The Jig Is Up
By David Newitt
32 bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Tune: The Jig Is Up by Patti Cobb

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across: 1st couple cross down to second place while the 2nd couple cast up to 1st place. and taking hands on the sides all three couples set to partners.

9 – 16 Rights and lefts for 3 in 8 bars: 2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples dance the first three changes of Rights and Lefts for Three Couple: only all face to the right after the third change. then 1st couple (now on the second corner diagonal) turn by the left hand halfway while 2nd and 3rd couples chase clockwise one position (2nd woman chasing 2nd man to 3rd place, 3rd man chasing 3rd woman to 2nd place), to flow into…

17 – 20 Right hands across, 1st man down with 2nd couple, 1st woman up with 3rd couple. All finish on their own sidelines,

21 – 24 All turn partner by the right. 1st couple turning 1 1/4 times to flow into…

25 – 28 Left hands across. 1st woman down with 2nd couple, 1st man up with 3rd couple. Keep the left hands until 1st couple pass right shoulders in the middle.

29 – 32 “Snake pass”: 1st woman followed by 2nd woman and 2nd man. and 1st man followed by 3rd man and 3rd woman, pass by the right and chase around to the right to all finish in progressed places.

Repeat from progressed places.

Challenged by David Newitt to write something other than ”another beautiful waltz tune”. Patti wrote The Jig Is Up, with a nod to David’s tune, Changing lights.

The name Changing Lights arose from a story only the composer seems to find very amusing:

Friend was driving through San Francisco with her boyfriend. Stopped at a red light, she had to look away from the road, so asked, “Tell me if the light changes”.
After a moment’s thought he replied, “Yes, the light changes”. Said she. “Grrr”.
Light turned green and they proceeded to the next light, which turned yellow, then red.
Said he (in voice of wonder), “Wow – this one changes too!”

Scottish Ramble
Book 5 – No. 7
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 8 1st couple cast Off two places, meet below 3rd couple, lead up the middle, cross and cast off to second place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 1st and 3rd couples dance four hands once round to the left.

13 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts, one step for each hand. 1st man omits the polite turn and 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17 – 24 1stcouple set to and turn corners to finish between them facing first corners.

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

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.
Caledonian Country Dances, c. 1754.
Original tune: Scottish Ramble (Caledonian Country Dances)

Scotland’s Gardens
Roy Goldring
32 bar reel for 3 couple

Bars
1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides. To begin, 1st and 2nd couples pass right shoulders.

9 – 12 1st and 2nd women (also 1st and 2nd men) turn 1 1/2 times with right hands. 1st man finishes facing out.
13 – 16 1st man, followed by his partner, casts up round 2nd man. 1st man dances down the middle to finish between the 3rd couple. 1st woman finishes between the 2nd couple. All face down.

17 – 24 All dance down the middle, turn right about and dance up. On bar 24 the 1st woman and 2nd couple turn right about to face down.

25 – 26 All set.
27 – 28 2nd and 3rd couples set as 1st couple dance a petronella turn to 2nd place on opposite side.
29 – 30 All set.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to 2nd place on own side.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Note: At the end of the first turn, 1st woman finishes facing out ready to begin the reel of three. After crossing over, 1st man should pull his right shoulder back to face down ready for the reel.

To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, 1931 — 1991.
Tune: Joe Murphy ’s Reel (Donald Ridley) 1991

Scotland’s Gardens: The Scotland’s Gardens Scheme was founded in 1931 to support the Queen’s Nurses Benevolent Fund by opening mainly private gardens to the public on one of more days each year. In 1952 the Gardens Fund of the National Trust for Scotland became a co-beneficiary and a unique feature of the Scheme is that Owners may now select any Registered Charity of their choice to which 40% of the days takings may be allocated. This enables the Scheme to support over 150 further charities each year. The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland’s finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

Full details of the Openings are listed in the handbook, ‘Gardens of Scotland, available from the address below from the beginning of December each year.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, 42a Castle Street, Edinburgh. EH2 ZBN. Scotland.

Tel: 0131 226 3714, E-mail: info@sgsgardens.co.uk

Video: Spanish Dance

Spanish Dance
A 32-bar strathspey for two couples in a four-couple set

1 – 8 1st couple dance a petronella turn and set. Repeat to finish on opposite sides.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance an interlocking knot:

9 – 10 1st and 2nd couples, giving right hands. turn into allemande hold, 1st couple facing up and 2nd couple facing down.

11 – 12 1st couple dance down the men’s side to second place while 2nd couple dance up the women’s side to first place. At the end of bar 12, all release right hands.

13 – 16 Men pass partners in front of them and all continue to turn with the left hand to finish 2nd couple in first place on own sides and 1st couple in second place on opposite sides.

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

25 – 32 1st couple set, giving right hands, turn halfway round to finish in the middle of the set facing each other and, pulling back by the right, dance out to own sides. 2nd and 1st couples set.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Bénédicte Bascle.
Music by Pascaline Latour.

Culloden’s Fancy

Book 5 – No. 10
16-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple Iongwise set

Bars Description

1 – 4 1st couple set and, giving both hands, tum once round.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides.

9 – 12 2nd and 1st couples, giving both hands, turn partners to own sides. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set, facing up with nearer hands joined.

13 – 16 1st couple dance up the middle and cast off to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Caledonian Country Dances, c. 1754.
Original tune: Culloden’s Fancy (Caledonian Country Dances)

Arran Chase

A longwise 32 bar Reel for three couples in a four-couple set.

1 – 2 First couple cast off to second place, own sides. Second couple move up to top place.

3 – 4 First three couples set. On last step, second lady and third man face out.

5 – 8 Second and third couples dance Clockwise round second places to finish third Couple at top and second couple in third place, all on “wrong” sides.

Meanwhile, first couple turn each other by the right hand to finish facing first corners, who are now on wrong sides (first man facing third lady, first lady facing second man).

9 – 12 First couple dance diagonal half reel of four with first corners, passing each other by right on last step and facing ready to

13 – 16 Turn each other by the right hand to finish facing second corners who will be in correct places. Meanwhile, second and third couples dance clockwise round second places to finish third man in own place, second man in third lady’s place, second lady at top on own side and third lady at top on man’s side.

17 – 20 First couple dance diagonal half reel of four with Second corners.

21 – 24 First couple turn each other by the right hand, dropping hands on last step and passing right to finish back-to-back facing our to second places, own sides.

Meanwhile, second and third men, likewise second and third ladies, set to each other on the sides and change places giving right hands.

25 – 26 First three couples dance triangles on sides.

27 – 28 First couple pas -de-basque round each other by die right to face opposite sides whilst second and third couples cross to own sides giving right hands.

29 – 30 First three couples dance triangles on sides.

31 – 32 First couple dance round each other by the right to finish in second place own sides, facing out ready for repeat.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance Devised by Frank Reid Snr.
Tune:- lan’s Fancy – Frank Reid Jnr.

May the 4th be With you
A 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands once round to the left then dance right hands across once round.

9 – 16 1st couple set, cast off one place, set then set advancing, pulling back by the right, to finish back to back in the middle of the set facing own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 11-12.

17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles.

25 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across once round then dance four hands once round to the right.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Notes:
1. Hands are not released between the first and second times through so that bars 29-32 and bars 1-4 are treated as in four hands round to the right and back.
2. It is suggested that on the third time through, the 1st and- 4t’1 couples may change places by dancing bars 1-12.

Devised by Antoine Rousseau. A simple teaching dance devised on. the 4th of May 2015
for the beginners’ class and dedicated to the Paris Branch beginners.

Music by Aliénor Latour: The 4th of May.

Jenny’s Bawbee
24-bar strathspey for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples set and dance half rights and lefts.
5 – 8 2nd and 1st couples set and dance half rights and lefts back to original places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set in first place facing up. 2nd couple step in.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Thomas Wilson: A Companion to the Ballroom, London, 1816.

Original tune: Jenny’s Bawbee (Gow’s Collection, earlier from
Joshua Campbell, 1778)

Video: The Somerset Children’s Reel
Video: The Somerset Children’s Reel – They modified the dance to make it a 4 couple dance

The Somerset Children’s Reel
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands back.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down for two steps, set to each other retaining right hands, lead up to the top, and cast off to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 15—16.

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

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Elizabeth Beckinsale, RSCDS Somerset Branch, October 2015.

Dedicated to the children’s class of the RSCDS Somerset Branch. This dance includes the
children’s favourite formations. The children also helped to choose the name of the dance.

Sorry, No Video

Carol’s Delight

32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3 couple longwise set.

1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.

13 – 16 1st couple dance down between the 3rd couple and cast up into second place. 2nd couple dance up and face out in top place on bars 15 – 16.

17 – 24 All three couples dance a mirror reels of three on own sides. 1st couple dance in and up; 2nd couple dance out and down and the 3rd couple dance in, face down and cast out and up into the reel. 2nd and 3rd couples dance the long way into place at the end of the reel.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance the knot.

(Finish 3,1,2.)
Repeat from new positions.

For Carol Aitken to mark a significant birthday.

© Devised by Francis Walduck, Brisbane, Queensland Branch RSCDS, May 2004.
Suggested Music: The Silver Star Strathspey, track 8, The Complete Caledonian Ball – Rob Gordon and his Band.

Sorry, no video.

Book 5 – No. 1
Teviot Bridge
24-bar jig for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, turn two and a half times to finish on opposite sides.

9 – 12 1st man and 2nd woman, and 1st woman and 2nd man, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to finish with 2nd couple in first place on own sides and 1st couple in second place on opposite sides.

13 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a half ladies’ chain. 1st couple finish by turning halfway with the left hand and 2nd couple by turning once round with the left hand to face partners.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The poussette is danced as follows:
17 – 18 Two pas de basque steps across the set, 1st couple to the men’s side, 2nd couple to the women’s side.
19 Pulling with right hands, quarter turn.
20 Progress up or down on sides and quarter turn.
21 Dance into middle.
22 Pulling with right hands, turn halfway round.
23 – 24 Retire to sidelines having changed places.

Video: The Edinburgh Toy Shop

The Edinburgh Toy Shop
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 6 1st couple set, dance down two places, and cast up round 3rd couple into second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

7 – 8 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, joining hands on the sides, set.

9 – 12 1st woman dances a half figure of eight round 2nd couple while 1st man dances a half figure of eight round 3rd couple, to finish in second place on opposite sides.

13 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, joining hands on the sides, set. 1st couple, giving left hands, turn to face first corners.

17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand, pass partner by the right shoulder, turn second corners with the right hand and, passing by the right shoulder, cross over to second place on own sides. Corners dance for two bars.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Ethan Bailey, San Francisco Branch, March 2016.

The deviser went with his family to Scotland in 2006 and, although not quite four years old, remembers the toys in the ”gift shoppe” at Edinburgh Castle, especially the foam swords.

Video: And for the Young Ones

Video: And for the Young Ones

And for the Young Ones
32-bar jig for four couples in a square set

Bars Description

1 – 8 All, joining hands in a circle, advance and retire twice.

9 – 16 All turn partner with the right hand and then with the left hand.

17 – 24 All, joining both hands with partner, slip towards the centre for 2 bars, clap four times, slip back to places for 2 bars, and clap four times.

25 – 28 All dance back to back with partner.

29 – 32 All dance one quarter of the way round the set, the women moving clockwise and the men moving anti-clockwise, passing partner and one more dancer by the right shoulder to meet a new partner.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Anne Dejean, Lyon Branch, March 2016.

Note: After doing the dance twice, everyone is with their partner again, half way round the set, and after doing the dance two more times everyone is back in original places.

This dance was devised for lessons in a nursery school. It was first meant to be danced in one big circle with the woman on her partner’s right and without a progression.

No Video.

Mr Graham W Donald

32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a Iongwise set.

Bars

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set and rotate. 1st couple finish facing out in 2nd place on own sides.

9 – 12 1st couple dance clockwise halfway round the set, while 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across once round to place.

13 – 16 1st couple turn two hands 1 1/4 times to finish 1st man between 3rd couple facing up and 1st lady between 2nd couple facing down.

17 – 18 All take hands across the set, all set advancing, dropping hands, to finish right shoulder to right shoulder with the person opposite to form a line across the set in 2nd place.

19 – 22 All dance to the right and chase clockwise back to three and three across the set with the 2nd and 3rd couples having changed sides.

23 – 24 2nd and 3rd couples change places on the sides giving right hands, while 1st couple turn two hands in the middle of the set opening out to face up. 1st lady is on her partner’s left.

25 – 28 1st couple, nearer hands joined, dance up between the 3rd couple, who are now in top place. 1st couple cast off to 2nd place on the opposite sides.

29 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples turn two hands 1 1/2 times to finish on own sides.

Repeat from new positions.

Dance for Graham Donald on the occasion of his 501″ birthday, TAC Summer School 31 July 2009

© Devised by Francis Walduck, Brisbane, Queensland Branch RSCDS, January 2009.
Suggested Music: ‘Muriel Johnstone’s Compliments to Graham Donaid’ by Muriel Johnstone.

Video: Pluto’s Head

Video: Pluto’s Head

Pluto’s Head
32-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 4 1st man and 2nd woman tum with the right hand.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands once round to the left.

9 – 12 1st woman and 2nd man turn with the left hand.

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

17 – 24 1st couple lead down for 3 bars, lead up for 3 bars, and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23—24.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Susan McKinnell, Chicago Branch, September 1999.

The deviser explains, ”The name for this dance came from a trip to Disneyquest where I attended
the Animation Station and learned to draw Pluto’s head: draw circles for the basic outline, add
meridian lines for reference, and then fill in the details. It seemed to match the structure of this
dance. ”

Video: The Ribblesdale Strathspey

The Ribblesdale Strathepey
A 32-bar strathspey for a 3-couple set
Tune: The Ribblesdale Strathspey

1 – 12 The 1st, 2nd & 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.

13 The 1st couple start mirror setting movement down the set, the man going to his right and the lady to her left, advancing to finish with both hands joined.

14 The 1st couple finish mirror setting movement, moving back up the set and releasing the top hands.

15 – 16 The 1st couple cast into 2nd place, the man leading with his right foot and the lady leading with her left foot as the joined hands are brought through the middle before releasing. 2nd couple step up.

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

25 – 32 The 1st couple dance a figure of 8 round the 2nd couple, momentarily giving left hands on the first crossing and right hands on the second crossing. The 3rd couple step up on the last 2 bars as the 1st couple dance into 3rd place.

Repeat with a new leading couple.

Jeff Middleton composed the dance this dance for the Ribble Valley Branch in recognition of the continuing success of the Branch, 16 October 2008.

Lady Jayne of Castle Glen
A 32 bar reel for three couples in a four couple set

Craig Williams, February 2017

1 – 8 1st couple dance down the middle and cast up around third couple. They meet above third couple and dance up to the top and cast off to face 1st corners, 2nd couple step up on bars 7 & 8.

9-12 1st couple dance first four bars of set to corners and partner, finishing back to back in the middle in second place.

13-16 1st couple dance half reels of three on the sides, passing 1st corner by the right to begin. 1st couple pass by the left to finish facing 2nd corner position.

17-20 1st couple dance first four bars of set to corners and partner, finishing back to back in the middle in second place, man facing up, woman facing down.

21-24 1st couple dance half reels of three across the set, giving right shoulder to the person in second corner position to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25-28 All three couples chase halfway clockwise.

29-32 All three couples turn partner once round with right hand.

Video: Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel

Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel
RSCDS Book 7 – No. 5
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across for three steps and left
hands back. 1st couple cast off one place on own sides and 2nd couple dance up to first place.

9 – 12 1st couple lead up the middle to finish back to back between 2nd couple, 1st man facing 2nd woman and 1st woman facing 2nd man. 1st and 2nd couples set.

13 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle to finish back to back between 3rd couple, 1st man facing 3rd woman and 1st woman facing 3rd man.
1st and 3rd couples set.

17 – 20 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand 1st man finishing between 3rd couple facing up and 1st woman between 2nd couple facing down.
1st couple set and advance toward second corners.

21 – 24 1st couple turn second corners with the right hand finishing between corners. 1st couple set to each other.

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

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.
Original tune: Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel (Bremner, 1761)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
13-16 Nearer hand lead. 1st woman, maintaining eye contact with 3rd man, finishes first setting step facing up towards 2nd man & uses the second setting step to advance towards him a little. 1st man moves slightly up on second setting step.
19-20 Set to partner while advancing to face 2nd corner.

New Dance – Yet to be named
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a four couple set
Craig Williams, July 2017

1 – 2 1st couple turn RH 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 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

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

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

No Videos this week.

Long Frank’s Reel

A 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set.
Tune: Frank & June Hewitson

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance mirror reels of 3 on the sides. 1st couple begin by crossing down, 2nd couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and up.

9 – 10 1st couple dance down with nearer hands joined and separate onto the opposite side facing down, 2nd couple dance out and up into 1st place.

11 – 12 1st man & 3rd lady turn once round with the right hand while 1st lady & 3rd man turn once round with the left hand. 1St couple face up.

13 – 16 1st man & 2nd lady turn 1 1/2 times with the left hand while 1st lady & 2nd man turn 1 1/2 times with the right hand.

17 – 20 1st couple dance half figure of 8 round 2nd couple, crossing down to begin.

21 – 24 1st & 2nd couples dance right hands across and stay in the middle with partners ready for:-

25 – 32 1st & 2nd couples dance an allepousse. i.e. 1St couple dance a 2 couple allemande into 2nd place while 2nd couple dance a poussette into 1st place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

This dance was devised for Frank Hewitson of Ribble Valley Branch RSCDS who I looked up to since I was in short pants! Frank sadly passed away in 2009, aged 92

Dance devised by David G. Queen 2005

Saxie’s Baa, 32J 2C (3C Set)
The Green Lady Book of Scottish Country Dances by Barry Priddey
1–8     1M and 2W dance a figure of eight round partners; to begin they pass each other by the right, dance round partner by the left
then pass each other right again to complete the figure on own sides.
9–16     1C and 2C dance rights and lefts.
17–24    1W and 2M dance a figure of eight round partners; to begin they pass each other by the left, dance round partner by the right
then pass each other left again to complete the figure on own sides.
25–32     1C and 2C dance the Knot progression.

There is one video this week!

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 adn 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)

Video: The  Thistle and the Columbine

The Thistle and the Columbine
8×32 Jig

1-8 1st couple set and cast off one place, 2nd couple step up on bars 3 & 4. 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance right hands across once round, the first couple finish facing their first corners

9-16 1st couple dance the track of a reel of four to finish back to back in the center of the dance in second place facing their own sides while 2nd and 4rd couples dance rights and lefts.

17-24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles, the 1st couple finishing in the centre of the dance facing down on their own side with nearer hands joined.

25-32 1st couple with nearer hands joined down between 3rd couple, cast up one place to meet in the centre of the dance facing up and with nearer hands joined dance up between the 2nd couple and cast off one place.

This dance was devised by Miss Janet Renton on August 2007 for a forthcomming visit to Colorado, USA. The dance was named after the emblem of Scotland and the Columbine flower which is the state flower of Colorado, USA

The Threesome Reel
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 travelling 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 travelling 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)

The Judge’s Jig
32 bar jig for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts up and down the dance. To begin, 1st and 2nd women (also 1st and 2nd men) change places with right hands. At the end of bar 8, 1st couple finish facing out.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance double figures of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off two places and 3rd couple cross up to the top. At the end of bar 16, 1st couple again finish facing out.

17 – 20 1st and 2nd women turn 1 ½ times with right hands and 1st and 2nd men turn 1 ½ times with left hands to change places.
21 – 24 1st couple dance a half figure of eight crossing up between 2nd couple to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the sides. To begin: 1st couple dance in and down, 3rd couple dance out and up, 2nd couple dance out and down.
31 – 32 1st couple cross giving left hands

Repeat having passed a couple.

Note: At the end of the first turn, 1st woman finished facing out but 1st man curves slightly to finish to finish just inside the side lines ready to give right hand to the ‘new’ 2nd man.

For Johan Berg.
Tune: Venskaben (Muriel Johnstone)
Roy Goldring (2005) – Auld Friends Meet

The City of Preston Reel
A 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast to 2nd place; 2nd couple step up on bars 3 & 4

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and cast to their left to finish 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 3rd woman.

9 – 16 Dance Reels of 3 across the dance giving right shoulder to begin.

17 – 20 Joining hands three and three across the dance, all advance and retire up & down the set.

21 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, change places up and down, and cast to their right to finish on the sidelines between their corners.

25 – 28 Joining hands, all advance and retire.

29 – 30 All set.

31 – 32 1st couple cross over giving right hands to finish in 2nd place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Lavinia Morris to celebrate Preston receiving City status and dance by the beginners’ class of 2008/2009.