Swashbuckling Iain
By Carolyn Hunt
The San Francisco Collection, Volume 2

32 bar jig for two couples
Music:  Not Her First Choice by Kim McGarrity

1–8        1st man dances a reel of three on the women’s side with 1st and 2nd women; 1st man passes 2nd woman by the right shoulder to begin; and he ends in the middle of the set facing down.

9–16    1st man, followed closely by his partner, dances a reel of three across the set between 2nd couple; 1st man passes 2nd man by the right shoulder to begin and ends again in the middle of the set facing down.

17–20    1st man, still followed by his tenacious partner, dances down the middle.

21–24    As 1st man turns around, pulling back right shoulder, he notices his partner andleads her up to the top.

25–32    1st and 2nd couples change places with allemande.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Once when I was teaching Iain Boyd’s “Twa Sparkling E’en”, one of the dancers thought I had said “Swashbuckling Iain”. There was no Swashbuckling Iain, of course, but later I got to thinking, “If there were such a dance, how would it go?”

Dedicated to Iain Boyd but not necessarily describing him, this is it.

The Minister on the Loch
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set
Four Dances 2008

Bars                    Description

1–8        1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette right round.

9–16       1st couple dance down the middle for two steps and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish in the middle facing up. 1st couple dance up the middle for two steps and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish in the middle facing up.

17–24      1st and 3rd couples dance a double figure of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off and 3rd couple cross up. 1st couple finish in original places, facing out. 

25–28      1st and 2nd women, giving right hands, and 1st and 2nd men, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to change places.

29–32      1st and 3rd women, giving left hands, and 1st and 3rd men, giving right hands, turn one and a half times to change places.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Roy Goldring for Robert MacKay

Original tune:
Muriel Johnstone’s compliments to Robert MacKay  (Muriel A Johnstone)
Originally published in 24 Graded and Social Dances devised by Roy Goldring

The dance takes its name from the painting:
Reverend Robert Walker (1755-1808)
Skating on Duddingston Loch
by Sir Henry Raeburn

John of Bon Accord
Book XXXIII – No. 5
(Reel)

Music                            Description
Bars
1–16    Four progressive half-reels of three across the dance – danced as follows:
       
1–4        1st couple with 2nd woman dance a half-reel of three. 1st woman passes her partner with the right shoulder to begin and finishes in the middle of the set facing her own side of the dance. 1st man finishes in 1st woman’s original place and 2nd woman in 1st man’s original place.

5–8        1st couple with 2nd man dance a half-reel of three. 1st woman passes her partner with the left shoulder to begin and finishes in the middle of the set facing the men’s side of the dance. 1st man finishes in 2nd man’s original place and 2nd man in 1st woman’s original place.

9–12    1st couple repeat bars 1-4 with 3rd woman who finishes in 2nd man’s original place.

13–16      1st couple repeat bars 5-8 with 3rd man, who finishes in 2nd woman’s original place. 1st couple finish in third place in the middle of the set.

17–20      1st couple turn with right hands and cast up one place on own sides. 3rd couple step down on bars 19-20.

21–24    1st couple dance half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

25–28    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with right hands three-quarters round to finish in a line up and down the dance; facing partners and retaining right hands, all set.

29–32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with right hands to finish on own sides and then, joining hands on the sides, set to partners.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Roy Goldring and inscribed to John Drewry of Aberdeen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 1-16   In the four progressive half reels across the dance, the 1st woman cuts each reel through the middle
        giving her partner, successively, right, left, right and left shoulders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TAC Notes:’
1-16          For the four consecutive half reels of three, 1st woman starts by facing her partner, giving him R, L, R, &     then L shouders. Note: support dancers all dance up into their half reels & finish one place up on opposite     sides.
29-30    This is a tight turn – do not “steal” on bar 28.  

ALEXANDER DANCES, BOOK 1  by Jean Attwood
THE FALLS OF ROGIE
Reel  –  3 Couples  –  32 bars
Tune  –  The Breakdown

1–4        1st couple cross giving right hands and cast off one place, 2nd couple moving up on bars 3 – 4.

5–8    1st couple cross giving right hands and cast to the right (1st man up, 1st lady down), 1st lady ends facing 3rd man, 1st man facing 2nd lady.

9–12    1st man with 2nd couple, 1st lady with 3rd couple, dance half reel of three across, passing left shoulders to begin, and end three and three across.

13–16    All join hands and set once, then cross giving right hand to opposite person, and face clockwise.

17–24    Three couples dance round in a circle (follow my leader), 2nd and 3rd couples dance all the way round for 8 bars, while 1st couple dance halfway (4 bars) then turn each other 1¼ times with the right hand, to end facing 1st corner positions.

25–28    1st couple dance half diagonal reel of four with 1st corners, finishing by passing right shoulders to face 2nd corner positions.

29–32    1st couple dance half diagonal reel of four with 2nd corners, passing right shoulders to finish in 2nd place on own side.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Five Scottish Country Dances   No. 4
THE ROYAL WEDDING
(Strathspey)

MUSIC                           DESCRIPTION
Bars
1–8        1st couple set, turn with two hands once round, retaining nearer hands dance down the centre one place, then turn with two hands to face 1st corners. 2nd couple dance up on bars 3-4.

9–10    1st couple turn 1st corner with right hand and finish 1st woman between 2nd couple facing down, 1st man between 3rd couple facing up.

11–12    1st couple advance setting and pass left shoulders to face 2nd corners, while 2nd and 3rd couples set facing diagonally to the centre.

13–14    1st couple turn 2nd corner with right hand and finish on the sides between their corners, facing across the dance.

15–16    1st couple advance setting and pass left shoulders to face partner’s 1st corner (1st woman face 3rd woman, 1st man face 2nd man), while 2nd and 3rd couples set facing diagonally to the centre.

17–20    1st couple dance half-reel of four with 1st corners, passing left shoulders on bar 20 to face partner’s 2nd corner (1st woman face 2nd woman, 1st man face 3rd man).

21–24    1st couple dance half-reel of four with 2nd corners, passing left shoulders on bar 24 to finish still in centre of set facing the opposite side of the dance.

25–28    3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance round the set clockwise half-way – the women led by 3rd woman who begins by dancing across top place to her own side, and the men, led by 2nd     man who dances across 3rd place to his own side. 1st couple dance out to 2nd place on opposite sides and turn right to follow immediately after the lead dancer. Figs. 1 and 2.

29–32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn partner with two hands once round.
Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Gene MacKinnon and presented to the R.S.C.D.S. by the Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa, Canada as their contribution to the festivities of the wedding of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, July 1981.

Tune: Our Highland Queen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 7-8       1st man releases his left hand and, with his right hand, helps 1st woman round to face her first corner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
1-8       1st cpl finish turn (bars 3-4) slightly above 1st place. On bar 7, they dance a wide turn & open out on bar 8, 1st man
             retaining prtnr’s LH in his RH to assist her to face her first corner.
11-12    1st cpl are setting to partner. Also bars 15-16.

THE PATH OF LIFE    32J3                           F Ligtman  Grand Chain & Allepouss
 1- 8        1s turn RH & cast off to 2nd place (2s step up on bars 3&4); 1s turn LH to face      1st corners
 9-16        1s turn 1st corner RH, partner LH, 2nd corner RH & partner LH to face 1st
        corners again
17-24        1s dance Pass+Turn with 1st corners, then pass RSh to dance Pass+Turn with
        2nd corners, passing RSh again to finish in 2nd place own side
25-32        2s+1s+3s circle 6 hands round & back

Another combined class this week. The dance Angus MacLeod is a bit complicated more than your average dance. Don’t worry, we will cover it at a pace to make everyone feel comfortable.

The Birks of Invermay
Book 16 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4    1st man and 2nd woman, giving both hands, turn once round.

5 – 8    1st woman and 2nd man, giving both hands, turn once round to places. On bar 8, 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance into the middle of the set to join both hands and face up.

9 – 16    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a promenade.

17 – 24    1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place, lead up between 2nd couple, cross over to own sides and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24.

25 – 32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: Angus MacLeod
In the above video the demonstration team takes a little creative license with the dance.

ANGUS  MacLEOD
(Reel)

1 – 2    2nd and 3rd couples dance into the centre of the set with two skip-change and face diagonally in.

3 – 4    They set, turning right about on the second step to face the corners of the set, men facing men, women facing women. 2nd and 3rd couples are hereafter referred to as “centres,” 1st and 4th couples as “corners.”

5 – 6    Passing right shoulder with two skip-change, centres change places with their corners, who face diagonally in.

7 – 8    All set, corners turning right about.

9 – 10    Passing right shoulder again, corners dance out and centres dance in to face diagonally in.

11 – 12    All set, centres turning right about, and

13 – 16    Centres turn their corners by the right hand once round and

17 – 20    Dance left hands across once round, finishing facing their corners again.

21 – 32    Double diagonal reels of four: to begin, centres pass their corners right shoulder. As the dancers pass in the middle they give left hands across for two steps, half round. Corners finish in their original places, but

33 – 34    Centres, giving left hand to partner, change places (2nd woman and 3rd man doing a “polite” turn) to finish back to back in the middle of the set, facing their partner’s original corner.

35 – 36    All set.

37 – 40    Each turns the person he is facing by one hand so that centre couples begin by going between corner couples (left hand for 2nd woman and 1st man, 3rd man and 4th     woman: right hand for 2nd man and 1st woman, 3rd woman and 4th man).

41 – 48    Centres, facing diagonally in, set, with two pas de basque and four points, twice.

49 – 52    Centres dance between corner couples and cast into the middle again, facing diagonally in, and

53 – 56    Set, with two pas de basque and four points, once.

57 – 64    With 3rd couple making an arch and 2nd dancing under it, 2nd dance down and, together, cast up round 4th woman and dance up the middle to the top of the set, while 3rd couple dance up and, together, cast off round 1st man  and dance down the middle to the bottom of the set, After casting, 2nd man and 3rd woman pass left shoulder. On 63-64 1st couple move down and 4th move up.

Repeat once more with new centres and new corners.

Dance devised by Alex. T. Queen, of the R. S. C. D. S., Southport Branch, Pipe Major Clan MacLeod Band.

The Rock and the wee pickle Tow   
RSCDS Book 3            32 J 2C        (Craig)

1 – 4    1C, giving RH, cross over and cast off one place.
5 – 8    1C, giving LH, turn ½ way round and lead up to finish in middle at the top, facing down.
9 – 16    1C & 2C dance 4-H round and back.
17 – 24    1C lead down the middle and up to finish facing partner with BH joined. 2nd couple step in.
25 – 32    1C & 2C dance a poussette.

Espie McNabb
Miss Milligan’s Miscellany of Scottish Country Dances
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 –  4    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set to partners and, giving right hands, cross over.

5 – 8    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples repeat bars 1-4.

9 – 16    1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in original places.

17 – 20    1st couple set to each other and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on             bars 19-20.

21 – 24    1st couple, giving right hands , turn once round to finish in second place             on own sides.

25 – 32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat, having passed a couple.

This week we will review reels of three and add another formation – Allemande.

ECCLEFECHAN FELINE
Le Petit Chat Celtique
32 bar Jig for 3 couples – McMurtry – 2006

1 – 8    1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side. 1st couple dance between the 2nd couple to begin, taking nearer hands briefly wherever possible.

9 – 16    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel of three on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down, 2nd couple up and out and 3rd couple in and up to begin.

17 – 24    1st couple dance down for three steps, back for three steps and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 & 24.

25 – 28    1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across, passing right shoulders on the last bar to change places.

29 – 32    1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

The Auld Grey Cat
Let’s All Dance, Beginning Level/Audience Participation Dances
Compiled by Jo Hamilton & Susie Langdon Kass
by Iain Boyd
32/R/3   

1 – 8    1st couple cross over with right hands, cast down round 2nd couple on opposite sides, cross over with left hands and cast up round 2nd couple on own sides. 2nd couple move up on bars 3 and 4 and move down on bars 7 and 8 to finish facing up.

9 – 16    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides. 1st couple begin by dancing in and down, 2nd couple dance out and up and 3rd couple dance in and up.

17 – 24    1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle in promenade hold. 2nd couple step into the middle on bar 24.

25 – 32    1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.
Repeat from new places.

Lassie Will Ye Come and Dance
A 32 bar jig for 3 Couples
Let’s All Dance

1-8    1st couple set twice, cross right hands and cast down round 2nd couple on opposite sides. 2nd couple moves up on 7 & 8.

9-16.1    1st woman dances a figure of 8 round 2nd couple, passing 2nd woman by the right shoulder, while 1st  man dances a figure of 8 round 3rd couple passing 3rd man right shoulders to begin. 1st couple finishes on opposite sides in 2nd place.

17-20    2nd, 1st, & 3rd C set twice with nearer hands joined on the sides.

21-24    1st couple turn with right hands 1 ¼ times to finish with 1st woman between 2nd couple and 1st man between 3rd couple.
25-28    1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple, set twice with nearer hands joined in threes across the set.
29-32    1st couple turn with right hands 1 ¼ times to finish on own sides in 2nd place.

This  week we will be starting with reels of three. This is a formation that occurs very often in dances. There is a slight danger of collision but if you keep your head up there should be no problems.

See you tonight.

The Waratah Weaver
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances
32-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8    1st couple dance a figure of eight on own sides, dancing in and down to begin and giving nearer hands on bars 1 and 5.

9 – 16    3rd couple dance a figure of eight on own sides, dancing in and up to begin and giving nearer hands on bars 9 and 13.

17 – 24    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round and, giving left hands , turn once round to places.

25 – 28    1st couple, with both hands joined, slip down the middle with four slip steps and back up the middle with four slip steps to finish in the middle at first place facing up.

29 – 32    1st couple cast off to the foot of the set. 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 31-32.

Repeat with a new top couple.

ECCLEFECHAN FELINE
Le Petit Chat Celtique
32 bar Jig for 3 couples – McMurtry – 2006

1 – 8    1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side. 1st couple dance between the 2nd couple to begin, taking nearer hands briefly wherever possible.

9 – 16    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel of three on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down, 2nd couple up and out and 3rd couple in and up to begin.

17 – 24    1st couple dance down for three steps, back for three steps and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 & 24.

25 – 28    1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across, passing right shoulders on the last bar to change places.

29 – 32    1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

THE MOUNTAIN STREAM
Graded and Social Dances 3,  devised by Roy Goldring
32 bar Reel for 2 couples

1 – 8    1st woman and 2nd man set twice then turn with right hands.They finish in place.

9 – 16    1st man and 2nd woman set twice then turn with left hands. They finish in place – 1st man facing out.

17 – 24    1st man, followed by his partner, casts behind 2nd man, crosses up between 2nd couple, casts behind 2nd woman and crosses to 2nd place on own side.1st woman finishes in 2nd woman’s place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24.

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across and left hands across.

Repeat having passed a couple.

We will repeat one dance from last week and a couple from the first class on Sept. 17

The Waratah Weaver
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances
32-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8    1st couple dance a figure of eight on own sides, dancing in and down to begin and giving nearer hands on bars 1 and 5.

9 – 16    3rd couple dance a figure of eight on own sides, dancing in and up to begin and giving nearer hands on bars 9 and 13.

17 – 24    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round and, giving left hands , turn once round to places.

25 – 28    1st couple, with both hands joined, slip down the middle with four slip steps and back up the middle with four slip steps to finish in the middle at first place facing up.

29 – 32    1st couple cast off to the foot of the set.2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 31-32.

Repeat with a new top couple.

The Highland Fair
RSCDS Graded Book
32 bar jig for 2 couples

1 – 8    First couple cast off and dance down behind own line for 4 skip change of step, turn outwards and dance four steps back to place.

9 – 16    First and second couples turn partner with right hand and return to place – 4 skip change of step, then repeat, giving left hand.

17 – 24    First couple, followed by second couple, lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step. Second couple, followed by first couple, lead up the middle to finish second couple at top and first couple in second place.  (Figs. 1 and 2.)

25 – 32    First and second couples dance right and left.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Ceilidh Madness
Let’s All Dance, Too, 1997
32/R/4

1 – 8    1st woman, followed by 2nd and 3rd women, dance across the set, down behind 1st, 2nd and 3rd men, across to the women’s side and return to places.

9 – 16    Men repeat around the women, 1st man leading.

17 – 20    With both hands joined, 1st couple slip down  and back to the top.

21 – 24    1st couple cast off to 4th place.  2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 7-8 of the phrase.

25 – 32    All circle 8 hands round and back.

Repeat from new places.

We are looking forward to starting another class of people new to Scottish Country Dancing. I will try to post the dance instructions for the class here before the class. I may also post links to dancing videos available on the internet.

Video: The Highland Fair

The Highland Fair
RSCDS Graded Book
32 bar Jig for 2 couples

1 – 8    First couple cast off and dance down behind own line for 4 skip change of step, turn outwards and dance four steps back to place.

9 – 16    First and second couples turn partner with right hand and return to place – 4 skip change of step, then repeat, giving left hand.

17 – 24    First couple, followed by second couple, lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step. Second couple, followed by first couple, lead up the middle to finish second couple at top and first couple in second place.  (Figs. 1 and 2.)

25 – 32    First and second couples dance right and left.
Repeat, having passed a couple.

Video: A Wee Nothin’ 
The dance starts about 1:15 of the video

A Wee Nothin’
32 Bar jig for 2 couples

1 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance Right Hands across and Left Hands back to place.

9 – 14    1st Lady followed by the 2nd Lady dance across the top of the set, behind the men’s line, 1st Lady dances below the 2nd man, and 2nd Lady dances between the two men, and across to their own side, both pull LEFT shoulders back.

15 – 16    1st and 2nd ladies join hands and Set.  (Men do not set back)

17 – 22    1st Man followed by the 2nd Man dance across the top of the set, behind the ladies’ line, 1st Man dances below the 2nd lady’s position, 2nd Man dances between the two ladies, and across to their own side, both pull RIGHT shoulders back.

23 – 24    1st and 2nd Men join hands and Set.  (Ladies do not set back)

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance Rights and Lefts.

Ceilidh Madness
32 Bar Reel fo 4 couples
by Sarah Harriman, Austin, Texas & Headquarters
Let’s All Dance, Too, 1997

1 – 8    1st woman, followed by 2nd and 3rd women, dance across the set, down behind 1st, 2nd and 3rd men, across to the women’s side and return to places.

9 – 16    Men repeat around the women, 1st man leading.

17 – 20    With both hands joined, 1st couple slip down  and back to the top.

21 – 24    1st couple cast off to 4th place.  2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 7-8 of the phrase.

25 – 32    All circle 8 hands round and back.

Repeat from new places.

The Beginners Ball was held this past weekend. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. Having Laura Risk and Nicholas Williams play for us was a real treat. I thought the dancers from Ardbrae, including the beginners, were well prepared for the program. The beginners deserve a congratulations for showing up and dancing fifteen dances in one event.

The dances for our summer classes will be posted on our web site Ottawa Dance Scottish rather than to this blog. The summer classes begin on May 17, 7:30pm at the Churchill Recreation Center. I hope to see many of you there.

This is the final class of the season. Remember, this class is at the Churchill Recreation Center. We will be focusing on dances on the AGM program. If time permits we will revisit The Minister On the Loch. This dance was covered in one of the combined sessions in March.

I found two videos of The Minister on the Loch. Both have very good dances and are shot from above with may help to see the pattern of the poussette in strathspey time i.e. the first 8 bars of the dance. Here are some instructions for the strathspey poussette.
Video: The Minster On the Loch
Video: The Minister On the Loch

This next video starts with The Highland Fair but continues into other dances. At about the four minute mark they do Fair Donald
Video: The Highland Fair and Fair Donald

Video: The Reel of the 51st Division

Video: The De’il Amang the Tailors

The Highland Fair
RSCDS Graded Book
A 32 bar jig for 2 couples

MUSIC                    DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8    First couple cast off and dance down behind own line for 4 skip change of step, turn outwards and dance four steps back to place.

9 – 16    First and second couples turn partner with right hand and return to place – 4 skip change of step, then repeat, giving left hand.

17 – 24    First couple, followed by second couple, lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step. Second couple, followed by first couple, lead up the middle to finish second couple at top and first couple in second place.

25 – 32    First and second couples dance right and left.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

FAIR DONALD
RSCDS Book 29  No. 4
(Strathspey)

Music                           DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 4    First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between second couple and cast up to place.

5 – 8    First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between third couple and cast up to first corners; second couple step up on bars seven and eight.

9 – 16    First couple reel of four with first corners passing partner with left shoulder at end of reel.

17 – 24    First couple reel of four with second corners finishing as in Fig.

25 – 26    First couple cast off into second place.

27 – 28    Second, first and third couples set.

29 – 32    Second, first and third couples turn partners with two hands.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

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

Bars                        Description

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)
   

The Minister on the Loch
RSCDS Four Dances 2008
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set

Bars                    Description

1 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette right round.

9 – 16    1st couple dance down the middle for two steps and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish in the middle facing up. 1st couple dance up the middle for two steps and, giving both hands, turn once round to finish in the middle facing up.

17 – 24    1st and 3rd couples dance a double figure of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off and 3rd couple cross up. 1st couple finish in original places, facing out. 

25 – 28    1st and 2nd women, giving right hands, and 1st and 2nd men, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to change places.

29 – 32    1st and 3rd women, giving left hands, and 1st and 3rd men, giving right hands, turn one and a half times to change places.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Roy Goldring for Robert MacKay
Original tune: Muriel Johnstone’s compliments to Robert MacKay  (Muriel A Johnstone)
Originally published in 24 Graded and Social Dances devised by Roy Goldring

The dance takes its name from the painting: Reverend Robert Walker (1755-1808) Skating on Duddingston Loch by Sir Henry Raeburn

The Reel of the 51st Division
RSCDS Book 13 – No. 10
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

1 – 8    1st couple set to each other and cast off two places, meet below 3rd couple and lead up the middle to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

9 – 12    1st couple set to and turn first corners with the right hand, finishing in a diagonal line by joining left hands with partner.

13 – 14    1st couple and first corners balance in line.

15 – 16    1st couple, releasing right hands with corners, turn each other one and a quarter times to face second corners.

17 – 22    1st couple repeat bars 9-14 with second corners.

23 – 24    1st couple cross to second place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Jimmy Atkinson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and Peter Oliver, Seaforth Highlanders (London Scottish), with advice from Tom Harris-Hunter, Royal Army Service Corps while all were interned in the Prisoner of War camp at Laufen in Germany.

Original tune:  The Drunken Piper or Highland Rory Alex. McLeod, c. 1880

The original instructions in the form of notes, written by Tom Harris-Hunter on a scruffy piece of paper when he was a prisoner of war, clearly show that the dance was intended for a five couple set as it is still danced in Perthshire.

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TACNotes:’
1-8    Set (no stealing) bars 1-2, cast bars 3-5, dance in to meet on bar 6, lead up on bar 7 to face corners on bar 8.         

This week and next week we are going to try to get through as many of the Beginner Ball dances as we can. We will be doing different dances after the break so we can hopefully review six dances this week. The first three dances we will do in class before the break. The next three we will cover after the break.

The instructions for all the Beginner Ball dances are available here: Crib Notes

Video: Petronella by dancers in Frankfurt.
Video: Balmoral Strathspey

Jimmy’s Fancy
RSCDS Book 14 – No. 11
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

1 – 8        1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across for three steps and left hands back. 1st couple cast off one place on own sides while 2nd couple dance up to first place.

9 – 16        1st woman with 2nd couple, 1st man with 3rd couple dance three hands round and back. 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17 – 24    1st couple set to and turn corners to finish between them.

25 – 32    1st couple lead down between 3rd couple, cross over to own sides, cast up round 3rd couple, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Thompson’s Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances c. 1755.
Original tune: Lord Seaforth (Surenne)

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TACNotes:’    29-30   Nearer hand lead up.

Petronella
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 1
32-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

1 – 2    1st couple dance a petronella turn, i.e. they dance a three-quarters turn, moving diagonally to their right into the middle of the set and pull back right shoulders to face partner.

3 – 4    1st couple set to each other.

5 – 16    1st couple repeat bars 1– 4 always moving to the right until they are back in original positions.

17 – 24    1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.

25 – 32    1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Introduced at Nathaniel Gow’s Annual Ball in Edinburgh, 1820. J P Boulogne:  The Ball-Room or the Juvenile Pupil’s Assistant, Glasgow 1827.
Original tine:  Petronella (Traditional)

McMARLEY’S CROSS
A 32 bar strathspey for a 3 couple set
Rose and Thistle Book, of dances devised by Wigan Thistle Society

BARS
1 – 4    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn partner by the right hand once round.

5 – 8    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn partner by the left hand once round.

9 – 12    1st couple set and cast off one place. (2nd couple step up bars 11 &12.)

13 – 16    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across.

17 – 20    1st couple set and cast off one place. (3rd couple step up bars 19 & 20.)

21 – 24    1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across.

25 – 32    2nd, 3rd and 1st couples dance a grand chain. (1st couple face 3rd couple and 2nd couple cross.)

Devised by – Lorna Grundy, Lisa Jones, Ailsa Longmuir, Rebecca Markey, Kathryn Parkinson, Katherine Small and Nicola Strachan, some of the Junior Members of the
Thistle Society, Wigan (1994)

Balmoral Strathspey
RSCDS Book 22 – No. 3

MUSIC                    DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8    First couple with second, and third couple with fourth, dance right and left.

9 – 12    First couple with second, and third couple with fourth, set and dance right hands across half way  round.

13 – 16    All set, and, giving right hands in passing, cross to own sides. (The order is now 2, 1, 4, 3.)

17 – 24    Reels of four at the sides, second couple facing first, and fourth couple facing third.  (Fig. 1.)

25 – 32    First, fourth and third couples allemande to finish, first couple at bottom, fourth couple in third, and third couple in second place.  (Fig. 2.)

Repeat, with a new couple leading.

Devised by John A. Charles, Kawerau, New Zealand.

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The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 17-24    1st, 4th and 3rd couples should complete the reel in seven steps using the eight to dance towards             partner for the allemande.   
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TACNotes:’
17-24    1st, 4th & 3rd cpls dance reel in 7 bars &, on bar 24, dance into position for allemande.

THE MOUNTAIN STREAM
Graded and Social Dances 3,  devised by Roy Goldring
32 bar Reel for 2 couples

Bars
1 – 8    1st woman and 2nd man set twice then turn with right hands. They finish in place.

9 – 16    1st man and 2nd woman set twice then turn with left hands. They finish in place – 1st man facing out.

17 – 24    1st man, followed by his partner, casts behind 2nd man, crosses up between 2nd couple, casts behind 2nd woman and crosses to 2nd place on own side.1st woman finishes in 2nd woman’s place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24.

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across and left hands across.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Tune:    Miss Jean Donaldson’s Hornpipe (Traditional – James Walker 1st Collection)

The Wellingtonia Reel
12 Scottish Country Dances  devised by Mervyn Short
32 bar Reel for 3 couples

Bars

1 – 4    1C & 2C set and link, 1M finish facing out.
5 – 8    1M, followed by partner, casts up and dances down the middle to finish facing 3M, 1W faces 2M.

9 – 16    1M with 3C and 1W with 2C dance reels of three across, passing right shoulders to begin; finish as started.

17 – 20    1M & 3M and 1W & 2M turn right hands.
21 – 24    1M & 3W and 1W & 2W turn left hands, 1C finish in the centre facing down, (1M between 3C, 1W between 2C).

25 – 28    1M followed by partner, casts up one place on men’s side and dances across to the opposite side in second place. 1W finishes in second place on the men’s side.
29 – 32    1C turn right hands one and a half times, to finish in second place own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

This dance was inspired by the magnificent Wellingtonia trees near     Finchampstead, Berkshire which I regularly travel past on the way to class.

Tune:  The Burnt Leg

We are continuing to review dances for the Beginners’ Ball. Although, Fair Donald, is on the AGM. There are four dances listed but the last one will likely only be done after the break

Video: Fair Donald This video has a number of dances. The dance Fair Donald isn’t done until about 4 minutes into the video

Video: Flowers of Edinburgh

Video: Granville Market Skip ahead to the 41:30 point in the video to see the dance

Beach Dancer
A 32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set
For Margaret Blackhall, a teacher at Kamo Club who lives on the coast at Ngunguru.
Devised by Eddy West 2003.

1-4    First couple set and cross giving right hand.
5-8    First couple set to second couple and change places on the side giving left hands (men remain facing out).

9-16    Second and first couples dance a ladies chain, first man finishes facing out. First couple must continue into the next figure without hesitation.

17-20    First man casts down round third lady and crosses to third place, own side then casts up behind third man to second place, first lady follows to own side third place then dances up the middle to second place on own side.
21-24    First and second ladies, and at the same time first and second men, turn giving left hands.

25-32    Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on the sides, first couple passing third couple right shoulder to start.

Repeat having passed a couple
Suggested recorded music “Over the Pond II” – Sound Company CD “On Track”.

FAIR DONALD
RSCDS Book 29  No. 4
(Strathspey)

Music                           DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 4    First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between second couple and cast up to place.

5 – 8    First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between third couple and cast up to first corners; second couple step up on bars seven and eight.

9 – 16    First couple reel of four with first corners passing partner with left     shoulder at end of reel.

17 – 24    First couple reel of four with second corners finishing as in Fig.

25 – 26    First couple cast off into second place.

27 – 28    Second, first and third couples set.

29 – 32    Second, first and third couples turn partners with two hands.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Flowers of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 6
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

1 – 6    1st woman casts off two places, crosses to the opposite side and dances up behind 2nd and 3rd men to her partner’s original place.1st man follows his partner, crossing over and dancing behind 2nd and 3rd women, and up the middle to his partner’s original place.

7 – 8    1st couple set to each other.

9 – 14    1st couple repeat bars 1-6, with 1st man casting off and 1st woman following. 1st couple finish in original places.

15 – 16    1st couple set to each other.

17 – 24    1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.

25 – 32    1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Kate Hughes’ Dancing Book (MS), Dundalk 1867.
Original tune:  Flowers of Edinburgh (Traditional)

Granville Market
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                         Description

1 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands back.

9 – 12    1st couple, giving right hands, cross and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 11-12.

13 – 16    1st couple dance a half figure of eight up around 2nd couple.1st couple finish facing first corners.

17 – 18    1st couple, giving right hands, turn first corners.

19 – 20    1st couple pass each other in the middle by the right to face second corners.

21 – 22    1st couple, giving right hands, turn second corners.

23 – 24    1st couple pass each other by the right to finish in second place on own sides.

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

Devised by Elinor M Vandegrift, RSCDS Seattle Branch.
Granville Market is on Granville Island in Vancouver, B.C.

Inscribed to the children and organisers of the Vancouver Branch Children’s Scottish Country Dance workshops. It was presented at Vancouver Branch’s Whistler Weekend, May 1985.