The Dancing Lights
The Trestle Bridge Collection

32 bar Jig for three couples in a four couple set

1 – 8 1st couple set and lead down, cross below 3rd couple and cast up to partner’s place.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a Bourelle
9 – 12 1st and 2nd women set advancing, turn 3/4 with the right hand and pivot to finish back to back, 1st woman facing down, 2nd woman facing up. While 1st and 2nd men dance counter clockwise across the set through partner’s position and round to face partner.

13 – 16 All set to partner and turn right hand. 2nd couple finish in 1st place on own side facing out 1st couple finish in centre facing down, lady on her partner’s right.

17 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance mirror reels of three on the side. 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple who dance out and up, 2nd couple dance out and down to start the reel. (1 st couple finish in the centre facing down)

25 – 28 1st couple cross down below 3rd couple and cast up to 2nd place on own side

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples all turn partner right hand. 1st couple repeat from new position

This dance is devised for and dedicated to the Yellowknife Scottish Country Dance Club on
the occasion of their Annual Workshop, November 1992.
The name was chosen after I saw the Northern Lights “dancing” in the arctic sky.

The Trestle Bridge
The Trestle Bridge Collection

32 Bar Strathspey for three couples in a four couple set

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the centre and back to the top. Stay in the centre facing up.

9 – 16 1st couple cast off one place, meet partner and cross below 3rd couple, giving right hand. Cast up one place and cross up to 1st place, giving right hand. (Finish facing out) while 2nd couple cross up to 1st place, giving left hand. Cast off one place, meet partner and cross below 3rd couple, giving left hand and cast up to 2nd place. (Finish facing up)

17 – 24 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance parallel reels of 3 on the sides, giving hands where possible. 1st couple finish in 1st place facing up.
1st couple dance out and down
2nd couple dance in and up
3rd couple dance out and up

25 – 30 1st couple cast off one place while 2nd couple dance up to 1st place. 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across.

31 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples all set on the side lines.

1st couple repeat from new position.

This is a slow leisurely strathspey that ambles along just like the trains that cross the High Level Bridge at the entrance to the City of Lethbridge. This bridge, which was built in 1909, is the longest and highest Trestle Bridge in the world. April 2002

Video: Torryburn Lasssies

Torryburn Lassies
RSCDS Book 4, No. 1

(Reel)

MUSIC DESCRIPTION

Bars

1 – 8 1st couple with nearer hands joined set twice to 2nd woman, then dance three hands round.

9 – 16 1st couple with nearer hands joined set twice to 2nd man, then dance three hands round.

17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up again.

25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Collected in Perthshire.

Note: ’Sir James Baird’s Reel’ in Longman and Broderip Collection, Circa 1792, is the same with the exception of bars 25-32, which are “right and left”. ‘Miss Louisa Drummond’s Reel’ in Campbell’s Collection, Book 10, 1793, is the same with the exception of bars 25—32 which are ”allemand”.