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

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.

9-16    1st man and 2nd couple, 1st woman and 3rd couple dance a reel of three across the set. 1St and 2nd men, 1st and 3rd woman pass by the left to begin, 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides.

17-20    1st couple set and, giving right hands, turn three quarters to finish in the middle of the set facing opposite sides, 1st man above his partner

21-24    1st man and 2nd couple, 1st woman and 3rd couple dance left hands across, 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

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

Devised by Moira Stacey,

If we have four couple sets we will try this:

Solway Sands
Strathspey – 4 Couples (2×40)

Dancers standing as follows
2M 2W 3W 3M
Top
1M 1W 4W 4M

1-4    1st and 3rd couples set to partner and turn once round left hands, 2nd and 4th couples set to partner and turn once round with right hands

5-8    1st and 2nd men cast off one place, lead up and cast off again into partner;s place, while 1st and 2nd woman lead up, cast off one place and lead up again into partners place. (At the same time) 3rd and 4th women cast up one place, lead down and cast up again into partners place, while 3rd and 4th women lead down, cast up one place and lead down again into partners place.

9-16    Men dance right hands across once round, change place with partners left hands (women now back to back in the centre of the set) all set to partners.

17-24    All dance quadruple reels of four. (All begin by passing partner wight shoulders) women dance diagonal reels while men dance reels across the dance. Women finish facing each other.

25-28    Women dacne four hands round to the right, finish with the long inward turn to face partners.

29-32    Set to partners, 1st adn 3rd couples turning right hands, 2nd and 4th couples turing left hands. Finish with the women in the corners and their partners beside them.

33-40    All dance eight hands round and back again.

Repeat. Women are now in the corners for this repeat.

If we don’t have four couple sets we may try this:

Aspen Circle Strathspey
40-bar strathspey or 3 couples in a 3 couple set

1-8    1st and 2nd couples Set and Rotate

9-12    1st man with 3rd couple and also 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across

13-16    1st man with 2nd couple and also 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across.

17-22    All three couples advance and retire for 1 bar each, cross by the right hand, advance and retire (1 bar each)

23-24 2nd couple at the top cross by the right hand to original place while 1st couple turn once round by the left hand to face down while 3rd couple turn once round by the right hand to face up. 1St and 3rd couples remain in the center of the dance

25-32    1st and 3rd couples dance the Scissor Progression:
25-26    1st adn 3rd couples set advancing (beginning with a small step to the right) to pass right shoulder with facing dancer.
27-28    All dance clockwise one place to end 1st couple on the men’s side, 3rd couple on the women’s side, facing across the dance. The women are in 2nd place, the men in 3rd place.
29-30    1st and 3rd couples set advancing (beginning with a small step to the right) to pass right shoulder with facing dancer.
31-32    All dance clockwise one place to finish in progressed places on own sides (2 3 1)

33-40    Circle six hands wound and back.

Devised by Ellen McRanor

The Aspen Circle was our home before we moved to Parrish twelve years ago.

The Silver Castle Reel
A 40 Bar Reel for 3 couples in a 4 couple set

1-8    1st, 2nd adn 3rd couples join hands on the side and set. All three couples advance with setting step. Men turn parthers three quarter turn to form a stright line in the middle fo the dance, then dance out to place, all face clockwise.

9-16    With 1st mand leading, all three couples dance round clockwise in a circle finishing in the middle of the dance ready for…

17-24    1st, 2nd and 3rd coupels promenade. 1st couple cast off to meet in 2nd place in promenade hold facing 2nd man. 2nd couple dance up to the top.

25-32    1st couple, dancing together, dance a half reel of three diagonally across the dance with 2nd man and 3rd lady. They begin by giving right shoulder to 2nd man. 1st couple continue dancing a reel of three with the 3rd man and 2nd lady , giving right shoulder to 3rd man

33-40    2nd and 3rd couples dance half rights and lefts while 1st couple dance between 2nd and 2rd men who are on the ladies’ side of the dance, they divide, man casts up and the lady casts down to meet in the centre of the dance in 2nd place. 2Nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn [artners by the right hand to finish  2,1,3,4

This dance was devised by Jimmy Taylor in 1985m to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Stirling Castle Scottish Country Dance Group.

Winnie’s Home
32 bar Reel – two couples in a four coulple set

1-8    First and second couples circle rounf and back

9-16    First couple 4 slip steps done the centre of the dance, 4 slip steps up to the top of the set and cast off to second place, second couple step up on bars 7 &  8.

17-24    Second couple 4 slip steps down the centre of the dance, 4 slip steps up to the top of the set and cast off to second place first couple stepping up on bars 7 &  8.

25-32    First couple dance a half figure of 8 around the second couple, cross over giving right hand and cast off to second place, second couple stepping up on bars 7 & 8.

The Lincoln Imp
32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple set.

1–4        1st & 2nd men, Set & Link. Finishing with 1 st man facing out in 2nd place & 2nd man in top place facing in.
5–8        2nd, 1st & 3rd men, dance a half reel of three. 1st & 3rd men pass left to
begin. 1 St man curves by the left to finish in 2 nd place facing in on bar#8. At the same time, 1st & 2nd women dance Set & Link, finishing with 1st woman in 2nd place facing in and 2nd woman in top place facing out.
9–16    1st & 2nd men, Set & Link. Flow into a half reel of three, with 2nd man
passing 3rd man by the left to begin. Bar #16, the men are in the order 1 2 3 on their own side with 1st man facing out. At the same time, 2nd , 1st & 3rd woman dance a reel of three on the side, with 1st & 3rd woman passing left to begin. Bar #16 the women are in the order 2 1 3 on their own side.
17–24    Figure of 8 Chase: 1st man, followed by his partner, casts off one place, dances diagonally up to cast off behind 2 nd woman, crossing into 2nd place on his own side, as 1 st woman finishes in 2 nd place on her own side. 2nd man steps up on bars 19 & 20.
25–32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round to the left and back.

Deirdre MacCuish Bark: September 2013:
For Keith, who comes from Lincoln & sang in the Cathedral with his school choir.
Music: The Lincoln Imp: Muriel Johnstone Scotscores 2013

The Lincoln Imp, is said in legend, to have been sent by the devil to plague the clergy in Lincoln Cathedral. He was blown in the great west doors, by the west wind and blew out the candles, scattered the hymn sheets & attacked the choristers. He flew into the angel choir & when he threatened to pluck out the angels’ feathers, the smallest angel turned him into stone. He can be found today near the top of one of the pillars in the cathedral.

The Quinte Gathering
A Reel for 3 couples

Inscribed to the Belleville Scottish Country Dance Society for their wonderful workshops.

1–8        1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance crossover reels of 3, all couples crossing to the opposite sides when they reach the top.

9–16    As 2nd couple continue to dance up into 1st place, 1st couple cross down, giving left hands, through 2nd place. 1st couple cast to their right, 1st woman down around 3rd man (in 3rd woman’s place) and 1st man up around 2nd woman (in top place). 1st  couple change places, giving right hands, up and down the middle of the set and cast to their right, 1st woman between 2nd couple and 1st man between 3rd couple. They finish with left hands joined in a diagonal line between 2nd corner positions. (1st woman is above her partner; hands are not joined with 2nd man and 3rd woman.)

Corner Targe
17–18     1st couple turn by the left ¾ , while corners dance clockwise to the next corner.
19–20    1st couple turn the person in 1st corner positions by the right hand once round (1st man with 3rd woman, 1st woman with 2nd man). 3rd man and 2nd woman set.
21–22    1st couple turn by the left hand ¾, while the corners dance clockwise to the next corner.
23–24    1st couple turn the person in 2nd corner position by the right hand once round (1st man with 3rd woman, 1st woman with 2nd man). 3rd man and 2nd woman set. 1st couple finishing in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25–28    1st couple dance ½ reels of 3 on the sides, 1st woman giving left shoulder to 3rd man to begin, 1st man giving left shoulder 2nd woman to begin.  1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

29-32    1st man dances up between 2nd couple and casts off on the men’s side to 2nd place while 1st woman dances down between 3rd couple and casts up on the woman’s side to 2nd place.

Craig Williams
March 2003

Ehlana’s Strathspey
32-bar Strathspey for 3 couples in a 3-couple set

1-4    1st couple dance in and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 3-4.

5-8    1st couple dance half figure of eight: 1st woman around 2nd man, 1st man around 3rd woman to end in 2nd place on opposite sides.

9-20    All three couples dance rights and lefts for three.
21-24    1st couple dance a half figure of eight: 1st woman around 3rd woman, 1st man around 2nd man.

25-32    1st and 3rd couples dance “The Rose” progression:

25-26    1st man and 3rd woman set to each other while 1st woman and 3rd man change places giving right hands to end facing out
27-28    1st man and 3rd woman half turn with both hands to face each other on the diagonal with hands joined while 1st woman dances up to 2nd man’s place and 3rd man dances down to 3rd woman’s place.
29-30    1st man & 4rd woman cast  to their right, dance ou tto opposite corner, while 1st woman & 3rd man half turn both hands to face each other on the diagonal with hands joined.
31-32    1st man & 3rd woman dance across to progressed positions on their own side while 1st woman & 3rd man cast to the right to finish on progressed positions on own sides (2 3 1)

Note: All movements in “The Rose” should be dances in as round a shape as possible

Devised by Ellen McRanor
Dedicated to my granddaughter Ehlana
Suggested Tune: The Birks of Invermay

Tap the Barrel
32-bar reel for three couples in a three couple longwise set

1-2    1st woman and 3rd man, giving right hands, change places

3-4    1st man and 3rd woman, giving right hands, change places

5-6    2nd couple, giving right hands, cross over

7-8    3rd, 2nd and 1st couples, giving right hands, turn half way to finish in the middle of the set, facing up in allemande hold.

9-16    3rd, 2nd and 1st couples dance an allemande

17-20    1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step down on bars 19-20

21-24    3rd couple set and cast up one place. 1st couple step down on bars 23-24

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

Devised by Sue Burridge, London Branch
The title was inspired by the tune The Ale Wife and Her Barrel
RSCDS Third Graded Book

Friday Night Reel
32 bar reel for 3 couples

1-8        1st couple lead down the middle for three steps and back for three steps and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 7 & 8

9-16    1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across and left hands back

17-24    1st couple dance a figure of eight by dancing between 2nd couple to begin.

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

Repeat having passed a couple

Bob McMurtry – Dragonfly

Amhuinnsuidhe Castle
(pronounced ave-an-soo-ee)
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four couples longwise set

1-4        1st and 2nd couples set, with nearer hands joined, then 1st couple  cast off to second place while 2nd couple, giving nearer hands, dance up and cast into top place

5-8        1st couple turn 1-1/2 times with the left hand to face their first corners.

9-10    1st couple set to first corners.

11-14    1st couple pulling right shoulder back, cast through partners’s 1st corner position, then curve to their right, 1st woman dancing up the set between the 3rd couple and 1st man dancing down the set between the 2nd couple. Meanwhile, on bar 11, 2nd man and 3rd woman dance towards each other, on bar 12 they turn each other once round with the right hand, then dance back to 1st corner position.

15-16    1st couple turn once round with the right hand to face their 2nd corners.

17-18    1st couple set to second corners.

19-22    1st couple pulling right shoulder back, cast through partner’s 2nd corner position, then curve to their right, passing through second place on their own side on bar 22. Meanwhile, on bar 19 3rd man and 2nd woman dance towards each other, on bar 20, they turn each other once round with the right hand, then dance back to 2nd corner’s position.

23-24    1st couple, cross giving right hands to finish facing out in second place on the opposite sides of the set

25-32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance a reel of 3 on the opposite side, with 1st couple passing their first corners by the right shoulder to begin. On bars 31-32, 1st woman crosses up to second place and 1st man crosses down to second place on their own sides, while 2nd and 3rd couples finish the rels.

Devised by Deirre MacCuish Bark, Mississauga, written on the Isle of Harris: October 2012 Amhuinnsuidhe Castle, Isle of Harris, was build in1867 by the Earl of Dunmore.

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 theri 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 theri 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 wasd 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 with is the stat flower of Colorado, USA

Craigleith
88-bar reel for four couples in a square set

1-8    1st and 3rdc ouples dance rights and lefts. 1st and 3rd men finish facing out.

9-16    1st adn 3rd coupels dance a ladies’ chain

17-32    2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 1-16

33-36    All four women advance and retire.

37-40    All four women dance right hands across, finish facing out.

41-48    All four women dance clockwise all the way rounf the outside of the set, dancing behind partners to begin.

49-52    All four men advance and retire

53-56    All four men dance left hands across, finish facing out.

57-64    All four men dance anti-clockwise all the way round the outside of the set, dancing behind partners to begin.

65-70    1st and 3rd couples, taking promenade hold, dance round the inside of the set to original places, men passing by the left.

71-72    1st and 3rd couples set, facing into the centre.

73-78    2nd and 4th couples taking promenade hold, dance round the inside of the set to original places, women passing by the right.

79-80    2nd and 4th couples set, facing inwards

81-88    All four couples dance eight hands round and back.

Devised by Roy Goldring for Dorothy Leurs
RSCDS 3rd Graded Book