Dances for April 29, 2024

Video: Falls of Feugh

Falls of Feugh
9 for 90 RSCDS Aberdeen Branch 90th Anniversary
32-bar reel for three couples in a three couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set, dance in towards each other, cast off one place and set advancing to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.

9 – 12 1st couple, passing first corners by the right, cast round first corner position, pass each other by the right and face second corners.

At the same time first corners, giving right hands half turn to face each other in the middle and pulling back right shoulder dance out to each other’s places.

13 – 16 1st couple repeat bars 9-12 with second corners, meet each other in the middle of the set and pulling back right shoulder finish back to back facing second place opposite sides, ready for double triangles.

17 – 24 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance double triangles to finish 1st man between 3rd couple at the top facing women’s side, 1st woman between 2nd couple facing men’s side.

25 – 28 1st man and 3rd couple, 1st woman and 2nd couple dance half reels of three across the set. 1st and 3rd men, 1st and 3rd women pass by the right.

29 – 32 1st couple, giving right hand, turn one and a half times to finish in second place own sides.

Finish in order 3, 1, 2.
Repeat with new top couple.

Following a house move in 2013, I joined the Banchory Scottish Country Dancing Group. The River Feugh, whose falls are a local landmark, joins the River Dee at Banchory. The dance was written partly to encompass a couple of moves which are favourites of Isobel McMillan the teacher of the Banchory group (who was also a recent Chairman of the Aberdeen RSCDS Branch). Those moves – dancing in
and casting echo both the slow eddies and faster swirling of the Falls of Feugh.

Devised by Andrew Watt, Aberdeen Branch.


Video: Best Set in the Hall

Best Set in the Hall
RSCDS Book 46
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and 1st woman, followed by her partner, casts off two places, crosses over below 3rd couple, casts up and dances in to face first corner. 1st man dances up the middle of the set to face his first corner. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners set and, 1st couple, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in partner’s first corner position. At the same time, first corners dance in towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing own places. (Fig.)

13 – 16 1st couple and first corners set and first corners, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in opposite corner’s position. At the same time, 1st couple dance towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing second corners.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat bars 9-16 with second corners and pass each other by the right to finish in second place on opposite sides. 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples face clockwise.

25 – 28 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance clockwise halfway round the set.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Helen Greenwood, Auckland, New Zealand.
Note: the movement in bars 9-24 was devised by the late Alec Hay.

Notes Compiled by teachers, Summer School , St Andrews 2010
15-16 1st couple turn on the spot.

TACNotes:1-8 1st woman dances straight in on bar 8 to face 1st corner.