Dances for January 9, 2023 - Ottawa Dance Scottish

The “Ballater” Reel
Let’s All Dance
32/R or S/32 by John Trew

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and up; staying in the middle ready for…

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts.

25 – 32 1st couple dance a figure of eight around the 2nd couple.

Repeat from new places.

Music: Any good reel or strathspey

Note: This dance was devised for use with a very senior group of adults. In reel time, this dance would be suitable for young children. The dance could be amended to include more advanced figures. Ballater is a Scottish town.

Video: The Kissing Gates

The Kissing Gates
A Strathspey for 3 couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts. All finish facing diagonally to the centre, 1st man and 2nd woman having made polite turns.

5 – 6 1st man and 2nd woman set, whilst 1st woman and 2nd man change places diagonally, giving right hands.

7 – 8 1st and 2nd couples chase clockwise one place. 2nd couple are now in top place and 1st couple in second place.

9 – 12 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across once round. 1st man finishes facing out on his own side in second place, ready for:

13 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across once round to finish facing partners across the dance.

17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples repeat bars 1 – 8.

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

Repeat, with a new top couple.

Suggested music:

‘The Silver Star’ recorded by Rob Gordon and his Band, on The Complete Caledonian
Ball, LCOM9007 Track 8.

Dance devised by Ken Jones.

Note: A kissing gate is a gate which allows people to pass through, one at a time, but not livestock. The gate “kisses” the enclosure either side rather than needing to be securely latched. However, some people use the name as an excuse to kiss the following person before letting them through.

Video: Lady Catherine Bruce’s Reel

Lady Catherine Bruce’s Reel
RSCDS Graded Book

1 – 8 First couple lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step and lead up for four. Finish ready for allemande, second couple coming in behind first couple on last bar.
9 – 16 First and second couples allemande to change places.
17 – 24 First couple dance the figure of eight round the second couple who stand still.
25 – 32 First and second couples dance four hands round and back to places – 8 slip steps to left and 8 to right.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: Collie Law

Collie Law
A 32 bar jig for 2 couples
R Goldring
24 Graded & Social Dances

1- 4 1st and 2nd couples, joining nearer hands on the sides, advance and retire
5-8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner once round with right hands finishing in the center, facing up, ready for: –

9-16 1st and 2nd couples dance Allemande

17-24 1st couple, crossing up to begin, dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.

25-32 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across & left hands back

Video: The Deil amang the Tailors

The Deil amang the Tailors
RSCDS Book 14 – No. 7
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples set to partners and dance right hands across halfway round.

5 – 8 2nd and 1st couples set to partners and dance left hands across halfway round to original places.

9 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.

17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dale’s Collection of Reels and Dances c. 1799.
Original tune: The Deil amang the Tailors (Gow)