Category Archives: Ardbrae

Dances taught for the Ardbrae Intermediate Class

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Dances for October 21, 2024

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Strathglass House

Strathglass House
RSCDS Book 13 – No. 9
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and dance six hands round to the left halfway.

5 – 8 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples repeat bars 1-4 to original places, again moving to the left.

9 – 12 1st couple lead down, cross over below 2nd couple and dance behind 3rd couple to meet below them facing up.

13 – 16 1st couple lead up to the top and cast off one place on opposite sides to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 15-16.

17 – 24 1st couple turn first corner with right hand, partner with the left hand, second corner with the right hand, partner with the left hand to finish between corners.

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

29 – 32 1st couple, giving both hands, turn one and a half times to finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

R Bremner: A Second Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances c. 1765.

Original tune: Mr Muir Mackenzie’s Favourite (Mr Sharpe of Hoddom)

TACNotes:’
1 – 8 On second setting step (bars 2 & 6) 1st man & 3rd woman must begin to move into circle shape so that the half circle is completed in two steps (bars 3-4 & 7-8).
13 – 16 Nearer hand lead. 2nd cpl step up on bars 15-16.


No Video

The 27th of October
by Sue McKinnell
8X32 Jig for 3C

1-4 1W, followed by 2W, dance across the set, between 1M and 2M, up behind 1M, across the set and down the women’s side (the women have changed places).
5-8 1C and 2C RH across.
9-12 1M, followed by 2M, dance across the set, between 2W and 1W, up behind 2W, across the set and down the men’s side (the men have changed places).
13-16 2C and 1C LH across. 1C end facing down.
17-24 Parallel reels of three on the sides, 1C passing 3C RS to begin. 1W end facing out.
25-32 1W, followed by 1M, cast off behind 3W, up the center of the set to above 2C. 1C cast off to 2nd place on own sides.
Repeat.

Suggested music is Flights of Fancy from Celebrate 50 Years with the Boston Branch.
Written in honor of Doug Schneider’s 70th Birthday on the 27th of October 2013.


Video: The Montgomeries’ Rant

The Montgomeries’ Rant
RSCDS Book 10 – No. 1

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

1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and 1st woman casts up one place while 1st man casts off one place. 1st woman finishes between 2nd couple facing 2nd man with 1st man between 3rd couple facing 3rd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

9 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the set. 1st woman and 2nd man and 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the right to begin. On bar 16, 1st couple, with nearer hands joined, face 2nd woman.

17 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd woman. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 3rd man and set. 1st couple move round to face 3rd woman and set. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 2nd man and set. 1st couple finish facing second corners.

25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass second corners by the right to begin.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.

Original tune: Lord Eglintoune (John Riddell, c. 1766) but usually danced to Lady Montgomerie (Lord Eglintoune, 1796).

TACNotes:’
17-24 1st woman is on her partner’s left to begin &, on bar 24, turns L about, with assistance from her partner,
to face her second corner.

Dances for October 6, 2024

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Niles Roberts’ Farewell to Pasadena

Niles Roberts’ Farewell to Pasadena
Doug MacDonald, RSCDS Book 53
A 32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, cross and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3–4.

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, cross below 3rd couple and cast up to face first corners in the middle.

9 – 12 1st couple dance a half reel of four on the diagonal with first corners, passing by the right to begin, while second corners, facing diagonally, set twice. 1st couple finish in 2nd position on opposite sides.

13 – 16 All dance half reels of three on the sides. To begin 1st couple pass second corners by the left.

17 – 20 1st couple dance a half reel of four on the diagonal with second corner persons (who are now in first corner positions), passing by the right to begin, while first corner persons, facing diagonally, set twice. 1st couple finish in 2nd position on opposite sides.

21 – 24 All dance half reels of three on the sides. To begin 1st couple pass second corner positions by the left. 1st couple finish in the centre side-by-side ready to give left hands.

25 – 28 1st couple, giving left hands, turn halfway (2 bars) and dance out the ends of the set (man dances up and woman dances down) while 3rd and 2nd couples cross giving right hands with partners and set.

29 – 30 1st couple cast left to second places on own sides while 2nd and 3rd men, and also 2nd and 3rd women change places giving right hands on the side of the set.

31 – 32 Joining hands on the side, all three couples set.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Note: The half reels of bars 9 – 24 alternate between being on the diagonal and on the side. First couple may try to reform the diagonal line at bar 17 but should keep in mind that the following half reel begins passing by the right.

Devised by Doug Macdonald, San Gabriel Valley Branch, 1991.


No Video

The Borussia Strathspey
Duncan Brown, The Bovey Collection
32 bar Strathspey for three couples in a four couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hand, cross down below 3rd couple and cast up one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st couple dance half a figure of eight, 1st woman up through 2nd couple and 1st man down through 3rd couple, finishing by passing each other left shoulder to face 1st corners.

9 – 12 1st couple dance the path of ‘Corners Pass and Turn’, but on bar 12 pull back right shoulders to finish with 1st man facing down and 1st woman facing up. At the same time, 1st corners dance half turn and twirl with right hands to change places.

13 – 16 1st couple repeat bars 9-12 with 4th corners (partner’s 2nd corner person), finishing facing 3rd corner position (own 1st corner person). At the same time, 4th corners dance half turn and twirl with right hands to change places.

17 – 22 1st couple dance ‘Hello-Goodbye’ setting to finish facing up and down the dance.

23 – 24 1st couple dance a petronella turn to 2nd place, opposite sides.

25 – 32 Taking hands, 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance set and link for three, twice.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised for Petra Dolata of Calgary, Canada (formerly of Dortmund, Germany). Petra is one of Borussia Dortmund Football Club’s biggest fans, hence the Borussia in the title

Recommended tune: Beeswing Village (J McNab) Kinpurnie Collection


Video: Catch the Wind

CATCH THE WIND
RSCDS Book 45. No. 5
(Hornpipe)

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

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

9 – 12 1st couple set twice. On bars 11-12, 1st woman pulls back right shoulder to finish facing out.

13 – 16 1st woman casts up round 2nd man and dances down to finish between 3rd couple facing 3rd man while 1st man dances across the set and casts up round 2nd man to finish between 2nd couple facing 2nd man.

17 – 24 1st man dances a reel of three with 2nd couple passing 2nd man by the right shoulder to begin while 1st woman dances a reel of three with 3rd couple passing 3rd man by the right shoulder to begin.

25 – 28 1st woman casts up round 3rd man and dances across the set to finish in second place on own side while 1st man dances down the middle and casts up round 3rd man to finish in second place on own side.

29 – 32 1st couple turn with the right hand once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Romaine Butterfield, RSCDS New Zealand Branch and originally published by that branch in Island Bay Collection (1983). The dance was devised for Noeline O’Connor and Iain Boyd and the name refers to the fact that Iain courted Noeline for some time.

Tune: The Navvie, Traditional

TACNotes:’
Bars 25-28 1st woman must lengthen her steps to reach 2nd place, own side, pulling back R shoulder to flow into bar 29.

Dances for Spetember 30, 2024

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

No Video

The Borussia Strathspey
Duncan Brown, The Bovey Collection
32 bar Strathspey for three couples in a four couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hand, cross down below 3rd couple and cast up one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st couple dance half a figure of eight, 1st woman up through 2nd couple and 1st man down through 3rd couple, finishing by passing each other left shoulder to face 1st corners.

9 – 12 1st couple dance the path of ‘Corners Pass and Turn’, but on bar 12 pull back right shoulders to finish with 1st man facing down and 1st woman facing up. At the same time, 1st corners dance half turn and twirl with right hands to change places.

13 – 16 1st couple repeat bars 9-12 with 4th corners (partner’s 2nd corner person), finishing facing 3rd corner position (own 1st corner person). At the same time, 4th corners dance half turn and twirl with right hands to change places.

17 – 22 1st couple dance ‘Hello-Goodbye’ setting to finish facing up and down the dance.

23 – 24 1st couple dance a petronella turn to 2nd place, opposite sides.

25 – 32 Taking hands, 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance set and link for three, twice.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised for Petra Dolata of Calgary, Canada (formerly of Dortmund, Germany). Petra is one of Borussia Dortmund Football Club’s biggest fans, hence the Borussia in the title

Recommended tune: Beeswing Village (J McNab) Kinpurnie Collection


Video: The Montgomeries’ Rant

The Montgomeries’ Rant
RSCDS Book 10
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and 1st woman casts up one place while 1st man casts off one place. 1st woman finishes between 2nd couple facing 2nd man with 1st man between 3rd couple facing 3rd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

9 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the set. 1st woman and 2nd man and 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the right to begin. On bar 16, 1st couple, with nearer hands joined, face 2nd woman.

17 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd woman. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 3rd man and set. 1st couple move round to face 3rd woman and set. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 2nd man and set. 1st couple finish facing second corners.

25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass second corners by the right to begin.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.

Original tune: Lord Eglintoune (John Riddell, c. 1766) but usually danced to Lady Montgomerie (Lord Eglintoune, 1796).

TACNotes:’
17-24 1st woman is on her partner’s left to begin &, on bar 24, turns L about, with assistance from her partner, to face her second corner.


Video: Pint O’ Ale Is Fain

Pint O’ Ale Is Fain
Bob McMurtry, Devil’s Quandry
32 bar Jig for 3 couples

1 – 4 All three couples turn by the right hand and out to place, to end facing clockwise round the set, men facing toward the top and women toward the bottom.

5 – 8 Dance clockwise, 3rd woman followed by 2nd and 1st women, to men’s side of the dance. 1st man dances the same to women’s side followed by 2nd and 3rd men.

9 – 12 All three couples turn by the left and out to place.

13 – 16 Dance anti-clockwise back to original positions at the beginning of the dance, women following, 1st woman and men following 3rd man.

17 – 24 1st couple dances a figure of eight on their own sides with 2nd and 3rd couples, giving left shoulders to 2nd couple to begin. For more advanced dancers, a reel of three on the sides may be substituted.

25 – 32 1st couple leads down the middle for three bars and back for three, cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 31&32.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Music: Pint o’ Ale by Bob McMurtry

Dances for September 23, 2024

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: The Australian Ladies

The Australian Ladies
THE GLASGOW ASSEMBLY and other Scottish Country Dances by Bob Campbell. Oakville, Ontario
A reel for three couples

1–4 First couple cross over giving the right hand and cast off two places. Second and third couples step up.

5–8 First and third couples dance right hands across once round, first couple finishing in the middle facing up with right hands joined.

9–12 First couple lead up, cross over and cast off round second couple to finish in second place on own sides. Third couple step down.

13-16 First and second couples dance left hands across once round.

17-20 First couple cross over giving the right hand and cast round first corner’s position to finish, first man between third couple facing up, first woman between second couple facing down. At the same time second and third couples set to partner then cross over giving the right hand, second couple to face down, third couple up. See Figure 1.

21-24 First couple change places giving the right hand and cast round second corner’s position to finish in second place on opposite sides. At the same time second and third men, and women, set to each other then change places giving the right hand to finish facing partner across the dance. See Figure 2 for bars 23-24.

25-28 First couple cross back to own sides giving the right hand and cast round partner’s first corner’s position to finish, first man between third couple facing down, first woman between second couple facing up. At the same time second and third couples set to partner then cross back to own sides giving the right hand, second couple to face up, third couple down.

29-32 First c First couple change places giving the right hand and cast round partner’s second corner’s position to finish on own sides in second place. At the same time second and third men, and women, set to each other then change places giving the right hand. (Second woman and third man make a ‘polite’ turn at the end of bar 32.)

Repeat, having passed a couple.


Video: Autumn Celebration

Autumn Celebration
Trudy Roughgarden
strathspey for 3 couples in a 3 couple set

1 – 8 All set twice ; all ½ turn RH | cast away to opp side

9 – 16 All chase ½ way clw (3,2,1) ; 1c ½ turn BH moving up while{2} 2c dance down to 2pl. 1c dance RSh round P to face 1cnr

17 – 24 1c+1cnrs Corner Pass & Turn ; 1c+2cnrs repeat, 1c end on own side

25 – 32 Circle6 to L & back (3,1,2)


No Video

The 27th of October
by Sue McKinnell
8X32 Jig for 3C

1-4 1W, followed by 2W, dance across the set, between 1M and 2M, up behind 1M, across the set and down the women’s side (the women have changed places).

5-8 1C and 2C RH across.
9-12 1M, followed by 2M, dance across the set, between 2W and 1W, up behind 2W, across the set and down the men’s side (the men have changed places).

13-16 2C and 1C LH across. 1C end facing down.

17-24 Parallel reels of three on the sides, 1C passing 3C RS to begin. 1W end facing out.
25-32 1W, followed by 1M, cast off behind 3W, up the center of the set to above 2C. 1C cast off to 2nd place on own sides.
Repeat.

Suggested music is Flights of Fancy from Celebrate 50 Years with the Boston Branch.
Written in honor of Doug Schneider’s 70th Birthday on the 27th of October 2013.

Dances for September 16, 2024

Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

No Video

Wild Creek

32 bar Jig for 3 couples – Bob McMurtry 1998

1-4 1st couple cross by the right hand and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bar 3 & 4

5-8 1st couple turn with left hands once and three-quarters, end with 1st man facing down between 3rd couple and 1st woman facing up between 2nd couple

9-16 1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance a 6 bar left shoulder reel of three across the dance. 1st couple pass left shoulders with first corners to begin. 1st couple cross to opposite side, passing right shoulders on bars 15-16. 1st man face out.

17-24 2nd and 1st couple dance Ladies Chain

25-28 1st couple dance a half figure of eight between 3rd couple.

29-32 1st couple turn with left hands once round and end in second place.

Repeat having passed a couple

Dance Notes: The turn on bars 5-8 may be anticipated a bit and should flow right into the reels of three

Music: Cock o’ the North


No Video

TOP OF THE HILL
a 32-bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3-couple set

1 – 8 First and second couples set and rotate.
9 – 10 All three couples turn partners with the right hand three-quarters of the way round into a line up and down the middle of the set, women facing down, men facing up.
11 – 16 All dance a half reel of six. (As in a reel of four, on odd bars, all pass right shoulders. On even bars, dancers at the ends of the reel dance a small loop while the others pass the dancer they face by left shoulders. After 6 bars, all will be facing their partners.)

17 – 18 All three couples turn partners with the right hand three-quarters of the way round to finish on own sides ready to flow into…

19 – 24 All dance six hands once round to the left. Order is now 3,1,2.

25 – 28 First couple (in second place), followed by second couple, dance up between the standing third couple at the top and cast off to finish in the order 3,2,1. (First and second couples dance straight down behind the lines and turn into place together on bar 28.)

29 – 32 Second couple, followed by third couple, dance down between first couple, (now at the bottom), and cast up to finish the dance in order 2, 3, 1.
(The pattern is continuous for 2nd couple who turn in on bar 28 and dance down immediately, followed by 3rd couple. As in the previous four bars, the dancers casting up dance in a straight line and turn in together on bar 32.)

Suggested music: October in Rechberg, Muriel Johnstone, Dancing on Air

This dance was written to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ardbrae – the half reel of six and the circle represent 60. The first classes in 1964 were held at Ridgemont High School. Hence, the Scottish group name, Ardbrae – high or top (ard) hill (brae).
The pattern of the last 8 bars appears in the dance, Seagreen, by John Drewry.
• Devised by Barbara Anglin


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)


Video: The Australian Ladies

The Australian Ladies
A reel for three couples
THE GLASGOW ASSEMBLY and other Scottish Country Dances by Bob Campbell. Oakville, Ontario

1–4 First couple cross over giving the right hand and cast off two places. Second and third couples step up.

5–8 First and third couples dance right hands across once round, first couple finishing in the middle facing up with right hands joined.

9–12 First couple lead up, cross over and cast off round second couple to finish in second place on own sides. Third couple step down.

13-16 First and second couples dance left hands across once round.

17-20 First couple cross over giving the right hand and cast round first corner’s position to finish, first man between third couple facing up, first woman between second couple facing down. At the same time second and third couples set to partner then cross over giving the right hand, second couple to face down, third couple up. See Figure 1.

21-24 First couple change places giving the right hand and cast round second corner’s position to finish in second place on opposite sides. At the same time second and third men, and women, set to each other then change places giving the right hand to finish facing partner across the dance.

25-28 First couple cross back to own sides giving the right hand and cast round partner’s first corner’s position to finish, first man between third couple facing down, first woman between second couple facing up. At the same time second and third couples set to partner then cross back to own sides giving the right hand, second couple to face up, third couple down. .

29-32 First couple change places giving the right hand and cast round partner’s second corner’s position to finish on own sides in second place. At the same time second and third men, and women, set to each other then change places giving the right hand. (Second woman and third man make a ‘polite’ turn at the end of bar 32.)

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dances for April 29, 2024

Video: Falls of Feugh

Falls of Feugh
9 for 90 RSCDS Aberdeen Branch 90th Anniversary
32-bar reel for three couples in a three couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set, dance in towards each other, cast off one place and set advancing to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.

9 – 12 1st couple, passing first corners by the right, cast round first corner position, pass each other by the right and face second corners.

At the same time first corners, giving right hands half turn to face each other in the middle and pulling back right shoulder dance out to each other’s places.

13 – 16 1st couple repeat bars 9-12 with second corners, meet each other in the middle of the set and pulling back right shoulder finish back to back facing second place opposite sides, ready for double triangles.

17 – 24 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance double triangles to finish 1st man between 3rd couple at the top facing women’s side, 1st woman between 2nd couple facing men’s side.

25 – 28 1st man and 3rd couple, 1st woman and 2nd couple dance half reels of three across the set. 1st and 3rd men, 1st and 3rd women pass by the right.

29 – 32 1st couple, giving right hand, turn one and a half times to finish in second place own sides.

Finish in order 3, 1, 2.
Repeat with new top couple.

Following a house move in 2013, I joined the Banchory Scottish Country Dancing Group. The River Feugh, whose falls are a local landmark, joins the River Dee at Banchory. The dance was written partly to encompass a couple of moves which are favourites of Isobel McMillan the teacher of the Banchory group (who was also a recent Chairman of the Aberdeen RSCDS Branch). Those moves – dancing in
and casting echo both the slow eddies and faster swirling of the Falls of Feugh.

Devised by Andrew Watt, Aberdeen Branch.


Video: Best Set in the Hall

Best Set in the Hall
RSCDS Book 46
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and 1st woman, followed by her partner, casts off two places, crosses over below 3rd couple, casts up and dances in to face first corner. 1st man dances up the middle of the set to face his first corner. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners set and, 1st couple, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in partner’s first corner position. At the same time, first corners dance in towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing own places. (Fig.)

13 – 16 1st couple and first corners set and first corners, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in opposite corner’s position. At the same time, 1st couple dance towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing second corners.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat bars 9-16 with second corners and pass each other by the right to finish in second place on opposite sides. 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples face clockwise.

25 – 28 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance clockwise halfway round the set.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Helen Greenwood, Auckland, New Zealand.
Note: the movement in bars 9-24 was devised by the late Alec Hay.

Notes Compiled by teachers, Summer School , St Andrews 2010
15-16 1st couple turn on the spot.

TACNotes:1-8 1st woman dances straight in on bar 8 to face 1st corner.

Dances for April 22, 2024

Video: The Ruby Celebration Strathspey

The Ruby Celebration Strathspey
A 32 bar Strathspey for 3 couples in a 2 couple set

1 – 8 1s+3s Petronella turn & set; Petronella turn & set. (1) 2 (3)

9 – 16 2s dance Diagonal R&L (2M down, 2L up). 3 2 1

17 – 24 2s+1s dance Bourrel:

17 – 20 2M+1L set advancing, 3/4 turn 2H & twirl to end BtoB (Lady facing up & Man down) while partners chase anticlockwise to face partner

21 – 24 Set to partners & turn 2H own sides having changed places

25 – 32 3s+1s+2s circle 6H round & back

Devised by Anne Thorn in April 2018 for the 40th Helensburgh Weekend School.


Video: J. B. Milne

J. B. Milne
A 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

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

5 – 8 2nd man and 1st woman set advancing and, giving right hands, turn once round.

9 – 12 1st couple set advancing and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish facing the top.

13 – 16 1st couple cast off one place and dance a petronella turn to finish 1st woman between 2nd couple, all facing down, and 1st man between 3rd couple, all facing up. 2nd couple step up on bars 13 – 14.

17 – 20 1st couple set to each other and, giving right hands, turn three-quarters to finish in second place on opposite sides. At the same time, 2nd and 3rd women and 2nd and 3rd men, giving right hands, change places and set to partner.

21 – 24 1st couple set to each other and, giving right hands, turn three-quarters to finish 1st woman between the couple in third place and 1st man between the couple in top place. At the same time, 3rd and 2nd couples, giving right hands, cross over and set facing on the sides.

25 – 28 1st couple set to each other and, giving right hands, change places. At the same time, 3rd and 2nd women and 3rd and 2nd men, giving right hands, change places and set to partner.

29 – 30 1st woman casts off to second place and 1st man casts up to second place. At the same time, 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands, cross over.

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

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Hugh Foss.

Original tune: J. B. Milne by Angus Fitchet.

Source: Angus Fitchet Scottish Dance Album.

Dances for April 15, 2024

Video: Triple Happiness

Triple Happiness
RSCDS Book 52
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 2 1st couple advance one step, take right hands briefly, and retire one step.
3 – 4 1st couple, giving left hands, turn halfway to finish in the middle facing down.
5 – 8 1st couple, retaining left hands, lead down, cross below 2nd couple and cast up to original places.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance the knot. On bars 15-16 1st couple, retaining left hands, turn to face first corners. 2nd couple finish in first place.

17 – 20 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with first corners. First corners turn with both hands. 1st couple pass by the right shoulder to finish facing second corners.

21 – 24 1st couple dance corners pass and turn with second corners. Second corners turn with both hands. 1st couple pass by the right shoulder to finish in second place on own sides facing clockwise.

25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples chase clockwise halfway round the set.

29 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples, giving both hands to partner, turn halfway, release hands and, pulling right shoulder back, dance on a curve to own sides of the set.

Finish in order 3, 1, 2.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Yoshiki Oyama, RSCDS Tokai Branch, January 2016.

Devised for the Scottish country dance group Mie Scottish Country Dance Family on the occasion of their special ball.


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 8, 2024

Video: Best Set in the Hall

Best Set in the Hall
RSCDS Book 46
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and 1st woman, followed by her partner, casts off two places, crosses over below 3rd couple, casts up and dances in to face first corner. 1st man dances up the middle of the set to face his first corner. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners set and, 1st couple, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in partner’s first corner position. At the same time, first corners dance in towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing own places. (Fig.)

13 – 16 1st couple and first corners set and first corners, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in opposite corner’s position. At the same time, 1st couple dance towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing second corners.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat bars 9-16 with second corners and pass each other by the right to finish in second place on opposite sides. 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples face clockwise.

25 – 28 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance clockwise halfway round the set.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

For Campbell Mackay of Auckland who, when counting lines, encourages dancers to make up numbers by joining the ‘best set in the hall’.

Devised by Helen Greenwood, Auckland, New Zealand.
Note: the movement in bars 9-24 was devised by the late Alec Hay.

Notes Compiled by teachers, Summer School , St Andrews 2010
15-16 1st couple turn on the spot.

TACNotes:1-8 1st woman dances straight in on bar 8 to face 1st corner.


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.

Dances for March 25, 2024

Video: The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh

The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 23 – No. 4
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples set and link.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples set and link.

9 – 12 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples advance one step and retire one step and, giving both hands to partners, half turn to face partners in the middle of the set.

13 – 16 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples set and cast by the right to opposite sides. 2nd couple face each other, 3rd couple face down and 1st couple face up.

17 – 18 2nd couple, giving right hands cross over. 3rd and 1st women, 3rd and 1st men, giving right hands, change places.

19 – 20 2nd man and 1st woman, 2nd woman and 1st man, giving left hands, change places. 3rd couple, giving left hands, cross over.

Finish in the order 1,2,3, 1st couple on opposite sides.

21 – 24 1st and 2nd couples set and link. 1st couple finish back to back in the middle of the set facing opposite sides.

25 – 28 1st man with 2nd and 3rd women, 1st woman with 2nd and 3rd men advance one step and retire one step. 1st couple advance one step and turn right about to face in. 2nd and 3rd couples advance one step and turn right about to finish back to back facing own sides. (Note)

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples repeat bars 25 to 28, 1st couple, giving right hands on bars 31-32, to cross to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Alec Hay, Auckland, New Zealand.
Original Tune: The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh (Traditional)

Note: The deviser did not intend that hands be given in bars 25-28.


Video: Jeannie o’ the Witchin’ E’e

Jeannie o’ the Witchin’ E’e
RSCDS: Scottish Dances collected by Mary Isdal MacNab
(Jig)

l – 4 1st woman advances to partner and sets to him.
5 – 6 1st woman dances round behind 2nd man and faces him. Fig. 1.
7 – 8 1st woman sets to 2nd man

9 – 12 1st woman gives right hand to partner then left hand to 2nd man and all three set twice.
13 – 16 1st man turns his partner under his right arm to finish in allemande position facing 2nd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 15-16.

17 – 22 1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple, passing 2nd woman with right shoulder to begin. Fig. 2.
23 – 24 1st man turns his partner under his right arm to finish back to back in the middle of the set, 1st man facing 2nd woman and 1st woman facing 2nd man, ready for a reel of four.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a reel of four across the dance, 1st couple finish facing each other in the middle having passed each other with right shoulders.

33 – 40 1st couple set twice then turn one and a half times with the right hand to finish on own sides in second place.

Repeat having passed a couple

Dedicated to my friend Miss Jean Milligan

Collected originally in Ayrshire but gifted by Mrs Fassiefern Bain of Vancouver, late of Appin, daughter of the Rev. W. Stewart, Nether Lochaber

RSCDS: Scottish Dances collected by Mary Isdal MacNab

Jeannie o' the Witchin' E'e - Figure 1
Jeannie o' the Witchin' E'e - Figure 2