Category Archives: Ardbrae

Dances taught for the Ardbrae Intermediate Class

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Dances for September 29, 2025

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: A Glasgow Welcome

A Glasgow Welcome
Glasgow Branch 100th Anniversary
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross down one place, cast off behind 3rd couple and dance up to finish back to back in the middle in second place facing opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

9 – 16 ‘Rotating double triangles’
9 – 10 1st couple with their 1st and 2nd corners, set in double triangles position.
11 – 12 1st couple set moving round back to back three quarters clockwise, to finish with the man in the middle, facing up, and the woman in the middle, facing down. At the same time, corners dance a petronella turn one corner position anticlockwise.
13 – 14 1st couple with 1st and 2nd corners, set in crown triangles position.
15 – 16 1st couple set moving round back to back clockwise, pulling back by the right to finish, woman in the middle of first place facing the women’s side, man in the middle of third place facing the men’s side. At the same time, corners dance a petronella turn one corner position anticlockwise.

17 – 24 1st woman with 3rd couple and 1st man with 2nd couple dance reels of three across the set. 1st woman and 3rd man, and 1st man and 2nd woman pass by the right to begin. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides.

25 – 28 1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across once round.

29 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance clockwise halfway round the set to own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Niall Bootland.

Video: The Fiddler’s Wife

The Fiddler’s Wife
Barb Anglin
(32 bar strathspey for three couples)

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

5 – 8 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

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

17 – 20 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 3rd couple.

21 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with the right hand once round to finish in promenade hold, in the middle, facing up.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Minister kissed the fiddler’s wife,
An’ could na preach for thinkin’ o’t.
Robert Burns – My Love she’s but a Lassie yet

Video: The Sailor

The Sailor
RSCDS Book 24
32-bar hornpipe for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 2 1st couple, giving right hands, cross down, 1st woman to face 2nd and 3rd men, 1st man to face 2nd and 3rd women. 2nd couple step up.

3 – 4 1st woman with 2nd and 3rd men and 1st man with 2nd and 3rd women, joining nearer hands, set. (Fig.)

5 – 8 1st woman casts up round 2nd man to finish between 2nd couple, all facing down; 1st man casts down round 3rd woman to finish between 3rd couple, all facing up. All set in lines of three across.

9 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the set. To begin, 1st woman and 2nd man, 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the right. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle (two steps) and up, cross at the top and cast off one place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Collected by Miss Jenny MacLachlin.
Original tune: The Davy Hornpipe (Traditional)

TACNotes:’
3-4 Note Fig. – not a double triangles position.
5-8 Cast – not a right hand turn with 2nd man and 3rd woman.

Dances for September 22, 2025

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video The Fiddler’s Wife

The Fiddler’s Wife
(32 bar strathspey for three couples)

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

5 – 8 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

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

17 – 20 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 3rd couple.

21 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with the right hand once round to finish in promenade hold, in the middle, facing up.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Minister kissed the fiddler’s wife,
An’ could na preach for thinkin’ o’t.
Robert Burns – My Love she’s but a Lassie yet

Manuscript Leaflet

Video: The Greenbelt Jig

The Greenbelt Jig
Elaine Brunken, Moments int Time
32 Bar Jig for 3 couples

1 – 6 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ladies Dance around their partners passing Right shoulder, and dance back to place.
7 – 8 1st, 2nd, and 3 couples Cross over giving Right Hands. (All are on opposite sides)

9 – 14 1st, 2nd, and 3″ men Dance around their partners passing Right shoulder, and dance back to place (Opposite sides).
15 – 16 1st, 2nd, and 3rd couples Cross over giving Right Hands. (1st couple remain facing out)

17 – 24 1st couple Cast off 2 places, join nearer hands and Dance up the middle, and Cast off to 2nd place.
17 – 19 cast 2 places (2nd couple step up on 17&18)
20 – 22 dance up the middle
23 – 24 cast to 2 place

25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3 couples Advance and Retire.
29 – 32 2nd 1st and 3rd couples Turn by the Right Hand.

At the end of 2 repetition 1st couple finish in 3rd place and step to the bottom The new 3rd lady dances up from the bottom. 3 man steps up on bars 1-2

Repeat having passed a couple

Devised in March 2010 at the St. Columba’s Class in Greenbelt, Maryland. It’s an easy wee jig for all levels and a good warm up dance.

Easily adapts to a 2 couple dance: 1-16 and 25-32 done by 1st and 2nd couple. Bars 17-24 1st couple cast off one place in 4 bars (dance in for one and out for one, then cast for 2), dance up to the top, and cast into 2™ place. (2™ couple step up on 19 & 20)

Suggested Tune: Ride the Wind (Tatsu-Do) (Muriel Johnstone)

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. See Figure 2.

17 – 18 First couple turn first corners with the right hand to change places, corners finishing back to back facing first couple. See Figure 3.
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. See Figure 4.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dances for September 15, 2025

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Fall 2025

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Come What May

Come What May
Romaine Butterfield, RSCDS Book 51
32-bar jig for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman advance and retire.

5 – 8 1st man and 2nd woman dance back to back.

9 – 16 1st woman and 2nd man repeat bars 1-8.

17 – 20 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.

21 – 24 2nd couple repeat bars 17-20. 1st couple step up on bars 23-24.

25 – 28 1st and 2nd couples, joining hands on the sides, advance and retire.

29 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Romaine Butterfield, New Zealand Branch, May 2010.

This dance was devised on 1st May 2010 – hence the choice of title.

Video: Monymusk

Monymusk
RSCDS Book 11
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round and cast off one place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one-and-a-quarter times to finish 1st woman between the 2nd couple facing down, and 1st man between the 3rd couple, facing up.

9 – 12 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple set twice. On bars 11-12, 1st couple turn to the right into second place on opposite sides.

13 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set twice.

17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.

25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st woman passes 3rd man and 1st man passes 2nd woman by the right to begin.

31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to second place, own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Francis Werner: Book XVIII for the year 1785 as Mony Musk.
Original tune: Monymusk (Joshua Campbell’s Collection, 1788)
Composed by Daniel Dow and called by him Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk’s Reel.

TACNotes:’
11-12 1st cpl petronella turn to sidelines, assisted by 2nd man & 3rd woman.

Video: Flowers of Edinburgh

Flowers of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 1
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 April 28, 2025

8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2025, Dance Season, Uncategorized

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Katherine Hamilton

Katherine Hamilton
Delaware Valley Gold
a 32-bar Strathspey for 3 couples ina 4-couple set

1 – 4 1st couple turn once by the right hand, then cast off one place.

5 – 8 1st couple turn 1 1/2 times by the left hand, finishing in 2nd place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

9 – 16 2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples dance set & link. Repeat. Order is now 3x, 1, 2x.

17 – 18 3rd, 1st, and 2nd couples cross by the right hand.

19 – 20 1st couple cast to their right while supporting dancers advance for one bar and retire for one bar on the diagonal to finish in lines of three across the dance, 1st man between 2nd couple facing up, 1st woman between 3:4 couple facing down.

21 – 22 All change places up and down by the left hand.

23 – 24 1st couple cast to their left while Supporting dancers advance for one bar and retire for one bar on the diagonal. Order is now 2, 1, 3.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples poussette right round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devisor: Kate Nealley, née Katherine Hamilton Prahl, 2019

Music: Katherine Hamilton, by Dave Wiesler
For Kate Neailey.

Video: The Royal Deeside Railway

The Royal Deeside Railway (Reel)
RSCDS Book 40

1 – 4 1st couple, without giving hands, dance down, cross below 3rd couple and cast up to finish in the middle of the set facing 2nd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st couple and 2nd woman dance right hands across once round.

9 – 12 1st couple and 2nd man dance left hands across once round. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set facing up, with the woman in front of the man.

13 – 16 With 1st woman leading, 1st couple dance up and cast off on own sides round 2nd couple to finish in the middle of the set facing 3rd man.

17 – 20 1st couple and 3rd man dance right hands across once round.

21 – 24 1st couple and 3rd woman dance left hands across once round. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set facing down, with the woman in front of the man.

25 – 28 With 1st woman leading, 1st couple dance down and cast up on own sides round 3rd couple to second place.

29 – 32 All three couples turn with the right hand once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised in 1987 by Ron Arrowsmith, Vancouver for the Kerrisdale Community Centre Scottish Country Dance Class.
Tune: On the Fiddle (Copyright J. Hornsby)

TACNotes:’
5–12 1st woman is ahead of her partner in both ‘wheels’. 1st cpl finish in middle below 2nd cpl – approximately at 2nd position.
17–24 1st woman is again ahead of partner in both ‘wheels’, 1st cpl finish in middle at 2nd place, above 3rd cpl.

Dances for April 14, 2025

8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2025, Dance Season

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

3x32 Strathspeys, 8x32 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2025, Dance Season, Reels, Strathspeys, Uncategorized

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

4x24 Reels, 8x24 Reels, 8x32 Jigs, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2025, Uncategorized

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

4x32 Strathspeys, 8x32 Jigs, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 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

3x32 Strathspeys, 8x32 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 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

8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 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