Category Archives: Ardbrae Fall 2022

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Dances for September 26, 2022

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

Video: The Paisley Weavers

The Paisley Weavers
RSCDS Third Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances

32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set
Two chords: on the second chord, 2nd couple crosses to opposite sides.

1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross down between 2nd couple, cast off one place; giving right hands, cross up between 3rd couple and cast up to original places.

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a grand chain. 1st and 2nd men finish facing out.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance a ladies’ chain.

25 – 28 1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts.

29 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance half rights and lefts.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Derek Haynes, Headquarters Member.
Printed by permission of Maureen Haynes.

The town of Paisley, seven miles west of Glasgow, was well known in the nineteenth century for its production of shawls and threads. The best known design, a twisted teardrop shape, is known as Paisley pattern.

Video: Orpington Caledonians

Orpington Caledonians
RSCDS Book 49
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 2 1st couple set.

3 – 6 1st woman casts off to second place and dances across the set to face out on the men’s side. At the same time, 1st man dances across the set and casts off to second place on the women’s side. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.

7 – 8 1st woman with 3rd man and 1st man with 3rd woman, giving left hands, turn halfway. 1st and 3rd men finish facing out.

9 – 16 3rd and 1st couples dance a ladies’ chain. 1st man finishes facing out.

17 – 20 1st man casts up to second place and dances across the set to face out. At the same time, 1st woman dances across the set and casts up to second place on the women’s side. 3rd couple step down on bars 19 – 20.

21 – 24 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across once round. 1st man and 2nd woman finish facing out.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides, 1st and 3rd couples passing by the left to begin.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by John Brenchley, Western Australia Branch.
The dance was written in 1987 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Orpington and District Caledonian Society.

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: Bohemian Reflections

Bohemian Reflections
RSCDS Book 51
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple lead down two places, cross over below 3rd couple, and cast up to second place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a quarter times to finish in the middle facing own sides.

9 – 12 1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance right hands across. To finish, 1st couple pass by the right shoulder in the middle.

13 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides.

17 – 24 2nd and 1st couples dance a ladies’ chain. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides, 1st man facing out.

25 – 30 1st man, followed by his partner, casts off one place and dances across the set and up behind 3rd man to second place on own side. On the last two bars, 1st woman dances up the middle and into second place on own side, pulling back right shoulder.

31 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, joining hands on the sides, set.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Holger Schuckelt, Central Germany Branch, January 2016.
The dance was inspired by the reflections on the lake behind Průhonice Castle in Bohemia.

Video: The White Cockade

The White Cockade
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.

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 September 19, 2022

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

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

No Video

Flowers of Texas
Let’s All Dance, Too
32/R/3 by Torf, Austin, Texas & Boston Branch

1 – 6 1st woman, followed by 1st man, casts off two places down the women’s side of the set. 1st woman crosses the set below 3rd couple and dances up behind the men’s line to end in 1st man’s place. 1st man dances in below 3rd woman and dances up the middle of the set to end in 1st woman’s place.

7 – 8 1st couple set.

9 – 16 1st couple repeat bars 1-8 with 1st man leading and 1st couple ending in original places.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up and end ready for…

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

Repeat from new places.

Music: “Flowers of Edinburgh”
Note: This dance was devised for use before the poussette is introduced. (T)

No Video: The Penny Reel

The Penny Reel
Jean Attwood, Alexander Book 8
Reel – 3 Couples — 32 Bars.

1 – 4 1st couple set once then turn halfway round with the right hand and face down.

5 – 8 1st couple lead down between 2nd and 3rd couples and cast up to 2nd place on the wrong side, 2nd couple moving up on bars 7 – 8.

9 – 12 Diagonal half rights and lefts ~ 1st and 3rd ladies, 1st and 2nd men crossing, with the right to begin.

13 – 16 Diagonal half rights and lefts ~ 1st lady and 3rd man, 1st man and 2nd lady crossing with the right to begin.

17 – 20 All join hands on the side and set once, then turn partner three-quarter of the way round with the right hand, retaining hold.

21 – 24 All set again and turn partners three-quarters of the way round with the right hand, ending facing up with Allemande hold

25 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance Allemande.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

A Penny Reel was a dance for which one paid an admission charge.

Video: Grey Daylight

Grey Daylight
Let’s All Dance, Too
32/S/2 by Hugh Thurston (1962) Vancouver Branch

1 – 4 1st woman casts off one place and dances across to 2nd man’s place. 1st man follows her by crossing over to her place and casting off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couple circle round…

9 – 12 and back.

13 – 16 1st man casts up one place and dances across to his original place. 1st woman follows him by crossing over to her side and casting up one place. 2nd couple step down on bars 7-8 of the phrase.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up.

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

Repeat from new places.

Music: “Stirling Castle”

Notes: “Grey Daylight” is an alternative name for “Stirling Castle.” Sometimes a dance is composed for no particular purpose; in response to inspiration, let us say. Sometimes a dance is composed to fill a lack. This one is for dancers who want an easy two-couple strathspey of standard length. (HT)

The dance was originally published in The Thistle, a newsletter of Scottish Country Dancing and Allied Subjects, issued by the West Point Grey Scottish Country Dance Club of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada November, 1962. Hugh was a longtime editor of the publication.

Video: The Deil amang the Tailors

The Deil amang the Tailors
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 September 12, 2022

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

Video: Highland Fair

Highland Fair
32 Bar Jig
RSCDS Graded Book

1 – 8 First couple cast off and dance down behind own line for 4 skip change of step, turn outwards and dance four steps back to place.

9 – 16 First and second couples turn partner with right hand and return to place – 4 skip change of step, then repeat, giving left hand.

17 – 24 First couple, followed by second couple, lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step. Second couple, followed by first couple, lead up the middle to finish second couple at top and first couple in second place. (Figs. 1 and 2.)

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

Video: The Ox

The Ox
32/J/2
by Marianna Harvey (1992)
San Francisco Branch

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands round and back.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands across.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and back to 2nd place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4 of the phrase.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples turn partners with right hands, then with left hands.

Repeat from new places.

Music: ‘“Muckin’ o’ Geordie’s Byre”

Note: Here is another modification of “Linton Ploughman” which begins with an “O” and
an “X” and has no poussette.

Video: MacDONALD OF THE ISLES

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

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: 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

No Video

The “Oban” Reel
32/R or S/2
by John Trew
Let’s All Dance, Beginning Level/Audience Participation Dances
compiled by Jo Hamilton & Susie Langdon Kass

1 – 8 1st couple dance a figure of eight around 2nd couple. Dance down and cross to begin.

9 – 16 2nd couple dance a figure of eight round 1st couple. Dance up and cross to begin.

17 – 24 1st couple turn by the right hand and cast off one place on own side (4 bars). 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4 of the phrase. 1st couple turn left hand to place (4 bars).

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

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. Oban is a Scottish town.