Video: The Paisley Weavers
The Paisley Weavers
RSCDS Third Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set
Two chords: on the second chord, 2nd couple crosses to opposite sides.
1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross down between 2nd couple, cast off one place; giving right hands, cross up between 3rd couple and cast up to original places.
9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a grand chain. 1st and 2nd men finish facing out.
17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance a ladies’ chain.
25 – 28 1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts.
29 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance half rights and lefts.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by Derek Haynes, Headquarters Member.
Printed by permission of Maureen Haynes.
The town of Paisley, seven miles west of Glasgow, was well known in the nineteenth century for its production of shawls and threads. The best known design, a twisted teardrop shape, is known as Paisley pattern.
Video: Orpington Caledonians
Orpington Caledonians
RSCDS Book 49
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 2 1st couple set.
3 – 6 1st woman casts off to second place and dances across the set to face out on the men’s side. At the same time, 1st man dances across the set and casts off to second place on the women’s side. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.
7 – 8 1st woman with 3rd man and 1st man with 3rd woman, giving left hands, turn halfway. 1st and 3rd men finish facing out.
9 – 16 3rd and 1st couples dance a ladies’ chain. 1st man finishes facing out.
17 – 20 1st man casts up to second place and dances across the set to face out. At the same time, 1st woman dances across the set and casts up to second place on the women’s side. 3rd couple step down on bars 19 – 20.
21 – 24 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across once round. 1st man and 2nd woman finish facing out.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides, 1st and 3rd couples passing by the left to begin.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by John Brenchley, Western Australia Branch.
The dance was written in 1987 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Orpington and District Caledonian Society.
Video: THE FINDLAY’S JIG
THE FINDLAY’S JIG
14 Social Dances for 2000, devised by Roy Goldring
32 bar jig for 3 couples
1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and back finishing at the top in the centre. 2nd and 3rd couples step in on bar 8.
9 – 16 3 couple allemande.
17 – 20 1st couple dance in, face down and cast up to the top. 3rd and 2nd couples step down on 19-20.
21 – 24 2nd couple repeat bars 17-20. 1st and 3rd couples step down on bars 23-24.
25 – 32 6 hands round and back.
Repeat having passed a couple
For Faustina and Ian Findlay
Tune: The Groom’s Jig by Ian Findlay
Video: Bohemian Reflections
Bohemian Reflections
RSCDS Book 51
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple lead down two places, cross over below 3rd couple, and cast up to second place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a quarter times to finish in the middle facing own sides.
9 – 12 1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance right hands across. To finish, 1st couple pass by the right shoulder in the middle.
13 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides.
17 – 24 2nd and 1st couples dance a ladies’ chain. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides, 1st man facing out.
25 – 30 1st man, followed by his partner, casts off one place and dances across the set and up behind 3rd man to second place on own side. On the last two bars, 1st woman dances up the middle and into second place on own side, pulling back right shoulder.
31 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, joining hands on the sides, set.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Holger Schuckelt, Central Germany Branch, January 2016.
The dance was inspired by the reflections on the lake behind Průhonice Castle in Bohemia.
Video: The White Cockade
The White Cockade
Book 5 – No. 11
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, cross over. They repeat back to places.
9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in first place in the middle of the set.
17 – 20 1st couple cast off to second place on own sides.
2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.
21 – 24 1st and 3rd couples dance four hands once round to the left.
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
William Campbell: 3rd Book of New and Favourite Country Dances and Strathspey Reels, London c.1782.
Original tune: The White Cockade (Traditional, earliest version Aird 1782 as The Ranting Highlandman)