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch, Silver Jubilee.
(a 40 bar reel for 3 couples)

1 – 4 1st couple dance towards each other then cast to 2nd place; 2nd couple steps up.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance Right Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.

9 – 12 1st and 2nd couples dance Left Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.

13 – 16 1st lady followed by her partner casts up around 2nd lady and dances down the middle to finish 1st lady between 3rd couple and 1st man between 2nd couple; all facing down.

17 – 24 In lines of three, all dance down the set, turn (pulling back right shoulders) and dance up again; 1st couple remains facing up.

25 – 28 1st man followed by his partner casts off one place on the ladies’ side and dances across the set to 2nd place on his own side; 1st lady finishes on her own side.

29 – 32 1st couple turns by the Right Hand.

33 – 40 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance Six Hands Round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dances for November 28, 2022

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, 8x40 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2022

Video: Wells House

Wells House
Roy Goldring, Auld Friends Meet, 1981
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples
Bars

1 – 2 1st couple cross down to 2nd place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up.

3 – 4 1st woman and 3rd man, 1st man and 3rd woman, set to each other on the side lines.

5 – 6 1st couple set to each other across the dance.

7 – 8 2nd man and 1st woman, 2nd woman and 1st man, set to each other on the side lines.

9 – 12 2nd and 1st couples dance half figures of eight.
1st couple cross up to begin and 2nd couple dance down to begin.

13 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance half figures of eight.
1st couple cross down to begin and 3rd couple dance up to begin. (All are now on opposite sides).

17 – 20 All three couples petronella to the centre and set, moving slightly to the left on the last step.

21 – 24 2nd woman, followed by 1st and 3rd women, dances across and down own side (finishing in 3rd place) while 3 man, followed by 1st and 2nd men, dances across and up own side (to top place).

25 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance the three couple Knot.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Tune: Miss Margaret Anderson (Muriel Johnstone)

Video: The Button Boy

The Button Boy
The Allanton Collection, 9 New Dances
32 bar Reel

1 – 8 First couple dance reels of three on their own sides first and second men giving right shoulder, first and second ladies giving left shoulder to begin.

9 – 16 First couple dance reels of three on opposite sides, first man giving right shoulder to third lady, first lady giving left shoulder to third man to begin. Second couple finish the reels in first place, first couple in the middle of the set back to back, facing the opposite side.

17 – 24 Double Triangles, first couple finish facing the bottom of the set with nearer hands joined, first man with his partner on his right.

25 – 32 First couple dance down the middle, change sides at the end of bar 28 (lady dancing under her partner’s arm), and back into second place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance devised by Bill Zobel

The nautical flavour of the tune gave rise to the title “The Button Boy”. In the Naval tradition of manning the mast, the button boy is the seaman chosen to climb all the way to the top and stand on the button. This is deemed to be a high accolade.

This tune is a favourite of Bill’s who could also be described as the “button boy” when sitting at the sound desk in our recording studio at Allanton.

Video: Ecclefechan Feline

ECCLEFECHAN FELINE
Le Petit Chat Celtique
32 bar Jig for 3 couples – McMurtry – 2006

1 – 8 1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side. 1st couple dance between the 2nd couple to begin, taking nearer hands briefly wherever possible.

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel of three on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down, 2nd couple up and out and 3rd couple in and up to begin.

17 – 24 1st couple dance down for three steps, back for three steps and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 & 24.

25 – 28 1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across, passing right shoulders on the last bar to change places.

29 – 32 1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance Notes: 1st couple phrase step to finish on the sidelines at the end.

Recommended Recording: Track #8 Just in Time on CD, Campbell’s Birl with Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith

Try to say the title quickly, 3 times in a row.

Video: The Black-Haired Lassie

The Black-Haired Lassie
Let’s All Dance, Too
32/R or S/3
by Carolyn Hunt (1993)
San Francisco Branch

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance mirror reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple dance in and down, 2nd couple dance out and up, and 3rd couple dance in and up.

9 – 12 1st couple cross over with right hands and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4 of the phrase.

13 – 16 1st couple dance a half figure of eight crossing up between 2nd couple to begin.

17 – 20 1st couple turn 1st corners with right hands, then pass partners with right shoulders to approach 2nd corners. Corners use all four steps.

21 – 24 1st couple turn 2nd corners with right hands, then pass partners with right shoulders to own sides of the dance in 2nd place. Corners use all four steps.

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

Repeat from new places.

Music: Any good ree] or strathspey

Note: As a new 1st couple begins at the top, 3rd couple dance up into the reel from 4th place and the former 1st couple step to the bottom.

The black-haired lassie is Julie Osborne, who was in the Stockton beginners’ class. (CH)

Video: The Highland Rambler

The Highland Rambler
Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch, Silver Jubilee.
(a 40 bar reel for 3 couples)

1 – 4 1st couple dance towards each other then cast to 2nd place; 2nd couple steps up.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance Right Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.

9 – 12 1st and 2nd couples dance Left Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.

13 – 16 1st lady followed by her partner casts up around 2nd lady and dances down the middle to finish 1st lady between 3rd couple and 1st man between 2nd couple; all facing down.

17 – 24 In lines of three, all dance down the set, turn (pulling back right shoulders) and dance up again; 1st couple remains facing up.

25 – 28 1st man followed by his partner casts off one place on the ladies’ side and dances across the set to 2nd place on his own side; 1st lady finishes on her own side.

29 – 32 1st couple turns by the Right Hand.

33 – 40 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance Six Hands Round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dances for November 21, 2022

3x32 Strathspeys, 8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2022

No Video

Blue Moon Rendezvous
32 bar jig for 3 couples

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

5-8 1st couple set and turn three quarters round, giving left hands and end in the center, 1st man facing up, 1st woman facing down. Meanwhile, 2nd and 3rd couples turn once round, giving left hands and end facing out on own sides.

9 -16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance left shoulder reels of three on own sides. 1st man passes left shoulder with 2nd man and 1st woman passes left shoulder with 3rd woman to begin. 1st couple finish the reel by dancing towards each other through 2nd place, pulling back right shoulder to end back to back in the center facing own sides. 2nd and 3rd couples dance long loops at end of reels.

17 – 22 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six bars of double triangles.

23 – 24 1st couple, with two pas de basques and staying back to back, dance three quarters round to the right, to end 1st man facing up and 1st woman facing down. 2nd and 3rd couples continue setting.
25 – 28 1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple circle once round to the left (8 slip steps). 1st couple release right hands on 6th step and open out to finish in 2nd place own side. 2nd and 3rd couples retain hands with partners.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples circle once round to the left.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Music: “Linda Henderson of Alamo, California” ©2007 Andy Imbrie

This dance was devised by Fred DeMarse for Linda Henderson, originally from North Berwick, Scotland and currently of Alamo, California on the occasion of her first Scottish Country Dance workshop teaching engagement in Truckee, California on June 30th, 2007, which coincided with an occurrence of a Blue Moon.

No Video

Carol’s Delight
Frances Walduck, The Dancing Brolga Collection, Vol 2
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3 couple longwise set.

1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.

13 – 16 1st couple dance down between the 3 couple and cast up into second place. 2nd couple dance up and face out in top place on bars 15 – 16.

17 – 24 All three couples dance a mirror reels of three on own sides. 1st couple dance in and up; 2nd couple dance out and down and the 3rd couple dance in , face down and cast out and up into the reel. 2nd and 3rd couples dance the long way into place at the end of the reel.

25 -32 2nd, 1st and 3” couples dance the knot.

(Finish 3,1,2.)
Repeat from new positions.

For Carol Aitken to mark a significant birthday.

© Devised by Francis Walduck, Brisbane, Queensland Branch RSCDS, May 2004.
Suggested music: The Silver Star Strathspey, track 8, The Complete Caledonian Ball – Rob Gordon and his Band.

Video: Davy Nick Nack

Davy Nick Nack
GLASGOW ASSEMBLY and other SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by Bob Campbell
A hornpipe for three couples
1 – 4 First, second and third couples cross over giving right hands to finish a little in front
of opposite side lines, and set. See Figure 1.
5 – 8 All cross back to own places, and set.

9 – 16 First couple turn time and a half with the right hand, cast off one place on opposite sides, then turn with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with first corners. Second couple step up on bars 13–14.

17 – 18 First couple turn first corners with the right hand to change places, corners finishing back to back facing first couple.

19 – 20 First couple set to corners in their new position.

21 – 24 First couple turn their first corners back into place with the right hand then turn each other with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with second corners.

25 – 28 The same as bars 17–20 but with second corners.

29 – 32 First couple turn second corners back into place with the right hand then, giving left hands briefly in passing, curve into second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: Ecclefechan Feline

ECCLEFECHAN FELINE
Le Petit Chat Celtique
32 bar Jig for 3 couples – McMurtry – 2006

1 – 8 1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side. 1st couple dance between the 2nd couple to begin, taking nearer hands briefly wherever possible.

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel of three on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down, 2nd couple up and out and 3rd couple in and up to begin.

17 – 24 1st couple dance down for three steps, back for three steps and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 & 24.

25 – 28 1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across, passing right shoulders on the last bar to change places.

29 – 32 1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance Notes: 1st couple phrase step to finish on the sidelines at the end.

Recommended Recording: Track #8 Just in Time on CD, Campbell’s Birl with Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith

Try to say the title quickly, 3 times in a row.

Video: The Button Boy

The Button Boy
The Allanton Collection, 9 New Dances
32 bar Reel

1 – 8 First couple dance reels of three on their own sides first and second men giving right shoulder, first and second ladies giving left shoulder to begin.

9 – 16 First couple dance reels of three on opposite sides, first man giving right shoulder to third lady, first lady giving left shoulder to third man to begin. Second couple finish the reels in first place, first couple in the middle of the set back to back, facing the opposite side.

17 – 24 Double Triangles, first couple finish facing the bottom of the set with nearer hands joined, first man with his partner on his right.

25 – 32 First couple dance down the middle, change sides at the end of bar 28 (lady dancing under her partner’s arm), and back into second place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance devised by Bill Zobel

The nautical flavour of the tune gave rise to the title “The Button Boy”. In the Naval tradition of manning the mast, the button boy is the seaman chosen to climb all the way to the top and stand on the button. This is deemed to be a high accolade.

This tune is a favourite of Bill’s who could also be described as the “button boy” when sitting at the sound desk in our recording studio at Allanton.

Dances for November 14, 2022

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2022, Uncategorized

Video: Miss Gibson’s Strathspey

Miss Gibson’s Strathspey
RSCDS Leaflet – No. 10
(Strathspey)

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set on side lines joining nearer hands, then turn partners with two hands once round, opening out into four hands once
round to the left. Finish in original places.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couple dance the KNOT On the last 2 bars 1st couple turn with left hands to first corners while 2nd couple dance over to own sides, in top place.

17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with right hands, partner with left hands, second corners with right hands, and partner with left hands, finishing ready for,

25 – 28 Right hands across, 1st man with 3rd couple, 1st woman with 2nd couple. 1st couple pass right shoulders into –

29 – 32 Left hands across, 1st man with 2nd couple, 1st woman with 3rd couple, 1st couple finishing in second place.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Derek Haynes, 1979. Inscribed to Miss Muriel Gibson, Secretary R.S.C.D.S.

The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bar 24 1st couple stay in the centre of the set at the end of the left hand turn ready to dance right hands across.
Bar 28 Similarly, 1st couple pass right shoulders in the centre of the set to dance left hands across. They do not
dance out to the sidelines.

TACNotes:’
23-24 1st cpl dance a wide, three-quarter LH turn & flow into RH across on bar 25.
28 As 1st cpl pass R shoulders, 2nd & 3rd cpls turn inwards ready to give left hands. Do not dance out to sidelines.

No Video

The Links o’ Forth
Robert M. Campbell, Glasgow Assembly and other SCDs
Hornpipe for three couples

1 – 8 First and second couples dance “THE KNOT”, first couple to finish facing outon own sides, i.e.,

1 – 2 First and second couples turn partner half way round with the right hand to finish in the centre facing down, the women turning clockwise under their partner’s arm into Allemande position.

3 – 4 Second couple, followed by first couple, curve round and dance up the women’s side, Right hands are released on bar 4, the men passing their partner across in front of them to finish with the women slightly in the lead. See Figure 1.

5 – 8 Both couples turn their partner with the left hand, second couple to finish in top place, first couple to finish facing out on own sides in second place. (As they dance both couples centre their turns in the middle.)

9 – 16 First man and first woman cast round the dancer on their left, meet in the middle to turn once round with the left hand then cast round the dancer on their left to finish on own sides in second place. See Figure 2.

17 – 20 First couple turn their first corners with the right hand and meet in the middle to pass by the right shoulder. First corners dance for the four bars to finish back in place.

21 – 24 Passing by the right shoulder first couple turn second corners with the left hand then dance round each other by the left shoulder to finish facing out on opposite sides. Second corners dance for the four bars to finish back in place.

25 – 32 First couple dance reels of three on opposite sides, first man giving left shoulder to second woman, first woman left shoulder to third man to begin. On bars 31-32 first couple cross over, first man up, first woman down, to finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: There and Back

There and Back
Graded and Social Dances 3 devised by Roy Goldring
32 bar Reel for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st couple, crossing down to begin, dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.

9 – 16 Reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple cross down to 2nd place, 2nd couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and up. 1st couple finish in partner’s place.

17 – 24 Reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple cross down to 2nd place on own side. 1st couple finish in own place.

25 – 28 1st couple dance (nearer hands joined) down between 2nd and 3rd couples, divide and cast up one place. 2nd couple step up one place on bars 27-28.
29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn with right hands.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Tune: Ferguson Frolics (Muriel Johnstone)

Video: The Shetland Shepherdess

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: The Button Boy

The Button Boy
The Allanton Collection, 9 New Dances
32 bar Reel

1 – 8 First couple dance reels of three on their own sides first and second
men giving right shoulder, first and second ladies giving left shoulder
to begin.

9 – 16 First couple dance reels of three on opposite sides, first man giving
right shoulder to third lady, first lady giving left shoulder to third man
to begin. Second couple finish the reels in first place, first couple in
the middle of the set back to back, facing the opposite side.

17 – 24 Double Triangles, first couple finish facing the bottom of the set with
nearer hands joined, first man with his partner on his right.

25 – 32 First couple dance down the middle, change sides at the end of bar 28
(lady dancing under her partner’s arm), and back into second place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance devised by Bill Zobel

The nautical flavour of the tune gave rise to the title “The Button Boy”. In the Naval tradition of manning the mast, the button boy is the seaman chosen to climb all the way to the top and stand on the button. This is deemed to be a high accolade.

This tune is a favourite of Bill’s who could also be described as the “button boy” when sitting at the sound desk in our recording studio at Allanton.

Dances for November 7, 2022

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2022

Video: There and Back

There and Back
Graded and Social Dances 3 devised by Roy Goldring
32 bar Reel for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st couple, crossing down to begin, dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.

9 – 16 Reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple cross down to 2nd place, 2nd couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and up. 1st couple finish in partner’s place.

17 – 24 Reels of three on the sides. To begin, 1st couple cross down to 2nd place on own side. 1st couple finish in own place.

25 – 28 1st couple dance (nearer hands joined) down between 2nd and 3rd couples, divide and cast up one place. 2nd couple step up one place on bars 27-28.
29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn with right hands.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Tune: Ferguson Frolics (Muriel Johnstone)

No Video

The Bonnie White Rose
John Drewry, Bon Accord Book
The title is taken from the poem “Hame Hame Hame”.by Alan Cunningham,

Strathspey +3 couples – 32 bars.

Tune – “Rose among the Heather” played ABAB.

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

5 – 8 1st man dances up between the 2nd couple and casts off to second place on his own side, while 1st lady dances down between the 3rd couple and casts up to 2nd place on her own side.

9 – 12 1st man dances three hands round to the left with 3rd couple, after two steps 3rd man dances out to his partner’s place, while 1st man turns 3rd lady with both hands to finish in second place on the men’s side with 3rd lady in her partner’s place.

1st lady dances similarly with the 2nd couple, after two steps she turns 2nd man with both hands to finish in second place on her own side and second couple finish. on wrong: sides in top place.

13 – 16 1st man dances three hands round,with the 2nd couple, again moving to the left, after two steps 2nd_man dances out-to his own side in top place, while 1st man turns 2nd lady. with both hands so that she finishes in top place and he in second place on the ladies’ side.

1st lady dances similarly with the 3rd couple, turning 3rd man with both hands and finishing in second place on the men's side, while 3rd couple finish in original places,

17 – 20 Joining nearer hands 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set on the sides, then, giving right hands to partners, they cross over to change places.

21 – 22 2nd; 1st and 3rd couples set again on the sides.

23 – 24 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands, cross back to own sides but remain facing outwards.

1st couple turn right round by the right hand and finish in the centre of the dance facing down with right hands still joined.

25 – 32 “Reels of three on the sides with crossing” (See the note at the end of the book).

1st couple lead down crossing over to third place on wrong sides, then Cast up to second place. Giving right hands, they lead up crossing back to own Sides in top place, then cast off to second place.

3rd couple cast up to second place, then giving right hands they lead up crossing over to top place on, wrong sides. They cast off to second place, then giving right hands they lead down crossing back to original places.

2nd couple cast off to second place (allowing 3rd couple to pass in front) then giving right hands they-lead down crossing over to third place on wrong sides. They cast up to second place (again allowing 3rd couple to pass in front), then giving right hands they lead up crossing back to own sides in top place.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Originally I called this dance “Rose among the Heather” then | found that Mr. Iain Boyd of New Zealand had composed a dance with this title, so [ had to think of a new name for my dance, but, of course, the tune stays the same.

“REELS OF THREE ON THE SIDES WITH CROSSING”
This new figure appears in the Strathspeys “The Bonnie White Rose” and “Among the Farthest, Hebrides” (Nos 9 and 13) and in the Jig “Hot Punch” (No 12). It is normally danced with 1st couple in second place, but in the Strathspey No 13 the 1st couple start from top place and progress to second place at the end of the figure

I have called the figure “Reels of three on the sides with crossing” because that seems to be the easiest way to think of it, but no one dances a figure of eight during the reels. 1st man, 2nd man and 3rd lady dance round an oval on a diagonal in a anticlockwise direction, while their partners dance clockwise round a similar oval on the other diagonal

The figure could be called “White Rose Reels’ because “The, Bonnie White Rose” was the first dance containing the figure which I devised.

Video: The Shetland Shepherdess

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: Maple Leaf Rant

Maple Leaf Rant
Devisor Unknown*
Reel – 40 bars – 3 couples

1 – 8 1st couple cross over giving right hands and cast off one place (2nd couple step up on bars 3-4). 1st couple cross over giving left hands, then 1st lady casts up around 2nd lady and 1st man casts down around 3rd man to finish giving left hand to partner and right hand to 1st corner (as for balance in line).

9 – 16 1st couple set with 1st corners, moving on the 2nd bar to join right hands with 2nd corners. They set with 2nd corners, moving on the 4th bar to join right hands with partner’s 1st corner. They set, move again on the 6th bar to join right hands with partner’s 2nd corner, set, and move on the last bar to the point where they began the figure. (Note: This figure is danced with 8 pas de basque steps. On the 1st and succeeding alternate bars the dancing couple are setting in a diagonal balance in line with their corners; on every 2nd bar 1st couple dance a left hand quarter turn as they travel to the next corner diagonal.)

17 – 24 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple begin by giving left shoulder to 2nd corner, and finish facing 1st corner.

25 – 32 1st couple and 1st corners dance a diagonal reel of four. At the end of the reel, instead of passing left shoulders, 1st couple join right hands as they meet and finish together in the centre facing the top, lady on her partner’s left.

33 – 40 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin 1st couple lead up and cross to own sides at the top, 2nd couple dance out and down, and 3rd couple cast up. 1st couple finish in 2nd place ready to repeat the dance.

  • This dance was collected in Carnoustie, Scotland, by Betty Grant. It was written out by a local dancer on a paper towel from the men’s washroom at the Beach Ballroom. The dance was said to have been brought to Glasgow by a Canadian visitor in 1952-53. To date the author is unknown.

Video: The Button Boy

The Button Boy
The Allanton Collection, 9 New Dances
32 bar Reel

1 – 8 First couple dance reels of three on their own sides first and second men giving right shoulder, first and second ladies giving left shoulder to begin.

9 – 16 First couple dance reels of three on opposite sides, first man giving right shoulder to third lady, first lady giving left shoulder to third man to begin. Second couple finish the reels in first place, first couple in the middle of the set back to back, facing the opposite side.

17 – 24 Double Triangles, first couple finish facing the bottom of the set with nearer hands joined, first man with his partner on his right.

25 – 32 First couple dance down the middle, change sides at the end of bar 28 (lady dancing under her partner’s arm), and back into second place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance devised by Bill Zobel

The nautical flavour of the tune gave rise to the title “The Button Boy”. In the Naval tradition of manning the mast, the button boy is the seaman chosen to climb all the way to the top and stand on the button. This is deemed to be a high accolade.

This tune is a favourite of Bill’s who could also be described as the “button boy” when sitting at the sound desk in our recording studio at Allanton.