Category Archives: Ardbrae

Dances taught for the Ardbrae Intermediate Class

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Dances for April 14, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: City of Stirling Reel

City of Stirling Reel
RSCDS Book 53
A 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a pick-up chain (snowball chain).
1 – 2 1st and 2nd couples giving right hands, change places on the side.
3 – 4 2nd couple giving left hands cross and face down while 1st and 3rd couples giving left hands, change places on the side.
5 – 6 2nd and 3rd couples giving right hands, change places on the side, while 1st couple giving right hands cross and face up.
7 – 8 3rd couple giving left hands cross while 2nd and 1st couples giving left hands, change places on the side, finishing in the order 3, 1, 2, all on opposite sides. 1st woman omits the polite turn on bars 7 – 8.

9 – 10 1st couple cross to own sides passing by the right and face out.
11 – 12 1st couple and dancers in partner’s first corner positions giving right hands turn halfway and 1st couple face each other on the diagonal.
13 – 14 1st couple followed by the corners pass by the left on the diagonal as they dance across to the opposite side.
15 – 16 1st couple cast into 2nd place on opposite sides, the corners finish in their original positions.

17 – 18 1st couple cross to own sides, passing by the left and face out.
19 – 20 1st couple and dancers in partner’s second corner positions giving left hands turn halfway and 1st couple face each other on the diagonal.
21 – 22 1st couple followed by the corners pass by the right on the diagonal as they dance across to the opposite side.
23 – 24 1st couple cast into 2nd place on opposite sides, the corners finish in their original positions.

25 – 28 All three couples giving right hands turn.
29 – 32 1st couple dance half figures of eight, Ist woman up through the 2nd couple and 1st man down through the 3rd couple, to finish in 2nd place on own side.

Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch, 2006.


Video: Cuillins of Skye

Cuillins of Skye
RSCDS FOUR SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES, 1978
(Strathspey)

1 – 2 1st couple cross over giving right hands, while 2nd and 3rd women change places giving left hands and 2nd and 3rd men change places giving right hands, ready for

3 – 8 Reels of 3 on side lines, 1st couple begin by dancing out and down, 3rd couple in and up, 2nd couple out and up.

9 – 10 1st couple cast off one place on opposite side. 3rd couple (now in 2nd place) dance up to the top giving nearer hands.

11 – 14 1st woman crosses up between 3rd couple and casts down into 2nd place, while 1st man crosses down between 2nd couple and casts up into 2nd place on own sides.

15 – 16 1st couple turn each other with left hands 1¼ times ready for

17 – 20 Right hands across, 1st man with 2nd and 1st woman with 3rd couple. All finish on side lines.

21 – 24 Left hands across, 1st man with 3rd and 1st woman with 2nd couple.

25 – 32 Third, first and second couples dance the Knot.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The phrasing for THE KNOT for THREE COUPLES is as follows:

1 – 2 All 3 couples turn partners ½ way round with right hands to finish in the centre, facing down, the women turning clockwise under partner’s arm to allemande position. (Fig.1)

3 – 5 2nd couple followed by 1st and 3rd couples dance up the women’s side of the dance. (Fig. 2)

6 – 8 All couples turn partners with left hands to own sides.

Devised by Roy Goldring 1977

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
3-8 On bar 8, 2nd & 3rd cpls must remember to finish the reel where they started it.

Dances for April 7, 2025

Ardbrae Dancer of Ottawa

Video: The Cumbrae Reel

The Cumbrae Reel
RSCDS Book 28
32 Bar Reel for 3 couples


1- 8 1s+2s dance ½ R&L, 2s cross RH while 1s dance up to top to form a line of 4 across facing up, 1s+2s set & turn right to face down

9-16 1s+2s dance down in line, turning right about dance back to top 1s ending back-to-back facing in the middle

17-24 1s+2s dance RSh reel of 4 across & 1s end facing 1st corners

25-32 1s turn 1st corners RH, turn partner LH, turn 2nd corners RH & turn partners LH to 2nd place own sides

Tac Notes:
5-6 2nd C cross Rh & 2nd W pulls RSh back to face up, as 1st C approach partner to take nearer hands & dance up.

Manual:
5-6 2nd C give RH in crossing, then 2nd W pulls back RSh to face up on bar 6
9-16 bar 12, all 4 dancers turn round by their right to face up


Video: Jean Martin of Aberdeen

Jean Martin of Aberdeen
RSCDS Three Dances, 2006
(32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple set)

1 – 4 1st couple turn with the right hand and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 All three couples dance six hands round to the left, to finish in lines of three across the dance, women facing down, men facing up.

9 – 12 All set and, giving right hand, change places with partner.

13 – 16 All three couples dance six hands round to the left, to finish in the centre of the dance facing up in the order 3, 1, 2.

17 – 24 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande to finish in the order 2, 1, 3.

25 – 28 1st man and 3rd woman, advancing, set to each other and turn three quarters with both hands. On bar 28, they release hands and turn right about to finish back to back in the centre, man facing down, woman facing up. At the same time 1st woman and 3rd man dance anticlockwise round 1st man and 3rd woman to finish facing partner in a line up and down the dance.

29 – 32 1st and 3rd couples set to partners and turn with both hands to finish on own sides in the order 2, 3, 1.

Repeat with a new top couple.

Note: The figure described in bars 25-32 was devised by the late Robert Campbell of Toronto and is sometimes referred to as a ‘bourrel’.

Devised by: Muriel A Johnstone
Original Tune: Jean Martin of Aberdeen (Muriel A Johnstone)

For Jean Martin, Chairman of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, 2002-2004. The tune was an auction item at Pinewoods Scottish Week, 2004 when the successful bidders presented the tune to Jean.

Dances for March 31, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Sunshine and Sweetie’s Jig

Sunshine and Sweetie’s Jig
RSCDS Book 48
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

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

5 – 8 2nd and 1st couples set and, giving right hands, cross over.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners, giving right hands, turn once round. 1st couple finish facing first corners.

13 – 16 1st couple and first corners dance a half diagonal reel of four. On bars 15-16, 1st man, from third place, crosses up to second place on own side and 1st woman, from first place, crosses down to second place on own side.

17 – 20 1st couple and second corners, giving left hands, turn once round. 1st couple finish facing second corners.

21 – 24 1st couple and second corners dance a half diagonal reel of four, passing by the left to begin. On bars 23-24, 1st man, from first place crosses down to second place on own side and 1st woman, from third place, crosses up to second place on own side.

25 – 28 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance anticlockwise halfway round the set to finish on the sides in the order 2, 1,3.

29 – 32 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Mervyn Short, Berks/Hants/Surrey Border Branch.

To celebrate the arrival of the pandas at Edinburgh Zoo in December 2011.


Video: The Triumph

The Triumph
RSCDS Book 1
24-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st man leads 1st woman down the middle and up and passes his partner in front of him to present her to 2nd man.

9 – 12 2nd man and 1st woman, with nearer hands joined, dance down the middle, 1st man following. 1st woman turns round by the right retaining the 2nd man’s left hand in her right hand. She crosses her arms, giving her left hand to her partner. 1st man with his left hand takes the 2nd man’s right hand and raises them as high as possible behind 1st woman’s head.

13 – 16 1st woman with 1st and 2nd men dances up the middle in triumph. 2nd man returns to original place and 1st couple finish in the middle of the set on opposite sides with both hands joined.

17 – 24 1st couple poussette to the bottom of the set. 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 23-24.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Manual of Scottish County Dancing:
Poussette for one couple
This formation is danced by one couple within the set, and is found in The Triumph (Book 1 No.2). 1st couple start in the middle at the top and on opposite sides. At each turn, the man pulls with his right hand.
Steps 8 setting steps
No of bars 8
Bars
1 1st couple quarter turn to face up and down,
2 progress down the middle,
3 quarter turn,
4 quarter turn,
5 progress down the middle,
6 progress and start turning,
7 turn to own sides,
8 dance backwards to own sidelines.

Dances for March 24, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Rendez-vous à Vichy

Rendez-vous à Vichy
The Paris Book of Scottish Country Dances, Vol. 1
A 32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, turn one and a half times to opposite sides.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set and link, women finishing facing out.

9 – 16 2nd and 1st couples dance a men’s chain.

17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st and 3rd couples pass by the left to begin. 1st couple finish facing first corners, 1st man pulling back by the right at the end of the reel.

25 – 32 1st couple set to corners and partner, finishing in second place on own sides. All clap on bar 31.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Aliénor Latour to celebrate the Vichy dance weekend, Easter 2016, organized by the Paris Branch.

Music by Pascaline Latour.


Video: The Water of Leith

The Water of Leith
RSCDS Book 53
A 32-bar strathspey for four couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 2 1st and 3rd couples set to partner.

3 – 6 1st woman dances down between second couple and casts up round 2nd man into the middle of the set facing down as Ist man dances across, casts round 2nd woman into the middle of the set facing up. At the same time, 3rd couple dance the same figure round the 4th couple.

7 – 8 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hand, change places to finish in a line in the middle of the dance, 1st and 3rd men facing down, 1st and 3rd women facing up.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance a reel of four in the middle of the set.

17 – 20 1st and 2nd couples, also 3rd and 4th couples dance right hands across.

21 – 24 1st man followed by 1st woman casts off round 2nd woman and dances across the set to 2nd place own side, 1st woman finishes in 2nd place own side. At the same time, 3rd couple dance the same figure round the 4th couple. 2nd and 4th couples step up on bars 23 – 24.

25 – 32 1st and 4th couples dance the espagnole.

Finish in order 2, 4, 1, 3.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by John Wilkinson, Edinburgh Branch.

As Chairman of the RSCDS, in 2013 John presented Queen Elizabeth II with a personal copy
of the Diamond Jubilee Collection, a limited edition of specially devised Scottish country dances to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. John was Chairman of the Society from 2012 to 2014.

Dances for March 17, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Montréal Rendezvous

Montréal Rendezvous
Montréal Moments
A 32 bar reel for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple dances down the middle to 3rd place with nearer hands joined and turns the 3rd couple with outside hands (men with right hands, women with left) to finish in 2nd place (2nd couple steps up on bars 3 and 4). Dancing couple then crosses over passing right shoulders and turns the 2nd couple (1st man turns 2nd lady with left hand and 1st woman turns 2nd man with right hand) to meet at the top of the set with nearer hands joined.

9 – 16 1st couple dances down the middle to 3rd place, and turns the 3rd couple with outside hands (1st man turns 3rd woman with left hands and 1st woman turns 3rd man with right hands) to finish in second place. Dancing couple then crosses over passing right shoulders and turns the 2nd couple (men with right hands, women with left) to end in original places.

17 – 20 1st couple sets and casts into 2nd place on own sides. 2nd couple steps up on bars 19 and 20.

21 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Written by G. Dale Birdsall for the 50th Anniversary of the Montréal Branch.

Music: Monozygotic Phenomenon (Laura Risk)


Video: The Orchards of Co. Armagh

The Orchards of Co. Armagh
Belfast Branch Platinum Anniversary Dances
RSCDS BELFAST BRANCH
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 6 All three couples chase clockwise, in a rectangular shape, halfway round to finish on opposite sides and set.

7 – 8 3rd and 1st couples giving right hands turn three quarters to finish in a line up and down the middle, men facing down.

9 – 12 3rd and 1st couples dance a half reel of four, 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the left to face 2nd couple across the dance, 1st man facing 2nd man, and 3rd woman facing 2nd woman. 1st woman and 3rd man remain in the middle at the top and bottom of the set. Fig 1.

13 – 16 1st man and 3rd woman and 2nd couple dance a half reel of four across the dance, 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the left to face partners up and down the set. Fig 2.

17 – 20 1st and 3rd couples dance a half reel of four, 1st man and 3rd woman again passing by the left to face own partners.

21 – 24 3rd and 1st couples set and petronella turn to finish on own sides in the order 3, 2, 1.

25 – 28 2nd couple followed by 1st couple dance up to the top and cast off round 3rd couple to finish in third place, 1st couple finish in second place.

29 – 32 All three couples giving both hands turn partners once round finishing in the order 3, 1, 2.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Jinty Anderson
The dance was inspired by the rows of orchards in Portadown.

Dances for March 10, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: THE IRISH ROVER

THE IRISH ROVER
TWENTY-TWO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by James B. Cosh and TWO OTHERS
(Reel – 32 Bars)

1 – 8 First couple lead through third couple, cast up one place on own side; first woman wheel right hand with second couple, first man wheel right hand with third couple.

9 – 12 First couple dance half reels of four with first corners, then

13 – 16 half reels of four with second corners. At end of reels first couple turn left hand in centre ready to

17 – 24 give left shoulders to person in first corner’s position for two reels of three across the dance. First couple finish in second place, own side.

25 – 26 First couple change places with person in their first corner’s position (i.e. first lady right hand to third lady and first man right hand to second man).

27 – 28 Change left hands on sides; first lady with second man, first man with third lady. (First corners now back in original places.)

29 – 30 First lady changes places, giving right hand to third man (in second lady’s position), while first man changes places, giving right hand to second lady (in third man’s position).

31 – 32 First and second ladies and first and third men change places, giving left hands on own side of the dance.The order is now 2, 1, 3, 4.

Repeat from second place.

Tune – “The Irish Rover”


Video: Charles Stuart

Charles Stuart
Miss Milligan’s Miscellany of Scottish Country Dances
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over, cast off below 3rd couple, lead up the middle and cross to original places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up and cast off one place to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 15-16.

17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand, partner with the left hand, second corners with the right hand and, giving left hand to partner, cross over to second place on own sides.

25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance one step and retire one step twice.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving both hands, turn partners once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Ladies’ Pocket Book, 1794.
Customary tune: any strathspey

Dances for March 3, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

No Video

The Archivist
Emily Porter, Ardbrae Celebrates 60 Years
A 32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1 – 8 1st, 2nd, and 3nd couples dance 3-couple set and rotate as follows: All three couples set and cast to finish in lines of 3 across the dance, men facing down, women up. All change places right hands with the dancer opposite. All chase clockwise one place on to finish on the sidelines in order 3,2,1 with 1st man facing out.

9 – 12 1st man casts up behind the men’s line and down in front of 3rd man to finish in 2nd place facing out and down, while 1st woman dances up the middle and casts off around 3rd woman to finish in 2nd place facing in and down. 2nd couple step down on bars 11–12. Dancers in order 3,1,2

13 – 16 1st couple dance a half reel of three on the sides, giving a left shoulder to 2nd couple to begin. Dancers dance straight into place – 1st man and 3rd woman pull back a right shoulder at the end of the reel to face in, 2nd woman pulls back a left shoulder. Dancers in order 2,1,3

17 – 20 Starting from the sidelines and passing each other by the right shoulder to begin, 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with their 1st corners, the corners turn giving both hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder to face their 2nd corners.

21 – 24 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with their 2nd corners, the corners turn giving both hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder to 2nd place on their own sides.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance a poussette right round. Finish in order 2,1,3

Repeat having passed a couple

At the end of second repetition for each dancing couple, the following alternate ending may be danced:
31 – 32 2nd couple finish the poussette as normal. 1st couple finish bar 31 in the centre facing down with nearer hands joined. On bar 32, 1st couple down to 4th place. 3rd couple dance up the sidelines (2 bars) to finish ready to begin the 3-couple set and rotate with a new top couple.

Suggested music: The Quaich (Many Happy Returns – Hanneke Cassel and Dave Wiesler)

In memory of Elaine Hoag, an archivist both professionally, with Library and Archives Canada, and in her dancing life with the Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa. With our mutual love of the strathspey poussette and covering opportunities, it’s the kind of strathspey we would have enjoyed dancing together.


Video: Round Reel of Eight

Round Reel of Eight
RSCDS Book 27
88-bar reel for four couples in a square set

1 – 8 All four women pull back by the right and dance clockwise round the outside of the set back to original places.

9 – 16 All four men pull back by the left and dance anticlockwise round the outside of the set back to original places.

17 – 32 All four couples dance a grand chain halfway in six steps, set to partner then continue the grand chain to original places in six steps and set to partner.

33 – 35 1st and 3rd couples change places. 1st couple, giving nearer hands, dance between 3rd couple.

36 – 38 3rd and 1st couples change places. 3rd couple, giving nearer hands, dance between 1st couple.

39 – 40 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn into allemande hold.

41 – 48 1st and 3rd couples dance anticlockwise round the inside of the set to original places.

49 – 64 2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 33-48. On bars 49-51, 2nd couple dance between 4th couple and on bars 52-54, 4th couple dance between 2nd couple.

65 – 68 1st and 3rd couples dance half rights and lefts.

69 – 72 2nd and 4th couples dance half rights and lefts.

73 – 76 1st and 3rd couples dance half rights and lefts.

77 – 80 2nd and 4th couples dance half rights and lefts.

81 – 88 All four couples dance eight hands round and back.

Original tune: Mrs Anderson’s Reel (Robert Mackintosh, A 3rd Book of 68 New Strathspey Reels, 1796).

Dances for February 24, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

No Video

Goodness Gracious Grasshopper
Forty Years On – RSCDS Pretoria Branch
40 bar Reel for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple, followed by 2nd and 3rd couples, dance down the centre with nearer hands joined for 4 steps. 3rd couple, followed by 2nd and 1st couples, dance up the centre crossing over to finish on opposite sides in the order 3, 2, 1
as they turn on bar 5, retaining hands, the men dance below their partners while the women dance under the arch made by their joined hands.

9 – 16 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples set and link twice, to finish in their original places.

17 – 24 1st couple set, cross over giving right hands, cast off into 2nd place and set advancing, passing left shoulder, to finish back to back in the centre facing own sides.
2nd couple step up on bars 21-22.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles. On bars 31-32 1st couple dance a petronella turn to the right to finish with 1st woman between 2nd couple facing 2nd woman and 1st man between 3rd couple facing 3rd man.

33 – 38 1st woman and 2nd couple as well as 1st man and 3rd couple dance right shoulder reels of three across the dance.

39 – 40 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Ryan Nelson, 2012.

At night my son Duncan always wants me to dance with him. When I showed him how to dance for the first time, he exclaimed: “Goodness Gracious Grasshopper!” over and over again while dancing with me. Good Gracious Grasshopper is a character in the animated DVD “The Easter Egg Escapade”, which he had watched two dozen times or more.

I dedicate this dance to Duncan as he is my pride and joy and [am sure he will join me in dancing class in the not-too-distant future.|


Video: Charles Stuart

Charles Stuart
Miss Milligan’s Miscellany of Scottish Country Dances
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over, cast off below 3rd couple, lead up the middle and cross to original places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up and cast off one place to face first corners.2nd couple step up on bars 15-16.

17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand, partner with the left hand, second corners with the right hand and, giving left hand to partner, cross over to second place on own sides.

25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance one step and retire one step twice.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving both hands, turn partners once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Ladies’ Pocket Book, 1794.
Customary tune: any strathspey

Dances for February 16, 2025

Ottawa Workshop Session

Video: The Engine Room

The Engine Room
The San Andreas Collection
32 bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and mirror reels of three on sides; on bar one, all join hands, on bar two, drop hands to face the direction to start the mirror reels, 1st couple in and down, 2nd couple out and up, 3rd couple in and up

9 – 16 1st couple back to back, cast off one place as 2nd couple step up, and cross with RIGHT hands to face out

17 – 20 1st couple dance around 1st corners, pull back RIGHT shoulders to end back to back, 1st woman facing up, 1st man facing down while: 1st corners dance back to back on the diagonal

21 – 24 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance half double triangles up and down (corners set 4 bars)

25 – 28 1st couple dance around 2nd corners, pull back RIGHT shoulders to end back to back facing opposite sides while: 2nd corners dance back to back on the diagonal

29 – 32 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance half double triangles; 1st couple finish on own sides second place (corners set 4 bars)

Repeat having passed a couple

Note: On Bars 31-32 of the second repetition, 1st couple finish the half double triangles by dancing to the bottom of the set as 3 couple moves up with pas de basque

Devisor: Ron Wallace and Gary Thomas, 2007

Music: “The Engine Room” by Muriel Johnstone, To Dance To 1

This dance was written for Muriel Johnstone for the occasion of her 60″ birthday, and presented to her at the Santa Rosa Class’s annual Beginners Ball.


No Video

The Slopes Of Hlidarendi
Bob McMurtry, The Devil’s Quandry
32 bar Strathspey for 3 couple set – 2002

1 – 2 No hands joined, all three couples half set on the right foot and advance with left foot one step on the diagonal toward partner. (Fig. 1 & 2, page 45).

3 – 4 All retire diagonally, one step, with right foot and half set with left on the sides, to original places.

5 – 8 All couples turn once round with both hands.

9 – 12 With hands joined, all set and circle six hands round half way.

13 – 16 Men making an arch, dance back to own sides and set, while women dance under the arches passing right shoulders with partner to own side and set. First part of setting step is done facing out and then pulling back right shoulder to face in (Fig. 3, page 45).

17 – 24 All dance the Rosette**

25 – 28 Dance a half right shoulder reel of three on the sides, 1st man pulling back right shoulder and passing same to begin, while 3rd woman do likewise (Fig. 4, page 45).

29 – 32 1st and 2nd couple set and link, ready to begin the dance from new positions.

Dance Notes: I have given the figure in the first 4 bars the name “Ha,” which is Icelandic for “what?”
On bar 15, men retain hands briefly, releasing on bar 16 as they pull back right shoulders. Women can take hands on bar 15, also releasing on bar 16. Bars 25-28 are reels as in Waverly.

Music: Hallgerd the Beautiful by Bob McMurtry

** Rosette: All set at the sides. Turn partners half way by the right hand, facing partner, retaining hands briefly. Pulling back right shoulders, all dance clockwise back to own sides. Figure devised by John Drewry.

Note: A dance for Elizabeth and John of the Stanford Class, California. Elizabeth suggested the title from the Nja’s Saga, when the hero Gunnar says, “Never have the slopes of Hlidarendi seemed so fair to me. I shall stay and not go into exile, come what may.” Hlidarendi is pronounced Hleether-endce.


Video: The Milngavie Maestro

The Milngavie Maestro
The Diack Dances
Devised by Gary Coull
(Milngavie is pronounced Mil-gai)

32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set and dance right hands across once round. 1st couple cast to 2nd place as 2nd couple dance up to 1st place and face out.

9 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides of the dance, taking nearer hands where possible.
To begin: 2nd couple dance out and down;
1st couple dance in and down;
3rd couple dance out and up.
To finish: 2nd and 3rd couples curve into place and 3rd couple face out.

17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples dance a double figure of eight. To begin: 1st couple dance down, crossing over and 3rd couple dance up on the sides.

25 – 32 1st couple dance up between the 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides. 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round.
Repeat, having passed a couple.


No Video

Silver Darlings
Jean Attwod, Old Wick Castle & 3 more
Reel — 3 Couples — 32 Bars .

1 – 4 1st couple cross giving right hand and cast off 1 place, 2nd couple moving up.

5 – 8 Preparing the net — 1st man and 3rd lady turn once round with the left hand while 1st lady and 3rd man turn with the right, 3rd couple ending facing out.

9 – 16 The net – 1st couple dance “crossing” reel of three with 3rd and 2nd couples, who cast into the reel. (1st couple cross dancing down to 3rd place, cast up, cross dancing up to 2nd place and cast to finish in 2nd place on the wrong side facing up. 2nd and 3rd couples dance the reel on own side.

17 – 20 Hauling in the catch – 1st lady and 2nd man turn once round with the left hand, while 1st man and 2nd lady turn with the right.

21 – 24 1st couple dance half figure of eight round 2nd couple, ending in 2nd place on own side.

25 – 32 Boxing the fish – 1st and 3rd couples dance rights and lefts.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

“Silver darlings” was the nick-name the Scottish fishermen gave to the herring.

Dances for February 10, 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

No Video

High Lonesome House
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples
Craig Williams, December 2024

1 – 8 1st couple dance down the middle, cross over below 3rd couple and cast up to 2nd place. 2nd couple stepping up on bars 3 – 4. 1st man & 3rd woman turn, with the left hand, 1st woman and 3rd man with the right hand, turn once round.

9 – 16 1st couple followed by 2nd couple dance a ½ figure of eight around 3rd couple. 1st couple dancing up to original places. 1st man & 2nd woman turn with the right hand once round, while 1st woman & 2nd man turn with the left hand once round.

17 – 24 1st & 2nd couple Helice,
1-2 1st & 2nd couple ¾ turn partners right hand, to finish in promenade hold, top couple (1st couple) facing men’s side, bottom couple (2nd couple) facing women’s side, forming a line up and down the dance
3-4 1st & 2nd couple promenade ½ way round anticlockwise (not too close together)
5-6 1st & 2nd couple still in promenade hold, turn to finish in middle of set facing partners – 2nd couple above 1st couple, [top couple on own side (2nd couple), bottom couple on opposite side (1st couple)]
7-8 1st & 2nd couple pull back right shoulder and cast into sidelines, 1st couple facing out on opposite sides

25 – 32 Reels of 3 on the sidelines. 1st woman passing right shoulders with 2nd man to begin. 1st man passing right shoulders with 3rd woman to begin. on bar 28 1st couple ½ turn with the left hand to continue the reel on their own side

Back in 1884, William and Mary McWatty and their 7 children, settled on 200 acres near the town of Packenham. They bought their first livestock: 4 cattle, 4 sheep, 2 horses and 1 hog, cleared 50 acres over the ensuing decades and built a working homestead. The land was farmed and logged continuously until 1997 when it was purchased and donated to the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust. The area is now called the High Lonesome Nature Reserve and is slowly being returned to it’s natural state.

Note: The Helice figure is borrowed from the dance A Trip to Ottawa by Malcolm Brown


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Mr Diack’s Measure
The Diack Dances
Devised by Linda Gaul

32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.

9 – 16 1st couple, followed by 2nd couple who dance up to begin, lead down the middle and up. 2nd couple finish at the top and 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17 – 20 1st couple set to first corners then second corners and, pulling back by the right, finish facing each other up and down with 1st woman between 3rd couple and 1st man between 2nd couple.

21 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, turn one and three quarters to finish in second place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.