Video: Burnieboozle

Burnieboozle
32 bar Reel
Southport Book, Volume 1

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

5 – 8 1st couple turn 1½ times with left hand to finish facing man up and woman down on opposite sides.

9 – 16 1st couple dance reels of three on the sides, 1st man giving left shoulder to 2nd woman, 1st woman giving left shoulder to 3rd man. 2nd and 3rd couples dance a full 8 bar reel, on the last two bars 1st couple turn with the right hand to face 1st corners.

17 – 28 Dance to the corner and set movement.
17 – 18 2nd woman and 3rd man set, 1st couple change places right shoulder with 1st corners and face in, 1st corners pass each other with right shoulders to face 2nd corner positions.
19 – 20 1st couple set, 3rd woman and 2nd woman, 2nd man and 3rd man change places right shoulder, 3rd man and 2nd woman give right shoulders in passing to face 1st corner positions.
21 – 22 3rd woman and 2nd man set, 1st woman and 2nd woman, 1st man and 3rd man change places right shoulder, 1st couple give right shoulders to face 2nd corner positions.
23 – 24 2nd woman and 3rd man set, 1st woman and 2nd man, 1st man and 3rd woman change places right shoulder, 3rd woman and 2nd man give right shoulders to face 1st corner positions.
25 – 26 1st couple set, 3rd woman and 2nd woman, 3rd man and 2nd man change places right shoulder, 3rd man and 2nd woman give right shoulders to face 2nd corner positions.
27 – 28 2nd man and 3rd woman set, 1st man and 3rd man, 1st woman and 2nd woman change places right shoulder, 3rd man dances out to 1st woman’s position and faces down, 2nd woman dances out to 3rd man’s position and faces up. On the last setting step, 2nd man faces up and 3rd woman faces down. 1st couple dance in wide ready to;-

29 – 32 1st couple turn approximately 1¼ times with right hands to finish in 2nd place on own sides, while 2nd man and 3rd man, 2nd woman and 3rd woman change places right hands on the sides and cross left hand with partner to finish 2, 1, 3.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by David G. Queen

Burnieboozle is the name of the house where Jim and Rhoda McMillan live in Formby. The dance has been written to honour Jim’s year as President of the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation of Scottish Societies 1987-88.

No Video

Mount Maxwell Strathspey — Saltspring Island
Wes Clindinning – Canada’s Irish Rover 2007
32 bar Strathspey for three couples
Bars
1 – 8 1st, 2ncl and 3rd couples reel of three on the sides, 1st lady giving left shoulder to 2nd lady and 1st man giving right shoulder to 2nd man

9 – 16 All couples set, then turn partners with both hands twice, set

17 – 24 1st couple, followed by 2nd couple, lead down the middle. 2nd couple divide and follow 1st couple back to top. Both couples finish in the middle ready for

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance allemande. On bars 31 & 32, 1st couple casts to 3rd place, 3rd couple dance up into 2nd place

For the Saltsprihg Island Club, especially Laura and Harvey Moore.With thanks for
all their generous hospitality and friendship. – HISCD

No Video

The Foula Reel
Book 4 – No. 7

48-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and up.

9 – 12 1st couple, giving right hands, turn half way and, giving left hands, 1st man turns 2nd woman, while 1st woman turns 2nd man.

13 – 16 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round and, giving left hands, 1st man turns 3rd woman while 1st woman turns 3rd man.

17 – 20 Repeat bars 13—16 with 4th couple.

21 – 24 1st couple cross passing by the left, cast up to the top behind their own lines and meet at the top of the set. 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples kneel down.

25 – 32 2nd and 3rd and 4th couples Clap while 1st couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down making an arch over the women, and up making an arch over the men. 1st man goes down the middle and up; 1st woman passes behind each line. (Fig)

33 – 34 A11 dance in to join both hands with partner to form a double line.

35 – 46 1st couple move out to the men’s side and back to the middle, dancing in and out between 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples and moving down until they reach the bottom of the set, while 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples move out to the women’s side and back to the middle, moving up. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set in fourth place and 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples progress one place.

47 – 48 All, with four running steps, retire to new places on own sides.

Repeat with a new top couple.

Running step is used throughout the dance.

Dance and tune collected in Shetland.

The number of bars in this dance is flexible. It has also been published as a 40 bar dance

Video: Holden My Own

Holden My Own
a 32 bar jig for 3 couples

Bars
1 – 4 1st couple dance a half figure of 8 around 2nd couple.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples turn partner with left hands once round to finish ready for…

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance ladies’ chain up and down the dance, finishing facing out the sides ready for…

l7 – 24 Mirror reels of three 0n the sides, 2nd couple begin dancing in and up. 1st couple finish facing out.

25 – 32 1st couple cast off two places‘ lead up, crossing over at the top, and cast into second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 31-32.

Repeat from second place.

Devised by Pam Stephens.

Devisor‘s note: The “Holden” is for Holden Beach, NC, which is the peaceful. yet stimulating.
refuge that provides the inspiration for many of my dances.

Video: The Ninety-second

The Ninety-second or
The Marquis of Huntly’s Highlanders
RSCDS Book 4 – No. 6
24-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description
1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides. 1st and 2nd men and 1st and 2nd women pass by the right to begin. On bars 7-8, 1st couple progress to second place, while 2nd couple dance up to top place.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in second place.

17 – 24 2nd and 1st couples dance four hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

William Campbell: 19th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances
and Strathspey Reels, London 1798.

Original tune: The Marquis Huntley’s Highlanders (Traditional)

No video

DUNNOTTAR HI-JINKS
Platinum Anniversary Dances – RSCDS Stonehaven

40-BAR JIG FOR FOUR PEOPLE IN A SQUARE SET

Bars Description

1 – 8 All four dancers chase round the set to finish back In original places.

9 – 16 All dance right hands across once round and left hands back to place.

17 – 24 Dancers 1 and 3 set for two steps, set advancing for 2 steps and turn each other right hand for four steps to finish back in original places,

25 – 32 Dancers 2 and 4 repeat bars 17 – 24

33 – 36 All four dancers join hands and dance eight slipping steps to the left, finishing in original places.

37 – 40 All four dancers dance on one place to the left for 2 steps and set in that new position.

Repeat from new positions.

Dance devised by Children at Dunnottar School, Stonehaven
Original Tune: none given

No Video

Fyfe’s Fancy
Roy Goldring – Auld Friends Meet

32 bar reel for 3 couples

Bars
1 – 2 1st and 3rd couples dance a petronella turn into the centre of the dance.

3 – 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set, 1st man and 3rd woman turn to the right on bar 4 to join right hands.

5 – 8 1st man and 3rd woman turn 11/2 times by the right hand while 1st woman and 2nd man, 3rd man and 2nd woman, dance half rights and lefts. Fig.1
1st woman is now in 3rd place, 3rd man in first place – both in the centre of the dance.

9 – 10 1st couple and 3rd couple change places with partner passing left shoulder. Fig. 2

11 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set, 15‘ woman and 3rd man joining right hands on bar 12.

13 – 16 1st woman and 3rd man turn 11/2 times by the right hand while 1st and 2nd men, 3rd and 2nd women dance half rights and lefts. (No polite turn for 2nd couple at the end). Fig. 3.

17 – 24 Reels of three – 1st couple with 2nd man; 3rd couple with 2nd woman. 1st and 3rd couples pass partners by left shoulders to begin and finish by dancing out to own places. Fig. 4.

25 – 28 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 27 – 28.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn by the right hand.

Repeat having passed a couple

Tune: Bonnie Glenisla (Jack Lindsay)
1981

No Video

Shalimar
The Trestle Bridge Collection – Fiona Miller
32 bar Strathspey for three couples in a four couple set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples Set and Rotate.

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples take hands on side and set. All cast one place to the left by pulling back the right shoulder to finish with 1st couple on women’s side and second couple on men’s side.

5 – 6 Both couples change places with partner giving right hands.

7 – 8 All dance one place clockwise to progressed place.

9 – 16 2nd, 1stand 3rd couples dance six hands round for four bars, drop hands and dance back to place. (1 st couple finish slightly in from the side line facing 1stcomer)

17 – 24 1st couple set to and turn comers. Finish in 2nd place on opposite side.

25 – 28 1st woman dances up between 2nd couple and cast off to 2nd place while 1stman dances down between 3rd couple and cast up to 2nd place. (1stcouple are now on own side.)

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partner with two hands. 1st couple repeat from new position.

Shalimar is the name of my parents’ home in Glasgow, Scotland. This dance is devised to honour their 50th Wedding Anniversary on September 01 , 2001.

No Video

Kenmure’s on and awa’
Book 4 – No. 4
24-bar jig for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across halfway round to Opposite sides to finish in the middle of the set, facing down, right hands joined.

5 – 8 1st couple, followed by 2nd couple, lead down the middle and face partners.

9 – 12 2nd and 1st couples dance left hands across halfway round to face up.

13 – 16 1st and 2nd couples lead up the middle to original places, finishing in the middle of the set facing partners, both hands joined.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Gow’s Five Favourite Country Dances for 1822.

Original tune: Kenmure’s 0n and awa’ (Traditional)

Video: Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek

Video: Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek

Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek
RSCDS Book 52
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance the tourbillon.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners set, 1st couple advancing to finish back to back. 1st couple and first corners, giving both hands, turn to finish 1st woman between 2nd couple and 1st man between 3rd couple.

13 – 16 1st couple and second corners set, 1st couple advancing to finish back to back. 1st couple and second corners, giving both hands, turn to finish with 1st couple in second place on opposite sides.

17 – 20 1st couple, passing by the left shoulder in the middle to begin, dance a half diagonal reel of four with third corners and finish with 1st man in the middle at the top facing down, 1st woman in the middle in third place facing up.

21 – 24 1st couple, passing by the left shoulder in the middle to begin, dance a half diagonal reel of four with fourth corners and finish in second place on own sides.

25 – 27 1st woman dances three hands round to the left with 3rd couple (at the top) while 1st man dances three hands round to the left with 2nd couple (at the bottom).

28 – 30 1st couple release left hands and 1st woman leads 3rd couple down the women’s side while 1st man leads 2nd couple up the men’s side to dance six hands halfway round to the left. Finish in the order 2, 1, 3 with 1st couple on opposite sides.

31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Mervyn Short, RSCDS Berks/Hants/Surrey Border Branch, October 2016.

In 1955, Mrs Ysobel Stewart (co-founder of the RSCDS) moved to South Africa, where she found the climate more agreeable to her rheumatism. During a trip to Cape Town, the deviser visited the suburb of Fish Hoek ( also known as Vishoek) where Mrs Stewart lived.

No Video

Mrs. Pamela Cairns
The Trestle Bridge Collection – Fiona Miller
32 bar Jig for three couples in a four couple set

1 – 8 1st couple dance a figure of eight on own side. (1st couple dancing in and down to start)

9 – 16 1st couple dance Inveran reels with 2nd and 3rd couples. (1st couple cross over at both top and bottom of the reel to finish back in own place).

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

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

1st couple repeat from new position.

This dance is devised in honour of the wedding of my sister, Pamela Brown,
to Gordon Cairns on March 04, 2000 at Crieff Hydro, Perthshire, Scotland.

1 – 8 Pamela and Gordon led separate lives.
9 – 16 Their paths crossed a couple of times.
17 – 24 They started dating.
25 – 32 They became inseparable.

Video: Queen’s Welcome

Queen’s Welcome
RSCDS Book 4
32-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across for three steps and left hands back for five steps. 1st couple finish on the man’s side and 2nd couple finish on the woman’s side, man below woman in both cases.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up, to finish on the men’s side, 1st man in original place and 1st woman in 2nd man’s place.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples, facing down and up on the sides, set twice to partners. Giving both hands, 1st and 2nd couples turn partners to own sides, the men passing diagonally in the middle. 2nd couple finish in top place, 1st couple in second place.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Collected in Perthshire and Peebleshire. Also in:

JP Wallace: Guide to the Ballroom, Glasgow, c.1880.

Original tune: Loch Earn (Niel Gow’s 2nd Collection, 1788)

The Dancing Lights
The Trestle Bridge Collection

32 bar Jig for three couples in a four couple set

1 – 8 1st couple set and lead down, cross below 3rd couple and cast up to partner’s place.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a Bourelle
9 – 12 1st and 2nd women set advancing, turn 3/4 with the right hand and pivot to finish back to back, 1st woman facing down, 2nd woman facing up. While 1st and 2nd men dance counter clockwise across the set through partner’s position and round to face partner.

13 – 16 All set to partner and turn right hand. 2nd couple finish in 1st place on own side facing out 1st couple finish in centre facing down, lady on her partner’s right.

17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance mirror reels of three on the side. 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple who dance out and up, 2nd couple dance out and down to start the reel. (1 st couple finish in the centre facing down)

25 – 28 1st couple cross down below 3rd couple and cast up to 2nd place on own side

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples all turn partner right hand. 1st couple repeat from new position

This dance is devised for and dedicated to the Yellowknife Scottish Country Dance Club on
the occasion of their Annual Workshop, November 1992.
The name was chosen after I saw the Northern Lights “dancing” in the arctic sky.

The Trestle Bridge
The Trestle Bridge Collection

32 Bar Strathspey for three couples in a four couple set

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the centre and back to the top. Stay in the centre facing up.

9 – 16 1st couple cast off one place, meet partner and cross below 3rd couple, giving right hand. Cast up one place and cross up to 1st place, giving right hand. (Finish facing out) while 2nd couple cross up to 1st place, giving left hand. Cast off one place, meet partner and cross below 3rd couple, giving left hand and cast up to 2nd place. (Finish facing up)

17 – 24 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance parallel reels of 3 on the sides, giving hands where possible. 1st couple finish in 1st place facing up.
1st couple dance out and down
2nd couple dance in and up
3rd couple dance out and up

25 – 30 1st couple cast off one place while 2nd couple dance up to 1st place. 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across.

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

1st couple repeat from new position.

This is a slow leisurely strathspey that ambles along just like the trains that cross the High Level Bridge at the entrance to the City of Lethbridge. This bridge, which was built in 1909, is the longest and highest Trestle Bridge in the world. April 2002

Video: Torryburn Lasssies

Torryburn Lassies
RSCDS Book 4, No. 1

(Reel)

MUSIC DESCRIPTION

Bars

1 – 8 1st couple with nearer hands joined set twice to 2nd woman, then dance three hands round.

9 – 16 1st couple with nearer hands joined set twice to 2nd man, then dance three hands round.

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

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Collected in Perthshire.

Note: ’Sir James Baird’s Reel’ in Longman and Broderip Collection, Circa 1792, is the same with the exception of bars 25-32, which are “right and left”. ‘Miss Louisa Drummond’s Reel’ in Campbell’s Collection, Book 10, 1793, is the same with the exception of bars 25—32 which are ”allemand”.

THE SANDS OF ASILOMAR
dance devised by John Drewry
for the dancers of San Francisco
Strathspey – 4 couples – 32 bars.
Tune – “The Sands of Asilomar” _ See Manuscript – Tune in E flat composed by Paul Machlis

1 – 2 All turn partners with both hands half-way round and stay in the centre of the dance facing partners – 3 to 4 feet apart.

3 – 4 Joining nearer hands up and down the dance, all set to partners.

5 – 8 The men all cast off and, with 4th man leading, cross over to own sides and dance up. The women all cast up and, with 1st woman leading, cross over to own sides and dance down. All are now on own sides in the order 4,3,2,1.

9 – 10 4th couple turn with the right hand half – way round while moving down towards second place; 1st couple, similarly, turn with the right hand half-way round while moving up to third place.

11 – 12 4th and 1st couples dance right hands across half-way round to return to original places.

13 – 14 3rd and 2nd couple turn partners with the right hand half – way round.

15 – 16 3rd and 2nd couples dance right hands across half – way round to return to original places.

17 – 18 1st woman and 2nd man, (and 3rd woman and 4th man), change places passing by the right without giving hands.

19 – 20 All turn partners half – way round with both hands opening up into:-

21 – 24 1st couple with 2nd couple, and 3rd couple with 4th couple, dance four hands round to the left one and a quarter times to finish with all in the centre with nearer hands joined with partners, with 1st and 3rd couples facing down and 2nd and 4th couples facing up.

25 – 26 All set with nearer hands joined with partners. During the setting 1st and 2nd couples, and 3rd and 4th couples, change places – as in “Mary Hamilton”.

27 – 28 2nd couple dance up slightly then out into top place with a “casting off” movement; 3rd couple dance down slightly then out into fourth place with a “casting up” movement. 1st and 4th couples set again and change places while setting.

29-32 4th couple dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place. 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to third place. The finishing order is 2,4,1,3.

 

Video: Round about Hullachan

Round about Hullachan or
Hullachan round the House
RSCDS Book 5 – No. 4
32-bar reel for any number of couples in a round-the-room
formation. Women face clockwise and men anti-clockwise.

1 – 8 All set to partners four times.
9 – 12 All dance a tulloch turn one and a half times round to the right.

13 – 16 All dance a tulloch turn twice round to the left, finishing back to back with partner and facing next man or woman.

17 – 32 Repeat bars 1-16 with new partner.

Collected in Perthshire.

Original tune: Round about Hullachan (Gow’s Collection, earlier version Bremner c.1760) This is the same tune as Reel of Tulloch.

Notes:

1. Although this is a 16-bar dance, the music is arranged as 32-bars and the dance description reflects that.

2. Traditionally danced until partners meet again but may be done any number of times.

3. The dance is also known as The Reel of Tulloch in a Circle.

Repeat from new places.

 

 

THE OWL’S NEST
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 2 1st and 2nd women set to each other while 1st and 2nd men set to each other.

3 – 4 1st and 2nd women change places with left hands while 1st and 2nd men change place with right hands.

5 – 6 1st and 3rd women set to each other while 1st and 3rd men set to each other.

7 – 8 1st and 3rd women change places with right hands While 1st and 3rd men change places With left hands.

9 – 16 2nd, 3rd, and 1st couples dance reel of three on their own side of the dance. To begin, 2nd and 3rd women past left shoulders while 2nd and 3rd men pass right shoulders. 3rd and 1st couples end in center ready for

17 – 24 Allemande (now order is 2, 1, 3).

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

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Marilyn Blaschke, 2005.

This dance was written for my husband, T ed, who has had the nickname “Owl ” from college days as he liked to stay up very late at night studying and hated to get up in the morning.

Lassie Frae Carry
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a four couple set
Craig Williams, July 2017

1 – 2 1st couple turn right hand to finish between 2nd couple, 1st man facing 2nd man, 1st woman facing 2nd woman.
3 – 4 1st couple set to 2nd couple
5 – 8 1st couple dance right shoulder around 2nd couple and pass each other left shoulder to finish 1st man facing 2nd woman, 1st woman facing 2nd man

9 – 16 1st & 2nd couple Reel of four.

17 – 20 Set with Glasgow Highlanders setting step.
21 – 24 1st and 2nd couple pull back right shoulder and cast into right hands across. Finish 1st couple facing each other up and down the set and 2nd couple in original places.

25 – 28 1st couple turn 3/4 with the right hand to finish facing up. Dance up, crossing over and cast off into 2nd place. 2nd couple step up on bars 27-28.

29 – 32 2nd & 1st couple turn once round with the right hand

Video: Dumbarton Drums

Dumbarton Drums
RSCDS Book V – No. 2
(Reel)

Bars
1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd women, and at the same time, 1st, 2nd and 3rd men dance reels of three on own sides.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up again.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples allemande. 1st woman finishes between 2nd couple, all three facing down, 1st man between 3rd couple, all three facing up. Fig. 1.

25 – 28 1st woman hands joined with 2nd couple, 1st man hands joined with 3rd couple, set twice across the dance. On the last two setting steps 1st couple turn to their left to positions as in Fig. 2.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd men, and at the same time, 2nd, 1st and 3rd women join hands on the sides and set twice.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

From “A Companion to the Ballroom”, 1816.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 22-24 1st couple dance a quarter turn to face up or down the dance and retire into position between 2nd and 3rd couples.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
1-8 R shldr reels.
22-24 1st cpl ¼ turn more than usual on bar 22 to finish man facing up & woman down, before retiring to positions as in Fig. 1.
27-28 1st cpl pull left shldrs back.

 

Cold and Raw
24-bar jig for two couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Book 5 – No. 12

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance back to back.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples, giving right hands, turn once round.

9 – 12 1st man dances across the set above 2nd woman, behind her and across to
2nd man’s place. At the same time 2nd man dances above 1st woman, behind her and crosses to 1st man’s place. 1st man dances in front of 2nd man to begin.

13 – 16 1st and 2nd couples clap and dance four hands once round to the left.

17 – 20 1st woman dances across the set below her partner, behind him and across to 2nd woman’s original place. At the same time 2nd woman dances below her partner, behind him and across to 1st woman’s original place. 1st woman dances in front of 2nd woman to begin.

21 – 24 2nd and 1st couples clap and dance four hands once round to the left.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

John Playford: The Complete Dancing Master (9th Edition, 1695)

Original tune: Cold and Raw (Playford 1690)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
13-16 Dancers clap as they start moving to left to form the circle shape, then join hands. (Also bar 21)

Video: Miss Emily Gordon’s Jig

Miss Emily Gordon’s Jig
32 bar Jig for 3 couples

Bars

1 – 2 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn with right hands half-way to face partner in the middle of the set, retaining right hands and joining left hands below the right.
3 – 6 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples slip down the middle for four steps. then slip back to the top.
7 – 8 Using two pas de basque, all three couples change places with partner, retaining joined hands but lifting right hands over the ladies’ heads to finish in allemande hold facing the top.

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance allemande.
On bars 15 – 16, 1st and 3rd couples dance two pas de basque to finish in the middle of the set, 1st couple facing up and 3rd couple facing down with nearer hands joined.

17 – 18 3rd and 1st couples change places, 1st couple dancing through the arch made by 3rd couple.
19 – 20 1st and 3rd couples change sides, lady dancing under her partner’s arm.
21 – 22 1st and 3rd couples change places, 3rd couple dancing through the arch made by 1st couple
23 – 24 3rd and 1st couples change sides, lady dancing under her partner’s to finish on own sides, 3rd couple in 1st place facing down and out, 1st couple in 3rd place facing up and out.

25 – 28 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples dance half reel of three on the sides, 2nd couple dancing in and down, 1st couple dancing out and up to begin.
29 – 32 1st and 2nd men turn 1 1/2 times with left hand, 1st and 2nd ladies turn 1 1/2 times with right hand.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Tune: Em’s Tattie Scones (Muriel Johnstone)

Dance devised by Bill Zobel for Emily, who has quietly supported Scottish Dance in Delta for decades and makes the best ‘Tattie Scones’ in Canada.

Note: the first figure of this dance was devised by Robert McOwen of Boston and used in his dance ‘Burns Night’, published in the Boston Branch book ‘Celebrate Fifty Years of Dancing’.

 

 

Video: Oxton Reel

Oxton Reel
144-bar strathspey for six couples in a six-couple longwise set

Part A
1 – 6 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, who dance up the sides to begin, cast off and dance down behind their own lines.

7 – 12 1st couple, meet at the bottom of the set and lead up the middle, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part B
1 – 12 1st couple take promenade hold and, turning to the right to begin, dance a figure of eight down and up the set, to places, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part C
1 – 12 All repeat bars 1 – 12 of part B, but with hands joined behind their backs.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part D
1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance a grand chain with two steps to each hand. 1st couple and 4th couple face across, 2nd couple and 5th couple face down and 3rd couple and 6th couple face up to begin.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part E
1 – 12 All six couples dance into the middle, and with each man behind his partner and hands on her waist, 1st and 4th couples facing down and the others facing up. 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance reels of three in tandem. To begin 1st and 2nd couples and 4th and 5th couples pass by the right.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part F
1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance six hands twice round to the left.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Collected at Oxton, Berwickshire.
Original tune: Cameron’s got his wife again (Bremner)

The King’s Knot
(R3x32) (3C set) Keith Dingley

1 – 8 1s dance down the middle for 3 steps, back for 3 steps and cast off 1 place (2s step up bars 7-8)

9-16 1s dance 1/2 diagonal reel of 4 with 1st corners, pass right shoulder and dance 1/2 diagonal reel of 4 with 2nd corners, 1s finish in middle right shoulder to right shoulder facing own sides

17 – 24 1s dance out own sides and cast to the right, finishing RSh to RSh in middle, M facing down/L facing up: 1s dance LHA on sides (1M with 3&2M, 1L with 3&2L)

25 – 32 1M dances down & casts up to 2nd place on ladies‘ side as 1L dances up & casts to 2nd place on men‘s side: all turn RH 1/2 times to 3 1 2

Spice It Up
32 bar jig for three couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple lead down middle and up. Stay in centre as 2nd and 3rd couples step in for…

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance an Allemande. (Finish 3,2, 1)

17 – 20 3rd and 2nd couples (two top couples) set and link. (Finish 2, 3,1)

21 – 24 3rd and 1st couples (two bottom couples) set and link. (Finish 2, 1, 3)

25 – 28 All three couples set and cross, giving right hands.

29 – 32 All three couples chase clockwise to own side. (Finish 3,1, 2)

Repeat from new positions.

Note: This dance also works well as a three couple dance in a four—couple set. The progression is unusual: 3, 1, 2, 4.

Devised by Merrill Heubach

Previously published in Eight by 32. Reprinted with permission from Merrill Heubach,RSCDS Nova Scotia Branch

 

 

Video: The Millville Grange

The Millville Grange
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1 – 7 1st couple set advancing, turn two hands once round, dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to 2nd place on own side, 211d couple step up on Bars 5 – 6

8 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance into the middle LEFT foot to join RIGHT hands with partners and face up

9 – 16 3 couple allemande, on Bars 7—8 1st couple turn by the RIGHT hand to end 1st woman between the 3rd couple (in 1st place) facing 3rd woman and 1st man between 2nd couple (in 3rd place) facing 2nd man

17 – 22 RIGHT shoulder reels of three across the set, finishing as at start of the reel

23 – 24 1st couple cast RIGHT around partners’ 2nd comer position to end back to back, 1st woman facing up and 1st man facing down while: 3rd and 2nd couples advance and retire (1 step each way) with partner

25 – 32 1st woman with 3rd couple (in 1st place) and 1st man with 2nd couple (in 3rd place) circle 3 hands round to the LEFT, 1st couple release LEFT hands and circle 6 hands round to the LEFT to opposite sides of the set, then all three couples cross over to own side with RIGHT hand to partner

Repeat having passed a couple

Devisor: Ron Wallace, December 17, 2007

Music: “The Grange Hall” by Muriel Johnstone

In 1995 Margaret Anne Schlobohm moved from our Santa Rosa(Ca1ifornia) Scottish Country Dance community to a mountain paradise in Northern California. When frustrated by the lack of Scottish Country Dance in the Redding area, she started a class. This dance celebrates the talent and charisma of the woman who started that class and pursued the art of teaching. “The Millville Grange” (which refers to the building where classes are held) and “The Grange Hall” were commissioned by the Shasta Scottish Dancers for their teacher.

 

 

Video: The Punch Bowl

The Punch Bowl
RSCDS Book 5 – No. 5
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides.

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and cast off below 3rd couple on own sides to finish with 1st woman, followed by her partner in the middle of the set facing out between 2nd and 3rd women.

9 – 16 1st woman, followed by her partner, dances between 2nd and 3rd women. 1st woman casts off round 3rd woman and 1st man casts up round 2nd woman. 1st couple meet and, giving right hands, lead between 2nd and 3rd men, cross and cast, 1st woman up round 2nd man and 1st man down round 3rd man to finish with 1st couple in the middle of the set facing down.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing partner 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.

David Rutherford: Compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both old and new…, London 1756.

Original tune: The Bottom of the Punch Bowl (McGibbon, 1763)

Excited States
By Kristi Closser
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Tune: Unnamed Stallion by lames MacQueen

1 – 8 1st couple with near hands joined dance down the middle and up, while 3rd couple dance up the middle and down. The couple dancing up the set form an arch (first 3rd couple, then 1st couple). 1st couple end inside the set lines, facing down, near hands joined and 3rd couple end facing up near hands joined.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples Petronella in tandem while 2nd couple Petronella. 1st couple end on the men’s side. 3rd couple on the women’s side. 2nd woman in the middle facing down and 2nd man in the middle facing up (bars 9-10). All set (bars 11-12). Repeat bars 9-12. finishing on opposite sides. 3, 2, 1.

17 – 24 3rd couple cross down to third place without giving hands as 1st couple dance up outside of the set to first place, and 2nd couple set (bars 17-18). 1st and 2nd couples dance three-quarters of a double figure of eight: 1st couple cross down to second place without giving hands. while 2nd couple dance up to first place. 1st couple cast up and cross down ending in second place on opposite sides, while 2nd couple cross down and cast up to end in first place on their own sides.

25 – 32 1st couple set twice and turn by the right hand one and a half times while 2nd and 3rd couples turn by the right hand once round and set twice.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

This dance is dedicated to the dancers in the San Francisco Bay Area who are still eager to dance Petronella after dancing for a full evening. Upon request, the musicians are often happy to play it after the final waltz, and commonly two or more sets spontaneously form and dance it eight times through with mostly-controlled abandon. The title refers to the arrangement of electrons that occurs after energy is added to an atom or molecule. Such excited states are often unstable until they release the energy and return to the ground state.

Copyright 2015 by Kristi Closser. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for verbatim reproduction and nonprofit d1stribution of this leaflet provided that this notice remains intact.

 

Video: The Threesome Reel

The Threesome Reel
RSCDS Book 6
Medley of 48-bar strathspey and 48-bar reel for three dancers

The dancers comprise a man between two women with nearer hands joined. The man may hold the corner of a handkerchief in each hand, the opposite corners of which are held by the women. Alternatively, ribbons can be used.

Strathspey
1 – 8 With eight strathspey traveling steps, the women dance round the man in opposite directions, the woman on his left keeping to the outside and the women on his right keeping to the inside and going under the arch made by the others. The man turns slowly round in the same direction as the women going under the arch, using traveling step. All finish in places.

9 – 16 All set with Highland Strathspey setting steps

17 – 48 Repeat twice with different Highland strathspey setting steps.

Reel
1 – 8 Repeat three times with Highland reel setting steps.

Collected in Perthshire and Angus

Original tunes:
Strathspey: Mrs Stewart Nicholson’s (Nathaniel Gow)
Reel: Sleepy Maggy (Bremner, 1757)

 

 

Spice It Up
32 bar jig for three couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple lead down middle and up. Stay in centre as 2nd and 3rd couples step in for…

9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance an Allemande. (Finish 3,2, 1)

17 – 20 3rd and 2nd couples (two top couples) set and link. (Finish 2, 3,1)

21 – 24 3rd and 1st couples (two bottom couples) set and link. (Finish 2, 1, 3)

25 – 28 All three couples set and cross, giving right hands.

29 – 32 All three couples chase clockwise to own side. (Finish 3,1, 2)

Repeat from new positions.

Note: This dance also works well as a three couple dance in a four—couple set. The progression is unusual: 3, 1, 2, 4.

Devised by Merrill Heubach

Previously published in Eight by 32. Reprinted with permission from Merrill Heubach,
RSCDS Nova Scotia Branch