Waiting for the Daffodils
32-bar strathspey for four couples in a longwise set
1–4 1st couple cross down between 2nd couple, cast up round them and dance into the middle to finish back to back between 2nd couple, 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 2nd woman. At the same time, 3rd couple cross down between 4th couple, cast up round them and dance into the middle to finish back to back between 4th couple, 3rd woman facing 4th man and 3rd man facing 4th woman.
5–8 All set and turn the person they are facing with both hands to finish on the sidelines in original order. 1st and 3rd couples are on opposite sides. Women face each other diagonally while the men face out. (The turn is about three-quarters round on the men’s side and one and a quarter times on the women’s side.)
9–12 1st woman with 2nd woman dance back to back while their partners dance clockwise half way round them to change places. Meanwhile 3rd and 4th couples dance similarly.
13–16 1st and 2nd men dance back to back while their partners dance clockwise half way round them to change places. Meanwhile 3rd and 4th couples dance similarly.
17–20 1st couple (in second place) turn with the right hand half way round, lead down and dance straight into fourth place while 3rd couple (in fourth place) cross, giving right hands, and cast up to second place. All finish on opposite sides in order 2,3,4 1.
21–24 All cross to own sides, giving right hands, and set to partners.
25–32 2nd couple with 3rd couple and 4th couple with 1st couple dance a poussette right round.
Repeat, from new positions.
Devised by Ruth Lambert
Suitable recorded music:
‘Bothkennar’, Bobby Brown and the Scottish Accent, The Bobby Brown Collection, CD1, Track 13
The Australian Ladies
THE GLASGOW ASSEMBLY and other Scottish Country Dances by Bob Campbell. Oakville, Ontario
A reel for three couples
1–4 First couple cross over giving the right hand and cast off two places. Second and third couples step up.
5–8 First and third couples dance right hands across once round, first couple finishing in the middle facing up with right hands joined.
9–12 First couple lead up, cross over and cast off round second couple to finish in second place on own sides. Third couple step down.
13-16 First and second couples dance left hands across once round.
17-20 First couple cross over giving the right hand and cast round first corner’s position to finish, first man between third couple facing up, first woman between second couple facing down. At the same time second and third couples set to partner then cross over giving the right hand, second couple to face down, third couple up.
21-24 First couple change places giving the right hand and cast round second corner’s position to finish in second place on opposite sides. At the same time second and third men, and women, set to each other then change places giving the right hand to finish facing partner across the dance.
25-28 First couple cross back to own sides giving the right hand and cast round partner’s first corner’s position to finish, first man between third couple facing down, first woman between second couple facing up. At the same time second and third couples set to partner then cross back to own sides giving the right hand, second couple to face up, third couple down.
29-32 First c First couple change places giving the right hand and cast round partner’s second corner’s position to finish on own sides in second place. At the same time second and third men, and women, set to each other then change places giving the right hand. (Second woman and third man make a ‘polite’ turn at the end of bar 32.)
Repeat, having passed a couple.