Ottawa Summer Class
Video: Whigmaleeries
Whigmaleeries
RSCDS Imperial Book of Scottish Country Dances, Vol. 1-3
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple set advancing and turn right about on the spot.
5 – 8 1st couple slip down the middle to below 3rd couple and cast up to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.
9 – 12 2nd couple and 1st woman, 1st man and 3rd couple dance right hands across once round to finish 1st couple left shoulder to left shoulder in the middle of the set.
13 – 16 1st couple dance out and cast to the left around second corners to meet in the middle of the set and, taking promenade hold, face the women’s side.
17 – 20 1st couple with 3rd couple dance a half reel of three across the set. To begin, 1st couple pass 3rd woman by the right and finish in the middle of the set facing up.
21 – 24 1st man with 2nd man and 3rd woman, 1st woman with 2nd woman and 3rd man dance half reels of three on sides, 1st couple dancing out and up to begin. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set, facing the men’s side in promenade hold, 1st woman on partner’s left.
25 – 28 1st couple with 3rd couple dance a half reel of three across the set at first place. To begin, 1st couple pass 3rd woman by the right and finish in the middle of the set facing down.
29 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd men, 3rd, 1st and 2nd women dance half reels of three on own sides, 1st couple dance out and down to begin and curve in to finish in second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Derek Ivory.
Whigmaleerie —a whim, fanciful notion, fad
Scottish National Dictionary Association Ltd, Concise Scots Dictionary, 1985
No Video
The Crooket-Horned Ewie
RSCDS Book 14
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple lead down, cross over below 2nd couple and dance behind 3rd couple into third place on opposite sides, 2nd and 3rd couples step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8 2nd couple lead down, cross over below 3rd couple and dance behind 1st couple into third place on opposite sides. 3rd and 1st couples step up on bars 7-8.
9 – 12 3rd couple lead down, cross over below 1st couple, dance behind 2nd couple into third place on opposite sides. 1st and 2nd couples step up on bars 11-12.
13 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, giving both hands, turn partner one and a half times to own sides.
17 – 24 1st couple lead down, cross over below 2nd couple and dance behind 3rd couple to meet, lead up, crossing over to own sides at the top, and cast off to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24.
25 – 28 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple, divide and cast up to second place on own sides.
29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving both hands, turn partners once round.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Original tune: The crooket horned Ewie (Gow, 1799)
No Video
Hidden Village
A 32 bar jig for 2 couples
Craig Williams, May 2025
1 – 4 1st couple dance in towards each other and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4
5 – 8 1st couple cross up between 2nd couple and dance a 1/2 figure of eight around 2nd couple.
9 – 16 1st & 2nd couple Four hands across and back. 1st & 2nd men stay facing out.
17 – 24 1st & 2nd couples dance a ladies chain. 1st man stay facing out
25 – 30 1st man, followed by 1st woman, casts to up, around 2nd woman and dances across the top of the set. 1st man casts off on the men’s side to 2nd place, while 1st woman dances down the middle to 2nd place on the women’s side
31 – 32 1st & 2nd couples set.
Some of the native bands fleeing the Mohawk may have ended up in the Matawatchan area. The word Matawatchan meant “hidden village” in the Algonquin language. If the village was hidden then it was hiding from something. Historically, it was most likely hidden from the Mohawks who had driven most of the Algonquin from the Ottawa Valley.
Video: Tiptoe and sway
Tiptoe and sway
John Bayly, Imperial Book Vol. 3
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set (Note)
1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands to partners, turn once round. 2nd and 1st couples cast off one place while 3rd couple lead up to first place and face out.
9 – 16 3rd and 1st couples dance a double figure of eight. To begin, 3rd couple cast off and 1st couple cross up between 2nd couple.
17 – 20 3rd couple, giving right hands, turn once round and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.
21 – 24 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples repeat bars 5-8 from new positions, to finish 1st and 2nd couples in the middle facing up and 3rd couple in original places.
25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by John Bayly.
Note: This may also be danced as a strathspey.