the badger’s sett - scottish dance · 2015. 9. 28. · foreword the badger’s sett a collection...

The Badger’s Sett

A collection of new Scottish dances in traditional form

Devised by Ian Brockbank

Foreword The Badger’s Sett A collection of new Scottish dances in traditional form

This booklet contains scottish country dances I have written, together with music where this is possible (ie where I have permission from the copyright holder, if relevant).

Contents

Ceilidh Dances This version of the collection contains the complete set of my dances (except for dances I have completely rejected as failed experiments which are not even interesting for academic purposes). I have organised the dances into the following categories:

A Canonbie Ceilidh....................................... 40 bar Reel, repeated ad lib ...................... 5 Bruntsfield Links ........................................... 4c32 bar Reel............................................... 6 Highland Cathedral ...................................... 32 bar slow air ............................................ 7 The Marmalade Sandwich ........................... 8x32 bar Reel .............................................. 8 Ceilidh: easy dances, suitable for ceilidhs as well as SCD Mist-covered Mountains .............................. 16 bar waltz ................................................ 9 Easy SCD dances: easy dances, but due to the style probably more suited to

SCD programmes than ceilidhs The Packhorse Rant....................................... 32 bar Reel ................................................ 10 Moderate: dances which shouldn't prove too challenging for a moderately experienced dancer

Seeing Purple ................................................. 32 bar Reel, repeated ad lib .................... 11 Teviot Square ................................................. 4x48 bar Jig ............................................... 12

For connoisseurs: dances which will take a bit of thought or practice, or possibly careful phrasing Easy SCD Dances

Brodie’s Fancy ............................................... 8x32 bar Reel ............................................ 13 Challenging: dances which are challenging and probably not suited for social dancing, but might prove an interesting challenge for a group of experienced dancers with an hour or two to fill

Cherry Blossom ............................................. 8x32 bar Strathspey ................................. 14 The Happier Meeting.................................... 32 bar Reel, repeated ad lib .................... 15

These dances may be freely danced, performed, put on dance programmes, so long as the source is acknowledged (Ian Brockbank, unless otherwise specified). If you try any of these dances, please let me know how you get on and what you think of them.

The President’s Dilemma ............................. 4x32 bar Jig ............................................... 19 Upstairs Downstairs .................................... 4x32 bar Reel ............................................ 18 Moderate Dances Auld Mahoun’s Revenge.............................. 8x32 bar Reel ............................................ 28 The BAMFAD ................................................ 8x32 bar Reel ............................................ 20 I run a web site for Scottish dancers at http://www.scottishdance.net/. This

contains resources for Scottish dancers, including: The Broderer .................................................. 8x40 bar Strathspey ................................. 22 Dancing Dustbins.......................................... 8x32 bar Reel ............................................ 23 http://www.scottishdance.net/dances/ - the latest version of this collection Gloomy Winter’s Noo Awa’ ........................ 8x32 bar Strathspey ................................. 25 http://www.scottishdance.net/bands/ - Scottish dance bands (SCD and ceilidh) Maple Dancing .............................................. 8x32 bar Reel ............................................ 26 http://www.scottishdance.net/groups/ - Scottish dance groups worldwide The Mara ........................................................ 8x32 bar Strathspey ................................. 28 http://www.scottishdance.net/events/ - forthcoming Scottish dance events New Scotland Gold....................................... 8x32 bar Jig ............................................... 28 http://www.scottishdance.net/links/ - links useful to Scottish dancers Nifty Shiftin’ .................................................. 4x32 bar Reel ............................................ 27 http://www.scottishdance.net/SCD/tips/ - useful tips for Scottish dancers Skagits in Stockbridge .................................. 4x40 bar Strathspey ................................. 28 http://www.scottishdance.net/books/ - recommended reading Skye Barbecue................................................ 8x32 bar Reel ............................................ 28 Triskelion........................................................ 3x32 bar Strathspey + 3x32 bar Reel...... 28 For Connoisseurs The Gairloch Hornpipe................................. 5x48 bar Reel ............................................ 28 The Geese in the Bog..................................... 8x32 bar Jig ............................................... 28

2 3

http://www.scottishdance.net/http://www.scottishdance.net/dances/http://www.scottishdance.net/bands/http://www.scottishdance.net/groups/http://www.scottishdance.net/events/http://www.scottishdance.net/links/http://www.scottishdance.net/SCD/tips/http://www.scottishdance.net/books/

The Gloomy Winter .......................................8x32 bar Strathspey ................................. 28 The Golden Thistle ........................................4x48 bar Jig ............................................... 28

In Scottish Spirit .............................................4x48 bar Reel ............................................ 28 Mill of Towie ..................................................8x32 bar Strathspey ................................. 28

The One O’Clock Canon ...............................4x64 bar (overlapping) Reel ................... 28 Challenging Dances

Ceilidh dancesThe Cotton Reel..............................................8x32 bar Reel ............................................ 28 McEwan’s Revenge........................................160 bar Reel .................................Back page The Palindrome..............................................128 bar Reel .............................................. 28 Xaxanaka.........................................................128 bar Strathspey ................................... 28

These are easy dances, suitable for ceilidhs as well as beginners to Scottish Country Dancing.

4 5

A Canonbie Ceilidh Bruntsfield Links A dance for four couples in a 4-couple longwise set 4x32 bar Reel

6

This dance was devised for Hazel Easey and James Williams and presented to them on the occasion of their wedding in Canonbie, Dumfriesshire on August 24th, 1996.

With Caroline Bradshaw, May 1996 7

1 – 8 First couple lead down the middle and back up to first place. 9 – 16 First and second couples dance right hands across in a wheel, and left

hands back, finishing in promenade hold facing the top (3s come in on the final step) for…

17-24 First, second and third couples dance a promenade. 25-32 First couple, followed by second, third and fourth couples, cast off to the

bottom of the set. First couple make an arch, and the other couples dance under it and up to new positions.

Finish in the order 2,3,4,1, ready to start again. Note: this dance may be danced 8 times through if preferred, giving each couple two turns at the top.

Circular dance for any number of couples 40 bar Reel, repeated ad lib

Couples form a large circle round the room, ladies on the right of their partners.

1 – 8 All circle round to the left and back. 9 – 16 Men dance a figure of eight round their partner and the lady on their

left, dancing in front of their partner to begin. 17 – 24 Ladies dance a figure of eight round their partner and the man on their

right, dancing in front of their partner to begin. 25 – 28 Joining hands in a large circle, all advance and retire. 29 – 30 All advance and drop hand not attached to partner. 31 – 32 Ladies retire while men turn to face their partner, joining both hands,

and chase her out to place. Finish with the ladies facing in and the men facing their partners.

33 – 36 All dance back to back with partner, men with hands joined to form arches.

37 – 40 All look to the right for a new partner (the person with whom you have just passed right shoulder) and birl them, finishing back in a large circle around the room, ladies on the right of their new partners, to begin again.

Repeat ad lib.

Devised for Sophia Marriage and Jonathan Pryce in honour of their wedding in St Martin of Tours Episcopal Church in Edinburgh on the 6th of July, 2002 and performed at the ensuing celebrations in The Hub. With much love and best wishes for the future. Sophi and Jonathan both lived in Bruntsfield throughout their courtship, and bought a house together in Bruntsfield as their first marital home. Tune: Islay Ranter's Reel (Charlie McKerron)

July 2002 * or The Pryce of Marriage, but C wouldn't let me call it that.

Highland Cathedral The Marmalade Sandwich Dance for couples around the room 8 x 32 bar Reel

8

At a party after the Edinburgh Branch Festival Fringe Show “Spirit of Scotland” on the 9th of August, 2002, Shona Pearmain was bemoaning the fact that no-one had ever written a dance for her. When asked what she would like, she said it wasn’t to be a 4-couple set, it should include unusual movements, and it should include a birl. When asked for suggestions for tunes, she specified “Highland Cathedral” with the additional restriction that the dance wasn’t to be a strathspey. I think this satisfies all the specifications…. I presented her with the first attempt before the matinee performance next day, and we tried it out in the garden at the end-of-show party that evening. It was not particularly danceable. So this is a revised attempt which retains much of the character of the original while making it (I hope) much easier and more pleasant to dance. Tune: Highland Cathedral (Roever/Korb)

August 2002 9

1 Moving diagonally forward to the right, step onto the left foot and point with the right foot.

2 Step behind on the right, beside on the left, in front on the right, and beside on the left.

3 Moving diagonally forward to the left, step onto the right foot and point with the left foot.

4 Step behind on the left, beside on the right, in front on the left, and swing round changing grip to face partner, both hands joined.

5 Balance away from partner and towards. 6 Moving along line of dance, turn solo away from partner (i.e. lady pulls back

right shoulder and man pulls back left shoulder). 7 Balance towards partner and away. 8 Move towards partner, lady dancing under man’s raised right arm to finish

with lady in front of man facing along line of dance, with lady’s arms crossed, man’s arms around lady, hands still joined.

9-10 In this position, take two side steps to the right and two side steps back again.11-12 Repeat bars 9-10, unwinding at the end of bar 12 so the lady faces the man. 13-14 Take two side steps to the right (note this is now away from your partner) and

two side steps back again, and join with right hand on partner’s waist and left hand on partner’s shoulder.

15-16 Birl.

Repeat ad lib.

Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4x48 bar Reel

1–8 1st lady, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th ladies, dances across the top of the set, behind the men’s line, across the bottom of the set and back to place.

9-16 1st man, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th men, dances across the top of the set, behind the ladies’ line, across the bottom of the set and back to place.

17-20 All dance back to back with partners. 21-24 All turn partners by the right hand. 25-32 1st couple, joining both hands, slip down the middle of the dance and

back up to the top. 33-36 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples advance and retire (without giving hands)

while 1st couple casts off one place and turns by the right hand. 37-40 Repeat bars 33-36. 41-44 Repeat bars 33-36. 45-48

All turn or birl partners.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised for Samantha Lyall and Craig Townsend on the occasion of their Wedding in Edinburgh on April 21st, 2001, with love from Ian and Caroline Brockbank. The name comes about as follows: the original tune is “The Black Bear”, Craig’s favourite tune, and Craig and Samantha live in Portobello. Paddington was also a bear, who frequently visited Portobello Road. Paddington was fond of marmalade sandwiches. Two common brands of marmalade are Golden Shred and Silver Shred – things Samantha often sees in her work as a jeweller. Tune: The Black Bear (Traditional)

April 2001

The Packhorse Rant Seeing Purple

Dance for couple facing couple around the room 32 bar Reel Dance for couple facing couple around the room 32 bar Reel

1-8 All dance right hands across and left hands back. 9-12 Ladies dance back to back. 13-16 Men dance back to back. 17-20 Joining both hands with partner and men passing back to back, slip step

past the other couple and on round the room. 21-24 Return to place, ladies passing back to back. 25-28 All advance and retire. 29-32 Pass on to the next couple, one couple making an arch and the other

couple dancing underneath.

Repeat ad lib.

1-4 Joining hands with partner, all advance and retire. 5-8 Dropping hands, all dance back-to-back (do-si-do) with the person

opposite. 9-16 Joining hands in the sets of 4, all circle 4 hands round to the left and

back. 17-20 All set to partner using any setting step (or other step) of choice. 21-24 All turn or spin partners by the right. 25-32 Joining right hand in right hand, left hand in left hand with partner,

ladies on the right of their partner, all promenade at random around the room, finishing facing a new couple ready to start again.

Repeat ad lib.

10

Devised for Cath Millar and Gareth Mathieson for the occasion of their Wedding in Bristol, Sep. 5th 1998, with love from Caroline Bradshaw and Ian Brockbank. “The Packhorses” played for the evening ceilidh.

August 1998 11

Written when I worked for IndigoVision plc, and danced at a company ceilidh in Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, on Saturday 5th May, 2001.

May 2001

Teviot Square

Dance for 4 couples in a square set 4x48 bar Jig

12

Devised for Stephen Brockbank for the ceilidh celebrating his 21st birthday on the 22nd of June, 2000. The ceilidh was held on the 17th of June in the University of Edinburgh’s Teviot Union and was run by his brother Ian and sister-in-law Caroline. Tune: Mpho’s Majority (Ian Brockbank)

June 2000 13

1-8 All circle eight hands round to the left and back. 9-12 1st and 3rd couples join nearer hands and dance across the set to change

places, 1st couple dancing under an arch made by the 3rd couple. 13-16 3rd and 1st couples repeat back to place, 1st couple making the arch. 17-20 1st man and 3rd lady spin by the right. 21-22 1st man turns 2nd lady by the left while 3rd lady turns 4th man by the left.

(This is the person of the opposite sex on their left.) 23-24 1st man and 3rd lady turn each other ¾ by the right. 25-26 1st man and 3rd lady turn partners by the left. 27-28 1st man and 3rd lady turn each other ¾ by the right. 29-30 1st man turns 4th lady by the left while 3rd lady turns 2nd man by the left. 31-36 1st man and 3rd lady turn each other 1¼ by the right. 37-40 All turn partners by the left. 41-48

In promenade hold, all dance anticlockwise around the set.

Repeat with 2nd man and 4th lady (2s and 4s making arches), then 3rd man and 1st lady (1s making the arch first), then 4th man and 2nd lady (4s and 2s making arches). Note: the turns on bars 21-32 should be danced using elbow grasp, as in “Strip the Willow”.

Easy SCD dances

These are easy dances, but due to the style probably more suited to SCD programmes than ceilidhs.

Brodie’s Fancy Cherry Blossom

Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Reel Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Strathspey

1–4 1st couple set and cross over giving right hand. 5-8 1st and 2nd couples face on the sides, set and change places, with the 1st

couple moving into the middle: 1st lady gives right hand to 2nd man while 1st man gives left hand to 2nd lady. Fig. Finish in double triangle formation.

9-16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles. Finish with 1st couple facing their 1st corners.

17-24 1st couple turn their 1st corner by the right hand, partner by the left hand, 2nd corner by the right hand and partner by the left hand to finish in 2nd place on the opposite side of the dance.

25-28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples join hands on the sides and advance and retire. 29-32

1st couple turn 1 1/2 times by the right hand to finish in 2nd place.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

14 Tune: Loch Torridon (Traditional)

This dance was written for New Scotland social dancing early in the year, following a class by Caroline on double triangles. My kilt tartan is Brodie.

December 1992 15

1– 4 First couple cross across the dance by the right hand and cast off one place. Second couple step up on bars three and four.

5-8 First lady dances right hands across with the third couple once round while first man dances right hands across with the second couple once round; first couple leave their wheels early and first lady casts up around second man while first man casts down around third lady.

9-16 First lady dances a reel of three across the dance with the second couple giving left shoulder to second lady to start, while first man dances a reel of three across the dance with the third couple giving left shoulder to third man to start.

17-20 First couple pass by the right shoulder in the middle of the dance to face their second corners. First couple and their second corners set to each other (ie first lady and third man set to each other while first man and second lady set to each other).

21-22 First couple change places with their second corners giving right hands, to finish with the second corner people in the middle of the dance and first couple in second corner positions on the wrong side of the dance.

23-24 Second corner people turn one and a quarter times round by the left hand to finish facing first corner positions while first couple and first corner people dance on one place clockwise.

25-26 Second corner people change places with first couple (who are now in first corner positions on the wrong side of the dance), giving right hands to finish with first couple in the middle of the dance, second couple in first place on the wrong side of the dance and third couple in third place on the wrong side of the dance.

27-28 First couple turn by the left hand to finish in second place on the wrong side of the dance.

29-32 The three ladies joining hands on the sideline and the three men joining hands on the sideline, all set to partner; all give right hand to their partner to cross back to their own side to finish in the order second couple, first couple, third couple, ready to start the dance again with the first, third and fourth couples.

First couple step to the bottom of the set after dancing twice through the dance, and the second couple become the new first couple, as usual.

This is the first dance I wrote. The movements reminded me of the cherry blossom which swirls in the streets in Edinburgh in late spring. Tune: Manchester Caledonians (???)

Spring 1992

The Happier Meeting

16 Any resemblance to "The Happy Meeting" (RSCDS book 29) is completely intentional.

Devised by Caroline Bradshaw.

28th June 1998 17

Dance for couple facing couple around the room 32 bar Reel

1-8 Men dance a figure of eight around their partners, passing partners right shoulders to begin while ladies set and change places right hand, set and change places right hand.

9-16 Ladies dance a figure of eight around their partners, passing partners left shoulders to begin while men set and change places left hand, set and change places left hand.

17-18 Joining both hands, the couples slip past each other, men passing back to back.

19-20 Still with hands joined, all set, men retiring and ladies advancing. 21-22 The couples slip past each other again back to place, ladies passing back

to back. 23-24 Set, dropping the man's left hand, ladies right hand on bar 24 to finish

facing across the set. 25-28 With nearer hands joined, advance and retire, and clap. 29-32

Pass right shoulder to face a new couple.

Repeat ad lib.

The President’s Dilemma

Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4 x 32 bar Jig

1 – 8 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance right hands across and left hands back.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples lead down the middle and back up to between 2nd and 4th couples respectively, men facing men and ladies facing ladies; 2nd and 4th couples step up on bars 11 and 12.

17 – 24 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance reels of four across the dance.

25 – 28 1st couple followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples casts off to the bottom of the set.

29 – 32 1st couple form an arch and 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples dance underneath and back up to places.

Finish in the order 2,3,4,1 ready to start again from new positions.

Dance written for Sophia Marriage, then president of New Scotland, when she complained that all dances containing reels of four contained other figures which were too complex for beginners. Tune: Davie’s Brae (J. Johnstone)

October, 1996

Upstairs Downstairs


18 Tune: Sandy’s New Chanter (Tom MacAllister jnr, published in “Marking Time” Book 1)

Devised for Diana Fair and Sandy Small and presented to them on the occasion of their Wedding in Birmingham, Oct. 24th 1998, with love from Ian Brockbank. Diana and Sandy met when Diana lived in the flat immediately above Sandy’s in a Marchmont tenement.

October 1998 19

This dance starts with two chords. On the second chord, 3rd and 4th couples cross over to the opposite sides. 1-2 1st man casts off while 4th man casts up (2nd man stepping up and 3rd

man stepping down). 3-4 1st and 4th men set to each other. 5-8 1st and 4th men turn once round right hand. 9-16 1st and 4th ladies repeat, turning left hand. 17-20 2nd and 1st couples, and 4th and 3rd couples dance right hands across

once round. 21-24 1st and 4th couples dance left hands across once round, to finish back to

back in the centre, 1st couple facing 2nd couple and 4th couple facing 3rd couple, all facing someone of their own sex.

25-32 1st and 4th couples dance “hello—goodbye” setting to change places and sides.

Finish in the order 2,4,1,3, 1st and 3rd couples on the opposite side of the dance, ready to start again.

Moderate SCD dances

These are dances which, while not suitable for the complete beginner, shouldn't prove too challenging for a moderately experienced dancer.

Auld Mahoun’s Revenge The BAMFAD or The Exciseman Returned or Peutherer’s Garrett


1-4

1st couple cast off 1 place and turn right hand once round. Remain facing out ready for…

5-8 1st couple cast round the person on their right (3rd corner, or partner’s 1st corner) to finish in lines of three across the dance, 1st lady between 2nd couple facing down, and 1st man between third couple facing up; all set.

9-16 1st man with 2nd couple and 1st lady with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the dance, 1st couple giving right shoulder to the person on their right to begin. At the end, 1st couple pass left shoulder to face 1st corner.

17-20 1st couple set to 1st corner and turn them both hands to finish in lines of three across the dance, 1st lady between 2nd couple facing down, and 1st man between third couple facing up.

21-24 In the lines of three, all advance and retire. 25-32 1st lady with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three

across the dance, 1st couple again giving right shoulder to the person on their right to begin. At the end, 1st couple pass left shoulder to face 2nd corner.

33-36 1st couple set to 2nd corner and turn them both hands to finish in lines of three on the sides, 1st couple in second place on the opposite side of the dance.

37-40 In the lines of three, 2s, 1s and 3s advance, 1st couple swiftly change places giving both hands, and all retire.

Repeat, having passed a couple. Note: The phrasing of the first four bars is deliberately left ambiguous.


1-2 First couple lead down the middle of the set. 3-4 First couple turn half way right hand. 5-8 First couple lead up to the top of the set, cross and cast off one place

while second couple step up. 9-12 First lady dances half a reel of three across the dance with second couple

while first man dances half a reel of three across the dance with third couple.

13-16 Second, first and third ladies, and second, first and third men dance half reels of three on the sidelines.

17-20 First couple pull back right shoulder and cast round the person on their left (their first corner position) to finish in the middle of the set, lady facing down, man facing up, while third and second ladies, and third and second men advance towards each other and retire.

21-22 Third and second ladies, first couple, and third and second men change places giving right hands.

23-24 First couple set to each other while second and third couples set facing up or down for one bar and then set facing across for one bar.

25-28 First couple pull back right shoulder and cast round the person on their left (their second corner position) to finish second place on their partner’s side of the set, while second and third couples advance towards partners and retire.

29-30 Second, first and third couples cross over giving right hands. 31-32 Joining hands on the sidelines, second, first and third couples set to

partners.


20

I wrote this dance for the tune The Deil’s Awa’ Wi’ th’Exciseman after hearing Iain MacPhail play his set The Deil’s Conundrum on the regular Radio Scotland programme Take the Floor. I have since learned that there are several dances to this tune, called either by the full name of the tune or by the shortened form “The Deil’s Awa’,” so I decided to call this one “Auld Mahoun’s Revenge” instead. It is a lively dance, as befits a dance with the devil.

The deil cam fiddlin’ through the toon an’ he danced awa’ wi’ th’exciseman, and ilka wife cried “Auld Mahoon, I wish ye luck o’ the prize, man!”

The deil’s awa’, the deil’s awa’, the deil’s awa’ wi’ th’exciseman. He’s danced awa’, he’s danced awa’, he’s danced awa’ wi’ th’exciseman.

Tune: The Deil’s Awa’ Wi’ th’Exciseman, played AABAB. August 1996 21

Tune: Welcome to Tyneside (David Findlay), published in The Newcastle Collection of Country Dance Tunes.

Devised for Brian and Marion Peutherer (née Garrett) for the first anniversary of their wedding. We thought it was a shame no-one wrote a dance to celebrate their wedding, so this was at least is a dance in honour of it. Hence the name “Brian And Marion’s First Anniversary Dance”, or the BAMFAD for short.

May 1999

Dancing Dustbins The Broderer

Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4x40 bar Strathspey Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Jig

1-4 1st couple set and cast off two places. 2nd and 3rd couples step up on bars 3 and 4.

5-8 1st couple turn right hand and lead up one place while 2nd couple set and cast off two places. 3rd couple step up on bars 7 and 8.

9-12 1st and 2nd couples turn right hand and lead up one place while 3rd couple set and cast off two places.

13-16 1st couple cast off one place and set advancing, pulling right shoulder back to finish back to back in 2nd place facing own sides while 2nd couple turn right hand and lead up one place while 3rd couple turn right hand.

17-24 1st couple dance double triangles with 2nd and 3rd couples. 25-32 1st couple dance reels of three across the dance, 1st man with 2nd

couple and 1st lady with 3rd couple. 1st man gives right shoulder to 2nd man and 1st lady gives right shoulder to 3rd lady to begin.

Finish in the order 2,1,3, with everyone on their own side of the dance. Repeat, having passed a couple.

1-2 First couple set advancing towards each other. 3-4 First couple turn once round with both hands. 5-6 Retaining nearer hands, first couple dance down one place while second

couple step up. 7-8 First couple turn half way giving both hands, finishing facing first

corners. 9-10 First couple set to first corners. 11-12 First couple turn first corners by the left hand. 13-14 First couple turn second corners by the right hand, finishing in second

place on the opposite side of the dance. 15-16 All four couples set to partners. 17-24 All dance reels of four on the sidelines. 25-26 First couple set to each other. 27-28 First couple cast off one place while third couple step up. 29-32 First couple dance half a figure of eight around fourth couple. 33-34 First and fourth couples turn once round giving both hands, opening

out into… 35-36 First and fourth couples dance four hands round to the left half way. 37-40

Fourth and first couples turn one and a half times with both hands.

Finish in the order 2,3,4,1, ready to start again.

22 Tune: The Thistle (traditional, from Kerr’s collection)

Written for Joy Bradshaw, Christmas 1998. In 1998 Mrs Bradshaw was awarded The Broderer's Prize for her services to The Embroiderers' Guild.

December 1998 23

Written at 5am while sitting with my 3 week-old daughter Lorna trying to get her off to sleep. We were listening to George Meikle on Highlander Music CD 10, (because dancing music lulled her) and the tune Donald Iain Rankin came up in the set for Spiffin’, and I started thinking about how it makes my wife think of dustbins dancing around, and of the song she has put to it:

What will I do with the fuss and the bother And what will I do when the budgie escapes?

Presented to her on our third wedding anniversary on the 23rd of October 2002 (when Lorna was 5½ weeks old), with much love. Tune: Donald Iain Rankine (Andrew Rankine)

October 2002

Gloomy Winter’s Noo Awa’ Maple Dancing Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Strathspey

1- 2 1st lady casts off below 2nd lady while 1st man dances across the dance into 1st lady’s place.

3-4

1st man casts off one place while 1st lady dances across the dance to 2nd man’s place while 2nd couple step up.

5-8 1st couple turn 1½ times by the left hand. 9-12 1st lady with 2nd couple, 1st man with 3rd couple dance right hands across

once round. 13-16 1st couple pass right shoulder to dance left hands across once round, 1st

man with 2nd couple and 1st lady with 3rd couple. 17-20 1st couple pass left shoulder in the centre to start half a diagonal reel of

four with their first corners. At the end of the half reel, 1st couple pass right shoulder in the middle of the dance and 1st man curves round to follow behind 1st lady (see Figure 1), into…

21-24 1st lady, followed by 1st man, gives right shoulder to 3rd man to start half a diagonal reel of three with second corners. 1st couple dance this half reel as a unit.

25-28 1st lady, still followed by 1st man, gives right shoulder to 2nd man (in 3rd lady’s place) to start half a diagonal reel of three with first corners. Again, 1st couple dance this half reel as a unit.

29-32 1st lady casts round 1st man (passing right shoulder), and gives right shoulder to 2nd lady (in 3rd man’s position) while 1st man gives right shoulder to 3rd man (in 2nd lady’s position), to start half a reel of four with partner’s second corners. See Figure 2. At the end of the reel, 1st couple pass right shoulders to return to 2nd place on their own sides of the dance. 1st lady remains facing out, ready for her cast…

Repeat, having passed a couple. Note (from CB): in the reels, the funny reel is 180° opposite the one it is supposed to be. For the woman it is the 4th reel, and for the man it is the 2nd.


1– 4 1st couple turn once round by the right hand while 2nd couple set and turn half way with the right hand into…

5-8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across once round, remaining in the centre.

9-16 1st and 2nd couples dance a ladies chain, 1st man casting off, 2nd man casting up and 1st and 2nd ladies continuing their right hand turn to start.

17-20 1st couple followed by 2nd couple lead down the middle, right hands joined (2nd couple dancing up the side to start).

21-24 2nd couple lead back up the middle right hands joined, cross over and cast off to 2nd place while 1st couple lead up to 1st place, finishing with both hands joined in the middle ready for …

25-32

1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.


25

Pete Clark auctioned a tune at a charity ceilidh in aid of the Kisoro School for the Blind in May 2001, and I was fortunate enough to be the highest bidder. The tune he wrote was a lively reel, which I named for our cat Maple. The back of a fiddle is made of maple wood, and the bow dances across it during the tune, so there is a pleasing musical tie-in. I wrote this dance to go with the tune (which I gave to my wife Caroline for her birthday). It is relatively simple, and is my first foray into the world of two-couple dances. Tune: Maple Dancing (Pete Clark)

October 2001, revised February 2002 24

This is a variant on the dance “Gloomy Winter” which I gave to Sophi for her 25th birthday. Bars 9-16 didn’t really work, so it never caught on and wasn’t going to*. I hope this version catches on better. Written for Sophia Marriage and presented to her on the occasion of her 30th birthday in December, 2001, with love from Ian Brockbank. Tune: Gloomy Winter (Traditional)

December 2001

The Mara

26 Tune: Fairy Mines Cottage (Ian Brockbank)

This dance was written for Caroline and given to her on our first wedding anniversary. We were sponsoring the mara at Edinburgh Zoo at the time – mara are a sort of cross between a rabbit and a deer. We stayed in a bed and breakfast called Ferryman’s Cottage in Pitlochry to celebrate. When I was booking the B&B it sounded like it was called “Fairy Mines Cottage” so I decided to try my hand at writing a strathspey tune and to call it that. I’m still waiting for a tune I’m happy with, but I like the name…

August 2002 27

The first 16 bars show the partner swapping for which New Scotland is noted. Then the reel symbolises a trip, wandering all over the continent and eventually returning back to where it started, and the three–couple poussette is an amendment to second times through the dance “Muirland Willie” (to get 1st couple to the bottom and out of the way) which is popular in New Scotland. Tune: Davie’s Brae (Traditional)

August 2002

Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Strathspey

1-4 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4. 5-8 1st couple dance half a figure of eight around 2nd couple. 9-10 1st couple advance and retire, joining right hand for as long as possible

while 2nd and 3rd couples cross over giving right hand. 11-12 1st couple turn half way giving right hand remaining in the centre while

2nd and 3rd couples chase one place clockwise around the set. 13-16 1st couple dance out the side and cast to the right around 3rd corner

position while 2nd and 3rd couple dance left hands across. 17-24 1st man dances a reel of three with 2nd and 3rd ladies while 1st lady

dances a reel of three with 2nd and 3rd men. 25-26 1st couple advance and retire, joining right hand for as long as possible

while 2nd and 3rd couples cross over giving left hand. 27-28 1st couple turn half way giving right hand remaining in the centre while

2nd and 3rd couples chase one place anti-clockwise around the set. 29-32 1st couple dance out the side and cast to the right around 3rd corner

position while 2nd and 3rd couple dance right hands across.


New Scotland Gold

Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Jig

1-2 1st man and 3rd lady change places giving left hands. 3-4 3rd lady casts off one place while 1st man casts up one place while 2nd

man and 2nd lady step up and down respectively. 5-8 All turn or birl the person opposite left hand to finish back on own

sides. 9-10 1st lady and 3rd man change places giving right hands. 11-12 3rd man casts off one place while 1st lady casts up one place while 3rd

lady and 1st man step up and down respectively. 13-16 All turn or birl the person opposite right hand to finish back on own

sides. 17-24 3rd and 1st couples join in promenade hold with partners and pass left

shoulders to start a reel of four up and down the centre of the set; 2nd man and 2nd lady dance across the ends of the set ready to enter the reel by passing 1st and 3rd couples respectively right shoulder. Finish in the order 3,2,1, hands joined with partner ready for …

25-32 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples dance a three-couple poussette — 3rd couple moving down and 2nd and 1st couples moving up. Finish in the order 2,1,3.

Repeat, having passed a couple. Note 1: The length of the turns on bars 5-8 and 13-16 are deliberately not

specified, but all should be at least a full turn. The dancing couple have to incorporate a half turn to get back to their own sides (ie 1½, 2½, 3½ or … turns).

Note 2: The reel on bars 17-24 is not quite a full reel. It finishes when 2nd couple meet in the middle for the second time.

Nifty Shiftin’


Note: Throughout the description I will refer to "in" and "out". "In" means towards the middle of the dance (ie down from 1st place and up from 4th place) and "out" means away from the middle of the dance (up from 2nd place and down from 3rd place). This dance has two chords. On the second chord, 3rd and 4th couples change sides. 1-4 1st and 4th couples cross over givng right hands and cast in. 2nd and 3rd

couples step out on bars 3 and 4. 5-8 1st and 4th couples turn half way giving left hands and melt into left hands

across half way. Finish in a St. Andrews cross formation, left hands joined inthe centre, right hands joined with corners.

9-16 1st and 4th couples dance a double spoke - set joining hands with each corner in turn, rotating one place anticlockwise each time (2 bars per corner).

17-20 4th man followed by 4th lady dances out the men's side and casts up while 1st man followed by 1st lady dances out the ladies' side and casts off while 2nd and 3rd couples cross over giving right hands and set. Finish with 4th coupleside by side at the top of the dance, facing down, and 1st couple side by side atthe bottom, facing up, men on the left of their partners.

21-22 All change place with the facing person giving right hands (2L with 3L, 4L with1M, 4M with 1L, 2M with 3M).

23-24 1st lady followed by 1st man cast to their right and off while 4th lady followed by 4th man cast to their right and up while 3rd and 2nd couples set. Finish with (from 1M position) 3L, 4L, 4M, 2L facing 3M, 1M, 1L, 2M.

25-26 All cross with the facing person giving right hands. 27-28 1st man followed by 1st lady cast up and to their right while 4th man followed

by 4th lady cast off and to their right while 3rd and 2nd couples set. Finish with 1st couple side by side at the top of the dance, facing down, and 4thcouple side by side at the bottom, facing up, men on the left of their partners.

29-30 All change place with the facing person giving right hands (3M with 2M, 1L with 4M, 1M with 4L, 3L with 2L).

31-32 4th and 1st couples separate and cast off or up respectively while 2nd and 3rd couples set.

Finish in the order 2,4,1,3 ready to start again.

Nifty Shiftin

28

For Brian and Clare East, our role models. Brian suggested the title to me at the New Scotland Annual Ball at the end of January, 1999, and the tune Tam Lin fitted the name, but it took me more than a year to find the steps to go with them. Tune: Tam Lin (???)

5th March 2000 29

Skagits in Stockbridge Skye Barbecue

Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4x32 bar Strathspey Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Reel

30 Tune: Miss Lyall ()

Dedicated to Leslie (née Henderson) and Peter Hastings. Peter and Leslie got married on the 26th of March, 2001 in the company of members of the Skagit SCD group in Annacortes, WA, and held a ball in celebration on the 27th of July, 2002, in Cluny Church Hall, Edinburgh. At the time of the celebration they were living in Stockbridge in Edinburgh.

July 2002 31

This dance starts with two chords. On the second chord, 3rd and 4th couples cross over to the opposite sides. 1-2 1st and 4th couples set. 3-4 1st couple cast off one place while 4th couple cast up one place. 5-8 1st and 4th couples dance right hands across, finishing in promenade

hold with partner, 1st couple facing 2nd man and 4th couple facing 3rd man.

9-12 1st and 4th couples dance half a diagonal reel of four with 2nd and 3rd men, finishing with 1st and 4th ladies dancing ¾ of the way round each other by the right shoulders to join in promenade hold with the other man, 1st lady and 4th man facing 2nd lady, and 1st man and 4th lady facing 3rd lady.

13-16 Repeat bars 9-12 with 2nd and 3rd ladies. 17-24 Repeat bars 9-16 to finish on the sidelines in the order 2,4,1,3, 1st and 3rd

couples on the opposite sides of the dance. 23-32 2nd and 4th couples, and 1st and 3rd couples dance a strathspey poussette

once round.

Finish in the order 2, 4, 1, 3, 1st and 3rd couples on the opposite side of the dance, ready to start again.

1-8 1C cross down (no hands) between second and third couples to start reels of three on the opposite side of the dance.

9-16 1C cross down (no hands) between second and third couples to start reels of three on their own sides. Finish with 2nd couple in 1st place and 1st couple flowing into...

17-20 First couple turn right hand, moving down to second place, and cast to second place own side while 2nd and 3rd couples set and cross over giving right hands.

21-24 1st couple dance clockwise half way round the set while 2nd and 3rd couples dance right hands across.

25-28 First couple turn right hand and cast to second place on opposite side while 2nd and 3rd couples set and cross over giving left hands.

29-32 1st couple dance clockwise half way round the set while 2nd and 3rd couples dance left hands across.


Iain MacPhail played the Alastair Fraser tune "Skye Barbecue" in one of the sets he played for the RSCDS Edinburgh Branch show "Strictly Scottish" in August 2001. I was one of the dancers in the show, and was so taken by the tune that I felt it deserved its own dance. This is the result. It's a lively, showy tune, so it's a lively, showy dance. Tune: Skye Barbecue (Alastair Fraser)

August 2001, revised March 2003.

Triskelion

Dance for 3 couples in a triangular set 3x32 bar Strathspsey + 3x32 barReel

This dance is danced through 3 times in Strathspey time, followed by 3 times in Reel time. 1-2 Men dance across the set to the position of the lady on their right,

passing left shoulders in the middle, while ladies cast into their partner’s place.

3-4 Ladies dance across the set to the position of the lady on their right (currently being occupied by a man), passing left shoulders in the middle, while men cast into the man’s place.

5-8 Repeat bars 1-4. 9-12 1st and 3rd couples (in 2nd and 1st places respectively) dance half a

men’s chain. 13-16 1st man, 3rd lady and 2nd couple (in 1st and 3rd places respectively)

dance half a men’s chain. Men have now all progressed one place anticlockwise from their original position.

17-24 Ladies dance a petronella turn to the position on their right, and set with the man in that place. Repeat. All are back with original partners.

25-32

All circle 6 hands round and back.

Finish in the order 2,3,1 ready to start again. Note: bars 1-8 are like 8 bars of Schiehallion reels in a triangular set.

For connoisseurs

These are dances which will take a bit of thought or practice, or possibly careful phrasing.

32 Tune: Strathspey: The Lass o’ Corrie Mill (Traditional) Reel: Alasdair of the Dun (Traditional)

For Clare Lyddon and Peter Edwards on the occasion of their wedding on 16th March 2002.

February 2002 33

The Gairloch Hornpipe

Dance for 5 couples in a 5 couple longwise set 5 x 48 bar Reel

35

This dance is dedicated to Dougie, the Fireman of Gairloch, who very kindly broke into our car for us after we locked the keys inside on stopping in Gairloch for lunch during a whirlwind tour of friends in Scotland. Tune: The Inside-oot Fish Eater (Peter Wood)

1-2 Joining hands on the sides, all set. 3-4

1st couple with 2nd couple and 4th couple with 5th couple dance half right hands across in a wheel while 3rd couple cross over giving right hands.

5-8 Joining hands on the sides again, all set, and cross over giving left hands.

9-12 1st and 5th couples turn once round right hand. 1st man and 5th lady remain facing out ready for …

13-16 1st man followed by his partner casts up round 2nd man and dances down the dance while 5th lady followed by her partner casts off around 4th lady and dances up the dance. Finish with 1st lady between 2nd couple, 1st man and 5th lady back to back between 3rd couple, and 5th man between 4th couple, 1st couple facing the men’s side and 5th couple facing the ladies’ side. See Figure 1.

17-24 1st lady with 2nd couple and 5th man with 4th couple dance reels of three across the dance while 1st man and 5th lady with 3rd couple dance a reel of four across the dance. Finish with 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples on the sidelines where they started the reel, and 1st and 5th couples in a line up and down the dance, hands joined, in order 1st lady, 5th lady, 1st man, 5th man, (see Figure 2) ready for …

25-26 1st lady, 5th lady, 1st man and 5th man, balance in line. 27-28 1st lady changes places left hand with 5th lady while 1st man changes

places left hand with 5th man. 29-30 5th lady, 1st lady, 5th man and 1st man balance in line. 31-32 1st lady and 5th man change places right hand while 5th lady and 1st man

set. Finish with the dancing couples, left hands joined with partner, facing 2nd corners. See Figure 3.

33-34 Dancing couples set to partners (left hands still joined) while their 2nd corners set advancing to join them.

35-36 Dancing couples and 2nd corners dance right hands across in a wheel half way. Finish with corners having swapped places and dancing couples turning a little further to face their 1st corners. See Figure 4.

37-40 Repeat bars 33-36 with 1st corners and hands reversed: dancing couples set to partners, holding right hands while 1st corners set advancing to join them; dancing couples dance left hands across in a wheel half way with 1st corners to finish with corners having swapped places and dancing couple turning a little further to face 2nd corner positions again (note there will be new people here now).

41-44 Repeat bars 33-36. 45-48 5th couple set to each other with right hands joined and cross down left

hand to 3rd place while 1st couple set to each other with right hands

joined and cross down left hand to 5th place. 3rd and 2nd couples step up on bars 47-48.

The dancers should now be in the order 4,3,5,2,1, ready to start again. Note: The reels should flow from the previous movement.

34

The Geese in the Bog The Gloomy Winter Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8 x 32 bar Strathspey

1 – 4 1st lady casts off below 2nd lady and dances across to 2nd man’s place while1st man dances across to 1st lady’s place and casts off into 2nd place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4.

5 – 8 1st couple turn 1¾ times by the left hand. 9 – 10 1st lady and 2nd couple dance right hands across half way while 1st man casts

up on the ladies’ side. 11 – 12 1st couple passing left shoulder, 1st man takes 1st lady’s place and dances left

hands across half way with 2nd couple while 1st lady casts off on the ladies’ side.

13 – 16 1st couple repeat bars 13–16 with 3rd couple, lady with the left hand and man with the right hand.

17 – 20 1st couple pass left shoulder in the centre to start half a diagonal reel of four with their 1st corners. At the end of the half reel, 1st couple pass right shoulder in the middle of the dance and 1st man curves round to follow behind 1st lady, into…

21 – 24 1st lady followed by 1st man gives right shoulder to 3rd man to start half a diagonal reel of three with 2nd corners. 1st couple dance this reel of 3 as a unit.

25 – 28 1st couple give right shoulder to 2nd man (in 3rd lady’s place) to start half a diagonal reel of three with 1st corners.

29 – 32 1st lady casts round 1st man (passing right shoulder) and gives right shoulder to 2nd lady (in 3rd man’s position) while 1st man gives right shoulder to 3rd man (in 2nd lady’s position), to start half a diagonal reel of four. At the end of the reel, 1st couple pass right shoulders to return to 2nd place on their own sides of the dance. 1st lady remains facing out, ready to cast off again


Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Jig

1-4 1st couple and 2nd couple dance half a rights and lefts. 5-8 2nd and 1st couples set, 2nd couple cross over giving left hand while 1st

couple turn by the left hand to face their 1st corners. 9-16 1st couple dance half a diagonal reel of four with their 1st corners,

followed by half a diagonal reel of four with their 2nd corners. 17-18 1st man with 3rd couple (at the top) and 1st lady with 2nd couple dance

right hands across in a wheel half way round. 19-22 3rd and 2nd couples dance left hands across in a wheel once round,

while 1st couple chase half way clockwise round the set. 23-24 1st lady with 3rd couple and 1st man with 2nd couple dance right hands

across in a wheel half way round. 25-28 3rd man and 2nd lady lead a snake pass: 3rd man followed by 3rd and

1st ladies dances down to 2nd lady's place, across to 2nd man's place, down to 3rd man's place and across to 3rd lady's place while 2nd lady followed by 2nd and 1st men dances up to 2nd man's place, across to 2nd lady's place, up to 1st lady's place and across to 1st man's place. The "snakes" pass by the left shoulder. Effectively what happens is that the wheels unwind, with 1st couple tagging on at the ends of the respective wheels. Finish in the order 2,1,3, all on the opposite side of the dance.

29-32

All set and cross over giving right hands.


36

This dance and 'The Mill of Towie' came out of the concept of the alternating wheels (sorry, hands across), with 1st couple throwing the others into a muddle in the middle and drifting safely round the outside before taking pity and bringing them back out to place. They were my first Sunday-morning dances. I heard the tune on a 'Boys of the Lough' recording, and it seemed to fit the dance, conjuring up images of strings of geese meandering aimlessly yet purposefully, all the time lost. Of course, it helps that it's a good tune. This dance was published in Dunedin Dances 4. Tune: The Geese in the Bog (Traditional)

1993, or thereabouts

37

This dance was written for Sophia Marriage and presented to her on the occasion ofher 25th birthday. Tune: Gloomy Winter (Traditional, from Kerr’s Collection)

November 1996

The Golden Thistle

Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4 x 48 bar Jig

1 – 8 1st and 3rd couples cross down (no hands) while 2nd and 4th couples dance out and up, to start reels of four on the sidelines. See Figure 1. Note this is a right shoulder reel of four on the men’s side, but a left shoulder reel on the ladies’ side.

TOP

Figure 1 9 – 10 1st lady and 2nd man, and 3rd lady and 4th man (on the men’s side of

the dance) change places giving right hand while 1st man and 2nd lady, and 3rd man and 4th lady change places giving left hand. Finish with 1st and 4th couples in the centre facing diagonally in.

11 – 12 1st and 4th couples set. 13 – 14 1st and 4th couples dance left hands across half way. 15 – 16 4th and 1st couples set to 2nd and 3rd couples respectively, who set

back. Everyone should be facing someone of the opposite sex. 17 – 28 All dance diagonal interlocking reels of four. Finish with 4th and 1st

couples facing diagonally in. 29 – 30 4th and 1st couples dance left hands across half way. 31 – 32 All set, 1st and 4th couples facing 2nd and 3rd couples respectively. 2nd

and 3rd couples advance towards 1st and 4th couples while setting. 33 – 40 1st and 4th couples dance The Loop—pass the corner they are facing by

the right shoulder, dance clockwise round the outside of the set to the next corner, dance all the way round that corner by the right shoulder, and dance on, to finish with 4th couple in 2nd place and 1st couple in 3rd place. See Figure 2. 2nd and 3rd couples step back out to place on bars 39 and 40. Finish in the order 2,4,1,3, with 4th and 3rd couples on the opposite side of the dance.

TOP

Figure 2 41 – 42 In lines on the sides, all set. 43 – 46 4th and 3rd couples cross up, giving right hands, and cast off on their

own sides. 47 – 48

All set on the sidelines.

Finish in the order 2,4,1,3 ready to start again from new positions.

Note: The figure The Loop first appeared in the Strathspey Tom’s Friends, devised by Roy Goldring.

In Scottish Spirit Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4 x 48 bar Reel

38 39

This dance was written to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Edinburgh University New Scotland Society, and was first performed as part of a medley of dances at the Inter-Varsity Folk Dance Festival in Cambridge in 1997. Its public debut was at the “50th Anniversary” Ball in The Assembly Rooms on the 3rd of May, 1997. Tune: Tartan Andy’s Half Pint Shandy (W.J.A. Gray)

With James M. Williams, December 1996

1-2 Joining hands on the sides, all set. 3-4 1st couple casts off while 4th couple casts up while 2nd and 3rd couples step

up or down respectively. 5-8 1st and 4th couples dance left hands across once round. 9-16 2nd, 1st, 4th and 3rd couples dance reels of four on the sides. 4th and 1st

couples cut the reel short before the final left shoulder pass to join left hands in the centre and right hands with the couples on the corner. See figure 1.

17-24 All dance a counter-rotating spoke: 17 Pas de basque right, balancing in line. 18 Pas de basque left, all advancing half a place (4th and 1st couples

anticlockwise and 2nd and 3rd couples clockwise) to meet the next dancer, forming a large cross up and down/across the set. See figure 2.

19-24 Repeat three more times, (set and move, set and move, set and move), forming the cross alternately on the diagonal and up and down/across. The dancers should now be in the order 3, 1, 4, 2, with 3rd and 2nd couples on the opposite side of the set, and 1st and 4th couples back to back in the centre facing 3s and 2s respectively.

25-32 1st and 4th couples pass the person they are facing by the right shoulder to start a figure of eight around that person and the next person clockwise. See figure 3.

33-36 1st and 4th couples dance left hands across once round, finishing on the opposite side lines (dancers are still in the order 3, 1, 4, 2).

37-38 Joining hands on the side, all set. 39-40 All four couples, giving right hands cross over to return to own side. 41-48 All dance eight hands round to the left and back.

TOPFigure 1

4

2

3

1 1

3

4

2

TOP

1

2

2

3

3

4

41

Figure 2

TOPFigure 3

1

22

33

1

44

Repeat from new positions.

40

Edinburgh Branch’s annual show of dancing in the Edinburgh Festival Fringechanged producer and venue in 2002, moving to Edinburgh Academy in HendersonRow, Edinburgh, with Peter Edwards as producer. One of Peter’s key new conceptswas to have the show “in the round” with the audience on all sides, and the new venue is well suited to this, having the stage in the centre with the audience all theway round, and also having a balcony.

When the rehearsals for the 2003 show were starting, I was thinking about the previous year and the potential offered by the venue, and this dance took shape.

This dance is dedicated to the dancers and musicians who have performed in theshow, and to those whose support has kept everything running smoothly.

Tune: Itchy Fingers (Robert Mathieson) 41

Mill of Towie The One O’Clock Canon Dance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 8x32 bar Reel Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4x64 bar overlapping Reel

(music: 5x32 bar Reel)

42 Tune: Milladen (Traditional)

This dance and 'The Geese in the Bog' came out of the concept of the alternating wheels, with 1st couple throwing the others into a muddle in the middle and drifting safely round the outside before taking pity and bringing them back out to place. They were my first Sunday-morning dances. Bars 17-24 benefit greatly from crisp, accurate phrasing. This dance was published in Dunedin Dances 4, with "The Old Road to Towie" as the tune because the name fitted the dance so well. When I heard it played for the dance, I realised my mistake, but by then the book had been published. I should have stuck with my original idea - "Milladen" which has 'Mill' in the name, and is a nice tune. It's also easier to come by. Some you lose. Consider Milladen now the original tune.

1993 or thereabouts 43

1-8 1st and 3rd couples dance a double figure of eight, 1st couple crossing down and 3rd couple casting up to start.

9-16 1st and 2nd couples dance the knot: turn partner half-way round with the right hand into allemande hold, curve round and up the lady's side, release right hands and pass the ladies in front of the men into the centre, and continue turning left hand. Finish 2nd couple in first place, 1st couple in the centre of the dance facing first corners.

17-24 1st couple with 2nd and 3rd couples dance the millwheel 17-18 1st lady with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance right hands

across in a wheel half way round. 19-20 2nd and 3rd couples dance left hands across in a wheel half way round

while 1st couple chase 1/4 of the way clockwise round the set. 21-22 1st lady with 3rd and 2nd ladies, 1st man with 3rd and 2nd men dance

right hands across in a wheel half way round. 23-24 1st couple turn 1 1/4 by the left hand to face first corners.

25-28 1st couple pass first corners by the right shoulder and dance round their position back into the centre, passing their partner by the right shoulder to face second corners while 1st corners advance into the middle of the dance, turn once round right hand, and return to place.

29-32 1st couple repeat the movement with their second corners, passing each other by the right shoulders at the end to finish in second place on their own sides.


1-8 1st couple cross giving right hand, cast off two places, cross giving right hand, and cast up into second position. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4.

9-16 1st couple dance right hands across in a wheel with the couple above them (in 1st place) followed by left hands across with the couple below them (in third place).

17-24 All dance (right shoulder) reels of four on their own sidelines. 25-26 1st man turns the man above him (in 1st place) once round with the right

hand while 1st lady turns the lady above her (in 1st place) once round with the right hand.

27-30 1st couple dance left hands across once round with the couple in third place.

31-32 1st couple cast off one place to third place. At this point second couple, who are now in first position, start dancing from bar 1 while the original first couple continue as follows. 33-40 1st couple and 4th couple dance rights and lefts. 41-48 1st couple dance right hands across in a wheel with the couple below them

(in fourth place) followed by left hands across with the couple above them (in second place).

49-56 All dance (right shoulder) reels of four on their own sidelines. 57-58 1st man turns the man below him (in 4th place) once round with the right

hand while 1st lady turns the lady below her (in 4th place) once round with the right hand.

59-62 1st couple dance left hands across once round with the couple in second place.

63-64 1st couple cast off into fourth position while 4th couple dance up into second place, or into third place on the last time though the dance.

Third couple now start dancing bars 1-8 while second couple (now in third place) continue with bars 33-40.

Caroline suggested writing a dance which was a canon, and this is what I came up with. The 'One O'Clock Gun' can be heard daily at 1pm in Edinburgh, when a gun is fired from the castle. I didn't realise until the first time I danced it quite how crucial the reel of four is in allowing everyone 8 bars to find themselves again. This dance was originally published in Dunedin Dancers 4, written out as a 160- bar dance. I prefer this format. It takes more thought, but makes the canon clear. Tune: The One O’Clock Cannon (Ian Brockbank)

1993 or thereabouts

The One O’Clock Canon

Challenging dances

These are dances which are challenging and probably not suited for social dancing, but might prove an interesting challenge for a group of experienced dancers with an hour or two to fill.

44 45 Summer 1993

The Cotton Reel Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4x40 bar Reel

1-4 1st couple cross down one place (2s step up) and cast off (3s step up). 5-8 1st couple cross down one place (4s step up) and set while

2nd couple cross down one place (3s step up) and cast off (4s step up). 9-12 1st couple cast up one place and cross up while

2nd couple cross down one place (3s step up) and set while 3rd couple cross down one place (4s step up) and cast off.

13-16 1st couple cast up one place and turn half way giving right hands, finishing in the middle of the set facing down while 2nd couple cast up one place and cross up while 3rd couple cross down one place and set while 4th couple cross down one place and cast off.

17-20 1st couple dance down the middle while 2nd couple cast up one place and turn half way giving right hands, finishing in the middle of the set facing down while 3rd couple cast up one place and cross up while 4th couple cross down one place and set.

21-24 1st couple dance up the middle to 3rd place (dancing under an arch made by 2nd couple) while 2nd couple dance down the middle, making an arch to let 1st couple through while 3rd couple cast up one place and turn half way giving right hands, finishing in the middle of the set facing down while 4th couple cast up one place and cross up.

25-28 1st couple cast up and turn half way giving right hands, moving up to 1st position (ie cross up) while 2nd couple dance up the middle to 3rd place (dancing under an arch made by 3rd couple) while 3rd couple dance down the middle, making an arch to let 2nd couple through while 4th couple cast up one place and turn half way giving right hands, finishing in the middle of the set facing down.

29-32 1st couple set and dance right hands across half way with 2nd couple while 2nd couple cast up and dance right hands across half way with 1st couple while 3rd couple dance up the middle to 3rd place (dancing under an arch made by 4th couple) while 4th couple dance down the middle, making an arch to let 3rd couple through.

33-36 1st couple cross down and cast off into 4th place while 2nd couple set and dance right hands across half way with 3rd couple while

3rd couple cast up and dance right hands across half way with 2nd couple while 4th couple dance up the middle to 3rd place.

37-40 4th couple turns once right hands while 1st couple turn 1 1/2 right hands while 3rd and 2nd couples dance right hands across half way and turn right hands (2nd couple once, 3rd couple half way).


46 47

The dance's origins go back to the American civil war and the blockades against British ships who wanted to trade with the southern cotton growers. Sailors waiting for cargoes started to amuse themselves by dancing hornpipes and other dances, one of which was called a Cotton Reel in honour of the crop which they waited for. Well, actually that's a load of codswallop (generously provided by a friend of Shiobhan O'Donnell). Shortly after I wrote this dance, one of the members of the highland-dance mailing list was persuaded by her boyfriend to ask the list about "The Cotton Reel". From the responses received on the list, she realised she had been had, so to turn the tables on him, it was suggested that a "Cotton Reel" be written. Given I hadn't yet come up with a name for this dance, I offered its services in this regard. As you will see, this is yet another experiment with repetition. This time I decided to try having the repetition within each turn, so have 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples repeating the same set of movements starting 4 bars apart (with a bit of a fudge to collect them all again in the right places on bars 37-40). Although I originally called this a canon as well, Anselm Lingnau suggested a fugue would be more consistent with other devisors' terminology (particularly Hugh Foss's collection of fugues on Waverley, of which Fugal Fergus is probably the best known). So I concur. This is not a canon, it's a fugue. Tune: Pick a Bale o’ Cotton (???)

June 1998

The Palindrome Xaxanaka Dance for 4 couples in a square set 64 bar Strathspey + 64 bar Reel Dance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set 4x40 bar Reel

Note: Throughout the description I will refer to "in" and "out". "In" means towards the middle of the dance (ie down from 1st place and up from 4th place) and "out" means away from the middle of the dance (up from 2nd place and down from 3rd place). This dance starts with 2 chords. On the second chord, 3rd and 4th couples change sides. 1-4 1st and 4th couples set and cast in. 2nd and 3rd couples step out on bars

3 & 4. 5-8 1st and 4th couples dance right hands across once round (remaining in

the centre) while 2nd and 3rd couples set and cast in. 9-12 Passing right shoulder with the person of the same sex, 1s with 2s and

3s with 4s, 1st lady dances out the top of the dance and casts off on the ladies' side while 1st man casts up on the men's side and dances down while 4th lady dances out the bottom of the dance and casts up on the men's side while 4th man casts off on the ladies' side and dances up while 2nd and 3rd couples dance right hands across once round. In effect, 1st and 4th couples are dancing around an imaginary person standing in their original place.

13-16 Passing right shoulder with the person of the same sex, 1s with 2s and 3s with 4s, 2nd lady dances out the top of the dance and casts off on the ladies' side while 2nd man casts up on the men's side and dances down while 3rd lady dances out the bottom of the dance and casts up on the men's side while 3rd man casts off on the ladies' side and dances up while 1st and 4th couples dance half a reel of four across the dance, 1st lady and 4th man, and 1st man and 4th lady giving right shoulders to start.

17-20 1st and 4th couples dance a further half reel of four while 2nd and 3rd couples dance half a reel of four across, 2nd lady following 4th lady, 2nd man following 4th man, 3rd lady following 1st lady, 3rd man following 1st man.

21-24 1st and 4th couples dance anti-clockwise half way around the outside of the set back to their original places, 1st and 4th ladies pulling back left shoulders and dancing out the sides, and 1st and 4th men dancing out the ends to start that movement, while 2nd and 3rd couples dance a further half reel of four across.

25-28 1st and 4th couples set advancing and turn partners once round with both hands, progressing towards the centre of the set during the turn and finishing ready for a half poussette while 2nd and 3rd couples dance anti-clockwise half way around the outside of the set back to 1st and 4th couples original places, 2nd and 3rd ladies pulling back left shoulders and dancing out the sides, and 2nd and 3rd men dancing out

Strathspey 1-8 All circle eight hands round to the left and back. 9-10 1C and 3C set. 11-12 1M and 3L, and 1L and 3M cross giving RH and retain hands. 13-14 3C and 1C dance right hands across half way. 15-16 1C and 3C pull back right shoulder and chase 1 further place clockwise, to

finish 1C facing 2C and 3C facing 4C, all facing someone of the opposite sex.17-18 1C and 3C pass facing person LS and loop round ACW to face back the

other way while 2C and 4C pass facing person LS and do a reverse petronella turn to pass the opposite person RS.

19-20 Repeat bars 17-18 from new positions. 21-24 Repeat bars 17-20. Finish back in the positions from the end of bar 16. 25-26 Joining nearer hands, all set. 27-28 1C & 2C, and 3C & 4C dance LH across half way. 29-30 Joining nearer hands, all set. 31-32 1C and 3C pull back LS and chase ACW round the set back to original

positions while 2C and 4C pull back LS and chase ACW round the small square back to original positions.

33-64 Repeat bars 1-32 with 2C and 4C as the dancing couples. Reel: Repeat bars 64-1 in reverse (note 2C and 4C are dancing couples first) 65-66 1C and 3C pull back RS and chase CW around a small square to finish in the

middle facing their partner's place while 2C and 4C pull back RS and chase CW around the set to finish 2C facing 3C and 4C facing 1C.

67-68 Joining nearer hands, all set. 69-70 4C and 1C, and 2C and 3C dance RH across half way. 71-72 Joining nearer hands, all set. 73-80 4M, 1L, 3M & 2L, and 4L, 1M, 3L & 2M dance a reel of four, "twiddling" in

the middle. 81-82 4C and 2C pull back LS and chase 1 place clockwise around the small

square in the middle. 83-84 4C and 2C dance LH across half way. 85-86 4M and 2L, and 4L and 2M cross over LH to return to original place. 87-88 Joining nearer hands, 2C and 4C set. 89-96 All circle 8 hands round to the right and back. 97-128 Repeat bars 65-96 with 1C and 3C as dancing couples.

48 This dance was devised as part of a demonstration containing dances which are roughly palindromic (the same backwards as forwards). I decided to see whether I could write a dance which was co dromic, and this was the result.

49 mpletely palinAutumn 1998

50

As you will see, it is a further experiment with canons. This time I decided to try having the canon within each repetition, so had 2nd and 3rd couples repeating what 1st and 4th couples had done 4 bars earlier. To get a valid progression, you will notice I had to break the canon slightly after bar 31 - 2nd and 3rd couples don't move into the centre on their turns, and they dance a full poussette with the same couple. 51

the ends to start that movement. 29-32 1st and 4th couples dance half a poussette while 2nd and 3rd couples set

advancing and turn once round with both hands. 33-40

2nd and 4th couples, and 1st and 3rd couples dance a full poussette.


Xakanaxa (pronounced Kakanaka unless you can do the Bushman clicks repesented by the 'x's) is a camp in the Moremi game reserve in the Okovango delta in Botswana. I had trouble sleeping on the plane on the way out to Botswana, so I devised this dance to pass the time. I had some sleepless nights in Xakanaxa camp as well, but I was too busy watching the elephants and hyaenas which woke us up to write any more dances.

April 1998

The Badger’s SettDevised by Ian BrockbankA collection of new Scottish dances in traditional formThe Badger’s SettA collection of new Scottish dances in traditional formContents

�Ceilidh dancesA Canonbie CeilidhCircular dance for any number oHighland CathedralDance for couples around the room8 x 32 bar Reel1�Moving diagonally forward to the right, step onto the left foot and point with the right foot.��2�Step behind on the right, beside on the left, in front on the right, and beside on the lThe Packhorse RantDance for couple facing couple around the room32 bar Reel1-8�All dance right hands across and left hands back.��9-12�Ladies dance back to back.��13-16�Men dance back to back.��17-20�Joining both hands with partner and men passing back tTeviot SquareDance for 4 couples in a square set4x48 bar Jig1-8�All circle eight hands round to the left and back.��9-12�1st and 3rd couples join nearer hands and dance across the set to change places, 1st couple dancing under an arch made by the 3rd couEasy SCD dancesBrodie’s FancyDance for 3 couples in a 4 couple lThe Happier MeetingDance for couple facing couple around the room32 bar Reel1-8�Men dance a figure of eight around their partners, passing partners right shoulders to begin while ladies set and change places right hand, set and change places right hand.�Upstairs DownstairsDance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set4x32 bar ReelThis dance starts with two chords. On the second chord, 3rd and 4th couples cross over to the opposite sides.��1-2�1st man casts off while 4th man casts up (2nd man stepping Moderate SCD dancesor The Exciseman Returned

Auld Mahoun’s Revengeor The Exciseman ReturnedDaor Peutherer’s Garrett

The BrodererDance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set4x40 bar Strathspey1-2�First couple set advancing towards each other.��3-4�First couple turn once round with both hands.��5-6�Retaining nearer hands, first couple dance down one place while secondDancing DustbinsDance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set8x32 bar Jig1-4�1st couple set and cast off two places. 2nd and 3rd couples step up on bars 3 and 4.��5-8�1st couple turn right hand and lead up one place while 2nd couple set and cast off twoMaple DancingDance for 3 couples in a 4 couple loNew Scotland GoldDance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set8x32 bar Jig1-2�1st man and 3rd lady change places giving left hands.��3-4�3rd lady casts off one place while 1st man casts up one place while 2nd man and 2nd lady step up and down respectiveNifty ShiftinSkagits in StockbridgeDance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set4x32 bar StrathspeyThis dance starts with two chords. On the second chord, 3rd and 4th couples cross over to the opposite sides.��1-2�1st and 4th couples set.��3-4�1st couple cast off oTriskelionDance for 3 couples in a triangular set3x32 bar Strathspsey + 3x32 barReelThis dance is danced through 3 times in Strathspey time, followed by 3 times in Reel time.��1-2�Men dance across the set to the position of the lady on their right, passiFor connoisseursThe Gairloch HornpipeDance for 5 couples in a 5 couple longwise set5 x 48 bar Reel1-2�Joining hands on the sides, all set.��3-4�1st couple with 2nd couple and 4th couple with 5th couple dance half right hands across in a wheel while 3rd couple cross overThe Geese in the BogDance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set8x32 bar Jig1-4�1st couple and 2nd couple dance half a rights and lefts.��5-8�2nd and 1st couples set, 2nd couple cross over giving left hand while 1st couple turn by the left hand to faceThe Gloomy WinterDance for 3 couples in a 4 couplIn Scottish SpiritMill of TowieDance for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set8x32 bar Reel1-8�1st and 3rd couples dance a double figure of eight, 1st couple crossing down and 3rd couple casting up to start.��9-16�1st and 2nd couples dance the knot:turn partner half-way roThe One O’Clock Canon�Challenging dancesThe Cotton ReelDance for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set4x40 bar Reel1-4�1st couple cross down one place (2s step up) and cast off (3s step up).��5-8�1st couple cross down one place (4s step up) and set while2nd couple cross down one place (3The PalindromeDance for 4 couples in a square set64 bar Strathspey + 64 bar ReelStrathspey��1-8�All circle eight hands round to the left and back.��9-10�1C and 3C set.��11-12�1M and 3L, and 1L and 3M cross giving RH and retain hands.��13-14�3C and 1C dan

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