Video: Miss Eleanor

Miss Eleanor
RSCDS Book 49
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–8        1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides, 1st couple dancing in and down to begin.

9–12    1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 11-12.

13–14    1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round and face out.

15–16    1st woman casts off to third place while 1st man casts up to original place, 2nd man steps down and 3rd woman steps up to finish in the order 1, 2, 3 on the men’s side and 2, 3, 1 on the women’s side.

17–18    All three couples dance a bourrel.

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

Repeat from new positions

Devised by Ann Dix, Berks/Hants/Surrey Border Branch.
Miss Eleanor is Ann Dix’s granddaughter.

Video: The Plantation Reel
Video: The Plantation Reel

THE PLANTATION REEL
A 32-bar reel for 5 couples

1–4        First and third couples cross by the right and cast off one place, second and fourth couples stepping up.

5–8        First (third) couple lead down between fourth (fifth) couple and cast back up to second (fourth) place, still on wrong sides.

9–12    First and second couples, half rights and lefts; third and fourth couples, the same.

13–14    First and second couples dance a Petronella turn one place to the right around their square; third and fourth couples, the same.

15–16    Repeat bars 13–14; this brings you all back to where you were at the end of bar 8.

17–20    Right hand wheels: first man with second couple; first lady and third man with fourth couple; and third lady with fifth couple. All end on the sidelines.

21–24    Left hand wheels: first lady with second couple; first man and third lady with fourth couple; and third man with fifth couple. Again, end on the sidelines.

25–28    First and third couples cross by the right and cast off one place on your own side, fourth and fifth couples stepping up.

29–32    All turn partners once by the right hand.

Repeat with a new top couple.
The fifth time through, “birl as you will” on bars 29–32.

Tony Moretti, Auburn, N.H.
Dedicated to Andrew Rankine for his contributions to Scottish Country Dancing.

Suggested music: “The Plantation Reel” on Andrew Rankine’s record “Westering Home” (Emerald GES 1141) –a medley of folk tunes from the southern U.S.A., played in S.C.D. style!

The Pinewoods Collection of Scottish Country Dances, Vol. 2