# dance

created: 2017-12-13 15:20:29.516497+00
last_modified: 2019-07-02 20:24:20.929244+00
name: Strathspey for a Perfect Day
ucname: STRATHSPEY FOR A PERFECT DAY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8448/8448/8008
devised: 2008-06-01
notes:
  For Diane Breslin on the occasion of her marriage to Avi Chatterjee in Edinburgh on the 7th of June 2008.


created: 2017-10-20 07:28:32.932577+00
last_modified: 2023-12-07 18:01:08.719703+00
name: Queensland Twosome, The
ucname: QUEENSLAND TWOSOME
intensity_bars: 888/840/844/888
devised: 2015-07-06
notes:
  The dance was created during the 40th Australian Winter School in Brisbane, Australia.  It's written for Emma Nixon and Iain Mckenzie. who were playing for the evening social on the night the dance was devised.
  (Amy Luxton-Esler).


created: 2010-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-10-22 19:23:20.050148+00
name: Ambassadors' Reel, The
ucname: AMBASSADORS REEL
intensity_bars: 800 800 844 888
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  The dance was devised as a farewell present of the RSCDS Vienna Branch to John and Judith MacGregor, British Ambassadors in Vienna and Bratislava. 
  John Macgregor had been the Honorary President of the Branch for a couple of years. John and Judith MacGregor were leaving Austria in August 2007 as their appointments as ambassadors to Vienna and Bratislava came to an end. 

  The dance and tune was presented to them at the end-of-season dance at the residency of the British ambassador in Vienna.

  A Note from "The Vienna Book":  
  This is a very fluid dance. Although conventional barring is used in the description above, it should be taken only as an approximation of what happens at any given point in the dance. For the sake of convenience, couples should start and end each turn of the dance in the sidelines, facing each other.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-11-03 21:58:08.008778+00
name: Leeze Me
ucname: LEEZE ME
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8000/6688
devised: 1984-01-01
notes:
  Slow Air Strathspey

  Devised in 1984 to commemorate the 25-year involvemenl of James' wife Phyllis in Scottish Country Dancing. "Leeze Me" is on old Scottish expression meaning "Dear Is To Me".

  Bars 1 - 8 Visiting both islands of New Zealand.  
  Bars 9 - 12 Making friends and dancing with New Zealanders.  
  Bars 13 - 16 Returning to Australia.  
  Bars 17 - 24 Visiting St. Andrews and Europe.  
  Bars 25 - 32 Dancing in Scotland and returning home.  


created: 2018-04-28 13:00:14.803764+00
last_modified: 2018-10-30 22:28:00.656232+00
name: Surbiton Frolic, The
ucname: SURBITON FROLIC
intensity_bars: 800/866/844/866/844
devised: 2017-12-01
notes:
  Devised in honour of the 70th anniversary of the Surbiton & District Caledonian Society. 

  The instructions were revised slightly in July 2018 to be clear that 1st couple pass each other left shoulder on bars 17 and 33 when entering the (right shoulder) half reels and pass right shoulder between the half reels.


created: 2017-11-13 00:02:52.64661+00
last_modified: 2017-11-13 00:02:52.64661+00
name: Welcome to the Strobel-Mühle
ucname: WELCOME TO THE STROBELMUHLE
devised: 2017-11-11
notes:
  The deviser explains: “For the dancers at the 7th Chemnitz SCD Weekend in November, 2017,
  which took place, for the first time, at the Strobel-Mühle, near Pockau-Lengefeld, in the remote
  mountains of Saxony. The Strobel-Mühle (Strobel Mill) is a residential training centre operated by the
  CVJM (YMCA for our Anglophone friends). I had been invited to teach the
  not-quite-beginners/intermediate class and had originally
  planned to teach <<ddd:The Byron Strathspey>> in the Saturday afternoon session, but then
  didn’t get around to explaining reels of three during the morning session, so desperate action was
  called for – hence this dance! I’m pleased to say that it was reasonably well received.”


created: 2010-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-10-22 20:57:01.268165+00
name: Thirty plus Ten (30 + 10)
ucname: THIRTY PLUS TEN 30 10
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  10 bar phrases

  A Note from "The Vienna Book":  
  Devised by Beatrix Wepner for Jutta Kribala on the occasion of her 30 plus 10th birthday in 2004.


created: 2012-07-27 07:40:00.425892+00
last_modified: 2018-04-03 00:07:36.177252+00
name: Busy Bee, The
ucname: BUSY BEE
devised: 2009-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Michaela Haslinger for her 40th birthday.

  The patterns of the dance are inspired by Michi’s endless energy, her ability to buzz from one thing to the next and to organise others into following her lead.


created: 2015-07-21 14:50:49.652728+00
last_modified: 2018-05-30 08:03:58.093712+00
name: Flora's Cross
ucname: FLORAS CROSS
intensity_bars: 747/888/648/800
devised: 2014-03-01
notes:
  This dance, devised in March 2014, was inspired by the monument to Flora MacDonald in Kilmuir Cemetery on the Isle of Skye.  
  The cross shape formed by the reels of four is reminiscent of the memorial stone.


created: 2014-02-20 13:38:53.918188+00
last_modified: 2018-06-01 14:22:53.390351+00
name: Brockbank's Drowning
ucname: BROCKBANKS DROWNING
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
notes:
  The idea for this dance came from an inscription on a bridge over the river Tay which joins the villages of Strathtay and Grandtully. It is a memorial to Charles Brockbank a man from Birmingham who drowned in the river in 1873. He was possibly one of the first canoeing tourists and still the only one to drown in the river which runs rapidly and dangerously under the bridge.


created: 2015-02-10 12:50:45.859284+00
last_modified: 2018-06-02 17:34:49.802966+00
name: Lilly and Grumpy
ucname: LILLY AND GRUMPY
notes:
  For my granddaughter Lilly who couldn’t quite manage to say Grandad which somehow turned into Grumpy, I wonder why.  

  Please note set and link back to back was originally devised by John Drewry in the Bankhead Collection 5


created: 2015-02-11 12:48:19.788992+00
last_modified: 2018-06-03 08:06:05.554587+00
name: Haytor Reel, The
ucname: HAYTOR REEL
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/844
devised: 2011-10-28
notes:
  Written to celebrate the week-end of dance organised by the Westbury Scottish Dance group 28th-30th October 2011


created: 2018-06-03 14:29:31.664661+00
last_modified: 2018-06-03 14:29:31.664661+00
name: Day at The Beach, A
ucname: DAY AT THE BEACH
notes:
  The dance was devised by Patrick Carter (aged 10) and member of CSCDS Inc. wrote the dance on the way to the beach


created: 2018-06-03 14:32:00.956477+00
last_modified: 2018-06-03 14:32:26.902059+00
name: James Carter's Strathspey
ucname: JAMES CARTERS STRATHSPEY
notes:
  Dance was devised by Patrick Carter (CSCDS Inc.) for his father James who has been a great supporter and promoter of Scottish Country Dancing. 


created: 2017-11-13 01:02:09.217204+00
last_modified: 2017-11-13 01:02:09.217204+00
name: Waters of Jona, The
ucname: WATERS OF JONA
notes:
  The deviser says: “Jona [in Switzerland – SCDDB ed.] is the town where I live. It's also the name of the river that runs through it.”

  DEVISED:2012-05


created: 2015-02-27 10:12:13.501553+00
last_modified: 2018-07-11 01:01:27.877376+00
name: Border Lads and Lassies
ucname: BORDER LADS AND LASSIES
intensity_bars: 880/800/880/866
notes:
  Devised by Lyn Bryce for Ann Naismith in recognition of her contribution to Scottish Country Dancing and her many years of teaching all age groups, especially in the Scottish Borders. 


created: 2016-05-27 21:37:11.224371+00
last_modified: 2017-11-02 02:31:22.516185+00
name: Let's Ask Avril !
ucname: LETS ASK AVRIL
notes:
  *From the book:*

  On the occasion of Avril and David's departure from Geneva, in 2015.

  We love you and wish you all the best in Germany!

  Note: The dance contains so-called "push me pull you reels" where the dancing couple dances Figures of Eight around their corners, while the corners dance Back to Back twice.


created: 2017-11-07 21:26:29.515289+00
last_modified: 2017-11-07 21:26:29.515289+00
name: Morland High Jinks
ucname: MORLAND HIGH JINKS
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  A dance for the week of dancing in Morland ln the summer of 2006.

  Could be danced as Strathspey or Reel or Medley (i.e. Strathspey and Reel). However, John Drewry suggests this dance to be danced four times as a strathspey and then four times as a reel.


created: 2017-10-25 10:12:25.44728+00
last_modified: 2018-09-14 18:04:13.150397+00
name: Palace Pier
ucname: PALACE PIER
intensity_bars: 888/800/444/444/888
notes:
  Devised for the Brighton and Hove Scottish Dance Club to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee.  Unfortunately Alice 'passed away' before she could see it danced at the 60th Tartan Ball in May 2012.  Music specially composed by Alastair Forbes.


created: 2018-09-18 15:07:40.358188+00
last_modified: 2018-09-19 02:56:44.181693+00
name: Abby's Reel
ucname: ABBYS REEL
devised: 2014-11-21
notes:
  This dance was originally Halloween Reel (1999) but we adjusted it Nov 21/2014.  Judy's new granddaughter was born the same week, Abby Keeling.


created: 2016-05-27 21:33:12.515502+00
last_modified: 2019-02-19 23:12:35.409165+00
name: Bye-Bye Bluebelle
ucname: BYEBYE BLUEBELLE
intensity_bars: 484/888/844/888
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  Composed for Avril and David Quarrie (and Bluebelle) on their leaving Geneva for more northerly climes.


created: 1997-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-08-06 15:51:47.54726+00
name: Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton Reel, The
ucname: LORD MALCOLM DOUGLASHAMILTON REEL
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/844/866
devised: 1967-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised in memory of the late Lord Malcom Douglas-Hamilton, Scottish patriot and founder of the  American Scottish Foundation.


created: 2017-10-22 21:58:09.356723+00
last_modified: 2023-09-03 21:05:52.278105+00
name: St Andrew's Day
ucname: SAINT ANDREWS DAY
devised: 1949-01-01
notes:
  Modified version. The original published instructions (<<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/18076/|Dance 18076>>) were for a 48 bar dance.  This has been altered to improve danceability.  Bars 17-32 took 8 bars and bars 41-64 have been changed.

  The original publication, Two National Dances of Scotland, describes this dance on the cover page, on the title page and on the dance description page as a Reel while the music, in the same publication and with the same title, composed by the dance deviser is in 6-8 time, i.e. a Jig.

  This dance is discussed in RSCDS London Branch's <<link:thereel/301>> and <<link:thereel/302>>.


created: 2017-11-10 17:34:06.999927+00
last_modified: 2023-10-05 17:45:47.585814+00
name: White Eagle
ucname: WHITE EAGLE
devised: 2017-04-01
notes:
  The dance was written for Richard Schmidt who founded the White Eagle Dance Academy
  in Montreal in 2008. He taught Polish dances in Japan in 2013, 2015 and 2017.


created: 2017-12-13 21:14:42.375057+00
last_modified: 2023-10-05 11:21:51.336403+00
name: Strathspey for Stan
ucname: STRATHSPEY FOR STAN
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/844
devised: 2017-03-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Stan Hamilton whose wonderful music has been enjoyed by dancers and listeners from all over the world.


created: 2013-07-24 15:05:57.172212+00
last_modified: 2017-11-11 00:31:54.102917+00
name: Maggie and Caitlin
ucname: MAGGIE AND CAITLIN
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 822
notes:
  Devised by J. A. McKernan (jamckern [at] gmail.com) for Maggie and Caitlin on leaving Minnesota for Oregon, May 2012. It is a fast-paced dance to reflect Maggie and Caitlin's youth and vitality, it has a 1C solo to reflect their relationship, a chase to represent travel (4 bars to get to Oregon, pretty speedy!) and CPCP to suggest making new Scottish dance friends there.

  Original text copied from 8x32

  1-4     1st couple set advancing, turn both hands to face down nearer hands joined.
  5-8     1st couple dance below 3rd couple, cross and cast up to 2nd place on opposite sides.
  9-16     Right hands across: 1st man with 2nd couple, 1st woman with 3rd couple. Left hands across: 1st woman with 2nd couple, 1st man with 3rd couple.
  17-20     All chase anti-clockwise halfway around the set.
  21-24     3rd and 2nd couples dance half rights and left WHILE 1st couple cross right hand and cast right to face 1st corners.
  25-32     1st couple turn corner, partner, corner, partner.


created: 2011-12-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-11-11 13:36:49.19588+00
name: As Cedar Falls, So Falls Waterloo
ucname: AS CEDAR FALLS SO FALLS WATERLOO
devised: 2010-09-01
notes:
  for Lee and Karen Potter; September 2010

  THE PUN.  Lee and Karen Potter live in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They built a dance floor in the basement of their home, and held a party to inaugurate the floor (and celebrate their 1st anniversary). This dance was written for the party.   Hence the pun: As Cedar Falls..... Falls is really a noun, but when you put it in this structure, it becomes a verb.

  THE TEASE   We have numerous instances of cities in the United States that are so close to another city that they get hyphenated. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Fargo-Moorhead, Cedar Falls-Waterloo.  Typically, the people who live in the first of the hyphenated cities do not want to be associated with the people who live in the second hyphenated city. And vice versa.  So, I am teasing Lee and Karen by putting Waterloo in the title of the dance.  Sorry, it takes longer to explain the title than to teach the dance...


created: 2011-12-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-11-13 14:19:49.877122+00
name: Miss Dow's Strathspey
ucname: MISS DOWS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880 888 888 844
notes:
  Devised by Alan Macpherson (amdmac [at] blueyonder.co.uk). 

  "Miss Dow was a very influential figure in promoting and developing SCD in the Dundee area and some have described her as the "Miss Milligan" of the East. Alistair Macfadyen was of the opinion that Miss Dow deserved more recognition from the Society than was accorded to her, and Alistair suggested that a dance in her honour would be a fitting tribute and that I should write such a dance for publication by the Society. The strathspey, "Miss Dow's Strathspey", was devised by me and submitted to the Society in the mid 90s, but unfortunately it was rejected."

  "The composer of the tune 'Miss Dow's Fancy' was John Reid (1869-1942), a famous Angus "Dancie" from Newtyle. He taught step dancing at the early Summer Schools and his Newtyle Orchestra provided the music for the Younger Hall dances. 'Miss Dow's Fancy' was first played by John Reid's orchestra at a Dundee Branch dance in the Training College Hall on the 14th December, 1934"


created: 2017-11-09 20:10:45.705578+00
last_modified: 2019-03-27 23:34:42.607734+00
name: After Three Gins
ucname: AFTER THREE GINS
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Stricty speaking the progression after 64 bars is (2,3,1,4), as 1s step down and 4s up on bars 1 and 2 of the next repeat.  But the dance functions as if it had the normal (2,3,4,1) progression.


created: 2013-09-13 13:12:12.056631+00
last_modified: 2018-04-07 07:03:35.568093+00
name: Turning Sixty
ucname: TURNING SIXTY
notes:
  Devised by Anna-Marie Arnold, 2011, for the celebration of Miles Arnold's sixtieth birthday. Miles is a descendant of the Mackenzie Clan of Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland.


created: 2011-12-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-04-03 00:18:02.254686+00
name: Lairds' Diamond, The
ucname: LAIRDS DIAMOND
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Peter McClure (joptmc [at] cc.umanitoba.ca), for Rena and Adam Laird, on the occasion of their Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary, 10 April 2003. Rena and Adam were married in Glasgow in 1943, and emigrated to Winnipeg a few years later. A devoted couple - symbolised by the solo turn for the first couple - they have also been very active in their community, both Rena's hospitality and Adam's music being appreciated by many people, including visitors to Winnipeg from faraway parts of the world. The reel of four is central to Scottish country dancing, as they have been central in their community, and the Diamond Poussette salutes their Diamond Anniversary. 


created: 2017-11-13 02:14:22.210923+00
last_modified: 2018-04-02 23:56:33.489676+00
name: Civic Accord
ucname: CIVIC ACCORD
intensity_bars: 8000|8440|8880|8880
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  Petronella Double Triangles - corners petronella to next corner positioning a counter clockwise direction on bars19-20 and 23-24.

  This dance was written in 2006 for the Greater hartford Scottish country Dance Demo Team. At the time of devising, most of the members drove Hondas.


created: 2012-05-06 23:03:31.433994+00
last_modified: 2017-11-14 06:21:22.680475+00
name: Silver Heather
ucname: SILVER HEATHER
intensity_bars: 840 804 822 888
devised: 2012-05-01
notes:
  Official description, published with the author's permission.

  Bars
  1 - 4 	1W followed by 1M cast off one place (2C step up on 3-4) and cross to opposite side
  5 - 8 	2C + 1C RHA (and 1W faces out)
  9 - 12	1W followed by 1M cast off one place (3C step up on 11-12) and cross to own side 
  13 - 16	1C + 3C LHA
  17- 20	1C cross RH and cast up one place (3C step down)
  21 - 24	1C dance petronella turn (to 1M between 2C, 1W between 3C), and all set in lines across the dance
  25 – 28	1C cross RH up/down, cast to the Right to second place on own side while 2M + 3M and 2W + 3W dance back to back
  29 – 32	all turn partner RH

  Repeat having passed a couple.

  Suggested recording: 	“Sarah’s Favourite” in “Reels and Wheels” by Gordon Shand and his Scottish Dance Band.

  This dance was devised in May 2012 for the coming Silver Jubilee of the Geldermalsen Scottish Country Dance Group “White Heather” in 2013.


created: 2011-12-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-11-14 16:28:04.676994+00
name: Laird of Dalnair, The
ucname: LAIRD OF DALNAIR
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 888
devised: 2010-04-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Alan Munro. He lives at Dalnair farm and has been affectionately called "The Laird of Dalnair".


created: 2017-11-15 04:37:12.611225+00
last_modified: 2017-11-20 08:42:51.055986+00
name: Linton Whipman, The
ucname: LINTON WHIPMAN
devised: 2015-07-05
notes:
  Devised by Lara Friedman~Shedlov, with help from Helen Bruce, Dan Friedman~Shedlov, and Janet
  and Stuart McKernan. Debuted on 5 July 2015 on the lower green of the village of West Linton,
  Scotland (see https://youtu.be/GzQ5HUfricM). The dance represents the traditions of the annual
  Whipman Play , with the Whipman and his lass riding out, along with the left  and right hand
  supporters.

  It is also a play on the traditional dance, “The Linton Ploughman.”

  Whipman is the old Scots word for a carter or carrier, and the story of the Linton play began in 1803
  when the Whipman Benevolent Society, providing mutual aid to its members, held their annual
  meeting. The Whipman Play is an annual summer festival held in the village of West Linton, and is one
  of the Scottish Borders' oldest festivals.  A local man is elected to the office of "Whipman" and he
  chooses a young lady to be his "Lass". The celebrations begin with the Installation of the Whipman
  and Lass, followed by a celebratory ceilidh. The following day, the Ride Out (of around 80 to 100
  horses) introduces the Whipman to the area, and a full week of events culminates in the annual sports
  day, held on the village green.

  *When Summer smiles in sweet delight,

  And field are starred with daisies white,

  Upon a certain gladsome night,

  Rejoicings start in Linton.*


created: 2018-06-03 14:52:47.268237+00
last_modified: 2018-07-08 10:52:03.317261+00
name: Many Thanks
ucname: MANY THANKS
intensity_bars: 886/866/888/088
notes:
  Dance was devised by David Carter (CSCDS Inc.) for Jack Pressley and Jamie Pressley, teacher and treasurer of CSCDS Inc, Charlotte, NC.


created: 2013-11-09 22:52:42.678235+00
last_modified: 2018-12-07 17:49:34.87246+00
name: Turn, Turn, Turn
ucname: TURN TURN TURN
devised: 2012-10-01
notes:
  Author's note: I will leave the choice of music up to you, but I like the Music Makars "Beauty of the North" from their CD "Jig for Joy"


created: 2017-11-23 17:43:30.624495+00
last_modified: 2017-11-23 17:43:30.624495+00
name: Shaky Island Schottische
ucname: SHAKY ISLAND SCHOTTISCHE
intensity_bars: 842/844/844/808
notes:
  Devised by Yvonne Plant, South Canterbury Region, to acknowledge all those affected by the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010-2011.


created: 2017-11-21 18:09:19.009151+00
last_modified: 2019-02-01 15:53:23.933812+00
name: Never done before
ucname: NEVER DONE BEFORE
notes:
  Devised  for Ute Schüssler who likes to say: “Never done (this dance) before” and loves the figure dance to each corner and set. 


created: 2013-09-13 13:10:20.000237+00
last_modified: 2018-04-09 13:18:59.085084+00
name: Shadows and Reflections
ucname: SHADOWS AND REFLECTIONS
notes:
  Devised by Irene van Maarseveen, 11 September 2007.

  Inspired by Thelma's comment to Nicole: "I'll be your shadow". Nicole was a little girl of about 7 at the time who came to dancing with her grandfather. One evening, to help Nicole cope with a more difficult dance, Thelma became her dancing shadow, guiding her through her part by dancing closely behind her.


created: 2013-09-12 15:29:16.286375+00
last_modified: 2018-04-10 08:58:07.767593+00
name: Elephants Don't Forget
ucname: ELEPHANTS DONT FORGET
devised: 2010-10-01
notes:
  Devised by Wouter Joubert, October 2010, as a happy reminder of the visit by Helen Frame and Jean Martin during September 2010. While they were here we visited the Elephant Sanctuary at the Hartebeespoort Dam and at the ball we hosted in honour of their visit Jean commented about the fact that elephants are believed lo have excellent memories ... 

  The figure described in bars 3-6, 11-14 and 25-28 is commonly known as 'Turn and Twirl'.


created: 2017-11-26 14:18:09.641978+00
last_modified: 2017-11-26 14:18:09.641978+00
name: Catherine's Wedding
ucname: CATHERINES WEDDING
notes:
  For my daughter, Catherine - and my daughter-in-law, another Catherine.
  The "double cross" figure was conceived by Alison Moen and Peter Richards.


created: 2017-11-26 14:05:26.05674+00
last_modified: 2019-10-08 21:14:57.594303+00
name: Whisky Jack
ucname: WHISKY JACK
intensity_bars: 6886/6886/8888/4884
notes:
  The Whisky Jack is a cheeky jay found in Canada, who is very bold and quick at stealing food even from one's hand.


created: 2018-06-03 14:57:27.644236+00
last_modified: 2018-06-03 14:57:27.644236+00
name: To Pennsylvania and Back
ucname: TO PENNSYLVANIA AND BACK
notes:
  Dance was devised by David Carter (CSCDS Inc.)  for his elder sister Jyllian who is a nun in Pennsylvania.


created: 2013-09-13 10:15:30.155832+00
last_modified: 2017-11-29 13:17:02.515419+00
name: Goodness Gracious Grasshopper
ucname: GOODNESS GRACIOUS GRASSHOPPER
devised: 2012-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Ryan Nelson, 2012.

  At night my son Duncan always wants me to dance with him. When I showed him how to dance for the first time, he exclaimed: "Goodness Gracious Grasshopper!" over and over again while dancing with me. Good Gracious Grasshopper is a character in the animated DVD "The Easter Egg Escapade", which he had watched two dozen times or more.

  I dedicate this dance to Duncan as he is my pride and joy and I am sure he will join me in dancing class in the not-too-distant future. 


created: 2017-11-27 17:57:14.604494+00
last_modified: 2018-04-02 23:56:35.986508+00
name: Macallan, The
ucname: MACALLAN
intensity_bars: 864/888/844/888
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  Devised for Dort Landley's 15th Anniversary Whisky Dance in 2015.

  The 12-bar formation reflected the door prize of a bottle of 12-year-old Macallan.


created: 2018-07-12 16:47:34.291583+00
last_modified: 2019-01-18 19:22:03.164138+00
name: Hidden Heart, The
ucname: HIDDEN HEART
intensity_bars: 8008/8008/0880/0880/8888/8888/6666/6666/8888/8888
devised: 2017-09-01
notes:
  For David Quarrie. After many years of energetic dancing, David’s sporran wore a small hole in his kilt. This was neatly repaired by costume designer Marina Harrington with a (normally hidden) heart shaped patch.


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-12-12 12:20:46.270242+00
name: Thistle Dew
ucname: THISTLE DEW
devised: 1995-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Irene van Maarseveen, Pretoria, South Africa; 1995.

  This dance was devised for a beginners' class. When a suitable dance containing specific formations could not be found, this dance evolved and it was decided that "This' ll do".


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-12-04 09:44:16.968166+00
name: Finders Keepers
ucname: FINDERS KEEPERS
devised: 1995-11-01
notes:
  Recommended music: Her Majesty Is Welcome

  Devised by Irene van Maarseveen, Pretoria, South Africa; Nov. 1995.

  This dance was born one evening during a beginners' class of one, Alexandre Filipov from Bulgaria.

  Dedicated to Cooks Dauth, for the many times she has made me aware of points that I had failed to notice where dancing technique could be improved and who "found" the name that the dance has "kept".


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-12-06 14:16:05.996625+00
name: Wouter and Tobie
ucname: WOUTER AND TOBIE
devised: 1994-01-01
notes:
  Recommended music: Culla Bay (SSCD 07) or The Strathspey King (EWO 001) "The Music Makars"

  Devised by Lyn Christie, Pretoria, South Pretoria; 1994.

  This dance was devised for the weeding of Wouter Joubert and Tobie Muller.


created: 2002-04-28 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-12-08 21:15:13.599898+00
name: Black Leather Jig, The
ucname: BLACK LEATHER JIG
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 822
notes:
  Title is a reverse play on all the dances titled reels that are really jigs & strathspeys- this is a jig that is really a reel

  Note: Video 2 - for FUN! It was unrehearsed and we were letting our hair down.


created: 2017-12-11 14:19:54.996301+00
last_modified: 2017-12-11 20:08:52.576111+00
name: Adelaide Two- Step, The
ucname: ADELAIDE TWO STEP
notes:
  Sandy Dodds:  husband to Jean Dodds, teacher in Adelaide Branch RSCDS.   
   
  Peter Clark: for the Australian Winter School 2003


created: 2018-06-03 15:01:31.874146+00
last_modified: 2018-06-03 15:01:31.874146+00
name: Wayne Robertson's Reel
ucname: WAYNE ROBERTSONS REEL
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, was for Wayne Robertson who is one of the great Scottish accordionists who has been a long time friend of my wife Jamie and I. 


created: 2018-06-03 14:50:06.597805+00
last_modified: 2019-02-03 21:12:52.331069+00
name: Light and Shade
ucname: LIGHT AND SHADE
intensity_bars: 822/888/844/888
notes:
  Dance was devised by David Carter (CSCDS Inc.) for Jim Stott who visited Charlotte, NC for the CSCDS Inc. annual "REEL SCOTTISH WEEKEND".


created: 2018-06-03 15:03:21.504151+00
last_modified: 2018-06-03 15:03:52.363163+00
name: Week Not in Scotland, A
ucname: WEEK NOT IN SCOTLAND
notes:
  The dance was devised by David Carter (CSCDS Inc.) when he was not able to go to Summer School because of a previously planned trip to Peru.


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-12-12 12:07:47.48808+00
name: Touch of Tartan, A
ucname: TOUCH OF TARTAN
devised: 1995-11-01
notes:
  Devised by Irene van Maarseveen, Pretoria, South Africa; November 1995.

  This dance was devised for a beginners' class, to introduce the concept of corners.


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-12-17 16:28:51.206365+00
name: Sands of Morar
ucname: SANDS OF MORAR
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 880
devised: 1983-01-01
notes:
  The »Sands of Morar« are on the west coast of Scotland, between
  Arisaig and Morar (south of Mallaig on the A380). Lovers of the cinema
  will recognise parts of the sands from the Bill Forsyth film,
  <<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085859/|Local Hero>>.
  (The village apparently near the beach as shown in the film is
  actually in a completely different part of Scotland – Pennan, on the
  east coast.)


created: 2001-05-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-04-26 22:50:31.481294+00
name: Islay
ucname: ISLAY
intensity_bars: 88888 88888 88888 88888 80246
devised: 1992-01-01
notes:
  Jean Shaw rewrote the dance in 2017; that is the version shown on this site.  

  The following crib follows original 1992 description 

  1--	All C circle once round L  
  9--	1c+2c & 4c+5c LHA ; RHA, finish C facing C up/dn NHJ while{8} 3c set | cross RH ; repeat and face out and R  
  17--	1c+2c & 4c+5c “mirror” Rondels (end couples make the arch) while{8} 3c chase clw ½ round the set {6} | cross to own place and face out and L (2,1,3,5,4)  
  25--	1c+3c+5c Reels3 on the sides, 3c start out and L, at end 3c turn RH to 3pl and all face in while{8} 2c & 4c set | dance BtoB | dance in and cast to place facing out  
  33--	2c+1c & 5c+4c change places on the side EH | 1c cast off 4 (2c+3c+4c+5c up) | 1c turn RH (2,3,4,5,1)  


created: 2018-03-21 15:32:56.004858+00
last_modified: 2019-03-24 11:24:39.678467+00
name: Wild Hedda Reel
ucname: WILD HEDDA REEL
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/488/688
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Judith Kowalczik in 2018 for Hedda Hein on the occasion of her 50th birthday. Hedda is a
  passionate dancer and a faithful member of the Potter's Pairs.


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 12:31:24.699021+00
name: Trip to Scotland, A
ucname: TRIP TO SCOTLAND
intensity_bars: 800/866/844/844
devised: 2001-08-01
notes:
  I took my first visit to Scotland in August 2001. This dance captures my impressions of that trip. You wander around all day seeing as much as you can, then get to your Bed and Breakfast late in the day, collapse into bed, and start all over again the following morning.


created: 2017-12-19 09:49:42.188573+00
last_modified: 2023-01-17 02:43:01.090677+00
name: Butterfly Flutter, The
ucname: BUTTERFLY FLUTTER
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/808
notes:
  NB the original instructions say this is 8x32 but the choreography and suggested recording are actually 3x32.


created: 2005-07-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2017-12-21 08:14:11.317099+00
name: Kathleen and Walter McAdam
ucname: KATHLEEN AND WALTER MACADAM
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  Jenifer Kelly writes:    
  Notes for teachers on the dances in the Anniversary Suite.   
  As I devised these dances I had a particular teaching point in mind for each of them.  

  These teaching notes can be found at 
  http://rscds-sf.org/resources/dances/Anniversay%20Suite%20Notes.pdf


created: 2018-06-10 13:58:13.874799+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:44:57.633283+00
name: Miss Priss
ucname: MISS PRISS
devised: 2011-05-01
notes:
  This dance is for my first cat, Misty. Misty was a long-haired muted tortieshell (gray and cream). She was sweet and dainty and somewhat prissy.


created: 2014-05-25 09:06:24.011947+00
last_modified: 2018-01-12 01:52:07.001993+00
name: Miss G-L's Strathspey
ucname: MISS GLS STRATHSPEY
notes:
  Dedicated to Gwyneth, my wife of 34 years, on the occasion of her sixtieth birthday.

  G-L - My Wife's name was Gwyneth Langford before our marriage.


created: 2014-05-25 08:46:35.214253+00
last_modified: 2018-01-13 02:34:29.384462+00
name: Millennium Medley, The
ucname: MILLENNIUM MEDLEY
notes:
  This dance was inspired by the threat of computer malfunctions when the year 2000 ticks in, and is dedicated to all those people who will need to work over the Millennium Hogmanay holiday period to sort out the problems. The change from Strathspey to Reel time symbolises the change from one Millennium to the next. The freezing of the dance for a moment at bar 31-32 on the last time through on the variation (THE BUG), symbolises *The "Millennium Bug" that threatens to stop the computers*. The two circles represent the two zeros that older computers and systems will not recognize.

  Once the novelty of the Millennium has passed and with it the danger of computer malfunctions, most dancers will prefer to dance this dance as "THE MILLENIUM MEDLEY".


created: 2018-01-13 12:11:45.337475+00
last_modified: 2018-05-10 16:02:30.43598+00
name: Tui's Call, The
ucname: TUIS CALL
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/804
devised: 2012-07-01
notes:
  Recommended music; 'Figure It Out' on CD 'Reel On'  

  Devised by Elaine Laidlaw July 2012  

  The notes of the tui’s call drop into the clear morning air like a pebble dropping into water, the ripples spreading outwards over the surrounding countryside. The last four bars depict the feathers at the throat of the tui.


created: 2014-05-25 09:09:44.748811+00
last_modified: 2018-01-12 11:18:16.215521+00
name: Flight to Turkmenistan
ucname: FLIGHT TO TURKMENISTAN
notes:
  Dedicated to Mike Pagella, a valued and popular member of the Peterborough RSCDS, when he was appointed consultant on the installation of air traffic control equipment at an airfield In Turkmenistan. This dance was first danced at Mike's farewell party and tries to represent some aspects of airport life and flying.

  - Bars 1-8: aims to show the general movement of people at an airport from point "A" to point "B".
  - Bars 9-16: the scene in the concourse, farewells being said whilst others are milling around.
  - Bars 17-24: the movement of the planes on and around the.airfield.
  - Bars 25-28: good air traffic control avoids head on collisions.
  - Bars 29-32: the safe landing of a plane on the runway. 


created: 2018-01-13 11:56:56.811424+00
last_modified: 2018-05-09 02:59:12.217128+00
name: Over the Hill
ucname: OVER THE HILL
intensity_bars: 8000/8888/8000/8888
devised: 2011-05-01
notes:
  Celebrating the 50th birthday of the Nelson/Marlborough Region, May 2011.  

  Dancers from the Nelson Marlborough Region talk about going “over the hill” to travel from Nelson to Blenheim or vice versa.  

  The first formation represents the windy road over the Whangamoas, the second formation is from Pelorus Jack, the third formation represents a fish hook and the fourth formation is the sun.  

  Suggested Music – Bank Street Reel


created: 2018-01-13 10:51:15.12273+00
last_modified: 2018-05-09 02:34:10.498339+00
name: Violet
ucname: VIOLET
intensity_bars: 888/800/844/844
devised: 2015-01-03
notes:
  Devised by Maureen Robson on 3 Jan 2015 for a proposed rainbow theme night.  

  Recommended recorded music: “In Traditional Mode” on “Reel On” played by Muriel Johnstone
  and Jim Lindsay.  

  Music for Violet composed by Peter Elmes.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-07-13 06:33:41.46196+00
name: Bradenstoke House Strathspey
ucname: BRADENSTOKE HOUSE STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 800/800/866/800/866
notes:
  "Bradenstoke" is the name of the house of my dance teacher, Miss Margaret Ogilvie, to whom this dance is dedicated.


created: 2018-01-13 12:03:32.976677+00
last_modified: 2018-12-29 12:02:26.5222+00
name: Rainbow Falls
ucname: RAINBOW FALLS
intensity_bars: 404/404/484/088
devised: 2016-07-26
notes:
  The Rainbow Falls are on the Kerikeri River.

  Suggested CD. 'Celtic Fire in the Music' Bobby Brown and the Acottish Accent. Disc 2 Track 12 Selection of Strathspeys. Tunes Earl Grey (J. Hill) Blin' Jamie (J Scott Skinner) Miss Doreen Lambert (Angus Fitchet)


created: 2018-01-13 12:19:08.148564+00
last_modified: 2018-12-29 12:44:02.00554+00
name: Lady Karlotta's Stables
ucname: LADY KARLOTTAS STABLES
intensity_bars: 800/844/800/844
devised: 2016-09-01
notes:
  Suggested music: 'Lady Home's Jig'  by Catherine Frser and Duncan Smith on 'Old Favourites and Odd couples'


created: 2014-05-25 08:48:42.541503+00
last_modified: 2018-01-14 01:40:43.55243+00
name: Norman Cross
ucname: NORMAN CROSS
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to the Peterborough RSCDS advanced class who patiently practice my 'incomplete' dances, special thanks to Hilary for suggesting the formation (bars 1-4).
  Norman Cross is a famous crossroad milestone on the A1 outside Peterborough, notorious over later years for traffic hold-ups at its roundabout, which the new motorway section has now eliminated.
  In this dance something of the movement of traffic at roundabouts is shown along with having to wait for one's turn to enter onto it.  In the last two bars - the road now goes straight through below the junction.
  The St Andrews Cross formation is used because of the 'CROSS' in the name of this famous junction.
  Norman Cross is also famous for a POW camp situated there during the Napoleonic wars.


created: 2018-01-20 15:53:12.965418+00
last_modified: 2018-04-18 17:07:38.178237+00
name: Boxing the Compass
ucname: BOXING THE COMPASS
devised: 2006-06-01
notes:
  The dance was devised for demonstration purposes – the first 2 repeats are in strathspey time, and the second 2 are in reel time. At the end of the 2nd repeat everyone will be opposite where they started, i.e. in their partner’s original place.  At the end of 4 repeats everyone should be back where they started!


created: 1998-04-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-01-17 11:14:35.031963+00
name: Glasgow Jubilee
ucname: GLASGOW JUBILEE
devised: 1973-01-01
notes:
  From the leaflet: 
  The "GLASGOW JUBILEE" - devised by Mr. John Drewry and gifted to the Glasgow Branch Demonstration Team to commemorate the Jubilee of the Glasgow Branch.


created: 2018-01-19 13:45:29.588575+00
last_modified: 2018-01-19 13:55:42.473127+00
name: Mein Heidelberg
ucname: MEIN HEIDELBERG
devised: 2013-05-11
notes:
  The dance was devised for the Heidelberg Jubilee Ball in 2013, celebrating  25 Years of Scottish Country Dancing in Heidelberg.


created: 2018-01-14 17:10:33.506494+00
last_modified: 2018-05-08 16:53:55.403329+00
name: Cobra, The
ucname: COBRA
intensity_bars: 4444/4444/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Recommended music: "The Dalston Jig" played by Marion Anderson's Band on The Sunday Class Dance Book 1


created: 1997-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-01-22 21:55:53.054847+00
name: Iris Jig, The
ucname: IRIS JIG
notes:
  Note from the deviser: 'The Iris flower, in full bloom, reminds me of a hand and so I named this dance after the Iris, because of the continuous use of hands. The first 8 bars represent the lower petals, or "falls", of the Iris.'


created: 2018-01-14 17:25:31.043665+00
last_modified: 2018-05-13 15:26:33.045934+00
name: Forty Happy Years
ucname: FORTY HAPPY YEARS
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888/888
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Suggested music: "Fireworks", Diamond Jubilee Collection, Colin Dewar Track 4  

  Devised by Sue Lindsay for Martin and Cindy Snelson’s 40th Wedding Anniversary on the 8 May 2016.  

  Note: the movement in bars 9-24 was devised by the late Alec Hay.


created: 2018-01-26 23:52:59.556073+00
last_modified: 2018-01-28 20:06:12.199995+00
name: Runaway Devil
ucname: RUNAWAY DEVIL
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  Deviser's note:  1st couple run away from their set and stand at the side of the hall where the dance event is being held. If desired, they may even leave the hall for a moment (this however depends on its size).  

  This dance, based on The Deil amang the Tailors (RSCDS Book 14 no. 7), was devised for not fewer than four available sets on the dance floor.


created: 2015-07-07 14:48:33.981206+00
last_modified: 2024-04-19 10:35:53.12242+00
name: Early Spring
ucname: EARLY SPRING
intensity_bars: 666/666/888/088
notes:
  May also be danced as a 4C/4L dance. Only 1c+2c+3c dance the Allemande.  Both 3c+2c and 1c+4c dance the Tourbillon, and finish (2,3,4,1).  This version is approved by the author.  See the video.


created: 2018-02-01 11:02:10.23323+00
last_modified: 2018-02-01 11:24:42.340499+00
name: Arran Weekend, The
ucname: ARRAN WEEKEND
intensity_bars: 888/844/888/822
devised: 1987-01-01
notes:
  In 2018, the North Ayrshire Branch, when preparing a dance in memory of Alastair Aitkenhead, found these dance instructions (in his papers) which were written by Roy Goldring on the 40th Anniversary of the Branch (1987) and handed by Roy to Alastair Aitkenhead.   This dance is almost identical to Liquid Assets by John Drewry, the last 8 bars being different.


created: 2018-01-28 20:18:33.618234+00
last_modified: 2018-02-24 21:55:07.590809+00
name: Salute to Ian Robertson
ucname: SALUTE TO IAN ROBERTSON
intensity_bars: 080/484/888/888
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  The dance has been written to mark Ian B Robertson’s 50th birthday. Ian is well known for providing superb music for dancers with either his fiddle or accordion. However not many people are aware that Ian is also a proficient dancer although not always familiar with all the dances. This dance has been written so that the couples dance primarily with, or mirror, their partners and can be helped by the giving of hands.


created: 2007-09-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-03 22:22:47.398168+00
name: Eté à Paris, L'
ucname: ETE A PARIS
devised: 2007-09-01
notes:
  Official Alias: Summer in Paris.      
  I devised this dance for a dance event in Paris scheduled for the 7th of September in 2007.

  This is the 40-bar version of the dance <<ddd:Bobby & Kobby#13476>> (which is actually a 64-bar reel for four couples).


created: 2015-08-29 12:53:55.755963+00
last_modified: 2018-02-04 23:52:17.373085+00
name: B.I.B
ucname: BIB
intensity_bars: 866/888/844/888
notes:
  Deviser's note:

  Blootered in Benidorm

  As we seek to keep the dances of Scotland alive, so we must maintain its ancient languages. The word blootered is an old Scots word meaning the person is in a state of extreme inebriation. Other words and phrases are - fu, stocious, flein or oot the game to name but a few. The person would be unable to lie on the ground without holding on!

  At a country dancing weekend in Spain, the band and I arrived a few days early and enjoyed the cultural activities Benidorm had to offer.


created: 2018-02-07 09:59:03.35891+00
last_modified: 2018-03-15 22:14:55.054789+00
name: Strangeness and Charm
ucname: STRANGENESS AND CHARM
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  Although this dance really has nothing to do with quarks, I have noticed that the names of two of the six types of quark, “up”  and  “down”, appear frequently in the  instructions for dances while two others, “top” and “bottom”, are seen occasionally.  However the two most whimsically named quarks, “strange” and “charm”, are virtually never mentioned at all.  So the title of this dance is an attempt to rectify that omission!  Hopefully 1st couple will show each other some charm at least in bars 5-6 while bars 21-24 are probably a bit strange for everyone. 


created: 2018-02-07 00:37:59.481695+00
last_modified: 2018-03-15 22:30:47.624274+00
name: Zeal of the Joyous Scots, The
ucname: ZEAL OF THE JOYOUS SCOTS
intensity_bars: 8888/8888//8888/8888
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  Mnemonic ditty : 
  -  turn, set, move, set
  -  turn, move, back to back 
  -  turn, swoop, turn, swoop
  -  circle round and back. 


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-07-13 07:56:45.801046+00
name: Falls of Lora, The
ucname: FALLS OF LORA
intensity_bars: 800/844/822/888
notes:
  The Falls of Lora are situated at the mouth of Loch Etive which is narrow and the site of a reef of rocks. The tide passes through it very quickly and a cataract, the Falls of Lora, has been made.


created: 2016-11-06 17:22:44.358799+00
last_modified: 2018-03-18 14:43:53.067253+00
name: Symphony Hall Strathspey
ucname: SYMPHONY HALL STRATHSPEY
notes:
  Symphony Hall, officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1991, has a seating capacity in excess of 2200 and is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.


created: 2002-04-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-01-30 13:41:21.463082+00
name: Aarhus Festival
ucname: AARHUS FESTIVAL
notes:
  The progression (312) is unusual, but works correctly in a 4L set. As usual the two bottom couples change places after each second turn.


created: 2018-02-11 16:40:03.518147+00
last_modified: 2018-02-13 12:53:50.529465+00
name: Jig for Josselin, A
ucname: JIG FOR JOSSELIN
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  The dance was presented as a gift to those who attended the inauguration of a Scottish Weekend in the town of Josselin in Brittany and was first danced on Sunday 11th February 2018.


created: 1997-08-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-08-27 15:22:10.08125+00
name: Captain John Hunter
ucname: CAPTAIN JOHN HUNTER
intensity_bars: 804/840/822/633/633
notes:
  Captain John Hunter commanded HMS Sirius, flagship of the First Fleet, which entered Port Jackson to found the colony of New South Wales, after rejecting Botany Bay as unsuitable.


created: 2014-10-19 09:44:31.475583+00
last_modified: 2018-06-23 08:51:13.451274+00
name: You Can Do It
ucname: YOU CAN DO IT
intensity_bars: 888/844/888/888
devised: 2013-01-01
notes:
  The U-chain was devised by Heinz Duewell in his Tighes Hill book. It follows the form of a Grand
  Chain, except that all cases the giving of hands take 2 bars and when dancers get to the end of the
  set, they set before returning back along the previous track.

  In the case of a “Bottom Open U-Chain”, the setting is in third place. For a “Top Open U-Chain”,
  setting would be in first place.


created: 2016-11-06 17:20:50.837428+00
last_modified: 2018-04-02 23:56:33.648665+00
name: Cross-City Line, The
ucname: CROSSCITY LINE
notes:
  The Cross-City Line is a suburban railway line in the West Midlands made up of a combination of lines opened by different companies between 1837 and 1885. It runs for 32 miles from Redditch, Worcestershire, in the south to Lichfield, Staffordshire, in the north, via Birmingham New Street.


created: 2018-02-14 14:22:36.429781+00
last_modified: 2020-07-11 06:18:08.112194+00
name: Turtle Shells
ucname: TURTLE SHELLS
intensity_bars: 8000/8880/8888/8444
devised: 2012-01-01
notes:
  I called it Turtle Shells, because when I was devising the dance it reminded me of the formation of turtle shells.

  Published in RSCDS Youth Ezine 4, November 2011


created: 2016-10-30 11:32:23.987382+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 08:44:24.467351+00
name: Carol's Frolic
ucname: CAROLS FROLIC
notes:
  A fun dance in recognition of Carol Clark's teaching skills with the boys and girls of Gatehouse Primary School.


created: 2016-11-06 17:24:18.842325+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 08:46:00.526399+00
name: Doodling at Dawn
ucname: DOODLING AT DAWN
notes:
  The title refers to the mental process of devising a new dance while lying awake first thing in the morning.


created: 2017-10-22 09:25:32.636791+00
last_modified: 2018-06-19 06:51:26.044623+00
name: Racing in Spa
ucname: RACING IN SPA
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/888
devised: 2017-03-31
notes:
  Devised for Anne Scobie's 60th birthday and Jette Rosen's 40th birthday; both SCD teachers in Brussels.

  These birthdays were celebrated during a week-end of dancing in Spa, hometown of the Francorchamps motor-racing circuit, on 31 March to 2 April 2017.

  The dance describes the motor races:  
  - bars 1-8 represent the warming up of the engines;  
  - bars 9-24 represent the actual race;  
  - bars 25-32 represent the after-race party.


created: 2002-05-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-08 20:07:13.576226+00
name: 14/12
ucname: 14/12
intensity_bars: 888/844/800/888
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  Devised to teach pas-de-basque with changes to and from skip-change. The name refers to the number of setting steps for 1c/ the others.

  The dance was originally published on Internet, but the site no longer exists (now resuscitated at e-cribs.org).  Here is the original text.

  14/12

  	by Alan Paterson 

  	3 couple Reel for a 4-couple set 

  Care to pas-de-basque?

  Bars

  1 - 8 	1st 2nd and 3rd couples petronella into the centre (to form a line up-and-down) and set. Turn partner 3/4 by the right hand to opposite sides, take hands and set.

   9 - 16	1st and 2nd couples continue to set once, then dance 1/2 right hands across. 1st and 3rd couples take hands and set, then also dance 1/2 right hands across. (2nd and 3rd couples are now back on own sides in 1st and 2nd places. 1s are in 3rd place on opposite sides)

  17 - 22	1st couple cast up one place, dance in to meet, take nearer hands, dance up between the 2s, then cast to 2nd place (still on opposite sides). 3rd couple step down on bars 17-18.

  23 - 24	1st couple, while setting in place, pull right shoulder back to face out.

  25 - 30	1st couple cast round to their right, cross with each other, giving right hands, up and down the centre of the set, cast out to their left (own sides) while 2nd and 3rd man and also 2nd and 3rd ladies, change places giving right hands, set to each other, and change back, again giving right hands.

   31 - 32	All take hands and set.

  Repeat having passed a couple.

  Recommended tune: Jack's Delight (trad). A recording can be found on David Cunningham's Silver Thistle album - track 'The Silver Thistle'. 

  This dance was devised 30 March 2001 to fill the need of teaching pas-de-basque with changes to and from skip-change.

  Notes:

  1.   Bars 15-16. Yes, I appreciate that some might want to dance left-hands across. This is just me being perverse.

  2.   Bars 23-24. While gazing enchantingly at one another of course.

  3.   My wife points out that no-one uses their left hands at all in this dance. I felt that the dancers had enough to think about. Feel free to change this if you prefer.

  4.   The name? Seems obvious to me, but, as yet, no-one has worked it out. There is a clue in the text somewhere.


created: 2011-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-04 12:09:06.275813+00
name: Birds of a Feather
ucname: BIRDS OF A FEATHER
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/880
notes:
  Only a few doors away from where we were trialling The Waverley Suite' dances, I hit a member of the Manorina melanocephala family - a Noisy Australian Miner - which was sitting in the road. By the time I had parked the car, there was a flock of Miners surrounding the injured bird and - it seemed - offering sympathy and advice. Whatever it was, their concern worked; when I left some hours later there was no sign of any mishap. It made me think that Scottish Country Dancers are like that flock of Miners - concerned for their fellow dancers within and without the set. In this dance you are with your partner for all but four bars, but even then you can keep an eye on each other!


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-08-20 20:55:49.390412+00
name: Until We Meet Again
ucname: UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
devised: 1989-08-26
notes:
  Iain Boyd explains:  In 1984, I devised a dance which I titled "Till We Meet Again". I subsequently distributed the instructions to a number of friends.  In my opinion, this dance should not have been entered into DanceData as the instructions were only distributed to friends and not formally published.  When I decided to formally publish the dance (in "Vive La Danse!") I also decided to change the title to "Until We Meet Again" and extend the dance from 32 bars to 40 bars (to improve the join between the second and third times through).

  The name of the obsolete "Till We Meet Again" has been added here as an alias, to help those who search for it.  But please be aware that the instructions are no longer available.  Also, those of you who would like the instructions for the new dance, may contact me and I will send you a copy of the instructions as published.  


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-02-07 17:52:25.325487+00
name: Pipes and Drums, The
ucname: PIPES AND DRUMS
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/822/822
notes:
  "At the Edinburgh Tattoo, Scotland, the moment the performance begins the commentator announces to a hushed audience, 'THE PIPES AND DRUMS!'."


created: 2018-09-18 23:04:54.444094+00
last_modified: 2018-09-19 08:55:19.426317+00
name: Strathspey for Doug
ucname: STRATHSPEY FOR DOUG
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/848
devised: 2013-10-01
notes:
  With love to Doug Schneider on his seventieth birthday.   

  Linda's note on the Star Meanwhile figure: 1st couple needs to "watch for the gap" as they cross the set and as they change places up and down: For 1st man it 's between the third couple and for 1st woman it's between the 2nd couple both times. Another way to think of it is that 1M is always casting around 3M and 1W is always casting around 2W.


created: 2018-09-18 23:01:56.984313+00
last_modified: 2018-09-23 22:57:52.230588+00
name: Wee Drappie, A
ucname: WEE DRAPPIE
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/800
devised: 2013-12-01
notes:
  1-28 the Same as Skunk River Reel  

  My home town of Newton, Iowa, lies on the high ground (‘high’ being a relative term in Iowa) between the north and south branches of the Skunk River. The south branch also flows along the eastern edge of Ames, Iowa, home of several RSCDS Central Iowa Branch dancers.


created: 2018-10-04 18:07:17.224484+00
last_modified: 2020-05-08 17:16:17.285869+00
name: Emily's Fireworks
ucname: EMILYS FIREWORKS
devised: 2014-02-01
notes:
  This dance was written at a shower for Andrew, Emily’s younger brother, where Emily showed how she does fireworks – touching fists with someone and raising hands into a fireworks fall. I wrote this dance to capture that moment.


created: 2018-08-26 18:41:57.980456+00
last_modified: 2018-08-28 16:19:50.713778+00
name: Lazlo
ucname: LAZLO
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8111/8888
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  Deviser's Note:  Lazlo is the artist pseudonym of Maguy Paillet, a keen dancer with the Scottish Chanterelle society (Lyon, France) for many years. The dance was written in 2007 as a tribute to Maguy’s courage in her fight against cancer and to celebrate all the happy moments spent together. The Lazlo figure tells of the dancers’ admiration for her loveliness and charm, while bars 29-32 stand for the artist’s talent in modelling clay into shape and thus bringing it to life.


  "The Reel" (RSCDS London) No 261 (September to November 2007), page 14, carried the following obituary of Maguy Paillet.   

  It was with great sadness that SCD dancers recently learned of the death of Maguy Paillet on July 24 after a brief but very courageous struggle with cancer. Maguy’s first contact with Scottish Country Dancing came about through Scottish friends in her native Lyon (France) a little under 20 years ago. Thereafter she became a stalwart of the Lyon group now known as Scottish Chanterelle, her special interest being in co-ordinating a modest “Dem Team” who performed at Burns Suppers and various local cultural events. At the end of June she was at the helm of a little open-air dem in a park in Lyon but finally went into hospital two days later. She also travelled extensively and managed to take her dancing shoes along, whether to Japan or to North America. She loved the dancing and the music and also the welcoming friendly atmosphere she encountered wherever she went. Her art work was another important part of her life and her notelets and greetings cards illustrated with pictures of dancers and especially “The Blue Lady” were regularly on sale at the Summer School shop. A collage of these has now been gifted to the RSCDS as a token of the great pleasure she derived from her many years of attending Summer School. Her fondness for strathspeys was well known and two dances have been devised for her by her friends, one with music by Ken Martlew and the other with a tune by Keith Smith. She was thrilled to be able to dance these with her Lyon friends earlier this year. It is perhaps no coincidence that she passed away the morning after her Lyon friends started their 2007 Summer School and her picture had arrived safely at the RSCDS. 

  Editor's note:  The Strathspey "Lazlo" was originally written in 2007, and slightly modified before final publication.


created: 2011-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-09-01 00:37:30.439867+00
name: El Nino
ucname: NINO
intensity_bars: 880/888/844/888
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to the set of dancers who trialled The Waverley Suite' dances on a day of high temperature. In the afternoon the hosts put on the air conditioning. We were all so hot it took some moments to realise that the unit was pumping out hot air. I thought the Spanish title covered very appropriately the espagnole start, the hot air (from both the air conditioning and the dancers), the time of the year we were dancing, the patterns in the dance signifying swirling winds and the way we were all behaving towards the end of a long dancing day! (El Nino - a warm current affecting the Peruvian coast every ten years or so; from the Spanish 'the child' short for El Nino de Navidad - the Christ Child - from the arrival of the current at Christmas.)


created: 2016-05-29 05:43:49.590334+00
last_modified: 2018-09-03 17:44:29.138605+00
name: Topsy Turvy
ucname: TOPSY TURVY
intensity_bars: 640/880/406/808
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  The dance was devised for Gini Grover and Gene Robinson of Binghampton, New York.

  (Source: a copy of this dances was published in the "Dance On!" magazine together with the above information.)


  TOPSY TURVY (3 X 32 S) 3C

  1-4        1L ½ Fig of Eight round 2C to finish in prom hold with 1M

  5-8        1C ½ prom reel of 3 across with 2C, LSh to 2L

  9-12      1C followed by 2C dance down between 3C & cast up

  13-16    1C & 2C dance ½ rights & lefts

  17-20    3M ½ Fig of Eight round 1C (in 2nd pl) to finish in prom hold with 3L

  21-24    3C prom reel of 3 with 1C, LSh to 1M

  25-28    3C followed by 1C dance between 2C & cast off

  29-32    1C & 3C dance ½ rights & lefts, to finish 231

  Source: This Carnoustie dance crib for 27th July 2016.


created: 2018-08-21 09:56:53.957269+00
last_modified: 2018-09-05 13:12:04.413681+00
name: Noix de Grenoble, La
ucname: NOIX DE GRENOBLE
intensity_bars: 8888/2222/2222/6000
devised: 2012-11-01
notes:
  This dance is also suitable for three or five couples.  In this case, the single couple at the bottom of the set turn right hand and then left hand while the others dance hands across, they then stand still during bars 9-16.
  This is an easy dance quite suitable for warming up or for ceilidhs.  It was devised after teaching in a secondary school, but finally never user there.  Later it was taught and performed in a nursery school in the area of Grenoble by the "older" ones (5-6 year-old children), quite difficult for them though.  At that time, the dance was called "Kids in the Alps", but it was renamed for publishing in the Walnut Book.


created: 2018-10-06 10:20:32.282359+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:20:32.282359+00
name: Midwestern Links
ucname: MIDWESTERN LINKS
devised: 2006-06-01
notes:
  Three Midwestern branches work together to put on the Midwest Scottish Weekend (Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee).


created: 2002-08-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-09-10 19:17:34.594696+00
name: Rocking Horse, The
ucname: ROCKING HORSE
intensity_bars: 8080/0808/8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 1994-12-01
notes:
  The rocking Horse is the symbol of the Children's Hospice Association, Scotland.

  Muriel Johnstone has commented about the last 4 bars:  
  "This query has cropped up on a few occasions and we did issue an amendment to the instructions at one stage in the late 1990s I think it was. The last line of bars 45-48 of the original instructions should read '. . . . one place round the set clockwise.' so first couple finish in second place.


created: 2013-03-09 13:02:38.068323+00
last_modified: 2018-09-13 14:04:56.893624+00
name: Prince of Sutton Coldfield, The
ucname: PRINCE OF SUTTON COLDFIELD
intensity_bars: 888 888 880 880
devised: 2013-03-02
notes:
  Full description (posted at request of the author)

  THE PRINCE OF SUTTON COLDFIELD

  Devised by Rod Downey, Wellington, New Zealand.

  A three couple 32 bar reel in a four couple set.

  1-8 The three couples dance parallel RS reels of three on the side, finishing with first couple on opposite sides in first place. The reels begin on own sides, but finish on opposite sides. This is accomplished by first lady crossing to the men's side through second man's place (care is needed that the third man is not tardy) on bar 7, and first man dancing across the top on bar 8. (This movement resembles that used in Tulloch Gorm, but with gender roles reversed.)

  9-16 Repeat 1-8 to original places.

  17-24 First and second couples dance 4 hands across and back. The left hands back finishes with both couples taking both hands with partner in a line on on the first diagonal (1W and 2M back to back), ready for a Hello Goodbye Poussette.

  25-32 1C and 2C dance a Hello Goodbye Poussette.

  Repeat having passed a couple.

  Hello Goodbye Poussette

  This begins in a diagonal line between first man's place and second lady’s place with 1W and 2M back to back; 1C and 2C holding partners with both hands in order 1M 1W 2M 2W. The retain hands until the end of bar 6. All begin on the right foot.

  1-2 All set R, and move left on the left jete' to finish in a line across the set, with the 1M and 2W back to back. (This rotates the line 1/8 anticlockwise.)
  3-4 Repeat a further 1/8, so that we are now on the second diagonal.

  5-6 Repeat, so that now all are in a line up and down the set, (from the top), 2M, 2W, 1M, 1W. Drop hands.

  7-8 All petronella to own sides in progressed places.

  Notes: Dedicated to Barry Priddey, wonderful dance deviser. Devised 2 March, 2013. The last figure was inspired by a similar one by Barry Priddey. 

  Music: Any good reel. I found Dumbarton Drums, as recorded by Alastair Downie, worked well.


created: 2016-09-04 12:02:35.179304+00
last_modified: 2018-09-13 21:42:23.43018+00
name: Reel Parenting
ucname: REEL PARENTING
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/844
devised: 2015-06-01
notes:
  The Story: This dance is inspired by how, when one has a family, things delightfully and mischievously happen when parents aren't looking. There is a game afoot where the set gets rearranged when the parents are busy. The challenge is to put it all back together.

  1-8 Two of the kids turn away and run; the parents take off in pursuit.

  9-16 Thinking all is in order, the parents leave together, but when they turn around they discover the kids are out of place. They scold the kids who then put themselves back in order.

  17-24 Taking the kids by the hand, the parents do a normal double triangle making eye contact with the corners like any upstanding parents would do, but the kids keep moving whenever the parents let go.

  25-32 The set is truly a mess. Working together, they all put it right


created: 2016-09-04 10:40:14.980486+00
last_modified: 2018-09-14 01:12:09.245963+00
name: In Mr. McGregor's Garden
ucname: IN MR MACGREGORS GARDEN
intensity_bars: 808/808/880/822
notes:
  This dance was inspired by the music “McGregor’s Leap,” which brings to the deviser’s mind dancers swirling into petronella turns. The title of the music suggests the Beatrix Potter story “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” in which the young Peter Rabbit sneaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden (to eat the vegetables that give him the energy to leap) and he is chased about the garden by Mr. McGregor.


created: 1998-01-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-09-17 06:43:12.178367+00
name: Fiddler's Joy
ucname: FIDDLERS JOY
intensity_bars: 888/888/800/888
notes:
  This dance was devised to make use of the record "Fiddlers to the Fore" published by the B.B.C. The music used is the Reel played by the 150 fiddlers on side 2. It is suggested that you listen to the music for 32 bars before starting to dance, as the fiddlers play for 9 rounds of the dance.  

  The debut of FiddZer's Joy was at Pinewoods in 1971; the music sounded well in the open air.  

  Any similarity to a dance previously published is purely coincidental. 


created: 2018-09-15 23:07:22.518219+00
last_modified: 2018-09-17 11:01:20.689122+00
name: Reflections of Sherbrooke
ucname: REFLECTIONS OF SHERBROOKE
intensity_bars: 8800/8840/8888/8804
devised: 2011-04-01
notes:
  Chis Ronald wrote “The name of the dance was chosen to depict the mirror (reflection) formations in the dance, and the fact that it was introduced at the TAC Summer School in Sherbrooke in July 2011 for a class on ‘Unusual Progressions’. The dance has several unusual features: ‘dolphin’ mirror reels of three, set and ‘mirror link’ for three, and the progression 3-4-2-1."


created: 2016-09-08 03:50:26.313272+00
last_modified: 2018-09-19 09:47:41.494287+00
name: Marshal's Rosette
ucname: MARSHALS ROSETTE
notes:
  In this dance I have tried to evoke the rhythms and pageant of a jousting tournament. It’s
  name links it to William Marshal who was the greatest ever medieval Knight, whether in
  tournament or war.

  The key figure is the tilt which mimics the charge of the knights in the lists. This must be danced vigorously with menacing eye contact! In contrast, the solo is a stroll “to be seen”,& the Progression a vigorous warm-up with the squires at arms in preparation for the next joust!


created: 2016-02-25 00:51:25.883527+00
last_modified: 2018-09-19 09:47:49.465222+00
name: May McLeod's Medley
ucname: MAY MACLEODS MEDLEY
notes:
  To celebrate the 90th Birthday of May McLeod from Huntly.


  Bars			Description

  1 – 8	2nd couple cross over right hand, cast to their right, dance in towards their partner and passing right shoulder dance round their partner to finish back to back in the centre woman facing up, man facing down.

  9 – 16	2nd woman with the 1st couple; 2nd man with the 3rd couple dance a circle round to the left with the 2nd couple dropping left hands on bar 12 to join into 6 hands round to left half way.

  17 – 20	2nd woman with the 3rd couple; 2nd man with the 1st couple dance half a reel of 3 across the dance with 2nd couple finishing in 2nd place on the correct side.

  21 – 24	1st and 2nd couples turn right hand for 4 bars and stay in the middle ready for:

  25 – 32	2nd couple and 1st couple dance an allemande.



  The dance is done 3 times as a Strathspey then 3 times as a Reel.  


  During Reel time on bars 7 & 8 the 2nd couple do not dance round each other instead they set to each other pulling their right shoulders back to face up or down.


  Original Tunes: May’s 90th (Strathspey) & Councillor Coull (Reel) by Frank Thomson


created: 2018-09-18 23:21:15.079125+00
last_modified: 2018-09-19 09:26:22.440823+00
name: Watchman, The
ucname: WATCHMAN
intensity_bars: 880/888/880/808
devised: 2012-12-01
notes:
  To the memory of the late Ken Bull, friend and fellow member of the Central Iowa Branch. Ken worked as a security guard in the years preceding his retirement.   

  Note: At the end of the reel, 1st woman pulls RS back before reaching the women’s side to finish in center to the left of her partner, facing down.


created: 2016-09-14 09:21:28.361865+00
last_modified: 2018-09-19 09:45:27.713951+00
name: Finlay's Frolic
ucname: FINLAYS FROLIC
intensity_bars: 8888/8484/4848/8888/8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2005-09-01
notes:
  Note: This could be danced as a 64 bar strathspey or 64 Strathspey/64 bar reel medley. In order
  to do this a slight amendment would need for bars 33-40 in strathspey time:  At the end of bar 32 the men would finish in the centre facing their partners.

  Bars 33 – 40 All set to partners, change places with the right hand, all set to partners, turn left
  hands to face corners.


created: 2018-10-09 13:37:56.322696+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 13:38:13.497106+00
name: Turning Tide, The
ucname: TURNING TIDE
devised: 2015-09-01
notes:
  This dance was written to illustrate timing for various turns and some basic figures for new dancers.


created: 1998-09-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-09-19 09:53:25.481233+00
name: Maxwell's Rant
ucname: MAXWELLS RANT
intensity_bars: 888 888 800 844
devised: 1752-01-01
notes:
  ##>>
  The Society’s version of this dance can be traced to Rutherford’s first collection of about 1755 where it is given as *Maxwill’s Rant*. 

  The Maxwells, in common with many of the great Border families, regularly changed allegiance between English and Scottish monarchs as best suited the family interest. For example, Sir Eustace Maxwell held Caerlaverock Castle, the family seat, for Edward I in 1312 but by 1320 was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath as a supporter of Robert the Bruce although five months later he was accused, and cleared, of involvement in an attempted assassination of The Bruce.
  ##<<


created: 2018-09-28 19:32:07.529728+00
last_modified: 2018-09-28 21:48:32.21234+00
name: Welcome to Tübingen
ucname: WELCOME TO TUBINGEN
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2018-08-01
notes:
  Dedicated to the International Branch of the RSCDS

  Symbolism: 

  Bar 1 + 2 symbolises the Swabian Hello “Grüß Gott”  

  Bar 3-8 a walk along of the rivers in Tübingen such as the Neckar, Steinlach, Ammer etc.  

  Bar 9-16 Dancing couple meets other people and friends in Tübingen. Then they go different ways to discover different parts of Tübingen, while the second and the third couple do something together (chase - walk around and discover, cross - you meet each other in the small town, set - say hello). At the end they meet the first couple.  

  As they had a wonderful time in Tübingen, they dance a circle. In addition, the circle symbolises integration, people from lots of different countries live in Tübingen, in good peaceful cohabitation and living with different generations.  


created: 2018-09-18 16:13:39.490674+00
last_modified: 2018-09-20 04:38:30.582134+00
name: Ames to Please
ucname: AMES TO PLEASE
intensity_bars: 88/88/44/88
notes:
  Written by Doug Schneider and Susan Mills of the Highland Mist Scottish Country Dancers in Missouri, in honor of the upcoming 25th Iowa Ball. The inspiration was a lament by Liz Donaldson that people don’t seem to write dances with advance-and-retire and back-to-back any more...


created: 2018-10-05 06:19:50.910432+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 06:19:50.910432+00
name: Flume, The
ucname: FLUME
devised: 2008-05-01
notes:
  The flume this dance refers to is in the Genesee River canyon in Letchworth State Park, New York. It has a stone bridge over it you can walk across and from which you can view the lower falls tumbling below.


created: 2018-10-05 07:20:53.045122+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 07:20:53.045122+00
name: Follow the Yellow Brick Road
ucname: FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
devised: 2011-04-01
notes:
  Note that the suggested music is 6 times through. I suggest that the second time a couple dances this dance, 1W dances a reel with 2C in bars 1-8 and with 3C in bars 9-16 and 1M dances only in bars 9-16.


created: 2017-03-01 12:11:08.342667+00
last_modified: 2020-11-07 11:07:30.081413+00
name: St Andrew's Anniversary Strathspey
ucname: SAINT ANDREWS ANNIVERSARY STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 840/880/888/808
notes:
  Source:  Dance found on Danciemaetion and on the programme of the September Dance Party, Saturday, September 21, 2013, Austin, TX.

  The Crib was taken from the Dance Party programme.  An error on bars 5-8 (2M+1L should be 1M+2L) has been corrected.  


created: 2015-02-14 03:00:17.913128+00
last_modified: 2018-09-25 11:17:46.942419+00
name: Camino Real, El
ucname: CAMINO REAL
intensity_bars: 888/888/884/848/888
notes:
  El Camino Real (The Royal Road) is the historic trail in California which is now approximated by U.S. 101, along which historic mission-bell markers have been placed. This route connects four of the Los Angeles Branch classes, from east to west Van Nuys, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and Santa Barbara.

  Note: The figure-of-eight grand chain is precisely the same pattern as the figure in the dance Equilibrium, here in strathspey time two bars to a hand, but beginning with the dancers in different positions from Equilibrium.  A good mnemonic for starting the figure is that the same two dancers who crossed diagonally in bars 7-8 are the ones who cross first diagonally in this figure.


created: 2018-08-28 18:11:48.524224+00
last_modified: 2019-06-27 21:28:48.143976+00
name: Bathampton Breakdown
ucname: BATHAMPTON BREAKDOWN
intensity_bars: 444/444/888/888/888/888/888/888
notes:
  This dance is for everyone who would rather dance than stand about chatting. The triangle form lends itself best to true equality within the dance, where top and bottom have no meaning. The increasing demands and speed of the dance may lead to the suggested "Breakdown"!


created: 2018-10-01 10:37:44.812096+00
last_modified: 2018-10-01 10:37:44.812096+00
name: 5 Feisty Women and Michael
ucname: 5 FEISTY WOMEN AND MICHAEL
devised: 2013-02-01
notes:
  The women in my class are generally not shy and Michael is a favorite dancer in the class. At one time we found ourselves dancing in a set of 5 women and Michael. That same class we had danced to the music Feisty Women and I was tasked with writing a dance with this name.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-01 17:22:04.340052+00
name: Barnyard Dance!
ucname: BARNYARD DANCE
devised: 2006-07-01
notes:
  This dance was inspired by the book *Barnyard Dance!* I saw at a baby shower. This is a fun children’s book by Sandra Boynton. The dance described in the book looked like it could almost be a Scottish country dance, so I 'interpreted' it. The music should not be too fast as the promenades can be a challenge to get into, and to be totally true to the book, the music should start with two chords, so people can bow to their partners and to their corners.


created: 2015-05-06 22:32:32.992125+00
last_modified: 2019-09-30 00:24:51.505654+00
name: After All These Years
ucname: AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
devised: 2011-10-01
notes:
  Dan and I finally decided to marry after being together 15+ years. This dance has a knot and a circle for the marriage and a 3-couple bourrel as that is the figure I created from the regular bourrel. I wrote this during class the week we married while I was sitting out dancing and presented it later that night. My class told me this is one of my easier dances, which I find odd as it has a knot and a 3-couple bourrel.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-02 13:32:31.24189+00
name: Calligraphy
ucname: CALLIGRAPHY
devised: 2006-06-01
notes:
  I love the way the half reels in bars 9-16 flow; it always reminds me of a script capital letter L and thus gave me a name for this dance. All dancers are encouraged to add loops on the ends of the half reels when possible.


created: 2015-07-07 16:13:34.402175+00
last_modified: 2018-10-02 19:22:10.865892+00
name: Lincoln Imp, The
ucname: LINCOLN IMP
intensity_bars: 662/886/800/888
notes:
  The Lincoln Imp is said, in legend, to have been sent by the devil to plague the clergy of Lincoln Cathedral.  He was blown in the great west doors by the west wind and blew out the candles, scattered the hymn sheets and attacked the choristers.  He flew into the angel choir, and when he threatened to pluck out the angels' feathers the smallest angel turned him into stone.  He can be found today near the top of one of the pillars in the cathedral.

  This dance was devised by Deirdre MacCuish Bark to honour her husband, the notably impish Scroll of Honour winning Keith Bark, who is from Lincoln. The legend of the Lincoln Cathedral Imp who was thwarted and turned to stone by the littlest angel is depicted. When 1st lady is chasing her partner near the end, and he looks back, the standing dancers are like pillars in the cathedral, where the stone imp now resides.


created: 2018-10-04 23:46:21.217124+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 23:46:21.217124+00
name: Firefly Flirt
ucname: FIREFLY FLIRT
devised: 2015-03-01
notes:
  I was intrigued by the idea of swapping ends of the set each time through a dance and wrote several dances to try it out. This is the reel.


created: 2018-10-02 22:27:19.821311+00
last_modified: 2018-10-02 22:27:19.821311+00
name: Carpenter's Wheel
ucname: CARPENTERS WHEEL
devised: 2013-03-01
notes:
  At the 2013 Madison Ball, Lynn Litterer mentioned a figure she'd danced at a workshop earlier that day (the Helix) and asked if I could create a dance for which the name Double Helix would be appropriate. This is the third of several dances I came up with. When we first danced this, Mady Newfield said the figures seemed like a quilt pattern. Carpenter's Wheel is one of my favorite quilt patterns and the figures in this dance seem to fit pattern.


created: 2004-08-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-03 01:24:46.633069+00
name: Another City, Another Move
ucname: ANOTHER CITY ANOTHER MOVE
devised: 2003-12-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance as I was thinking about how Katherine Andrefsky and Gordon Anderson (who were here much too short a time) move every few years and have to deal with packing and moving and all. It may help to understand this dance to realize that the first 24 bars are 6 bar phrasing: set, cross, cast – turn LH, balance, turn corners in – turn LH, balance, turn corners in – turn LH, balance, turn corners in.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 07:30:50.659596+00
name: Four-poster Jig, The
ucname: FOURPOSTER JIG
devised: 2002-10-01
notes:
  Suggested music is Susan’s Jig Set from The Music Makars. (I actually was hearing The Moudiewort from Muckle Carfuffle while this dance occurred to me, but it is 8 times through.).


created: 2005-07-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-03 12:03:23.888299+00
name: Cry Havoc
ucname: CRY HAVOC
devised: 2005-07-01
notes:
  This summer my group has had a large number of new dancers join us for regular dancing. This has led to some interesting problems as often they outnumber the regular dancers. Recently we tried a dance with consecutive half reels and realized half figures are hard for those still learning timing. Barbara Parks mentioned she’d like a dance of all half figures that she’d name Havoc. I liked the idea and came up with this dance and a slightly modified name. I chose the music because it sounds busy and carries with it a slightly frenetic feeling, even though it isn’t any faster than other reels.


created: 2005-04-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 05:15:11.090801+00
name: Dance Program, The
ucname: DANCE PROGRAM
devised: 2004-03-01
notes:
  This dance was written in frustration as I searched for appropriate dances for a ball program. Most strathspeys with a poussette are for two couples and I couldn’t find a dance with the combinations of figures I wanted, so I wrote one that combines some of my favorite strathspey figures.


created: 2018-10-04 08:15:30.321755+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 08:15:30.321755+00
name: Diamonds on Black Velvet
ucname: DIAMONDS ON BLACK VELVET
devised: 2012-06-01
notes:
  On a trip to Mexico I stayed in a thatched hut on the Chichen Itza site. I remember the night sky as darker than any I'd ever seen before and the Milky Way sprinkled across it like diamonds on black velvet.


created: 2000-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 08:07:07.640732+00
name: Diagonal Jig, A
ucname: DIAGONAL JIG
intensity_bars: 800/488/844
devised: 2000-02-01
notes:
  I wanted to emphasize technique in diagonal rights and lefts, but all dances I found with the figure are fairly complex. So I wrote a simple dance with diagonal rights and lefts and it turned out to dance rather nicely.


created: 2018-10-04 23:35:26.404774+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 23:35:26.404774+00
name: Fiddle Meister, The
ucname: FIDDLE MEISTER
devised: 2014-09-01
notes:
  This dance was written in honor of Tim Macdonald taking first place in the 2014 US National Scottish Fiddling Championship.


created: 2018-10-04 23:30:37.807979+00
last_modified: 2019-01-30 16:19:05.671157+00
name: Fanwood Frolic
ucname: FANWOOD FROLIC
intensity_bars: 82842/86846/88888/80844
devised: 2008-11-01
notes:
  This dance commemorates my trip to New York, when I took the train to New Jersey and dances with the SCD group in Fanwood.


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-06-30 07:54:03.154767+00
name: Moment of Coalescence, The
ucname: MOMENT OF COALESCENCE
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/880
devised: 2000-10-01
notes:
  In class, Doug often mentions the "moment of coalescence" when the figures end and all couples are neatly in places on the sides of the dance, just before entering the next figure. I decided to write a dance that flowed, but where each figure ended exactly on the sides, rather than in other positions as often happens. When I first wrote the dance, it had no reels, and when I showed it to Mady, she said the moment of coalescence requires reels, so we replaced bars 17-24 with reels.


created: 2018-10-04 09:01:35.950919+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 09:01:35.950919+00
name: Double Helix, The
ucname: DOUBLE HELIX
devised: 2013-03-01
notes:
  At the 2013 Madison Ball, Lynn Litterer mentioned a figure she'd danced at a workshop earlier that day (the Helix) and asked if I could create a dance for which the name Double Helix would be appropriate. This is the first of several dances I came up with.


created: 2000-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 10:17:38.830359+00
name: Ducks on the Pond
ucname: DUCKS ON THE POND
devised: 2000-03-01
notes:
  This dance was inspired by the behavior of the ducks on our new property. Frequently when we visit the property, there are ducks on the pond. They swim in circles, often in pairs, until they realize we are there; then they converge to a group, quack excitedly, and fly or swim off in groups to the other end of the pond, where they swim agitatedly for a while.


created: 2018-10-04 23:38:42.060284+00
last_modified: 2018-10-04 23:38:42.060284+00
name: Fifth Helix, The
ucname: FIFTH HELIX
devised: 2013-04-01
notes:
  At the 2013 Madison Ball, Lynn Litterer mentioned a figure she'd danced at a workshop earlier that day (the Helix) and asked if I could create a dance for which the name Double Helix would be appropriate. This is the fifth of several dances I came up with.


created: 2018-10-06 10:18:09.847379+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:18:09.847379+00
name: Midnight Crazies, The
ucname: MIDNIGHT CRAZIES
devised: 2008-08-01
notes:
  This dance was inspired by the antics of our cats: about the time we’re ready to go to bed, they decide to bounce off the walls!


created: 2018-10-03 11:54:10.014254+00
last_modified: 2020-12-15 13:17:43.431572+00
name: Crossing the Deadly Desert
ucname: CROSSING THE DEADLY DESERT
intensity_bars: 86846/84884/88808/84884/84844
devised: 2010-10-01
notes:
  This dance gets its name from the book Ozma of Oz where the people from OZ have to cross the Deadly Desert to get to the Nome King’s kingdom to rescue the people of the Land of Ev. All the setting and moving seemed like what one might have to do to avoid all that hot sand.


created: 2018-10-05 07:34:07.465722+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 07:34:07.465722+00
name: Freedom Rant, The
ucname: FREEDOM RANT
devised: 2007-07-01
notes:
  Written around the time of the July 4th holiday in honor of Independence Day. I chose a tune with pipes as I used to march in a pipe band and spent several July 4ths marching in parades to the sound of pipes.


created: 2018-10-05 07:36:27.970556+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 07:36:27.970556+00
name: French Roundabout, The
ucname: FRENCH ROUNDABOUT
devised: 2014-08-01
notes:
  Note that 1C is dancing diagonal reels while corners are dancing half reels around the outside of the set. At the start of each half reel, corners dance into the set and 1C dances out of the set.  

  Written for a local dancer originally from France whose name is Charles.


created: 2002-08-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 08:05:48.98593+00
name: Frolic, The
ucname: FROLIC
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888/888
devised: 1997-09-01
notes:
  Suggested music is any 40-bar reel similar to *Mairi's Wedding*.  

  This dance was written to celebrate the annual fall dance, *Frolic on the Fox*, put on by my local class of the RSCDS - Chicago branch.


created: 2018-10-05 08:35:04.135483+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 08:35:04.135483+00
name: Genesee River Gorge, The
ucname: GENESEE RIVER GORGE
devised: 2008-06-01
notes:
  The Genesee River Gorge runs through Letchworth State Park in New York State. This is a beautiful area with three large waterfalls.


created: 2018-10-05 08:38:18.45619+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 08:38:18.45619+00
name: George Whitehorne
ucname: GEORGE WHITEHORNE
devised: 2010-09-01
notes:
  This dance is written in honor of George Whitehorne, who has written many fun dancers and is the father of a friend and fellow dancer.


created: 2011-08-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-11-09 20:10:49.71246+00
name: Jill's Gentle Jig
ucname: JILLS GENTLE JIG
intensity_bars: 880/844/800/888
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  Jill's Gentle Jig by Tim Wilson honors Jill Breslauer, a longtime member of the San Francisco class.  The dance was written in 2001 and published in the SF Class's book Measures of Pleasure.
  The first tune was written for the dance by Gary Thomas in 2007 and was published with the dance in 2007.  

  The rather brisk third figure is the version of 'Double Triangles' described  Thomas Wilson (no relation to Tim) in 1811.  

  The conclusion of each time through should be danced with the right shoulder swirl into place as performed by Tim and Trina (in Video 1).  Optionally, if there is time, Tim suggests swirling around each other into place. 
  There is usually not enough time.  

  The band consists of Gary Thomas with Ron Wallace and Steve Wyrick.  The dancers are Tim Wilson and Trina Merriman, Sylvain Pelletier with Pat Obrien, Bruce Herbold with Eileen Richey and Geoffrey Wood with Claire Hunter Chow.   


created: 2018-10-05 12:22:48.506362+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 12:23:03.75091+00
name: Go Cubs Go
ucname: GO CUBS GO
devised: 2016-11-01
notes:
  This dance is written to celebrate the Chicago Cubs winning the 2016 World Series – their first such win in 108 years.


created: 2018-10-05 12:25:03.167638+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 12:25:03.167638+00
name: Golden Rain
ucname: GOLDEN RAIN
devised: 2012-07-01
notes:
  I wrote this on the 4th of July (Independence Day); golden rain refers to one of the kinds of fireworks popular on this day.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 12:33:44.38104+00
name: Great Big Sea
ucname: GREAT BIG SEA
intensity_bars: 800/844/822/800
devised: 2001-08-01
notes:
  I attended a Celtic concert at Ravinia with a group of Scottish Country Dancers and on the program was a group called Great Big Sea that played toe-tapping tunes. I wrote this dance while listening to them play.


created: 2018-10-05 13:05:44.699783+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 13:05:44.699783+00
name: Gypsy
ucname: GYPSY
devised: 2014-02-01
notes:
  This dance was written after seeing a production of Gypsy and wanting to incorporate the gypsy figure into a dance.


created: 2005-07-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 13:10:14.424915+00
name: Hannah's Journey
ucname: HANNAHS JOURNEY
devised: 2005-05-01
notes:
  This dance was written to go with music written specifically for Hannah Newfield-Plunkett to mark her graduation from high school. The tune is named Merry Ship to England. Other suitable music is *The Carl Cam’ Ower the Croft* from Muckle Carfuffle.


created: 2018-10-05 13:30:12.41709+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 13:30:12.41709+00
name: Harrington's Feather
ucname: HARRINGTONS FEATHER
devised: 2015-04-01
notes:
  Our cat Harrington loves to play with a feather cat toy and jumps around all over the place to try to catch it.


created: 2018-10-05 13:34:25.53947+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 13:34:25.53947+00
name: Hawk on the Rail
ucname: HAWK ON THE RAIL
devised: 2016-03-01
notes:
  One day I looked out and saw a young red-tailed hawk sitting on our deck railing. It sat there for quite a while surveying the area, swiveling its head 180 degrees left, right, and back.


created: 2018-06-11 09:28:44.293734+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 13:57:08.735487+00
name: How to Teach a Human
ucname: HOW TO TEACH A HUMAN
devised: 2011-06-01
notes:
  Note: timing is critical in bars 9-24; people in corner positions should allow the people in the center to dance to the right and start dancing out to corner positions.  

  This dance is for my third cat, Shadow. Shadow was a gray tabby with patches of red and spots on her belly. She loved to play and would jump feet into the air trying to catch a tinfoil ball.


created: 2018-10-05 14:41:52.021564+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 14:41:52.021564+00
name: Inquisitive Paws
ucname: INQUISITIVE PAWS
devised: 2007-02-01
notes:
  After years of nursing sick, elderly cats, we found ourselves with no cats and adopted four young, healthy males. This dance captures one of the joys we now experience: paws under closed doors, seeking out attention or anything that might pass as a toy.


created: 2018-10-05 14:46:11.987042+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 14:46:11.987042+00
name: In the Boreal Forest
ucname: IN THE BOREAL FOREST
devised: 2015-02-01
notes:
  I was inspired after reading about the boreal forest in a National Geographic article – it encircles the Arctic and based on the lovely shades of green in the pictures with the article, I want to go.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 14:48:27.024634+00
name: Inverlochy Castle
ucname: INVERLOCHY CASTLE
devised: 2005-11-01
notes:
  When I traveled in Scotland, my favorite spot was Inverlochy Castle, which has round towers at each of its four corners like a fairy-tale castle.


created: 2005-04-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:09:35.858657+00
name: Maureen Calling
ucname: MAUREEN CALLING
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  This dance is written for Maureen Pettigrew on the occasion of her birthday; the name of the dance is the salutation she often uses when sending out email.


created: 2018-10-05 09:39:32.444216+00
last_modified: 2022-08-17 21:03:12.619079+00
name: Glass Scroll, The
ucname: GLASS SCROLL
devised: 2011-10-01
notes:
  I've written a few dances now with the figure in bars 9-16 and Mady Newfield suggested that I call it a French Scroll to give it a name and make it easier to brief. The name of the dance is a combination of the name of the figure and the name of the chosen tune.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 14:49:28.868018+00
name: Irregular Progression, An
ucname: IRREGULAR PROGRESSION
devised: 2005-10-01
notes:
  Couples are arranged in two regular triangular sets in the following formation with the A set aligned as normal, A1 with their backs to the music and the B set aligned as if rotated 180°, so B1 is facing the music:  

  Doug Jensen has lead the Silk & Thistle class for more than the eleven years I have danced with the class. He prepares on average 50 classes a year and is always ready for whoever shows up - we have new people drop in at any time. This dance is written to honor him, his dedication, and his very special birthday this year.


created: 2018-10-05 14:54:19.029938+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 14:54:19.029938+00
name: It's Just a Number
ucname: ITS JUST A NUMBER
devised: 2016-03-01
notes:
  My Mom has hated birthdays since turning 80 and is at the time of writing this dance 91. I always tell her "It’s just a number."


created: 2000-09-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 14:57:28.145155+00
name: Ivy Vines
ucname: IVY VINES
devised: 2000-07-01
notes:
  I loved this music the first time I heard it and wanted to write a dance to it. When I listened to it again, this dance wrote itself.


created: 2005-04-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 15:06:19.540901+00
name: Jensen Jig, The
ucname: JENSEN JIG
devised: 2004-10-01
notes:
  This dance is written to honor Doug Jensen, who runs the Silk & Thistle class of the Chicago Branch 50 or more weeks a year, and is always well prepared for and patient with the class.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 15:52:36.996056+00
name: King Tut
ucname: KING TUT
devised: 2002-10-01
notes:
  This dance occurred to me while I was watching a TV program proposing that King Tutankamen had been assassinated.
    	


created: 2018-10-05 15:54:08.527643+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 15:54:08.527643+00
name: Kitty Cornered
ucname: KITTY CORNERED
devised: 2013-03-01
notes:
  One night I lay down to go to bed and opened my eyes to find 2 cats around my head and 1 at my side and felt kitty cornered.


created: 2018-10-05 13:38:24.458485+00
last_modified: 2019-09-02 23:30:03.589124+00
name: Herding Cats
ucname: HERDING CATS
devised: 2012-07-01
notes:
  Not much of this dance contains figures that parallel or mirror and the messiness of it reminded me of the phrase herding cats – which is quite appropriate since I have never lived without cats.


created: 2018-10-05 16:23:13.382776+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 16:28:31.398015+00
name: Lace Across the Sky
ucname: LACE ACROSS THE SKY
devised: 2014-07-01
notes:
  This dance was written the day after powerful thunderstorms raked the area and lightning wrote lace on the clouds.


created: 2005-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 21:30:26.906992+00
name: Ladies' Auxiliary, The
ucname: LADIES AUXILIARY
intensity_bars: 660/860/606/848/888/844
devised: 2005-03-01
notes:
  We have a group of ladies who meet nearly every Friday for handwork and also spend a lot of time planning SCD events, e.g. the New Year’s Ball, the Weekend Workshop, etc. for the Branch.


created: 2018-10-05 21:35:41.273413+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 21:35:41.273413+00
name: Lady from Wales, The
ucname: LADY FROM WALES
devised: 2014-09-01
notes:
  This dance was written in memory of Stephanie Donaghey who was born in Wales and danced with our class for several years.


created: 2018-10-05 21:43:32.087545+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 21:43:32.087545+00
name: Lady Mairi's Dream
ucname: LADY MAIRIS DREAM
devised: 2013-07-01
notes:
  I wanted to try a dance with a quicktime tournée and also wanted to try the 'old way' of performing bar 4 in the tournée. This dance combines figures from Lady McGowan's Dream and Mairi's Wedding.


created: 2018-08-26 11:22:19.131728+00
last_modified: 2018-10-05 22:12:56.257907+00
name: Lyon Treasurer, The
ucname: LYON TREASURER
intensity_bars: 844/822/888/888
notes:
  This dance was devised by Laure Gardelle for Pierre Vernay, of the RSCDS Lyon Branch, when he left his position as treasurer in 2010. Not only is he greatly appreciated as a person and as a dancer, but he has
  also proved an invaluable treasurer. A big thank you from everyone at the Branch.


created: 2013-06-25 08:32:31.045277+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 05:06:08.485082+00
name: Lavender Strathspey, The
ucname: LAVENDER STRATHSPEY
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  This dance was written for Barbara Youngman, leader of the Durham, North Carolina class.  

  Note that the gypsy poussette in this dance is a slight variant of the figure invented by Terry Glasspool in his dance Gypsy Dreams.


created: 2018-10-06 05:31:26.448764+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 05:31:26.448764+00
name: Lenten Rose, The
ucname: LENTEN ROSE
devised: 2012-04-01
notes:
  I have a Lenten Rose growing in my backyard; the flower is lovely and the figures are a bit reminiscent of the shape of the flower.


created: 2018-10-06 10:34:21.755316+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:34:21.755316+00
name: Mike's Request
ucname: MIKES REQUEST
devised: 2014-08-01
notes:
  After dancing a dance with a progressive grand chain I was asked by a friend to create a dance using this figure.


created: 2018-10-06 05:39:12.414085+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 05:53:23.290432+00
name: Lightning in a Bottle
ucname: LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE
intensity_bars: 800/880/808/844
devised: 2013-10-01
notes:
  I remember catching fireflies as a child – in a bottle – and watching them flash for a while before releasing them.


created: 2005-07-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 08:08:58.16278+00
name: Lipstick on my Knee
ucname: LIPSTICK ON MY KNEE
devised: 2004-09-01
notes:
  The name for this dance occurred when Mady Newfield bent to check out something on Mike Fitak’s reenactment leggings just as he raised his knee.


created: 2018-10-06 08:11:55.334154+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 08:11:55.334154+00
name: Little H
ucname: LITTLE H
devised: 2011-07-01
notes:
  This dance is named for our cat Harrington, whom we affectionately call Little H because he is our largest cat.


created: 2018-10-06 08:35:31.610055+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 08:35:31.610055+00
name: Loki's Reel
ucname: LOKIS REEL
devised: 2008-11-01
notes:
  Loki is the god of mischief in Norse mythology. We affectionately call one of our cats Loki because he is always stirring up the other cats.


created: 2018-10-06 08:39:29.700433+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 08:39:29.700433+00
name: Lorain Moraine, The
ucname: LORAIN MORAINE
devised: 2008-04-01
notes:
  The Lorain Moraine is a ridge deposited at the time of glaciers just south of Lake Erie near Cleveland, Ohio.


created: 2018-10-06 08:50:00.872829+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 08:50:00.872829+00
name: Lynn's Request
ucname: LYNNS REQUEST
devised: 2013-03-01
notes:
  At the 2013 Madison Ball, Lynn Litterer mentioned a figure she'd danced at a workshop earlier that day (the Helix) and asked if I could create a dance for which the name Double Helix would be appropriate. This is the second of several dances I came up with.


created: 2018-10-09 10:46:06.3191+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 10:46:06.3191+00
name: There Are No Auroras on Venus
ucname: THERE ARE NO AURORAS ON VENUS
devised: 2016-05-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance after watching a TV show that mentioned there are no auroras on Venus because it lacks a strong magnetic field.


created: 2018-10-06 09:06:12.289494+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 09:06:12.289494+00
name: Mady's Idea
ucname: MADYS IDEA
devised: 2013-04-01
notes:
  At the 2013 Madison Ball, Lynn Litterer mentioned a figure she'd danced at a workshop earlier that day (the Helix) and asked if I could create a dance for which the name Double Helix would be appropriate. This is the fourth of several dances I came up with. The figure in bars 9-16 is based on an idea Mady Newfield had in class when we tried one of the earlier Helix dances.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:10:49.033793+00
name: Merry Go Round Mountains, The
ucname: MERRY GO ROUND MOUNTAINS
devised: 2002-04-01
notes:
  The Merry Go Round Mountains are featured in the Oz Book, The Lost Princess of Oz; they are spinning rubber cones that must be crossed to save Ozma from her captor.


created: 2018-10-06 10:40:28.041698+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:40:28.041698+00
name: Miss Cream Coral
ucname: MISS CREAM CORAL
devised: 2011-08-01
notes:
  My fifth cat was a pure-bred Persian with papers that I officially named Miss Cream Coral but called Cory. She was a truly pink cat and beautiful, but she didn’t like being in a multi-cat household, so I ended up giving her to a friend whose only other pet was a neurotic Sheltie named Princess. Cory and Princess became fast friends, so it worked out well for all.


created: 2018-10-06 10:50:44.294264+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 10:50:44.294264+00
name: Monty's Little Brother
ucname: MONTYS LITTLE BROTHER
devised: 2015-02-01
notes:
  I like to do the setting in Montgomeries’ Rant as it is done in The Full Monty and wrong this dance to incorporate a variation of that setting.


created: 2005-04-27 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 11:25:03.046367+00
name: Motorcycle Lady
ucname: MOTORCYCLE LADY
devised: 2005-02-01
notes:
  This dance is written for Mary Helen Polensky, one of the original members of the Silk & Thistle class, who enjoys touring with her husband on his motorcycle.


created: 2018-10-06 11:36:49.153947+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 11:36:49.153947+00
name: Mrs Norma Briggs
ucname: MRS NORMA BRIGGS
devised: 2015-08-01
notes:
  Norma Briggs was a lovely lady and a major contributor to establishing and maintaining the Madison Branch.


created: 2018-10-06 11:46:04.287067+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 11:46:04.287067+00
name: My Bonny Beau
ucname: MY BONNY BEAU
devised: 2011-02-01
notes:
  This dance is for my cat Beau. Beau was one of a pair of American Shorthair silver and black tabbies and though he didn’t have the gorgeous markings of his sister, Belle, he had a really sweet face and disposition.


created: 2018-10-06 12:37:27.183127+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 12:37:27.183127+00
name: Niddy Noddy
ucname: NIDDY NODDY
devised: 2013-02-01
notes:
  A niddy noddy is a bar with crossbars at each end and offset from each other by 90 degrees. It is used to create skeins of yarn.


created: 2018-10-06 12:50:50.061486+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 12:50:50.061486+00
name: Off the Axum
ucname: OFF THE AXUM
devised: 2013-02-01
notes:
  One of the dancers in my class has written a couple of dances based on the Axum reel, so I decided to try a 5-couple version and realized it is no longer a reel, but still based on the tracks of the Axum reel.


created: 2018-10-06 13:00:02.054922+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 13:00:02.054922+00
name: Off to Virginia Reel, The
ucname: OFF TO VIRGINIA REEL
devised: 2007-07-01
notes:
  This dance is written for Jeanne and Mike Millin as they are moving from Chicago to Williamsburg, Virginia.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 13:01:48.17881+00
name: Olympic Gold
ucname: OLYMPIC GOLD
intensity_bars: 80008 80008 66666 60202
devised: 2006-02-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Michelle Kwan, Kurt Browning, and all other Olympic athletes who went to the games with golden talents, but didn’t win a gold medal. The figure in bars 17-24 represents the five Olympic rings.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 13:27:09.8367+00
name: Ozma of Oz
ucname: OZMA OF OZ
devised: 2002-04-01
notes:
  I am a great fan of the Oz books and Ozma of Oz is one of my favorites in the series. This dance traces out the OZ symbol (mirrored).


created: 2018-10-06 13:29:24.718113+00
last_modified: 2018-10-06 13:29:24.718113+00
name: Panama!
ucname: PANAMA
devised: 2007-05-01
notes:
  This dance is a palindrome (if you take cross/cast as a single figure). I took the name from "a man, a plan, a canal, Panama!"


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 12:38:27.928993+00
name: Search for MacDonald, The
ucname: SEARCH FOR MACDONALD
devised: 2002-07-01
notes:
  I liked this music and wanted to write a dance that worked with it. Also, I spent part of my trip to Scotland in 2001 researching my name. I had always known my name was associated with Clan Donald somehow, but it wasn’t until this trip I learned it is an alternate spelling of MacDonald.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-04 16:12:12.895197+00
name: Miss Nora Elizabeth
ucname: MISS NORA ELIZABETH
intensity_bars: 800 880 808 888
devised: 2005-10-01
notes:
  Nora Elizabeth Fitak entered this world in October of this year. This dance was written to welcome her.


created: 2018-10-06 19:41:09.727908+00
last_modified: 2019-09-24 17:36:03.758161+00
name: Watchmaker
ucname: WATCHMAKER
devised: 2018-09-12
notes:
  This is a teaching dance for tourbillon for intermediate dancers. Most dances with this figure are quite complex. I wished to remedy that, with a relatively straightforward dance involving quite familiar figures, and natural transitions.  

  In 1801, Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the tourbillon (= whirlwind in French) as an addition to the mechanics of watch escapement to counteract the effect of gravity.


created: 1997-09-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 14:43:52.283381+00
name: Welcome To The 51st.
ucname: WELCOME TO THE 51ST
intensity_bars: 484/888/888/888//484/888/888/888//484/888/888/888//888/888/282/888/
notes:
  The dance represents the 51st Club's programme at the time - three weeks of classes and a monthly social evening.  Lorraine (now Mrs. Scott) has devised several other delightful dances for the Club.


created: 2018-09-12 20:04:10.565835+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 07:00:10.569521+00
name: Pickle in the Middle
ucname: PICKLE IN THE MIDDLE
devised: 2010-10-01
notes:
  This dance was written as an attempt to fill a need for a demo where there are many more women available than men.


created: 2018-10-09 10:38:49.432483+00
last_modified: 2018-12-17 15:47:45.788094+00
name: Pirate Queen, The
ucname: PIRATE QUEEN
devised: 2016-02-01
notes:
  Grace O’Malley was an Irish contemporary of Elizabeth I and an independent woman known as the Pirate Queen.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 07:11:23.474011+00
name: Playful Progression
ucname: PLAYFUL PROGRESSION
devised: 2001-11-01
notes:
  Martin Sheffield on the Strathspey list server mentioned he liked set and cast into ½ rights and lefts and I misunderstood and thought he said set and rotate into ½ rights and lefts, so I started playing with the figure. This and two other dances written around the same time are the result.


created: 2005-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 07:12:54.410264+00
name: Plea to Chac
ucname: PLEA TO CHAC
devised: 2005-06-01
notes:
  This dance was written as my rain dance in a time of moderately severe drought. Chac is the Mayan rain god.


created: 2000-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 07:41:39.091969+00
name: Pluto's Head
ucname: PLUTOS HEAD
devised: 1999-09-01
notes:
  “The name for this dance came from a trip to Disneyquest where I attended the Animation Station and learned to draw Pluto's head: draw circles for the basic outline, add meridian lines for reference, and then fill in the details. It seemed to match the structure of this dance.“


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 08:21:44.501805+00
name: Polychrome's Rainbow
ucname: POLYCHROMES RAINBOW
devised: 2002-04-01
notes:
  Polychrome is a daughter of the rainbow who likes to dance on, and sometimes off, the rainbow. She is always getting stranded on the earth for a while until a rainbow appears. She is featured in several Oz books.


created: 2018-10-07 08:26:23.741653+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 08:26:23.741653+00
name: Portage High Bridge, The
ucname: PORTAGE HIGH BRIDGE
devised: 2005-08-01
notes:
  The Portage High Railroad Bridge towers 234 feet over the upper falls of Letchworth State Park, New York.


created: 2018-10-07 08:29:38.851645+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 08:29:38.851645+00
name: Puffin' Billy
ucname: PUFFIN BILLY
devised: 2010-11-01
notes:
  This dance is named for the signature tune for the television show Capt'n Kangaroo, which was popular when I was young. An insurance company started using it in a commercial and its familiarity drove me nuts until I figured out from where I knew the tune.


created: 2018-09-12 19:59:27.163397+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 09:28:41.687361+00
name: Quilter's Quest, The
ucname: QUILTERS QUEST
intensity_bars: 888/888/088/844
devised: 2014-03-01
notes:
  This dance is for Susan Jensen to celebrate a very special birthday this March. Susan is a very creative quilter; she designs her own quilt patterns and makes up the quilts. She likes the set and link figure, but it confounds her at times.


created: 2018-10-07 10:11:12.217266+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 10:11:12.217266+00
name: Raccoon Babies
ucname: RACCOON BABIES
devised: 2015-08-01
notes:
  We have baby raccoons in the yard every year and one year I watched them trying to climb a tree; they would climb a foot or two then fall off. Eventually they figured out how to make it to the nesting hole much higher in the tree.


created: 2018-10-07 11:38:39.407773+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 11:38:39.407773+00
name: Rocky River Ice
ucname: ROCKY RIVER ICE
devised: 2014-02-01
notes:
  In February 2014 national TV showed ice breaking up and moving rapidly down the Rocky River in Ohio – near where I grew up.


created: 2018-10-07 12:10:04.838824+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 12:10:04.838824+00
name: Rush Hour Train
ucname: RUSH HOUR TRAIN
devised: 2008-10-01
notes:
  This dance was written after a trip to New York and taking the commuter trains to dance with the SCD group in Fanwood, NJ.


created: 2005-04-28 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-07 12:26:36.917178+00
name: Sassy Cat
ucname: SASSY CAT
devised: 2005-02-01
notes:
  This dance is named for my cat, Sassafras - Sassy, because she has definitely decided to live her life on her terms, following no one’s rules but her own.


created: 2018-10-08 15:18:25.27753+00
last_modified: 2018-10-08 15:18:25.27753+00
name: Shawshank
ucname: SHAWSHANK
devised: 2014-08-01
notes:
  My sister is affiliated with the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, which is where the movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed. She asked me to replicate the cross stitch that was hung over the safe in the warden’s room, which I did – then I wrote this dance.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-08 18:26:33.284995+00
name: Snakes and Ladders
ucname: SNAKES AND LADDERS
devised: 2005-08-01
notes:
  I was challenged to write a dance with an interlocking snake pass figure. I haven’t figured that out yet, but I did come up with this variation of the snake pass.


created: 2013-12-22 23:33:26.063395+00
last_modified: 2018-10-08 20:09:47.807545+00
name: Aas Yooou Wiiissshhh
ucname: AAS YOOOU WIIISSSHHH
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2012-12-01
notes:
  The dance was originally published as "As You Wish, PBC", the suffix being added to avoid to avoid confusion with the Bob McMurtry dance.  It has now been renamed to "Aas Yooou Wiiissshhh" for the same reason, but the old name is still evident in many places.


created: 2018-10-08 21:35:07.634494+00
last_modified: 2018-10-08 21:35:07.634494+00
name: Solid As the Granite Hills of Vermont
ucname: SOLID AS THE GRANITE HILLS OF VERMONT
devised: 2012-02-01
notes:
  This dance was written for my Uncle Jimmy who died of cancer at the age of 81 in Vermont, where he lived for most of his adult life.


created: 2018-10-08 21:37:06.842378+00
last_modified: 2018-10-08 21:37:06.842378+00
name: Someone in a Tree
ucname: SOMEONE IN A TREE
devised: 2013-04-01
notes:
  In 1976 I saw Pacific Overtures on Broadway and loved it. This dance is named for one the songs in the musical.


created: 2018-10-08 21:52:02.482098+00
last_modified: 2018-10-08 21:52:02.482098+00
name: Square Chaos
ucname: SQUARE CHAOS
devised: 2013-10-01
notes:
  I like to play with mixing people up and trying to restore order to the pattern by the end of 32 bars.


created: 2018-10-09 05:46:39.323818+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 05:47:13.046965+00
name: Square Day
ucname: SQUARE DAY
devised: 2009-03-01
notes:
  March 3, 2009 was known as a square day because 3 times 3 (3 squared) is 9 and this dance was written on that day.


created: 2005-05-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 13:46:03.227153+00
name: Twiddly Bits
ucname: TWIDDLY BITS
devised: 2004-11-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance for Mady Newfield, who really likes dances with twirls and turns and tight timing. I liked the idea of the figure in the first 16 bars; first couple should add loops to get into appropriate position at the ends of bars 8 and 16.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-10 04:01:46.050593+00
name: Three's Company
ucname: THREES COMPANY
devised: 2006-10-01
notes:
  On rare occasions we start with very few people. This dance was written to accommodate that circumstance.


created: 2018-10-09 06:05:03.041317+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 06:05:03.041317+00
name: Reel for the Strathspey 10th, A
ucname: REEL FOR THE STRATHSPEY 10TH
devised: 2003-02-01
notes:
  This dance should be danced to a lively five-times through reel. Hoedown Reel Set from The Music Makars works well.  

  The dance was created for the tenth anniversary of the Strathspey mailing list and server. In honor of the celebration, it is written with 10 people (5 couples) dancing.  

  Some notes on the dance: bars 9-24 are essentially Mairi’s Wedding reels for the fifth couple and regular reels of 4 for the other dancers. The dance was originally written to pass left shoulders in these reels as it seemed dancers would not have time to pass right shoulders; however my local group proved (and preferred) otherwise.


created: 2018-10-09 06:37:12.193378+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 06:37:12.193378+00
name: Sweet Ember
ucname: SWEET EMBER
devised: 2011-07-01
notes:
  I adopted Ember as an adult stray from a shelter that brought cats to a cat show. As I walked by the cage where she was being held, she reached through the bars and kept pawing at me, so I had to have her taken out of the cage so I could hold her. Her name was given as Alice, but she was a black and red tortieshell and I thought she looked like embers in a fire. She had a very sweet mellow temperament.


created: 2018-10-09 06:47:10.766324+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 06:47:10.766324+00
name: Taste of the Past, A
ucname: TASTE OF THE PAST
devised: 2008-07-01
notes:
  This dance was inspired by a thread on the Strathspey server about differences in ways of dancing down the outside and back at different periods of dance.


created: 2018-10-09 10:19:13.230264+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 10:19:13.230264+00
name: Bug Who Came to Dance, The
ucname: BUG WHO CAME TO DANCE
devised: 2016-05-01
notes:
  At our AGM/Spring Dance, we found a beautiful moth wandering around the floor, managed to capture it and release it outside.


created: 2018-10-09 10:22:21.434607+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 10:26:43.869766+00
name: Gardener's Bane, The
ucname: GARDENERS BANE
devised: 2016-06-01
notes:
  We have spent hours fighting the ‘evil weed’ (non-variegated Bishop’s weed) that showed up in a pile of wood chips we got and quickly took over our yard.


created: 2002-02-12 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-02-26 13:59:07.291024+00
name: Abbot of Unreason, The
ucname: ABBOT OF UNREASON
intensity_bars: 800 844 888 888
devised: 1982-01-01
notes:
  At the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries, the Abbot of Unreason was master of the Christmas Revels at the court of Scotland. (source: the published description)

  The name of the dance is written with two 't' in the table of contents of the book, which might have led to misspellings elsewhere (e.g. recordings).


created: 2018-10-09 10:49:19.364917+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 10:49:19.364917+00
name: Three Little Bandits
ucname: THREE LITTLE BANDITS
devised: 2014-08-01
notes:
  I was inspired after watching 3 baby raccoons in the back yard attempting to climb a tree, getting about 2 feet up, and falling off – over and over again.


created: 2018-09-09 21:18:48.988635+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 12:08:21.176032+00
name: Tiny Dancer
ucname: TINY DANCER
intensity_bars: 800/684/888/844
devised: 2011-08-01
notes:
  I watched a show about 3 sets of kittens from birth to adoption. One of the litters of kittens was Abyssinian and the smallest kitten was named Tiny Dancer. She had it rough starting out as she couldn’t get to Mama for milk and had to be hand-fed, but she survived and turned out to be the most fearless and curious of the litter.


created: 2018-10-09 12:14:22.444633+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 12:14:22.444633+00
name: Toasty Tootsies
ucname: TOASTY TOOTSIES
devised: 2015-10-01
notes:
  My cat, Christopher, sleeps on my wool bed socks when I leave them on the bad; they are then nice and warm when I put them on.


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 12:18:42.792473+00
name: Tom Senior Reel, The
ucname: TOM SENIOR REEL
devised: 2000-08-01
notes:
  Tom Senior asked me to write a dance with mirror reels of four as he knows of no dance with such a figure. When my local class danced this we realized that how the first couple crosses in bars 29-30 depends on how actively they set to and turn their second corners; thus, I have removed any designation there to allow people to pass whichever shoulder "works."


created: 2005-05-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 12:25:55.995312+00
name: Tournée Squared, The
ucname: TOURNEE SQUARED
devised: 2004-10-01
notes:
  This dance happened when it occurred to me that a square set allows for getting into the tournée position with no turns.


created: 2018-10-09 12:33:51.169075+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 12:33:51.169075+00
name: Transit of Venus, The
ucname: TRANSIT OF VENUS
devised: 2012-06-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance shortly after a transit of Venus occurred; we watched it from outside the barn at Fermilab where we dance.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 13:21:08.66485+00
name: Truth Pond, The
ucname: TRUTH POND
devised: 2003-05-01
notes:
  This dance takes its name from the Truth Pond in the book The Lost Princess of OZ, where the Frogman bathes and forever after must tell the truth.


created: 2018-10-09 13:29:57.912141+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 13:29:57.912141+00
name: Tumbleweed
ucname: TUMBLEWEED
devised: 2011-04-01
notes:
  This dance might work as a reel also to The Shetland Fiddler from Campbell's Birl or as a medley 2X strathspey/2X reel.


created: 2018-10-09 13:36:12.821658+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 13:36:12.821658+00
name: Turn About Is Fair Play
ucname: TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY
devised: 2015-03-01
notes:
  I was intrigued by the idea of swapping ends of the set each time through a dance and wrote several dances to try it out. This is the strathspey.


created: 2000-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-06-30 04:16:22.886053+00
name: Two for One
ucname: TWO FOR ONE
intensity_bars: 88000/80000/80800/80000
devised: 2000-04-01
notes:
  This dance was written for a class to illustrate the differences in phrasing when dancing the same figures in strathspey and reel time. It is an astonishingly difficult dance in parts, given the simple figures from which it is constructed. It may be danced as a three-couple set dance, or with five couples and regular double progression, or contra-style.


created: 2018-10-09 14:15:53.408347+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 14:15:53.408347+00
name: Unintended Consequences
ucname: UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
devised: 2015-09-01
notes:
  I wanted to play with a tournée for 3 couples, but couldn’t work it out and ended up with this dance instead.


created: 2000-09-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 14:28:30.738617+00
name: Waterfall Glen
ucname: WATERFALL GLEN
devised: 2000-06-01
notes:
  The figure in the first 12 bars reminds me of a waterfall; thus the name of the dance. Some members of my group like to set during the 2-bar phrases they are not active during the first 12 bars of the dance.


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 14:46:07.182306+00
name: Wedding Vows
ucname: WEDDING VOWS
devised: 2002-08-01
notes:
  I attended the wedding of a friend’s cousin and this dance occurred to me as I watched the ceremony.


created: 2018-10-09 14:39:48.654553+00
last_modified: 2020-05-05 09:46:53.428083+00
name: Weak Link, The
ucname: WEAK LINK
intensity_bars: 840/888/844/888
devised: 2009-02-01
notes:
  This dance is written for Susan Jensen, who while learning to dance a dance with a reverse set and link for 3 couples declared she was the "weak link" in the set (she was not).


created: 2005-07-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 14:48:43.414484+00
name: Wee Cottages, The
ucname: WEE COTTAGES
devised: 2005-05-01
notes:
  When we visited Scotland four years ago, we stayed in at a home in Digg on Skye. Our hostess referred to the Skye Museum of Island Life at the northern tip of Skye as "the wee cottages."


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 15:28:17.380025+00
name: Where the Buffalo Roam
ucname: WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM
devised: 2006-06-01
notes:
  The class in which I dance meets at Fermilab, where they have a large herd of buffalo; each spring there are buffalo calves to watch.


created: 2018-10-09 15:30:57.903788+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 15:30:57.903788+00
name: Where's the Knife?
ucname: WHERES THE KNIFE
devised: 2013-12-01
notes:
  Every Christmas my family opens gifts one at a time and several of us use a lot of tape in wrapping. My Dad has a penknife that gets passed around and people lose track of where it is frequently. This phrase is heard often Christmas Day.


created: 2018-10-09 15:39:29.597855+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 15:39:29.597855+00
name: White Pearl Speaks, The
ucname: WHITE PEARL SPEAKS
devised: 2015-08-01
notes:
  In Rinkitink in OZ there are 3 pearls: pink for protection, blue for strength, and white for guidance and wisdom (it speaks and answers questions).


created: 2018-10-09 15:43:01.086722+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 15:43:01.086722+00
name: Why Not?
ucname: WHY NOT
devised: 2013-11-01
notes:
  One night we danced 2 dances with rights and lefts for 3 couples and I realized how much I like the figure and thought why not write a dance with rights and lefts for 3 couples?


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 16:20:38.39406+00
name: Floating Chicken Coop, The
ucname: FLOATING CHICKEN COOP
devised: 2002-08-01
notes:
  The book *Ozma of OZ* begins with Dorothy washed overboard from a sailing ship to Australia in a chicken coop where she meets Billina - a talking chicken - that ends up on a beach just outside the land of OZ.


created: 2016-02-02 22:34:22.770377+00
last_modified: 2018-10-09 23:39:14.113161+00
name: Stafford 45th Anniversary Jig
ucname: STAFFORD 45TH ANNIVERSARY JIG
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  The dance is described as 3C/4L, but in the description 3c+4c step up at the end, and so that the dance has the progression 2341 and is danced 4 times through.


created: 2018-10-03 01:09:12.083106+00
last_modified: 2020-05-01 17:14:31.997712+00
name: After Only 5 Minutes
ucname: AFTER ONLY 5 MINUTES
intensity_bars: 840/880/480/888
devised: 2016-10-01
notes:
  Every night within 5 minutes of my going to bed my cat, Christopher, jumps up and lays down on my left arm and stays there most of the night.


created: 2018-10-09 22:04:29.339272+00
last_modified: 2020-05-30 23:44:50.17319+00
name: Any Good Tune
ucname: ANY GOOD TUNE
intensity_bars: 811/855/844/888
devised: 2016-12-01
notes:
  I write dances then come up with music to determine what the dance is: reel, jig, or strathspey. Usually I know whether it is strathspey or quicktime, but often have to dance it in my head to music to find an appropriate tune and whether it is a reel or jig. This one dances to most reels and jigs; thus the name.


created: 2018-09-11 07:20:38.761021+00
last_modified: 2018-10-23 14:47:15.127034+00
name: Geburtstag in Wien
ucname: GEBURTSTAG IN WIEN
intensity_bars: 888/880/888/880
devised: 2018-05-01
notes:
  Devised by David Hall, May 2018 to celebrate his 50th birthday, using some of his favourite formations.


created: 2000-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-08-25 07:45:59.057786+00
name: Gie it a Whirl, Mady!
ucname: GIE IT A WHIRL MADY
devised: 1999-11-01
notes:
  Our group dances this dance to an edited version of track 6 of The Jura Ceilidh Band CD (the tunes are Miss Thompson's, Cairngorm Brooch, and John McNeil's).  

  Note that the figure in bars 27-32 is normal double triangles for 1C and double triangles combined with half rights and lefts for 2C & 3C.


created: 2018-10-09 21:55:49.010509+00
last_modified: 2021-06-06 11:24:21.433161+00
name: Baby C-McD
ucname: BABY CMACD
devised: 2016-04-01
notes:
  At a baby shower we were decorating onsies for the new baby. I am not very artistic, so I created a dance using Pillings symbols I could remember and draw.


created: 2014-11-19 11:25:30.433294+00
last_modified: 2018-10-14 00:04:35.653945+00
name: Dance for Susi, A
ucname: DANCE FOR SUSI
intensity_bars: 880/808/808/844
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  Note: The Rose Progression was devised by Rod Downey of New Zealand;
  As the men dance in to turn halfway, they pass the women who are casting by the right 


created: 2013-08-02 16:11:57.823592+00
last_modified: 2018-10-14 00:10:37.549549+00
name: Selkirk Settlement, The
ucname: SELKIRK SETTLEMENT
intensity_bars: 88/80/80/88
devised: 2012-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Christine M. Wallace of the RSCDS Winnipeg in honour of the Bicentennial in 2012 of the Selkirk Settlers.


created: 2015-07-31 14:25:36.181695+00
last_modified: 2018-10-14 06:38:37.480589+00
name: Library of Birmingham, The
ucname: LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2013-09-03
notes:
  A new public library for Birmingham, the largest in Europe, was opened by Malala Yousafzai on 3rd September 2013. The Dutch architect, Francine Houben, designed a building whose exterior is extensively covered with black and silver circles.

  Note: The rose progresion was devised by Downey, New Zealand, who specifies that the figure should be danced in as round a shape as possible


created: 2018-10-06 04:57:46.309581+00
last_modified: 2018-10-14 23:17:40.453699+00
name: Lady of the Elves, The
ucname: LADY OF THE ELVES
devised: 2011-06-01
notes:
  This dance is for my fourth cat, Dria. Dria’s full name was Galadriel for the lady of the elves in The Lord of the Rings. She was a plain little brown tabby, but she had emerald green eyes.


created: 2004-10-31 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-17 11:12:13.556799+00
name: Monarch Butterfly
ucname: MONARCH BUTTERFLY
intensity_bars: 8282/2828/4884/8668
devised: 1994-01-01
notes:
  The dance was devised after the meeting to choose the 1994 Asilomar Ball dances. Since Pacific Grove is the home of not only Asilomar but also the Monarch butterfly, the name seemed appropriate. The music has that busy motion that reminds one of the motion of butterflies


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-16 16:40:33.986636+00
name: By Special Request
ucname: BY SPECIAL REQUEST
intensity_bars: 8000/8888/8888/4266
devised: 2000-09-01
notes:
  I wrote The Tom Senior Reel because Tom wanted a dance with mirror reels of four. When we danced it, he asked if I would write a strathspey with mirror reels of four, so the dancers had time to enjoy the reels.


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-16 16:42:27.149776+00
name: Friends from Overseas
ucname: FRIENDS FROM OVERSEAS
intensity_bars: 804/840/888/822
devised: 2000-12-01
notes:
  This dance was written in honor of Maureen and Andrew Pettigrew, who came over from Scotland and brought much fun and a love of Scottish Country Dancing to the Silk and Thistle class.


created: 2017-11-22 09:32:58.377194+00
last_modified: 2018-10-18 22:10:26.224991+00
name: Keep the Home Fires Burning
ucname: KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING
intensity_bars: 8000/8888/8444/8026
notes:
  to commemorate so many husbands & wives, like my parents who married in 1939 and then spent half of the first 10 years of their 'married life' apart as they served during WW2

  1 – 8		represent the couple meeting, marrying then separating to go in different directions  
  9 – 16 and 17 – 20 she to serve in the Red Cross in Folkstone and he in REME (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) Highland Division in the North African desert & invasion of Sicily etc.  
  Setting facing each other from opposite ends of the set represents their connection over the miles & years while the mayhem of military manouvres goes on in between them  
  21 – 24	their reunion with each other  
  25 – 32  	& family & friends  


created: 2018-10-13 21:13:51.656364+00
last_modified: 2020-08-24 22:38:48.193048+00
name: Waxing of the Moon
ucname: WAXING OF THE MOON
devised: 2014-10-01
notes:
  Devised with Donna MacFarland

  The original instructions are unclear.  They say "32S3C", but as only 1st and 2nd couples dance, the instructions probably mean "2C dance in a 3C set".  


created: 2013-05-22 13:17:28.498842+00
last_modified: 2018-11-26 00:29:58.738856+00
name: Milliner's Farewell
ucname: MILLINERS FAREWELL
intensity_bars: 8400 8040 8448 8888 8000
devised: 2009-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised for the farewell of Jayne and Mike Milliner 
  by Anne-Miek Klokgieters, september 2009, The Hague


created: 2018-10-12 14:22:10.345488+00
last_modified: 2020-11-22 10:49:28.806054+00
name: Lord Lieutenant, The
ucname: LORD LIEUTENANT
intensity_bars: 844/800/844/800
devised: 2008-01-01
notes:
  This dance has been written in honour of Dr A R Trickett, Lord Lieutenant of Orkney, on the occasion of Orkney Ceilidh Weekend 2008. Orkney Traditional Dance Association wishes to say “Thank you, Tony, for Opening this special event”.


created: 2018-10-13 20:57:52.527497+00
last_modified: 2020-11-22 18:35:05.220808+00
name: Thither and Yon
ucname: THITHER AND YON
intensity_bars: 400/800/12 12 12/888/844
notes:
  In the past few years Ann and I (Alan Cameron) have travelled widely for our employers, this dance represents the nature of our life, meeting many new people and passing each other by en route to the next destination.


created: 2018-04-23 23:26:51.684896+00
last_modified: 2018-10-25 15:10:01.855317+00
name: Torque Back
ucname: TORQUE BACK
intensity_bars: 800 866 466 888
devised: 2017-10-01
notes:
  This dance was originally called Twirlaholics - but someone who very much liked dance, but who very much did not like the original name, persuaded the deviser to change it to Torque Back.


created: 2013-08-07 15:39:14.88107+00
last_modified: 2021-03-26 17:13:54.338836+00
name: Agnes Blackadder Fire Alarm, The
ucname: AGNES BLACKADDER FIRE ALARM
devised: 2013-08-01
notes:
  During Summer School 2013 in New Hall, which since a short time ago is called "Agnes Blackadder Hall", at 2 o'clock at night, the fire alarm went off, so all had to go outside. An hour later we could go back to our bedrooms.
   
  This inspired me to create this dance, called 'The Agnes Blackadder Fire Alarm':
  The first 8 bars show how all guests rapidly leave the building. The reel-time pousette without hands represents that people are excited and agitated, talking to each other. Then everything slows down, and one wonders if anything will happen. And the Rights and Lefts suggest people are returning to their bedrooms.


created: 2018-10-13 20:37:51.050452+00
last_modified: 2021-04-12 17:12:40.44941+00
name: Dancing Diamonds, The
ucname: DANCING DIAMONDS
intensity_bars: 8668/8888/8008/8044
devised: 3006-06-08
notes:
  Written for and presented to "Two Diamonds", namely Marjorie (Robbie) and Maurice Robinson on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding anniversary.


created: 2018-10-12 14:09:21.160256+00
last_modified: 2023-10-23 06:20:34.14089+00
name: Wyn's Fancy
ucname: WYNS FANCY
intensity_bars: 8400/8680/8888/8004
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  A dance for Wyn Caldwell, Western Autralia Branch Teacher, on the occasion of a very special birthday, January 2016


created: 2018-10-19 20:21:58.886735+00
last_modified: 2018-10-19 20:22:40.528985+00
name: Trip to Leominster, A
ucname: TRIP TO LEOMINSTER
notes:
  Devised for Andrew's dear friends Rosa and Bill McKean of Leominster for their many kindnesses and warm hospitality to him over the years.


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-19 20:32:37.275024+00
name: Skirrid Strathspey, The
ucname: SKIRRID STRATHSPEY
devised: 1976-01-01
notes:
  Devised for the Abergavenny Scottish Country Dance Club and included in this collection by kind permission of Birmingham RSCDS  


created: 2018-10-19 21:19:32.444563+00
last_modified: 2018-10-19 21:19:32.444563+00
name: Four of Diamonds
ucname: FOUR OF DIAMONDS
notes:
  A 5 x 32 bar dance for 4 ladies in a diamond formation. Type (R, J, S) not specified in the Hereford 40th Anniversary Book


created: 2018-10-19 15:06:39.507242+00
last_modified: 2018-10-20 11:12:33.445781+00
name: Shula's Choice
ucname: SHULAS CHOICE
intensity_bars: 880/800/800/800
notes:
  This dance was devised by MORNA RINTOUL and FRAN SMITH for a group of local Young Farmers.  

  They had attended one introductory evening of Scottish Country Dancing and wanted to perform a Scottish Dance in the  Dance Competition at their annual County Rally - 7 Weeks away!!


created: 2018-10-24 19:01:05.068239+00
last_modified: 2019-03-03 09:37:12.692845+00
name: Asilomar Celebration
ucname: ASILOMAR CELEBRATION
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/888
devised: 2008-10-01
notes:
  Written for the San Francisco Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the first Scottish Dance Workshop at Asilomar.

  Available as a leaflet from the deviser.


created: 1997-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-23 23:29:16.617677+00
name: Harlequin
ucname: HARLEQUIN
intensity_bars: 888/888/844/484/888
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  A 40 bar Jig to celebrate 40 years of Scottish dancing at Harwell.  
  Harlequin was the Harwell site magazine at the time.


created: 2000-02-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-24 16:13:04.094195+00
name: Merrill Gathering, The
ucname: MERRILL GATHERING
intensity_bars: 811 888 840 848 800
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised for the 31st annual Asilomar Weekend Workshop of the San Francisco Branch of the RSCDS. It is dedicated to all those who gathered in Merrill Hall on Sunday October 31, 1999, where Fiona taught the dance.


created: 2018-10-19 20:45:20.40922+00
last_modified: 2018-10-22 04:50:34.322196+00
name: Down House Strathspey, The
ucname: DOWN HOUSE STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8008
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  The Down House is the home of Nigel Carter, long serving teacher of the Black Mountain Reel Club, and his wife Doreen


created: 2002-06-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-09-11 08:38:57.470323+00
name: Bunessan
ucname: BUNESSAN
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/866
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  Bunessan, at the south west corner of Isle of Mull - the Ross of Mull, is on the road to Fionnphort Ferry and the Isle of Iona. 

  Suggested tune: The Original, a Gaelic melody - <<ddt:#14289>>.  Mary MacDonald 1817 - c 1890.  The tune is used in the Scottish Hymnary for Hymn no. 53


created: 2018-10-15 16:42:23.675203+00
last_modified: 2020-11-08 12:16:50.35807+00
name: Stuken Rant
ucname: STUKEN RANT
intensity_bars: 8888/8448/8888/8888
notes:
  Devised by Stuart Ross and Ken Unsworth.

  On second chord dancers move into Glasgow Highlanders' positions. 


created: 2018-11-27 18:01:58.553777+00
last_modified: 2018-11-27 19:58:50.054408+00
name: Helen's Reel
ucname: HELENS REEL
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/888
devised: 2012-01-01
notes:
  The deviser recommends dancing this six times through rather than the minimum three times which would be expected from the progression.


created: 2016-11-06 17:29:47.816543+00
last_modified: 2021-01-01 20:20:24.251996+00
name: Ross in Bloom
ucname: ROSS IN BLOOM
intensity_bars: 4444/8008/8888/8088
devised: 2004-09-01
notes:
  To celebrate the Flower Festival held in Ross-on-Wye.  

  This dance, devised by MARMIE SMITH was the winning entry in a competition organised by Ross Reel Club  

  The story goes:  
    1 -   8	The petals  
    9 - 16	Putting a ribbon round  
  17 - 24	The ribbon curling at the ends  
  25 - 32	Wrapping the blooms  
    


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-03-30 20:40:17.217697+00
name: Whitecaps
ucname: WHITECAPS
intensity_bars: 888 484 440 880
devised: 1987-01-01
notes:
  The dance was devised for the 1987 Asilomar Ball. Gloria Devised the dance with the limited space in mind.  Asilomar Ball has always been well attended making for a sometimes crowded dance floor.


created: 2018-10-15 15:10:09.66211+00
last_modified: 2018-10-22 14:00:59.301727+00
name: Ross Reel
ucname: ROSS REEL
intensity_bars: 880/800/844/844
notes:
  This dance was devised for the Ross Group when it was revived in the early 1990’s and danced in the Conservative Club in Ross-on-Wye

  In the "RSCDS Herefordshire Branch 40th Anniversary Collection of Dances 1967-2007" the dance description has the correct name "Ross Reel", but in the Table of Contents the name is misprinted as "The Ross Reel" (information obtained from RSCDS Herefordshire) . 


created: 2016-06-19 10:13:23.060545+00
last_modified: 2018-10-25 15:59:33.484054+00
name: Harwell Caledonian Society
ucname: HARWELL CALEDONIAN SOCIETY
intensity_bars: 6464/8484/8080/6666
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  This dance was written to celebrate the first 50 years of the Harwell Caledonian Society - still known to the oldies as the AERE Harwell & District Caledonian Society and Reel Club.


created: 2018-10-24 19:14:21.21375+00
last_modified: 2018-10-24 19:14:21.21375+00
name: Monarch of the Grove
ucname: MONARCH OF THE GROVE
devised: 2016-10-01
notes:
  Ethan Bailey attended his first Asilomar Weekend in 2016. The title came after Ethan and his family then visited the nearby Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove. The title is a play on words from the TV show "Monarch of the Glen". The dance was first danced in the Santa Rosa class and at the Santa Rosa Youth Workshop, 2017.


created: 1998-04-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-24 20:49:33.492805+00
name: Asilomar
ucname: ASILOMAR
devised: 1986-01-01
notes:
  Asilomar was devised after attending the Asilomar Weekend in 1986. It was the deviser's first time there, and his first time seeing an ocean. The ocean inspired him to write the dance which emulates the crashing waves, the tide pools, etc. The dance features a mirror diamond poussette.


created: 2005-11-01 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-24 20:50:35.330382+00
name: Tides of Asilomar
ucname: TIDES OF ASILOMAR
notes:
  Tides of Asilomar was devised especially for and taught by Bob at the 2005 Asilomar Weekend. Dedicated to his friend, Tom Cuthbertson.


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-29 01:06:45.161891+00
name: Twin Beacons
ucname: TWIN BEACONS
notes:
  In Newcastle, NSW, Australia, in the early days of the settlement, one of the most pressing problems was to make the port safe for shipping. One attempt to provide navigational aids was the building (in about 1865) of twin towers in which fires were lit at night. Once these were aligned, theoretically a helmsman had dead reckoning for the harbour channel. But as they were only 68.5 metres apart, in rough seas on a plunging deck, the navigator had major problems in holding his course for the lights. Only one of these beacons now remains and it can be seen at the top of Tyrrell Street.   

  Read more at http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/03/27/3464691.htm


created: 2016-06-19 10:40:02.506063+00
last_modified: 2018-10-25 00:49:10.66998+00
name: Amapola
ucname: AMAPOLA
intensity_bars: 8444/8888/8888/8888
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Sheila and John Findlay to celebrate the club’s summer party in their riverside garden in Wallingford, 1997. Unfortunately, it poured with rain on the chosen evening and we had to retreat to the Harwell Social Club. John and Sheila have since sold their sailing boat “Amapola” and bought a new boat. Dancing in Wallingford in 1998 will demand a new dance!


created: 2001-05-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-26 20:37:40.925742+00
name: Our Nancy
ucname: OUR NANCY
intensity_bars: 8888/8448/4884/8440/8448
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Nancy Stephen, with many thanks from all her pupils in East Kilbride and District.

  Music by George Stirrat.


created: 2005-02-23 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-27 01:26:01.721121+00
name: Chicago Silver
ucname: CHICAGO SILVER
devised: 2004-06-01
notes:
  This dance is written to honor the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Branch of the RSCDS in the year 2005.


created: 2003-04-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-28 14:51:20.922347+00
name: West Sands
ucname: WEST SANDS
devised: 2000-08-01
notes:
  Contrary to SCD tradition, in this dance the leading couple only look at each other when setting at the beginning and the end (bars 1 and 2, and bars 29-32).


created: 2018-10-24 19:10:06.192588+00
last_modified: 2021-09-23 20:39:21.405364+00
name: Jezebel's Jig
ucname: JEZEBELS JIG
intensity_bars: 803/803/888/88
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Jezebel R. Cat successfully pounced at the Asilomar Weekend’s silent auction in 2016. Her mum, Jane Maxwell, reports that Jezebel enjoys leaping out from behind furniture and pouncing on one’s ankles, was a retriever in her youth, and always enjoys a good chase. Jane celebrated a significant birthday in 2016. The dance was performed at the Asilomar Weekend's 2017 Friday night Ceilidh.


created: 2014-09-03 15:11:49.819659+00
last_modified: 2019-01-29 00:22:17.748197+00
name: Barr None
ucname: BARR NONE
intensity_bars: 680/680/808/844
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  In 2007 Sue and Vic Tyler visited the South Ayrshire Village of Barr for its Scarecrow Festival.  The teas in the hall, available at weekends during the summer, come highly recommended.


created: 2015-10-14 15:33:59.830198+00
last_modified: 2018-10-29 08:10:49.907281+00
name: Bunting Bee, The
ucname: BUNTING BEE
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/888
devised: 2014-03-29
notes:
  Notes from The Johnsonville Collection:

  Devised 29th March 2014. The dance is a teaching dance for grand chain. The name comes from a tribute to the highly energetic 2013 beginners who organized themselves to have a “bunting bee” to produce tartan bunting for our hosting of the region’s “New Dancers’ Celebration” in late 2013.  

  Recommended music is “Callum’s Road” by D. Shaw played ABAB, and a set of suitable tunes can be found for the track “Moranbank”, which is track 9 of the CD “A’ the Best from Banffshire” by Colin Dewar and his Band.  

  This dance could also be performed as a reel. In this case I would suggest the tune “Walking on the Moon” by Addie Harper, and an excellent set or reels with this as part is by Bobby Brown and his Band, “Celtic Fire in the Music” CD 1, track 9.


created: 2018-10-29 10:09:07.626384+00
last_modified: 2018-10-29 23:47:33.736352+00
name: Daedal Di
ucname: DAEDAL DI
intensity_bars: 844/822/864/880
notes:
  This dance was devised for Diana Sarran, a keen (and much appreciated!)  
  Scottish country dancer with the Scottish Chanterelle in Lyon (France), for her 60th birthday. On the first eight bars of the dance the first couple draw the 6s and the Os.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-10-31 01:52:55.562957+00
name: Maid of Glen Duror, The
ucname: MAID OF GLEN DUROR
notes:
  The Maid of Glen Duror is a ghost who has often been seen at Auchindarroch one of the oldest buildings in the district. It is thought that she was a dairymaid employed many years ago by the original Stewart owner of Auchindarroch and during a storm was carried down the glen and into Loch Linnhe together with the sheep ahe was tending.


created: 2015-10-14 16:01:45.262054+00
last_modified: 2018-10-31 12:13:16.972134+00
name: Paparangi
ucname: PAPARANGI
notes:
  Devised 9 April, 2014 following our advanced dancing group of the 8th, where
  the previous dance was danced for the first time. Notes as to the origin of
  the Borders’ Poussette can be found in the notes for that dance. The Wheelie
  Chain is due to John Drewry in the Bankhead Book Vol. 3. Having messed up
  teaching “Blaven” from that book on the 8th April, particularly misinterpreting
  the instructions for this formation twice, I wrote the above since it seemed
  appropriate, and I could not get the formation out of my head. The Tuesday
  group dance at the Paparangi School Hall, hence the name. Charlotte Williams
  gave the excellent interpretation that the Wheelie Chain is rights and lefts with
  second man and first man, third lady and first woman acting in tandem. As per
  John Drewry’s instructions the Wheelie Chain should be danced in a round-ish
  fashion, rather than on a square.

  Recommended tune is “The Man from Skye” by Pipe Major Donald Macleod
  played ABAB and my preferred recording is by Muriel Johnstone on “A Skye
  Collection,” this being the lead tune for “Broadford Bay.” This not being
  available, I suggest a driving real with strong 2 bar p


created: 2013-07-24 14:32:05.926836+00
last_modified: 2018-10-31 12:14:18.142517+00
name: Heathery Breeze
ucname: HEATHERY BREEZE
devised: 2012-04-12
notes:
  Devised by Bob Davidson (piobbeag [at] aol.com) after listening to a tune by the same name performed by Matt Molloy.

  Suggested recorded music: "The Double Diamond Strathspey" from the Muriel Johnstone/Keith Smith album, Vintage Goldring.


created: 2017-05-03 07:58:40.48834+00
last_modified: 2018-11-01 23:58:40.536404+00
name: Raphaëlle's Jig
ucname: RAPHAELLES JIG
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2017-04-01
notes:
  Devised by Duncan Brown, for Raphaëlle Orgeret, one of his fellow teachers at the RSCDS Spring Fling in Bonn, April 2017  


  *Deviser's note:  The movement in bars 9-16 and 17-24 is a development of bars 25-40 of “The Waggle O’ The Kilt” by JB Cosh.


created: 2003-05-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-11-03 18:49:39.073998+00
name: Hanna's Pride
ucname: HANNAS PRIDE
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 822
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  For Hanna Quarrie.  Hanna's Pride is the name of a foal born in Walnut Creek during her stay in the Bay area, and named after her.

  Contains the "Quarrie's Jig" formation, and "Interrupted set to corners and partner", for which there are no codes.


created: 2002-03-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-11-05 15:34:25.796855+00
name: Prince Charlie's Quickstep
ucname: PRINCE CHARLIES QUICKSTEP
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8228/8008/8008/8888
devised: 1975-02-02
notes:
  John Drewry slightly revised this dance in 1996. The original version had set and half left hand turn in bars 1-4 (continuing the turn into bar 5) whereas the revised version has petronella followed by half right hand turn.

  Video 1 shows another variation.


created: 2015-01-18 14:46:23.66188+00
last_modified: 2020-12-30 21:26:56.115457+00
name: Pâques à Lyon
ucname: PAQUES A LYON
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8448/8008/8888
devised: 2005-03-01
notes:
  First & third couples dance strathspey, second & fourth couples reel
  or
  first & second couples dance strathspey, third & fours couples reel.


created: 2013-09-13 11:45:25.922875+00
last_modified: 2019-02-01 15:33:12.076329+00
name: Maria's Farewell to Pretoria
ucname: MARIAS FAREWELL TO PRETORIA
devised: 2012-09-01
notes:
  Devised by Urisa Reungsuwan, September 2012.

  This dance is dedicated to Maria Elizabeth Giron. She has been a lively and cheerful sup­porter at the RSCDS Pretoria Branch. Maria, who hails from Guatemala, will accompany her husband to Colombia where he has to take up a new position. 


created: 2016-06-30 18:18:18.287663+00
last_modified: 2019-02-23 19:10:56.723253+00
name: Crossing the Harbour
ucname: CROSSING THE HARBOUR
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8888/6868
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  For those of us who sometimes cross Portsmouth harbour from Gosport to join in demonstrations at Southsea


created: 2018-11-20 13:00:07.724387+00
last_modified: 2018-11-20 13:13:44.070279+00
name: Moonen Bay
ucname: MOONEN BAY
devised: 2015-02-01
notes:
  Comments by Anne Taylor (formerly Grant) from the leaflet describing the dance:

  I devised Broadford Bay in 1990 and it appears in the Skye Collection Vol 1 and was adopted by the RSCDS in the Leaflet Dances in 2001. Despite the popularity of the dance, the Chase and Turn movement (Bars 17-24) still appears to pose problems with many dancers.

  I have devised Moonen Bay to try to clarify the Chase and Turn movement (Bars 9-16). I have often suggested that Broadford Bay could be taught firstly in Strathspey time which may help the dancers to understand the movement. Good Luck!


created: 2016-06-30 21:02:07.414995+00
last_modified: 2018-11-11 02:47:23.954213+00
name: Gosport Queen, The
ucname: GOSPORT QUEEN
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888/888
devised: 2005-09-01
notes:
  This dance represents one of the ferries across Portsmouth Harbour, with the winding of the ropes
  round the capstans, the crossing of the harbour, and then the bicycles and the people leaving the
  ferry on the other side.


created: 2016-06-30 21:04:04.497057+00
last_modified: 2018-11-11 03:14:01.877946+00
name: Langdale Round
ucname: LANGDALE ROUND
intensity_bars: 866/888/888/888
devised: 2005-07-01
notes:
  Named after a long circular ridge walk around the Langdale Valley in the Lake District. The first twenty-four bars describe gaining height and traversing the summits. The last eight bars celebrate arriving at the pub safely.


created: 2002-01-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-12-20 11:20:08.395978+00
name: Mary Erskine
ucname: MARY ERSKINE
intensity_bars: 840 888 800 844
notes:
  Mary Erskine (1629-1708), born and raised in  Edinburgh, was a Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist (after being twice  widowed) who founded a school for girls which was eventually renamed for her as benefactress and still exists as the Mary Erskine School in the  Ravelston area of Edinburgh. (Thanks to Robb Quint for digging this up; see <<sspey-thread:63106|this Strathspey thread>>.)

  The dance is dedicated to the school on the occasion of its tercentenary.


created: 2009-08-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-11-23 23:48:17.699814+00
name: Mrs. Frances MacCullough
ucname: MRS FRANCES MACCULLOUGH
notes:
  Dedicated to Fran MacCulloch, a long time member of the Montréal Branch.

  Note that the dance was published with her surname incorrectly spelled as MacCullough (see http://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/1583/).


created: 2017-01-05 10:41:02.143245+00
last_modified: 2018-11-24 05:13:31.686227+00
name: Lonely Honeybee, The
ucname: LONELY HONEYBEE
intensity_bars: 800/840/888/888
notes:
  The Honeybees search for food,  
  Bars 1-6 a straight flight tells direction of food.  
  Bars 17-24 a figure of eight means food is further away.  
  Bars 25-32 a circle in both directions means food is near.


created: 2010-10-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-11-24 08:56:37.189005+00
name: Hedwig's Reel
ucname: HEDWIGS REEL
intensity_bars: 800/800/888/888
notes:
  In reply to a question on how 1W moves on bar 8 and bar 16, the deviser answered "This dance was written for children, but a slightly older group, and we were doing the Society's Medal Tests.  It is a while since I was teaching children and I can't quite remember how we did it, but I suspect it was the easy way - dance out to place & face down, not finishing facing in then turning to face down. As you say, it could very easily turn into a twirl round, if someone is late. I have danced it in the Dundee Branch General class & I don't think the class teacher has ever made any comment on this point.  Again, my purpose in writing the dance was to teach & practice a 3 couple grand chain in an easy dance & that is what I concentrated on."


created: 2017-01-05 10:02:01.564973+00
last_modified: 2018-11-24 13:04:37.490902+00
name: Glint in the Eye, A
ucname: GLINT IN THE EYE
intensity_bars: 8888/8448/8888/8888
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Jean McCadden who has dispensed knowledge and fun to her Helen's Bay class for over 50 years.


created: 2016-09-09 10:25:54.459068+00
last_modified: 2018-11-27 16:19:36.033373+00
name: Stooge Extraordinaire
ucname: STOOGE EXTRAORDINAIRE
intensity_bars: 400/888/888/888/400
devised: 2016-02-01
notes:
  Devised by Corerentin Lefevre. This dance is dedicated to all the stooges who give of their time and patience for the teaching certificate, an important part of Scottish Country Dancing. It was devised on the occasion of the Unit 3 exam organised by the Lyon Branch in February 2016. The surprising phrasing illustrates the fact that stooges have to do what the teacher says, even when it is not the most logical thing to do.


created: 1997-04-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-24 14:53:00.541232+00
name: Rose of Ardwall
ucname: ROSE OF ARDWALL
intensity_bars: 800/822/884/880
devised: 1987-01-01
notes:
  Willie was quoted to have said there is only one thorn in this dance and it is in bars 21-24.  
    
  Dedicated to Kath McCulloch of Ardwall, an outstanding teacher and dancer of Gatehouse of Fleet Branch of Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Known to many ladies for her ‘Hags Hop’ Class at Ardwall.


created: 2016-10-30 12:11:09.790051+00
last_modified: 2018-12-04 00:37:01.599136+00
name: Haggis, The
ucname: HAGGIS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/866
devised: 2009-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to ‘Days of Dance’ competition.  
    
  Narative.  
  1 - 8 The first couple go out and bring in the haggis.  
  9 - 16 Celebrate the shape of it.  
  17 - 24 Hands across the table / world friendship. Back to back = intermingling socialising.  
  25 - 32 The twisty road hame in high spirits after a wee dram maybees!


created: 2016-10-30 12:00:44.450006+00
last_modified: 2018-12-05 05:01:24.458819+00
name: Rooftops
ucname: ROOFTOPS
intensity_bars: 888/664/646/800
devised: 2006-12-01
notes:
  Dedicated to John and Heather Hockenhull, ‘Rooftops’, Newton Stewart. Enthusiastic long serving members of The Gatehouse of Fleet Branch, of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society- John being a past chairman.


created: 2018-12-06 11:05:15.243051+00
last_modified: 2018-12-06 11:05:15.243051+00
name: Farewell to Shawlands
ucname: FAREWELL TO SHAWLANDS
intensity_bars: 88880/88888/80888
notes:
  Devised for the class in Shawlands Primary School. In 1993 Glasgow Branch changed all class teachers after they completed 5 years with a class.


created: 2018-12-06 11:25:20.962133+00
last_modified: 2019-01-29 00:10:18.001999+00
name: Farewell to Westerton Hall
ucname: FAREWELL TO WESTERTON HALL
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888
notes:
  Devised when the original hall was closed for demolition it was a Nissan hut which had many uses over the years.


created: 2018-12-06 17:17:54.975806+00
last_modified: 2019-01-29 00:09:19.338128+00
name: Lochranza Castle
ucname: LOCHRANZA CASTLE
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/800
notes:
  Lochranza Castle is situated on the North of Arran and is the ancestral territory of the Clan MacMillan.


created: 2018-10-24 19:03:33.333561+00
last_modified: 2018-12-09 10:10:16.748021+00
name: C. Stewart Smith
ucname: C STEWART SMITH
intensity_bars: 8008/4884/8228/8888
devised: 2015-10-01
notes:
  Devised to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the San Francisco Branch of the R.S.C.D.S., and named for one of those most influential in promoting Scottish dance during the early years.

  Available as a leaflet from the deviser.


created: 1997-08-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-12-11 16:56:19.269019+00
name: 29th of June
ucname: 29TH OF JUNE
intensity_bars: 6840/8048/8000/8484
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  There may also be another dance of the same name, also by Martin Sheffield devised in 1991, a 4x40 Reel with a ladies chain and a half reel of four 


created: 2018-12-06 23:56:06.859033+00
last_modified: 2018-12-14 23:46:55.978569+00
name: Westerton Jig
ucname: WESTERTON JIG
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8448/8888
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Westerton Summer Dancing Class.  For many years John Renton played for the class and Fiona McDonald is one of its regular teachers.


created: 2018-12-06 23:38:57.914657+00
last_modified: 2018-12-27 22:21:12.33101+00
name: Let Glasgow Flourish
ucname: LET GLASGOW FLOURISH
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8668/8888
devised: 2008-01-01
notes:
  Devised for children at the request of RSCDS Glasgow Branch.  Yhis dance is dedicated to Glasgow as host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.  This does not preclude adults from dancing it.


created: 2018-08-24 15:59:45.157103+00
last_modified: 2018-12-14 00:13:38.855688+00
name: Brabloch Strathspey, The
ucname: BRABLOCH STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888/488/488
notes:
  The Brabloch was where Jimmy, Nan and friends celebrated Hogmanay with Dinner Dances for many years. The dance was originally written as a jig but the tournée worked better in strathspey time.


  The publication "Scottish Country Dances by James McMillan" has the following description of the figure

  Triple Tournée

  This is a tournée for 3 couples in strathspey time. Top and bottom couples change places with 8 travelling steps.

  Bars
  1 Top lady dances in above partner, top man dances in below his partner pulling back left shoulder to face his own side; middle couple dance in and pull back right shoulder to face their own side of the dance, man above his partner; bottom lady dances in pulling back left shoulder to face own side of the dance and bottom man dances in below partner. All three couples are now in a straight line up and down the middle of the set, the top 3 people are facing the men’s side and the bottom 3 facing the women’s side, with nearer hands joined.

  2 - 4 All three couples dance round half-way, anti-clockwise, on the fourth step the couples at top and bottom of the line change to right hands so the women face towards the men's side and the men face towards the women's side of the dance, middle couple retain left hands

  5 - 8 Top and bottom couple turn with the right hand one-and-a-half times, middle couple turn with the left hand one-and-a-half times, then dance out to finish on own sides.


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-12-21 07:58:51.433508+00
name: Hairy Hooligan
ucname: HAIRY HOOLIGAN
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/800
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  Abigail Sunnyhurst, a 9 year old rough collie who still acts like a boisterous puppy, is often referred to as “The Haiiy Hooligan”.


created: 2015-01-22 12:53:03.478727+00
last_modified: 2018-12-17 12:46:02.102625+00
name: Forward to Bon Accord
ucname: FORWARD TO BON ACCORD
intensity_bars: 8888/8008/8888/8088
devised: 2007-07-01
notes:
  Suggested Music: Cannadine Strathspey recorded by Gerge Meikle and the Lothian Band on the CD for Birmigham's Diamond Jubilee Dance Book


created: 1997-12-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-09-05 10:17:04.485251+00
name: Piggy in the Middle
ucname: PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE
devised: 1973-01-01
notes:
  "Piggy in the Middle" is a demonstration dance for 7 persons, more explicitly 3 couples in a longwise set and a 7th dancer facing down between 2nd couple. The description specifies the 7th dancer as being a 'man'.

  When devising this demonstration dance, Jean McWilliam was inspired by Lindsey Ross' tune "The Wind that shakes the Piggery".


created: 2018-08-24 15:53:13.794582+00
last_modified: 2018-12-14 00:12:42.433923+00
name: Big "T", The
ucname: BIG T
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
notes:
  The publication "Scottish Country Dances by James McMillan" has the following description of the figure

  Triple Tournée

  This is a tournée for 3 couples in strathspey time. Top and bottom couples change places with 8 travelling steps.

  Bars
  1 Top lady dances in above partner, top man dances in below his partner pulling back left shoulder to face his own side; middle couple dance in and pull back right shoulder to face their own side of the dance, man above his partner; bottom lady dances in pulling back left shoulder to face own side of the dance and bottom man dances in below partner. All three couples are now in a straight line up and down the middle of the set, the top 3 people are facing the men’s side and the bottom 3 facing the women’s side, with nearer hands joined.

  2 - 4 All three couples dance round half-way, anti-clockwise, on the fourth step the couples at top and bottom of the line change to right hands so the women face towards the men's side and the men face towards the women's side of the dance, middle couple retain left hands

  5 - 8 Top and bottom couple turn with the right hand one-and-a-half times, middle couple turn with the left hand one-and-a-half times, then dance out to finish on own sides.


created: 2018-12-21 11:04:59.018497+00
last_modified: 2019-01-04 16:22:46.078375+00
name: Rose of Cambridge
ucname: ROSE OF CAMBRIDGE
intensity_bars: 888/888/800/880
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised by Lesley McCourt in 2018 and dedicated to Rose Wharton, who came from Cambridge. She had battled cancer but passed away in 2018. The Rose progression is included in the dance in memory of her, and also because coincidentally it is Lesley’s middle name, as it was the name of her grandmother.

  Information supplied in issues http://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/1602/ and http://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/1603/


created: 2015-02-11 13:03:23.846675+00
last_modified: 2018-12-24 07:53:52.419585+00
name: Mrs Balgarnie of Hanley Swan
ucname: MRS BALGARNIE OF HANLEY SWAN
devised: 2011-11-01
notes:
  For Win Balgarnie of Hanley Swan near Malvern to celebrate a special birthday in November 2011. Win organises dances which exercise the brain as well as the feet!!


created: 2019-01-10 20:36:24.683967+00
last_modified: 2019-04-17 14:28:19.761117+00
name: Can-Do Ceilidh
ucname: CANDO CEILIDH
intensity_bars: 4/4/8/8
notes:
  This dance is a modified version of A Canonbie Celidh <<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/8104/>>


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-09-14 15:40:20.74964+00
name: Stromeferry
ucname: STROMEFERRY
devised: 2001-04-01
notes:
  For Joy Forinton who has happy memories of life at Stromeferry, a remote croft near Scourie on the wild and rugged north west coast of Scotland. In former years the croft was occupied by a ferryman, who would row passengers across the estuary when the weather permitted.


created: 2010-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-01 18:51:37.240014+00
name: Vienna Underground
ucname: VIENNA UNDERGROUND
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8484/8080/4848/0808/8888
devised: 2009-01-01
notes:
  If there is no S64+J64 recording at hand, a S64+R64 recording should work as fine. (note by the deviser)

  A Note from "The Vienna Book":  
  The dance and its figures resemble the layout of the underground lines that circle around Vienna’s city centre (U2 and U4) or intersect below St Stephen’s Cathedral (U1 and U3), as well as the transition from early morning to rush-hour traffic, waiting on the platform and getting on and off the trains.


created: 2018-12-06 10:49:58.517785+00
last_modified: 2018-12-14 00:18:38.491311+00
name: Drymen Hall, The
ucname: DRYMEN HALL
intensity_bars: 808/888/844/888
notes:
  The Drymen Hall is part of All Saints Church, Bearsden, location of the Glenburn Club, set up for experienced dancers to provide them with "Challenges".


  The publication "Scottish Country Dances by James McMillan" has the following description of the figure

  Triple Tournée

  This is a tournée for 3 couples in strathspey time. Top and bottom couples change places with 8 travelling steps.

  Bars
  1 Top lady dances in above partner, top man dances in below his partner pulling back left shoulder to face his own side; middle couple dance in and pull back right shoulder to face their own side of the dance, man above his partner; bottom lady dances in pulling back left shoulder to face own side of the dance and bottom man dances in below partner. All three couples are now in a straight line up and down the middle of the set, the top 3 people are facing the men’s side and the bottom 3 facing the women’s side, with nearer hands joined.

  2 - 4 All three couples dance round half-way, anti-clockwise, on the fourth step the couples at top and bottom of the line change to right hands so the women face towards the men's side and the men face towards the women's side of the dance, middle couple retain left hands

  5 - 8 Top and bottom couple turn with the right hand one-and-a-half times, middle couple turn with the left hand one-and-a-half times, then dance out to finish on own sides.


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-02-10 14:06:32.925343+00
name: Bricks and Mortar
ucname: BRICKS AND MORTAR
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/800
devised: 2000-09-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance as I was thinking about how to represent the house we are planning to build on the property we bought.


created: 2018-12-15 15:50:42.881578+00
last_modified: 2021-08-10 18:55:04.979504+00
name: St Kilda Jig
ucname: SAINT KILDA JIG
intensity_bars: 888/880/880/888
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  St Kilda is a group of islands about 100 miles west of the Scottish mainland & 50 miles west of the Outer Hebrides. It is part of the Parish of Harris.  
  The islands feature high cliffs & dangerous seas. The village of St Kilda was cleared of its inhabitants in 1930 & now the islands belong to the National Trust.  

  _Music_: Luke Brady – Hirte (Hirte is the main island in the St Kilda group) or alternative CD Campbell's Birl: Traveller's Jig


created: 2018-12-15 15:29:33.861547+00
last_modified: 2021-08-23 13:37:04.952293+00
name: Casual Briefing, A
ucname: CASUAL BRIEFING
intensity_bars: 880/800/808/888
devised: 2014-01-23
notes:
  Devised on January 23, 2014, inspired by a comment made by Paul Maloney one night at St. Andrew’s of Brampton.


created: 2011-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-12-26 12:41:31.742032+00
name: Corner Greeting
ucname: CORNER GREETING
intensity_bars: 811/844/844/888
devised: 2006-03-01
notes:
  Devised as a teaching dance to teach corners. Subsequently I discovered that the last 24 bars is the same as one of Iain Boyd's teaching dances ("The Mad Hatter" from "Happy to Meet"), except there are no claps in Iain's dance.


created: 2018-10-04 08:29:45.904773+00
last_modified: 2018-12-27 10:45:57.297176+00
name: Disappearing Cat, The
ucname: DISAPPEARING CAT
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2014-03-01
notes:
  The figure in bars 9-16 is a figure taken from the dance Seann Truibhas Willichan expanded to 3 couples. The people who end up in 2nd place have to be awake for this figure.  

  The name of the dance comes from when one of our cats disappeared *in the house* for several days. We nearly went crazy trying to find him until one day he just appeared. We are very glad to have him back.


created: 2011-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2018-12-28 02:36:36.516926+00
name: Miss Leslie Cunningham
ucname: MISS LESLIE CUNNINGHAM
intensity_bars: 800/844/800/866
devised: 2006-10-01
notes:
  Devised October 2006 in Wellington as a teaching dance for Corners Pass and Turn. Most Strathspey with that formation seem quite difficult. Modified 3 December 2010, after a suggestion of Romaine Butterfield, namely the stepping up/down of the third couple, which makes the phrasing easier. The dance was inspired by the tune it is named after, "Miss Leslie Cunningham" by Muriel Johnston. This tune can be found as part of a Muriel Johnston set for the Strathspey "The Marquis of Lorne" track 3 of "A Dancer's Miscellany, Vol. 4", or part of the set for "John Derek Evans", in "Dancing Fingers, Vol 3" track 9.
  A suitable alternative Strathspey would be "The Armstrong's Rant" as recorded by Bobby Brown on "H.I.S.C.D", track 3.


created: 1997-09-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-02 18:30:58.748134+00
name: Delft Delight, The
ucname: DELFT DELIGHT
intensity_bars: 888/888/484/888
devised: 1973-06-08
notes:
  A Scottish Country Dance devised by Andrew Gillies and with music especially composed by Gertrude Stewart commemorating their visit to Delft, Netherlands, 8-10 June, 1973.  Dedicated to the St. Andrew's Society of Delft, which in 1979 became the Delft Branch of The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. 


created: 2018-10-24 19:20:59.242477+00
last_modified: 2019-01-04 14:29:00.560526+00
name: Hostess with the Mostest
ucname: HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST
intensity_bars: 844/888/800/880
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Fred DeMarse successfully bid on a dance at the Asilomar Weekend's Fundraiser silent auction in 2017. The resulting dance was devised by Jennifer Kelly for Julee Montes. The title of the dance was chosen by her friends.


created: 2019-01-04 14:45:10.362347+00
last_modified: 2019-01-04 14:47:11.124987+00
name: Red Dress, The
ucname: RED DRESS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2017-09-01
notes:
  For Tina Hanson who looked stunning in her red dress on the front cover of The Scottish Country Dancer (April 2016).


created: 2015-07-07 13:39:36.425089+00
last_modified: 2019-01-05 22:51:15.454853+00
name: Crystal Congratulations
ucname: CRYSTAL CONGRATULATIONS
intensity_bars: 800/844/088/844/844
devised: 2008-05-01
notes:
  On bars 1-2 of the third repetition, the dancing couple dance down to fourth place while the 4th couple step up and the new top couple cross down.

  Music: "Mousa Broch" by John Turner.

  For Sandy & Craig Miller on the occasion of their Twentieth Wedding Anniversary (May 2008). The original tune "Mousa Broch" was composed by John Turner for the same celebration.


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-10 01:29:29.208699+00
name: Forfar Frolic
ucname: FORFAR FROLIC
intensity_bars: 864/888/844/888
devised: 1986-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised by John Wilkinson for the demonstration team of the Glasgow Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, who visited Forfar every Hogmanay.


created: 2016-09-03 19:53:13.311701+00
last_modified: 2020-10-24 09:45:43.684039+00
name: Anne's Heather Jig
ucname: ANNES HEATHER JIG
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888/888/804
notes:
  During her first two years of teaching, Anne was frequently challenged with not having enough dancers for a four couple set. As with most of the dances in this book, this reel provides an opportunity for experiencing the joy of Scottish Country Dancing without having to alter dances and music designed for a larger group. 


created: 2019-01-02 12:00:42.920475+00
last_modified: 2021-09-23 20:57:36.991165+00
name: Together For Forty Years
ucname: TOGETHER FOR FORTY YEARS
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  For Tom and Kathy Allen on the occasion of their 40thanniversary. Kathy gave me the gist of the dance—must have a flirtatious opening and a poussette.I hope the rest weds their appreciation of tradition with a nod to sociable and uncomplicated interactions. They’vealways been interested in getting new dancers on the floor,building community, and keeping things grounded in good humor.


created: 2019-01-17 10:24:12.978944+00
last_modified: 2019-01-17 10:24:12.978944+00
name: Kilmarnock Lad
ucname: KILMARNOCK LAD
intensity_bars: 840/888/444/844
notes:
  For Rob Raeside, VSCD teacher, who grew up in Kilmarnock, Scotland and was a scholar at Kilmarnock Academy before emigrating to Canada.


created: 1998-09-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-11 00:10:38.877237+00
name: Last of the Lairds, The
ucname: LAST OF THE LAIRDS
intensity_bars: 888/888/800/844
notes:
  This dance was significantly modified, in agreement with the deviser, from the version first sent in, to the version published.   
  It is said the deviser would have preferred to omit the setting on [17-18], which makes it necessary to deviate from standard phrasing on [17-28].  
  On [20-21] 1c leads down, crossing back to own side.  It would seem that a LH lead would be more convenient than the traditional RH version.  The original instructions give no information on this.   


created: 2019-01-13 11:45:44.375264+00
last_modified: 2019-01-13 11:45:44.375264+00
name: Traveling Jenny
ucname: TRAVELING JENNY
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2007-08-01
notes:
  This dance is written for Jenny Lee, who danced with our group as an intern at Fermilab, spent part of the year at CERN, returned to Fermi, and is now going home in California to go back to school.


created: 2019-01-17 09:55:32.729068+00
last_modified: 2020-07-19 12:40:17.355295+00
name: Eleanor's First Birthday
ucname: ELEANORS FIRST BIRTHDAY
intensity_bars: 800/880/633/633/800
notes:
  For Eleanor Nieforth on the occasion of a special birthday party – the first since she was a small child.


created: 2019-01-08 15:20:30.625074+00
last_modified: 2020-09-01 15:18:37.925426+00
name: Dancing The Baby
ucname: DANCING THE BABY
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  This may also be danced as a medley of 72 bars Reel and 72 bars Strathspey. 2C & 4C begin the Strathspey which finishes with eight hands round to the left for 3 bars, pivot left and 8 hands round to the left to original places


created: 2012-06-12 13:32:17.371293+00
last_modified: 2022-02-15 15:39:43.843969+00
name: Ocean Voyage
ucname: OCEAN VOYAGE
intensity_bars: 84844/86846/82882/88888
devised: 2011-04-01
notes:
  From the dance description:  
  This dance is a nautical allegory, which depicts an ocean voyage from the preparation of the two ships, the voyage itself crossing three oceans and encountering stormy weather, to the eventual safe return home.


created: 2012-06-12 13:48:48.898407+00
last_modified: 2022-02-15 15:52:02.440961+00
name: Galbraith Gold
ucname: GALBRAITH GOLD
intensity_bars: 800/888/822/888
devised: 2005-04-09
notes:
  From the dance description:  
  Devised for Ian and Ebba Galbraith, bastions of Berkhamsted Strathspey & Reel Club, to celebrate their Golden Wedding in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire on 9th April 2005. It was danced for the first time on that occasion.


created: 2018-10-12 13:35:51.203174+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 08:24:45.344446+00
name: Butterfly
ucname: BUTTERFLY
intensity_bars: 8040/8080/8888/8008
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised in early 2016, for Kathleen, Glenna, Joan, & Ruth.  Butterfly was named by two of these women. 

  When I was devising it my thoughts were on four women who had gone through changes in their lives and seemed to have come out the other side stronger and ready to enjoy their new path in life. I think the name they chose was very thoughtful and I love the beauty and grace of the Butterfly.


created: 1997-09-07 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-02-17 13:52:04.089803+00
name: Lads Of Ayr, The
ucname: LADS OF AYR
intensity_bars: 660/888/804/880
devised: 1740-01-01
notes:
  <<ddpub:Scottish Country Dances of The 18th Century#125>> has the title as "The Lads Of Air" which is added as a spelling alias.


created: 2017-08-09 12:19:19.321069+00
last_modified: 2019-01-18 19:03:47.794393+00
name: Bracken on Broughton Moor
ucname: BRACKEN ON BROUGHTON MOOR
intensity_bars: 8888/8448/8888/8888
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  The title comes from a trip back from Wasdale at New Year over Broughton Moor along a lonely road through acres of red/brown bracken, glowingly rendered in an impressionistic drawing by Ivan Cartwright.  Broughton, in Cumbria, rhymes with "Orton".


created: 2017-11-08 21:39:15.222582+00
last_modified: 2019-01-18 19:33:19.257287+00
name: Stroller In Hades, A
ucname: STROLLER IN HADES
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/888
devised: 2014-03-01
notes:
  This dance was inspired by “The Australian Ladies” with the aim of having equal amounts of right and left handedness in both the “signature” last 16 bars and also the first 16 which consequently ended up being very  different  from  the  original.  The  word  “Stroller”  in  the  title  contains  the  R,L,L,R 
  sequence indicating the handedness of each successive four bars (for 1st couple).

  After the second repeat, 1st couple dance bars 1-4 again with 4th couple to end in 4th place 
  (although this does sadly break the otherwise equal amounts of left and right handedness). 
  For mathematical completeness 3rd and 4th couples could also do this at the start so that all 
  four couples are dancing at the start of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th times through. 


created: 2014-06-27 20:56:42.759985+00
last_modified: 2019-01-22 22:54:05.240256+00
name: Dancing in Dysart
ucname: DANCING IN DYSART
intensity_bars: 808/888/448/888
notes:
  The deviser's ancestors were pioneers in Dysart Township, County of Haliburton, Ontario, in the 1860’s.

  At the end of the second time through, 1st couple finish in third place. They step down to fourth place on the first two bars of the next time through as the 4th couple cross over diagonally into the middle of the dance in third place.


created: 1997-09-16 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-08-07 09:49:28.563019+00
name: Thorntonian Jig, The
ucname: THORNTONIAN JIG
intensity_bars: 8448/8888/8444/8000
devised: 1967-01-01
notes:
  The Thorntonian Jig was devised in 1967 to be danced at the October weekend camp in Sydney in the same year. (Name taken from Thornton Club).


created: 2010-09-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-01 19:23:47.205992+00
name: David Queen Strathspey, The
ucname: DAVID QUEEN STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 848/848/846/844
devised: 2008-12-01
notes:
  This dance was devised by Angela Bulteel in honour of David Queen, in recogniton of his relentless patience whilst teaching me the tourney, which is conspicuous by its absence in this dance.


created: 2011-08-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-04 12:15:09.995484+00
name: Amberley Court
ucname: AMBERLEY COURT
intensity_bars: 820/888/844/888/888
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Maretta Frolley, longtime friend who has been Assistant Secretary of the Melbourne and District Branch Inc. for a number of years. Maretta's previous home was located in Amberley Court, Bulleen. I added bars 33 - 40 subsequent to devising the original 32-bar dance, but on the dance's debut, Maretta told me that she had lived in Amberley Court for 40 years, so coincidentally the dance is 'one bar for every year'.


created: 2014-06-27 21:13:25.469843+00
last_modified: 2019-01-23 17:29:37.289256+00
name: Conestoga Reel, The
ucname: CONESTOGA REEL
intensity_bars: 880/800/808/800
notes:
  The “Conestoga Wagon” played a significant role in the early history of the Waterloo region, which is the deviser's home.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 18:46:23.270168+00
name: Rocks Of Solitude, The
ucname: ROCKS OF SOLITUDE
intensity_bars: 880/880/888/888
notes:
  For Barbara Hallam, who was born in Glen Esk within a very short distance of the Rocks of Solitude which stand in the North Esk River.


created: 1998-07-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-27 20:20:36.023967+00
name: Fisher Blue
ucname: FISHER BLUE
intensity_bars: 44844/88888/88888/86666
devised: 1991-02-01
notes:
  The notes say this was "For a S.C.D. Weekend at the Waterside Inn, Inverugie, Peterhead".

  "Fisher Blue" is the title of a poem by Peter Buchan - a Peterhead poet.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-21 10:08:27.378352+00
name: Canongait
ucname: CANONGAIT
notes:
  It is quite obvious that the bar count is incorrect as the rest of the information might be. No information on this dance with the deviser mentioned can be found, last checked 2022-12-21. The editors' team decided to keep the dance in the database for future reference in case some information may be added later.  
  <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/1569/>> 


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-24 13:30:35.283856+00
name: Culbin Sands
ucname: CULBIN SANDS
intensity_bars: 8440|8880|8800|8880
notes:
  The Culbin Sands are to the west of Findhorn Bay on the Moray Firth. This once fertile district was overwhelmed by sandstorms in the autumn of 1694. In recent years the Culbin Sands have been afforested with pine trees.


created: 2006-10-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-24 13:33:31.949803+00
name: Hasten to Your Feet
ucname: HASTEN TO YOUR FEET
intensity_bars: 800/800/888/888
notes:
  Devised by Doug Schneider, St. Louis, Missouri ( paradiseMO [at] aol.com )

  Notes from Doug: Dedicated to Bonnie Dickson of Ames, Iowa. The title is taken from a poem that Bonnie wrote about Scottish country dancing.


created: 2005-05-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-24 14:42:20.446547+00
name: Triskel, The
ucname: TRISKEL
intensity_bars: 888/666/666/888
devised: 2004-10-01
notes:
  This dance and The Triquetra were inspired by a catalog of Irish gifts I received that had pictures of jewelry in the shapes of the triskel and the trinity celtic knot, aka the triquetra.


created: 2002-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-26 06:14:41.142111+00
name: Seagull's Feast
ucname: SEAGULLS FEAST
devised: 1994-01-01
notes:
  Beginner Level. 

  Written by Doug Schneider in 1994 after observing some seagulls with a "lucky find" in a dumpster in the Kmart parking lot on Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 


created: 1998-11-22 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-26 07:09:17.366242+00
name: Birmingham Rant
ucname: BIRMINGHAM RANT
intensity_bars: 888 888 888 844
devised: 1992-01-01
notes:
  This is a long-way reel-time dance for three couples. A new top couple begins on every second repetition.


created: 1999-05-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-26 22:14:16.538745+00
name: Three's the Charm
ucname: THREES THE CHARM
intensity_bars: 080/888/484/884
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  This dance was published in two forms, "original" and "variation".  The E-crib, Minicrib, Keith's diagram and the formation list show the "variation", as that seems to be the more popular version.  The "SCDDB Contributed Crib" shows the "original" version, which differs on [1-16].


created: 1999-11-01 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-27 19:57:22.62492+00
name: Linton Ploughman
ucname: LINTON PLOUGHMAN
intensity_bars: 88 88 80 88
notes:
  This dance is almost identical to <<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3834/|The  Blue Loch>> by <<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/person/872/|Marilyn Watson>>, but ending with a Poussette instead of an Allemande.


created: 2000-02-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-27 20:09:59.428344+00
name: Wind on Loch Fyne, The
ucname: WIND ON LOCH FYNE
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 888
devised: 1986-01-01
notes:
  Loch Fyne extends north from the Sound of Bute and, at 65 kms, is the
  longest »sea loch« on the west coast of Scotland. It is noted for its
  oyster and herring fisheries, with Loch Fyne kippers widely considered
  the best available. During World War II Loch Fyne served as a training
  ground for the Normandy landings. Later on it was used by the Royal
  Navy to test torpedoes. Beside the herrings and oysters, Loch Fyne is
  home to wild life such as otters, dolphins, seals, and (in summer)
  basking sharks.

  The name »Loch Fyne« derives from the Gaelic for »Loch of the Wine (or
  Vine)«, even though there is no evidence of grapes growing in the area.


created: 2018-05-02 18:15:40.459949+00
last_modified: 2020-11-15 11:52:59.345884+00
name: Issy and Nicol's Dance
ucname: ISSY AND NICOLS DANCE
intensity_bars: 880/880/800/888
devised: 2014-01-02
notes:
  The dance was written during the 2013/2014 New Zealand Branch Summer School in Cambridge, for Isobelle (Issy) Hodgson and Nicol McLaren, two of the fabulous and talented musicians who performed numerous times during the school.


created: 2002-06-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-03-20 12:52:57.915521+00
name: 4007
ucname: 4007
intensity_bars: 80/88/88/88
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  The dance is intended to be pronounced: 'For 007'.

  The dance was written by John Drewry for his good friend, Paul Bond aka 'Bond, Paul Bond', hence the title 'For 007'.


created: 2017-03-31 09:15:34.823027+00
last_modified: 2019-02-11 10:22:01.186797+00
name: Outpost, The
ucname: OUTPOST
intensity_bars: 8600/8440/8022/8008
notes:
  Devised by Rob Kinnon-Brettle.

  The Gay Gordons (Manchester) started classes in the back bar of the Outpost, now demolished. The dance started life as a training dance for a number of Scottish Country Dancing figures.


created: 2015-05-04 10:36:14.135141+00
last_modified: 2020-12-29 12:41:17.687045+00
name: London's Turning
ucname: LONDONS TURNING
devised: 1999-10-01
notes:
  Acknowledgement:
  This dance was inspired by the unusual alternating reel structure of the dance 'London's Burning' by Sue Petyt and is merely a variation on that dance. The continuous motion of the dance made me think of gear wheels and 'London's Turning' is an attempt to develop that concept.


created: 2018-10-12 14:29:33.613256+00
last_modified: 2019-01-28 23:49:27.071321+00
name: Rosss's Reel
ucname: ROSSSS REEL
intensity_bars: 660/660/888/800
notes:
  This dance was devised in memory of Ross Edwards, who died in November 2016.

  Cath, Ross’s wife, had great trouble at times dancing with his freespirited approach on the dance floor and sometimes had to take him in hand for a few quiet words.

  His naughty ways were loved by many and we miss him dearly. Not many dancers could get away with this approach to Scottish Country dancing but Ross, with his twinkling eyes, could. Like a box of chocolates, you never knew when you danced with Ross quite how it would turn out.

  Damon Collin has named the first formation “The Rosss”

  The Reel in this dance is an example of what he got up to.

  The extra ssss in the title are because when Ross emailed me he often signed off with:
     Rossss staff to Catherine, or
     Rossss on behalf of she who should be obeyed, another one was,
     Rossss secretary to Catherine E Edwards, or just
    Staffee

  No longer with us in person, but always in spirit, R.I.P dear Ross.


created: 2019-01-29 23:11:50.732972+00
last_modified: 2019-01-29 23:11:50.732972+00
name: Noethersche Ringlein, Das
ucname: NOETHERSCHE RINGLEIN
intensity_bars: 888/844/880/888
devised: 1999-11-19
notes:
  This dance is a simpler variant of Der Noethersche Ring. Both dances were written in honor of the mathematician Emmy Noether, who loved to dance. Noether was born in Erlangen on March 23, 1882 at Hauptstrasse 23. The mathematical definition of a Noetherian Ring is that it is a ring where every ascending chain of ideals terminates. From this definition, the dance wrote itself.


created: 2006-05-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-07 00:01:45.077924+00
name: Jig for Rebecca, A
ucname: JIG FOR REBECCA
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/800
devised: 2000-05-01
notes:
  For Rebecca Appleyard on her 11th birthday, 20th March, 2003.

  This dance may be for 3 or 4 couples.


created: 2000-08-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-30 16:54:16.97259+00
name: Haggis Hunt, The
ucname: HAGGIS HUNT
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888/477
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  This dance was written a day before the Burns Supper in January 1998 in Lindelbach, a small village near Würzburg. A day later the haggis was caught, slaughtered and consumed...

  The original URL (http://mitglied.lycos.de/ErlangenScotDance/links/dances.html#Dance6) is now defunct.


created: 2019-01-16 23:30:45.417994+00
last_modified: 2020-07-20 07:52:57.06754+00
name: Bill Nauss of Boulder Bay
ucname: BILL NAUSS OF BOULDER BAY
intensity_bars: 800/800/855/888
devised: 2009-12-04
notes:
  Devised by Lydia Hedge - a birthday gift for Bill Nauss - December 4th, 2009.  

  1-8 The two loops of the letter B  
  17-20 The letter N


created: 2013-04-05 13:35:55.680728+00
last_modified: 2020-10-01 11:48:49.286958+00
name: Mirror Madness
ucname: MIRROR MADNESS
intensity_bars: 8000/8880/8224/8088
notes:
  (32 bar reel, jig or strathspey for four couples in a four couple longwise set)

  Suggested Recorded Music:

  Reel: 'The Acklam Reelers', from 'The Vallin Suite 2', played by David
  Cunningham and his Scottish Dance Band

  Jig: 'lt Should be Fun', from' Reel On', played by Muriel Johnstone and Jim
  Lindsay.

  Strathspey: 'Fill the Fetters', from 'Celebrate 50 Years of Dancing with the Boston
  Branch RSCDS', played by Tullochgorum.


created: 2002-02-26 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-03-16 10:11:31.910292+00
name: Maypole Medley, The
ucname: MAYPOLE MEDLEY
notes:
  The original URL (http://mitglied.lycos.de/ErlangenScotDance/links/dances.html#Dance1) is now defunct.


created: 2000-08-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-04-14 11:35:09.143182+00
name: Irish Romance
ucname: IRISH ROMANCE
intensity_bars: 800/822/844/888
notes:
  This dance is a simpler version of the <<ddd:Romance in Ireland>> by <<ddp:Barthel, Stefan>>. <<ddp:Gilliam, David>> learned it in Paris (Thanks to <<ddp:Chamoin, Patrick>>, who saw it at our ball in Erlangen in 1996, but let's keep the story short...) and he taught it at classes and workshops during the summer and fall of 1997 in America. He decided to make this version more suitable for a bit less experienced dancers by changing bars 9 to 24. It sure takes less time to teach it and make the dancers move. 

  The original URL (http://mitglied.lycos.de/ErlangenScotDance/links/dances.html#Dance3) is now defunct.


created: 2001-06-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-01-31 13:11:07.802427+00
name: St Margaret Queen of Scotland
ucname: SAINT MARGARET QUEEN OF SCOTLAND
intensity_bars: 8004/8440/8888/8888
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Dorothy Leurs, Edinburgh, in 1993 for the St. Margaret's Chapel Guild at Edinburgh Castle
  to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the death of St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland 1058- 1003.

  The figures of the dance represent the King (Malcolm Canmore) presenting his Queen to the people, crossing the River Forth at Queensferry (named after Margaret), taking the relics to St. Andrews and the cross of St. Andrew.

  Note: The title uses "St" and not "Saint".


created: 2019-01-31 22:24:26.551213+00
last_modified: 2019-01-31 22:38:06.723659+00
name: Birthday Teaching
ucname: BIRTHDAY TEACHING
intensity_bars: 800/844/044/844
devised: 2009-11-05
notes:
  Written for Monica Ferguson, who, on her birthday, 5th november 2009, found herself teaching the White Heather SCD group in Geldermalsen.


created: 2016-08-17 17:37:47.304133+00
last_modified: 2019-02-27 15:50:41.317662+00
name: Mac's Delight
ucname: MACS DELIGHT
intensity_bars: 88/66/66/88
devised: 2006-03-01
notes:
  This is dedicated to my father, Michael McMahon, Sr.  Mac’s Delight could be his wife, his daughter, or his grand-daughter.  Any and all do apply.


created: 2015-12-11 13:48:59.880575+00
last_modified: 2019-02-01 15:26:58.871269+00
name: Hooked on Bells
ucname: HOOKED ON BELLS
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8888/8008
devised: 2015-08-01
notes:
  Dance devised by Irene Paterson with music composed by Calum MacKinnon for Rachel Pusey and Dilip Sequeira when they left Seattle.

  The dance name is a very clever play on words, the details of which Irene has kindly explained.  Because this departing dancer was quite involved in bell-ringing, she was thereby "hooked" on bells.  But that's not all:  she is also an avid crocheter, and thus there is a double entendre for the word "hooked."  Furthermore the slip-knot figure, not a very common one in SCDs but included in this dance, names also with its double meaning the initial stitches for starting a crocheting project.

  This same video is also accessible on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rscdsseattle/videos/996978727010425/


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-01 15:47:10.521119+00
name: Wooden Sawhorse, The
ucname: WOODEN SAWHORSE
devised: 2002-04-01
notes:
  Ozma created the Wooden Sawhorse from a log and branches, then brought him to life with a magic powder. He is a tireless steed and often takes people to locations in Oz by pulling the red wagon carrying them.


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-02 15:34:19.09403+00
name: Scotland's Gardens
ucname: SCOTLANDS GARDENS
intensity_bars: 888 844 888 844
devised: 1991-01-01
notes:
  The dance "Scotland's Gardens" has been devised by Roy Goldring to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Scotland's Gardens Scheme 1931-1991.


created: 2019-02-02 20:24:50.640133+00
last_modified: 2019-02-02 20:24:50.640133+00
name: Kate's Day
ucname: KATES DAY
intensity_bars: 88/88/44/88
devised: 2011-04-01
notes:
  Dance devised for and first performed at a street party in Denford Village to celebrate Catherine Middleton's wedding to HRH Prince William on 29th April 2011


created: 2001-01-15 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-03 00:19:00.733835+00
name: Jessie Stewart's Strathspey
ucname: JESSIE STEWARTS STRATHSPEY
devised: 1982-01-01
notes:
  Fondly dedicated to the memory of my mother-in-law, Jessie Atwood Stewart, who, while not a country dancer herself, received much pleasure from our interest in Scottish Country Dancing, during the last few years of her life: Ben Stein


created: 2000-12-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-02-20 21:15:15.991537+00
name: Caper for Priscilla, A
ucname: CAPER FOR PRISCILLA
intensity_bars: 880/444/888/444/880
devised: 1992-11-01
notes:
  Devised by Ernst Eder in November 1992, after dancing "<<ddd:Mrs. Watt's Teakettle#4815>>" (devised by Priscilla Burrage and published in her booklet "Kitchen Capers") at the 1992 Vermont Harvest Festival, Old Lantern, Charlotte, VT.


created: 1998-11-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-04-24 09:44:14.188435+00
name: Rideau Reel, The
ucname: RIDEAU REEL
intensity_bars: 8000/0880/8888/8888/8220
devised: 1982-01-01
notes:
  Devised in 1982 by John Trew for Catherine and Donald Cutts on the occasion of their 25th Wedding Anniversary Catherine was at that time President of the Rideau Trail Association.


created: 2019-02-01 16:15:22.103406+00
last_modified: 2021-02-20 12:48:56.346295+00
name: Dance for Susana, A
ucname: DANCE FOR SUSANA
intensity_bars: 822/888/888/888
devised: 2015-02-01
notes:
  The dance was devised for Susana Page of the Schiehallion Dancing Group (Madrid) on the occasion of her passing Part 2 of the RSCDS Teaching Examination at St Andrews Summer School in August 2014


created: 2018-10-05 15:38:33.077799+00
last_modified: 2019-02-03 21:08:20.166272+00
name: Just As Crazy As It Looked
ucname: JUST AS CRAZY AS IT LOOKED
intensity_bars: 888/888/844/888
devised: 2016-03-01
notes:
  We looked out one morning to see a police car parked in front, a neighbor from 3 doors left picking up pieces of his mailbox, and a car in our right-hand neighbor’s driveway that had hit his car parked there and had at least one flat tire. Someone driving got confused and turned into the side street leading to our street, hit the curb, a mailbox, and a car on that street then turned right by driving over the corner lot and hitting a tree on the other side of the street. He continued on our street running up on the curb, wiping out a mailbox and driving over the corner of our lot into our neighbor’s driveway and into his car (we are in a cul-de-sac). It was freaky, but the person was OK and everyone recovered from it eventually.


created: 2006-06-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-03 21:43:07.014489+00
name: New River Reel, The
ucname: NEW RIVER REEL
intensity_bars: 800/800/844/888
notes:
  Recommended recorded music: “Feisty Women” from *Catch the Wind* by The Music Makars.  

  This dance was devised to assist teaching beginners where their corners are.  

  Originally published in The Flying Ghillies Collection, Volume 2. This version has been revised to clarify the devisors’ intent for bars 1-8 and 17-24.


created: 2016-05-27 21:29:07.41443+00
last_modified: 2019-02-19 23:09:42.60486+00
name: Deliberate Mistake, A
ucname: DELIBERATE MISTAKE
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/888
devised: 2015-05-01
notes:
  Note: On bars 25-32, 2nd and 3rd man may not give hands to let an empty space between them, thus allowing the circle to be bigger and letting 1st man perform some setting or highland step if he wishes to. This is however not necessary.

  This dance was devised for David Quarrie, who likes to refer to his (rare) mistakes as "deliberate". It should allow him to make some actually deliberate mistakes without any shame.


created: 2018-10-19 13:45:35.543104+00
last_modified: 2019-02-09 17:49:02.798398+00
name: Water Ways
ucname: WATER WAYS
devised: 2018-03-01
notes:
  Written in memory of Roger Withenshaw and his love of narrowboat holidays.

  Interpretation:  
  1-8 casting off from mooring  
  9-16 turning paddles at lock gates  
  17-24 journey along the canal  
  25-32 descending staircase flight of locks  
  33-40 mooring and securing ropes  
  41-48 raise your glass (with partner) as sun sets (small circles)  


created: 2018-04-25 22:33:37.767426+00
last_modified: 2024-03-13 10:01:32.140792+00
name: Bell Rock Strathspey, The
ucname: BELL ROCK STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 282/888/844/088
devised: 2017-08-01
notes:
  Devised while on a family holiday at St Andrew’s Summer School in 2017, staying in a cottage overlooking Bell Rock.


created: 2002-02-27 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-05 11:28:46.168732+00
name: New Virginia Reel, The
ucname: NEW VIRGINIA REEL
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8080 0808 4444 8888 4444 8888 8080 8080 0808 0808 4444 4444 8888 8888
notes:
  Dedicated to Genie Callander Sharp, founder of the Northern Virginia Branch.


  The following corrections were included on a loose sheet "Notes on Dances by Bob Grant June 1996", when Book 39 was first sold in the Summer School bookshop:

  Fig 1.  17-32  Slip in a curve so that start and finish are centred

  Fig 3.  1-8  Dancing couples need to "cheat" here and meet to start going round the side couples


created: 2015-02-13 15:07:28.885255+00
last_modified: 2019-09-08 11:02:59.888005+00
name: Thank You Jack
ucname: THANK YOU JACK
intensity_bars: 4884/8228/8888/8008/8008
devised: 2011-06-19
notes:
  Written to honor Jack Pollock retiring from many years teaching  the Asheville, NC Scottish country dance class.  

  Devised: 7/28/10 and published in "The Petronella Paper" (May-August 2010) of the Atlanta Branch.

  Revised 6/19/11 and republished in the "Spring Creek Collection"


created: 2006-06-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-09 10:31:20.298124+00
name: Jahrzehnt, Das
ucname: JAHRZEHNT
intensity_bars: 10 10 0 9 9 0 10 10 10 10 10 10
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  The "Spelling Alias" "Jahrzent, Das" has been made only because this erroneous spelling has been used for a long time both on DanceData and in Eric's cribs.  It is _not_ an official alias.

  10 bar phrases.


created: 2006-03-23 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-03-27 15:57:14.156251+00
name: Alexander's Link
ucname: ALEXANDERS LINK
intensity_bars: 84448/88088/80808/04480
notes:
  The original instructions note that the Lincoln Alexander Parkway is a busy traffic corridor which connects the west and east ends of greater Hamilton along the top of the Niagara Escarpment. It is known locally as "The Link".


created: 2005-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-06 00:50:25.462678+00
name: Arctic Circle, The
ucname: ARCTIC CIRCLE
intensity_bars: 8888 8080 8888 0808 8888 4444 4444 8888
devised: 2004-06-01
notes:
  Dance devised by John Drewry April 2004.  Revised in June 2004 after teaching the dance in Morland in Cumbria.

  NOTE by John Drewry: I had a letter from Susan Hagen, who lives in Oslo, requesting a dance with this title. The dance is to be performed at a ball in the British Ambassador's Residence in October. She sent me a booklet about the residence, which is called "Villa Frognæs". I have based Bars 41-56 of the dance on the design above the oriel window. I did go once north of the Arctic Circle in Norway with a Swiss friend. We flew separately to Oslo and then went by train to Narvik. From there we went by cargo boat northwards until, after calling in various ports, we rounded the North Cape and reached Honningsvåg where we stayed for a few days.

  We were amused to see people from the various tourist ships taken to see a Lappish village with the Lapps living in tents made of reindeer skin. Once the buses had taken the tourists back to their ships, the Lapps returned to their comfortable houses in the town.

  NOTE by James Gray about the music: “The Oslo Scottish Country Dance Group asked John Drewry to write a dance called The Arctic Circle which had its premiere in Villa Frognæs, the residence of the British ambassador in Oslo. The tune has specially constructed phrasing to fit the dance.”


created: 2012-04-29 09:13:47.162064+00
last_modified: 2019-02-06 00:51:30.585355+00
name: Love to Lois
ucname: LOVE TO LOIS
intensity_bars: 886 12 12 12 444 888
devised: 2003-02-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Lois Simpson, first life member of the Tokoroa SCD club, who recently passed away.
  Recommended recording: Strathspey (Bobby Brown and The Scottish Accent, Grandfather Mountain Gala) 


created: 1998-01-07 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-20 22:38:38.805391+00
name: Macraes, The
ucname: MACRAES
intensity_bars: 800/800/844/844/844
devised: 1992-02-01
notes:
  The dance was devised by Marjorie Duffield's pupils, who were not named in the information we received.

  Devised to celebrate Marjorie Duffield's marriage to Brian Macrae on 29 February, 1992. 

  The dance was first named "Marjorie and Brian", written by some as "Marjorie & Brian".


created: 2017-10-12 10:04:57.389075+00
last_modified: 2019-02-06 00:52:27.239945+00
name: J-P
ucname: JP
intensity_bars: 880/888/844/844
devised: 2016-06-01
notes:
  In memory of Jean-Paul (J-P) Genot (13 August 1949 — 30 November 2013): friend, Scottish Country dancer and former colleague and mentor.
  Jean-Paul Genot grew up in what was then the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). He came to South Africa to study at the University of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal) in Durban and then moved to Pretoria to work at the University of South Africa (Unisa) Library. 
  When I started work as a librarian at Unisa in 1979, he was my supervisor and mentor. 
  He later moved back to Durban to work at the Technikon Mangosuthu (now the Durban University of Technology). 
  In the early 1990s he and his wife and their two daughters moved to Europe. 
  While working for a library systems company, he spent some time in Jerusalem, Israel. 
  While there, he took up Scottish Country Dancing at the St Andrews Presbyterian Church. 
  After moving to Frankfurt, Germany, to work for the European Central Bank, he danced with the Frankfurt SCD Club. 
  Whenever he came to South Africa to visit his in-laws and friends, he came to see me at the Library for coffee and a chat. 
  On 30 November 2013, at the age of 64, he lost his battle with cancer. Sadly, I never had the chance to dance with him.

  J-P, this one's for you. Merci beaucoup.


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-03-27 19:56:41.031174+00
name: Illabo Rant, The
ucname: ILLABO RANT
intensity_bars: 8888 8080 0808 4444 8888 4444 8888 8888
notes:
  Twice through only.  
  Beginners' dance.  As the dancers get better you can substitute setting for the claps.  
  Music: »The Reverend John MacFarlane« or »The Shetland Fiddler«.  


created: 2014-10-29 22:07:30.164624+00
last_modified: 2019-02-12 23:42:58.574389+00
name: Last Set in the Hall, The
ucname: LAST SET IN THE HALL
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/888
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised when the Utrecht SCD-group (www.theswilcan.nl) was informed that the gymnasium where we danced was to be be demolished on very short term. Fortunately we found another hall in time, but I devised this dance to celebrate our last dance class in the old hall.

  The dance author has asked that the original description be published here.

  The Last Set in the Hall 

  Strathspey for 3 couples in a longwise set, 3 x 32 bars

  1 – 8	1s & 2s dance the Knot. 1s turn to face 1st  corners

  9 – 10	1s set to 1st corners

  11 – 12	1s pull back RSH, dance round each other and out to 3rd corner position WHILE 1st corners dance towards each other, pull back RSH and face out

  13 – 16	Repeat 9 - 12. 1s finish with twirl to face 2nd corners. 1st corners finish in opposite corner place

  17 - 24 	Repeat with 2nd corners. 1s finish by passing right shoulder to 2nd place opposite side

  25 - 26 	All set

  27 - 30 	All turn partner 2 hands one and a half times, and stay in the middle to face each other,

  31 - 32	All pull back RSH and twirl to own side.

   	Finish in order 3, 1, 2

  Recommended Music:	Miss Nicola Jack (Bob Shakespeare)

  Recording:	 If at First (S32 3) – David Cunningham and his Scottish Dance Band.  CD Leicester Branch 1977-2002 The Silver Collection


created: 2002-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-13 18:22:04.559953+00
name: Code Breaker, The
ucname: CODE BREAKER
intensity_bars: 8642/8888/8448/8448
devised: 2002-05-01
notes:
  A dance to the memory of <<ddp:Hugh Foss#129|HUGH FOSS>> who worked at Bletchley with Alan Turing during the 1940's and helped in breaking the Enigma Code.

  The initial movements in this dance are similar to those in Hugh's dance <<ddd:Caller Herrin'#950>>.


created: 2002-03-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-19 01:00:40.094942+00
name: Sound of Harris, The
ucname: SOUND OF HARRIS
intensity_bars: 833 888 888 888 888 888
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  In the Canadian Book, Drewry dedicates this dance to Valerie Harris of Ontario. The inscription on the dance states: *The Sound of Harris is the sea between Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides; it is also Valerie's laugh!*


created: 2019-02-20 20:02:51.216261+00
last_modified: 2019-02-20 20:02:51.216261+00
name: Isdale Jig, The
ucname: ISDALE JIG
devised: 1957-01-01
notes:
  A token of appreciation and admiration, and in honour of the visit of Mrs Mary Isdale MacNab of Vancouver, to Edinburgh, 27 July, 1957 at the International Festival of Dancing


created: 2017-10-12 10:41:57.753013+00
last_modified: 2019-02-23 19:01:16.169406+00
name: Let's Make a Set
ucname: LETS MAKE A SET
intensity_bars: 8400/8884/8888/8440/8448
devised: 2017-06-01
notes:
  For Olive Duff, on the occasion of her 77th birthday. Olive was an active member of the Pretoria Branch, dancing with us for over 35 years. Over these years shr served on the committee from time to time, was a member of the demontration team, always friendly, always ready to help, always welcoming new dancers by asking them to partner her in a set...


created: 2015-02-27 13:50:25.767856+00
last_modified: 2019-02-23 01:06:20.798718+00
name: Our Peter White
ucname: OUR PETER WHITE
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/844
devised: 2006-11-01
notes:
  Music: Montréal Summers, 'Les joueurs de bon accord'  

  The "Peter White Diagonal figure" (bars 17-24 and 25-32) is taken from the dance "Peter White" by the late Alec Hay. I don't know if the figure has a name but it is a great formation. I devised this dance to introduce the figure to our TMR class one night when we didn't have a teacher and were all bringing a dance or two. Joanne and our Peter White brought "Best Set in the Hall" for us to dance that night which has the same Peter White Diagonal figure but in quick time.


created: 2015-02-27 13:59:12.293518+00
last_modified: 2019-02-23 01:37:41.162393+00
name: Always and Forever
ucname: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
intensity_bars: 80800/84844/84844/84888
devised: 2007-04-01
notes:
  Music: Come Under My Plaidie  

  Written for Tom and Betty Speirs, generous and supportive dancing partners for many years. Betty introduced me to my first dolphin reel. Tom helped my husband look the part of a Scottish country dancer when we first started dancing and Betty taught us a lot of the skills. They are also an inspiration to us as a couple.  

  Thank you, Tom and Betty, for making dancing such a pleasure.


created: 2019-02-28 19:13:21.23996+00
last_modified: 2019-03-01 00:54:50.426636+00
name: Of Quakes and Quaichs
ucname: OF QUAKES AND QUAICHS
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  For Donna Weidenfeller and Harry Andrews in celebration of their wedding. Donna is from Wisconsin originally but has been living in San Francisco, California for most of her adult life. Harry is from Edinburgh. They met several years ago in the San Francisco Scottish dance class and began a friendship that has grown deeper over time.  

  For the dance, they both requested the half turn and twirl figure (bars 18-22, 23-26). I added the California twirl variation (bars 5-6), and the two-handed turn which is a nod to the quaich often used in Scottish weddings.


created: 2012-08-15 09:01:47.763879+00
last_modified: 2019-02-23 16:38:14.781945+00
name: Mist o'er the Loch
ucname: MIST OER THE LOCH
intensity_bars: 880 822 822 822
notes:
  A reliable source tells us that the author originally wanted to call the dance »The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge«, in honour of Prince William and his wife, but permission to do so was refused by the Palace (with no reason specified).

  The current title of the dance is perhaps less than 100% fortunate given its phonetic proximity to <<ddd:The Minister on the Loch>>.

  Notes (additional to the book and the Manual) collected by Helen Russell from staff teaching The Diamond Jubilee book at Summer School 2012. 

  13 - 16   1st couple, with 2nd woman and 3rd man, dance half rights and lefts on the diagonal. 

  21 - 24   1st couple, with 2nd man and 3rd woman, dance a variation on half rights and lefts on the diagonal.  To begin 1st man dances diagonally up and 1st woman dances diagonally down.  N.B. It may help to note that 1st man goes up, down down and up, while 1st woman goes down, up, up and down.

  27 & 31   Ensure that hands are released before starting to cast.


created: 2018-09-24 22:27:25.754739+00
last_modified: 2019-02-23 18:45:56.231233+00
name: A for Alex
ucname: FOR ALEX
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8008/8888
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised for our friends Kay and Keith Dixon on becoming grandma and granddad of Alex. 


created: 2015-02-27 14:26:33.971413+00
last_modified: 2019-02-24 00:21:35.265214+00
name: Guinea Pig Gallop
ucname: GUINEA PIG GALLOP
intensity_bars: 800/866/866/888
devised: 2007-11-01
notes:
  Helpful hints:  
  - 1 s need to stretch their steps on bars 15/16 and 23/24.  
  - Corners need to be alert, especially on bars 11 and 17 (coming out of the reel) and 19.  
  - Use a slow reel.  

  Written for the TMR Friday night group who have guinea pigged all my dances. Many thanks for the suggestions and encouragement.


created: 2002-03-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-24 10:25:19.260528+00
name: Round Arran Jig, The
ucname: ROUND ARRAN JIG
notes:
  This dance was originally named Jean McKelvie's (Arran) Jig. 

  The original copy of the dance description, held by the Ayrshire Branch, has the following annotation written by hand at the end by the late Alistair Aitkenhead, Branch founder member and highly respected dance teacher.  These amendments (ratified as correct by Alastair MacFadyen, President RSCDS, verbally, in 2019) are:
  -   Change of name to THE ROUND ARRAN JIG effective May 1988.
  -   Bars 65-68 All four ladies RIGHT (NOT left) hands across
  -   Bars 69-72 All four men LEFT (NOT right) hands across …………..ladies on the outside facing in ANTI clockwise (NOT clockwise) direction………
  -   At the end “Second time round dance off”


created: 2004-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-24 21:26:44.352408+00
name: Lap-Top Dancer and the Stripper, The
ucname: LAPTOP DANCER AND THE STRIPPER
intensity_bars: 4444/4444/8888/8668
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  Paul complained to me over the phone that his computer equipment was giving him trouble. His Lap-Top was misbehaving and the hard disc in his other machine would have to be stripped!


created: 2014-10-19 09:50:20.326573+00
last_modified: 2019-02-26 00:05:53.654738+00
name: Southern Highlands Anniversary Strathspey
ucname: SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS ANNIVERSARY STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/808
devised: 2006-06-01
notes:
  Devised for the Southern Highlands Scottish Country Dancers for their 20th Anniversary. First
  danced at the Annual Social, 2nd September 2006.


created: 2011-12-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-07 11:18:51.972569+00
name: Twinkle in His Eye, A
ucname: TWINKLE IN HIS EYE
intensity_bars: 8008 8448 8888 8888
devised: 2007-09-08
notes:
  Devised by Chris Godwin. [note: I hope this is the same person as Christine Godwin.  Eric F; DD Editor]

  "Dedicated to Roy Goldring, who devised so many of my favourite dances." 


created: 2016-08-17 17:51:19.824322+00
last_modified: 2019-02-26 00:43:00.60892+00
name: Runaway Morgan, The
ucname: RUNAWAY MORGAN
devised: 2009-11-01
notes:
  In the summer of 2009, I had a run-in with an Amish horse & buggy.  The horse (a Morgan) and the 
  buggy was a runaway and it ran into my car, which was parked on a farm.  The horse and buggy 
  came at us from the front and missed us as it passed us by.  Then, having turned around, it came at 
  us from the rear and it clipped the passenger side door as it passed on by.  The horse and buggy were fine, my Amish Liaison and I were fine, … the car had $3200 worth of damage to it.  

  Suggested Tunes:  Tam’s Hunting Horn, Andy Clark of Crieff, Jim McAlister's jig, and Miss Sarah Gillies.


created: 2019-02-25 00:06:27.115518+00
last_modified: 2021-02-20 13:16:17.280172+00
name: Tassie Devil, The
ucname: TASSIE DEVIL
intensity_bars: 8/8/8/8
notes:
  Full name: The Tassie Devil (in courtship).

  And don't forget the growls in bars 9-16! (Special request from the deviser).


created: 2004-11-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-07-30 07:41:46.747953+00
name: Dumfries Rambler, The
ucname: DUMFRIES RAMBLER
intensity_bars: 0880 8888 8888 8888
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  On bars 5-6, dancers may also face in diagonally.  Sue Petyt writes "I am always relaxed about small changes to my dances if it makes the dance more enjoyable"


created: 2015-10-14 15:58:40.613557+00
last_modified: 2019-02-25 23:49:21.698914+00
name: Desiree and John
ucname: DESIREE AND JOHN
notes:
  Devised 6th April, 2015, following a suggestion of Kristin which lead to the figure
  “Highland Schottische Balance with Turns”. Recommended music is “Sidlaw
  Hills” (James Watson 19th Century) played ABABAB, and a good recording
  is by the Sound Company as a “Set of Strathspeys Suitable for the Moray
  Rant” on the MC “Best Foot Forward.” (Track 3) An acceptable alternative
  tune is “Caerlaverock Castle” (Ian Homes) and an acceptable recording is to be
  found as “One for the Millennium” by Robert Whitehead the Danelaw Band in
  “Dancer’s Choice Volume 2.” (Track 6) Desiree and John Patterson are loyal
  Johnsonville members, and very keen cyclists, inspiring us to try to emulate
  them. Recently they obtained electric bicycles enabling them to do remarkably
  adventurous rides. So far we resist ge tting the s


created: 2015-08-26 19:15:26.580536+00
last_modified: 2019-02-25 23:54:21.922418+00
name: Pillar Box Reel, The
ucname: PILLAR BOX REEL
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8888/8044
devised: 2014-03-01
notes:
  For Bob Drummond’s special birthday at the request of his sister Isabel Bone. Bob is a keen Scottish country dancer who has a passion for Victorian post boxes (hence the title).


created: 2006-07-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-02-28 21:21:59.554183+00
name: Floosie in the Jacuzzi, The
ucname: FLOOSIE IN THE JACUZZI
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888
notes:
  The dance title refers to the sculptural fountain, <<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_River_(artwork)|“The River”>>, in Victoria Square, Birmingham, England. 

  This dance contains Schiehallion Reels reverse, that means men start facing out to cast and ladies dance across the set to their left.


created: 2014-01-06 00:50:36.901255+00
last_modified: 2019-03-03 06:28:30.400792+00
name: Gypsy Girl's Headscarf, The
ucname: GYPSY GIRLS HEADSCARF
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8000/8888
notes:
  May also be danced in a 3-couple set.

  The dance relates to the painting 'The Yellow Headscarf' by the Romanian painter Octav Băncilă.


  Deviser's Dance Notes (Source: <<|Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary>>):

  This dance is a derivative of "The Gypsy Shawl"; it uses slip step throughout (plus stepping up) and so is suitable for younger children who haven't yet learnt skip change or for inexperienced dancers at a ceilidh.

  17-20  1s take large steps.

  21-24  1s take small steps to finish below 4s, retaining M's right, L's left hand hold ready for the hands round.

  32       At the end of every repeat except the last, all except 2s (M's left, L's right) retain the hands round hold ready for bar 1 of the new repeat. 


created: 2005-02-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-03 10:35:38.983919+00
name: Rice and Lefse
ucname: RICE AND LEFSE
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888/844
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Lara Friedman-Shedlov in 2005 in an attempt to create a dance with three types of rights and
  lefts. Lefse is a round flatbread of Norwegian origin, traditionally made of a potato-based dough and
  baked on a griddle. It is quite popular in Minnesota, which has many people of Scandanavian descent.
  Wild rice is native to the Minnesota wetlands and traditionally cultivated by its native people.  

  "Although unorthodox, it has been noted that this progression technically will work as an 8x40 dance in traditional 4-couple longwise set, with the 1st couple stepping down to 4th place after the 2nd repetition. Since 8x40 jig recordings are a lot easier to come by than 3x40, feel free to dance it this way. Music for "The Express" was recommended by at least one person who tried this." (Lara Friedman-Shedlov).


created: 2013-08-02 19:13:53.994007+00
last_modified: 2021-01-03 12:59:56.058496+00
name: Shirley's Strathspey
ucname: SHIRLEYS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 822/888/888/888
notes:
  Devised by Diana Ashworth and the Cairn Dancers of Dewsbury in memory of Shirley M Shields - one of the founder members of the Leeds Branch


created: 2004-11-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-08-02 10:06:58.866049+00
name: Queen Elizabeth of Mey
ucname: QUEEN ELIZABETH OF MEY
devised: 2002-06-01
notes:
  This dance was written in response to a challenge by Ian MacPhail, made on ‘Take the Floor’ for devisors to come up with a dance to fit the music he had written.  The music is in 20 bar phrases!

  However the devisor does not consider this dance works well *(comment received from Sue Petyt by email)*.


created: 1997-12-27 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-07 18:33:09.256813+00
name: Wait For It
ucname: WAIT FOR IT
intensity_bars: 6666/6006/6006/6666
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  Should be danced to Hornpipe tunes.  

  For Ellen Delvin from comments made to classes.  

  I am sure all Teachers have experienced the enthusiastic class that doesn't wait to find out the "meanwhile" before walking their own part. Hence the name and hence the style. In this dance they will have to wait!


created: 1998-10-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-05-06 10:14:23.712981+00
name: Dochroyle
ucname: DOCHROYLE
intensity_bars: 44/44/88/88
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  Dochroyle was the name of the family farm of the deviser's wife's Great Grandparents situated near Newton Stewart, Galloway.  On emigrating to New Zealand her Grandfather settled on a farm in Taihape and gave it the same name.


created: 2019-03-08 20:39:24.944748+00
last_modified: 2019-06-26 21:32:42.704578+00
name: Wallflower, The
ucname: WALLFLOWER
notes:
  For three couples in a triangular set and a 4th woman in the middle.
  Two chords. On the 1st chord the three couples bow or curtsey towards the 4th woman,
  who curtseys towards the 1st couple. On the second chord the three couples bow or curtsey to partner.


created: 1997-09-16 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-09 14:01:50.535445+00
name: Town Of Flowers
ucname: TOWN OF FLOWERS
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8888 8888
devised: 1978-09-01
notes:
  Note on the original description:  "Looking at the directions for Town of Flowers, I think it's clear that bars 21-24 should end with "to regain own sides" rather than "original places" because the dancers are in the order 3,2,1,4." 


created: 2017-09-15 22:50:03.350959+00
last_modified: 2020-07-04 22:37:28.15013+00
name: Seven of Diamonds
ucname: SEVEN OF DIAMONDS
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  The dance is performed by 7 persons arranged as the 7 in a pack of playing cards.

  According to the original description Jig or Reel is suited for the dance.
  Progression 4512736


created: 1999-08-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-12-19 15:13:27.945311+00
name: George Washington Bridge, The
ucname: GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE
intensity_bars: 8484 8888 8008 8888
devised: 1994-05-01
notes:
  The dance was devised in May 1994, and dedicated to Jim ("Fergie") and Susan Ferguson of the New York Branch of the Royal Scottish country Dance Society, on the occasion of the Pawling Weekend, May 1994.


created: 2019-03-08 20:01:10.091921+00
last_modified: 2019-03-11 19:46:39.736437+00
name: Old Fairy Bridge, The
ucname: OLD FAIRY BRIDGE
intensity_bars: 844/822/088/888/888
notes:
  The Fairy Bridge in Manx legend, is near Castletown in the south of the Island, and in olden times carried people over the Fairies' dwelling. Today it is a road bridge, and it is customary for those crossing, to acknowledge the Fairies with a nod of the head and "Good (Morning) Fairies". Those who do so are assured of good fortune that day.


created: 2019-03-09 09:34:47.0738+00
last_modified: 2019-03-21 00:07:48.098161+00
name: Modestine's Romp
ucname: MODESTINES ROMP
intensity_bars: 800/800/844/844/808
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Modestine was the donkey who carried Robert Louis Stevenson's kit during a walk in southern France in 1878 described in his book "Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes".

  Bars 9-32 depict RLS leading Modestine and tapping her on the shoulder to goad her along.


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-20 23:28:47.680927+00
name: 26th of March, The
ucname: 26TH OF MARCH
intensity_bars: 646/844/044/888/888
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  Dance deVised by Stewart Adam. Jim Gardner and Bruce Wood, for the wedding of Anne Mechie and Mike Logan in March 1977


created: 2019-03-11 16:00:07.691719+00
last_modified: 2019-03-14 23:47:41.198677+00
name: Brooklyn Bridge
ucname: BROOKLYN BRIDGE
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2019-03-01
notes:
  The dance can also be done as a 3-couple dance in a 4-couple set. 1st couple dance the second time through from second place as usual, but with 2nd and 4th couples, and then they step to the bottom.  The progression is unusual because it is 3rd couple who stand out at the top, and 3rd couple who dance as 1st couple for the third and fourth times through.  After all eight times through, however, each couple has had their turn from each position.    


created: 1998-01-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-17 23:26:38.496007+00
name: Welcome to Claggan
ucname: WELCOME TO CLAGGAN
intensity_bars: 6666 8088 8888 8888
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Ian Harmsworth of Heysham.  Claggan is the name of a converted farmhouse near Bridgend, Islay, where dancers from North Lancashire stey when attending the RSCDS Islay Branch Weekend School.  Welome to Claggan was first danced there in May 1993.


created: 2002-02-28 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-13 10:04:25.407634+00
name: McCulloch Strathspey, The
ucname: MACCULLOCH STRATHSPEY
devised: 1966-01-01
notes:
  Dance notes from RSCDS Manual, 3rd edition, 2013:

  Bars 9 – 12
  1st and 3rd couples change places (1st couple dancing between 3rd couple), then both couples, giving left hands to their partners, dance a half turn, women finishing on the right of their partners.

  Bars 13 – 16
  2nd and 4th couples change places (2nd couple dancing between 4th couple), then both couples, giving left hands to their partners, dance a half turn, women finishing on the right of their partners.

  Bars 65 – 72
  This follows the path of a reel of four.

  Comment on McCulloch Strathspey from RSCDS Teachers Advisory Panel:

  I wonder if you can help with the interpretation of bars 65 - 72 of the McCulloch Strathspey from the RSCDS leaflets. The dance is a square strathspey and at the end of bar 64, everyone is back in their original places. My 1981 copy of the leaflet and also my 1987 edition of the pocket book for the leaflets has the following description of bars 65 - 72: "1st and 4th men dance a figure of eight round 1st and 4th women while 2nd and 3rd men dance a figure of eight round 2nd and 3rd women. Men pass left shoulders in the middle and dance round the women passing right shoulders." The 2005 edition of the Manual has no guidance on these bars. The 2008 TAC notes contains the following note: "1st and 3rd men (passing in front of partners) begin by passing 4th and 2nd men L shoulder & round women by R shoulder. Men finish by dancing round partners by R shoulder to finish facing c/clockwise, with partners on their right, ready for allemande." It seems to me that if 4th man is going to pass 1st man by the left and then dance round 1st lady by the right, that will be a very twisting route for him to take. Also, the pattern the men take is more a reel of four than a figure of eight and will be quite a stretch in 8 bars. 

  It is like a reel of four with only two dancers, starting with 1st and 4th men, and 2nd and 3rd men, passing by the left.  It is quite a tight pass by the left for the men and then by the right round a lady, and also a long way to travel, but providing the men are ready (prompt them in plenty time) there should be no problem. 


created: 2012-05-09 13:11:02.906653+00
last_modified: 2019-03-15 19:16:10.257138+00
name: Paris Celebration Medley, The
ucname: PARIS CELEBRATION MEDLEY
devised: 2010-05-08
notes:
  Dance devised by Bill Zobel for the 25th Anniversary of the Paris Branch and introduced at the Anniversary Ball in Paris on 8th May 2010.


created: 1997-12-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-05-15 10:06:23.58364+00
name: (Hay's) Australian Ladies
ucname: HAYS AUSTRALIAN LADIES
intensity_bars: 8888 4444 8888 8888
devised: 1966-06-29
notes:
  Following publication of <<ddd:Australian Ladies@Campbell|Bob Campbell's dance of the same name>> some ten years after this dance was written, Alec Hay referred to his dance as “Hay's Australian Ladies”.

  Preferred music: "Gay Gordons" recorded by Stan Hamilton and "The Flying Scotsman" (RCA Victor R.P.L. 3404).   The tune "Australian Ladies" is also named in the description.


created: 1997-08-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-18 23:53:38.898591+00
name: Celtic Brooch, The
ucname: CELTIC BROOCH
devised: 1964-01-01
notes:
  This is a demonstration dance written by Hugh Foss for 3 couples arranged in a triangular shape. According to the instructions *the women stand about six yards from each other, at the comers of a triangle. The men stand about a yard inside the triangle. All face partners.*

  Hugh Foss describes three different sets (of elementary, intermediate and advanced level). Every set comprises six figures of 32 bars each. 

  In addition Hugh Foss describes 57 varieties and other possible setting for demonstrations.

  Since the publication contains so many variations with different figures for different levels of dancers, it is not very sensible to try to add all of these to the database entry of the dance.


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-16 04:16:03.411477+00
name: Scottish Werewolf, The
ucname: SCOTTISH WEREWOLF
intensity_bars: 800/880/800/800
notes:
  Iain Boyd writes:  "The Scottish Werewolf" was devised by Denise Sander one evening when I was late arriving at the Johnsonville Children's Class. I suggested that the dance should have a name. At the end of the class my group decided to name it in my 'honour'. I have a very good idea who was responsible for the choice of name.


created: 2002-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-16 11:51:57.499103+00
name: Portadown Strathspey, The
ucname: PORTADOWN STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880/822/888/888
notes:
  A dance for Mrs Patricia Hodges on the occasion of her retirement after teaching the Portadown class for fifty years.


created: 1998-10-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-16 14:30:59.869561+00
name: Stern Polka
ucname: STERN POLKA
notes:
  Music: original tune (essentiRl), 2/4 time in 3 sections. On the RSCDS CD Scottish Country Dancing Vol. 1, the music for 'C' is 8 8 bars, which is the way it is played in some areas.

  Source: dance originally devised by B.M. and T. Edney. Collected by Barbara Gibbons.
  276


created: 2018-09-08 11:16:39.189586+00
last_modified: 2019-04-04 11:36:55.419493+00
name: Claudia's Barn Dance
ucname: CLAUDIAS BARN DANCE
intensity_bars: 888888/666666/666666/777777
devised: 2018-08-20
notes:
  Devised by Judith Kowalczik for Claudia Koch-Fänger to celebrate her 60th Birthday in 2018.  

  Note: Bars 17 – 24 are inspired by the dance ''Back to Back'' devised by Terry Glasspool and published in the book ''An Itch to Dance'' which contains complete ''pushme-pullyou reels''.


created: 1997-12-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-21 00:21:26.693903+00
name: Through the Garden Gate
ucname: THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE
intensity_bars: 440/440/800/800
notes:
  This dance was devised as an introduction to the polite turn in a beginners class.  
  I usually teach this dance just before introducing rights and lefts. {Deanna Saint Amand)


created: 2015-12-14 17:22:27.398807+00
last_modified: 2019-03-24 10:39:41.005952+00
name: Dinner for One
ucname: DINNER FOR ONE
intensity_bars: 822/888/744/888
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  This dance is based on the movie “<<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner_for_One|Dinner for One>>” with Freddie Frinton starring as James and May Warden as Miss Sophie, which was originally released in 1963 and is traditionally watched on New Year's Eve by many Germans. [This is really an 18-minute sketch which, in spite of its cult status in Germany, is virtually unknown in the UK. The Wikipedia page linked to above explains it in detail and also points to video of the actual sketch.]

  The plot: It is Miss Sophie's 90th birthday. As every year she hosts a celebration dinner for her dear
  guests Sir Toby, Admiral von Schneider, Mr. Pommeroy and Mr. Winterbottom. Due to Miss
  Sophie's considerable age, she has outlived all of her friends. So her equally aged butler James
  makes his way around the table, impersonating each of the guests in turn and getting terribly drunk.

  Devised by Judith Kowalczik in January 2015 and dedicated to all members and friends of the
  Scottish Country Dance group “Potter's Pairs” from Oldenburg who prefer dancing into the new
  year instead of sitting in front of the TV!

  DEVISED:2015-01


created: 2006-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-27 11:51:45.352145+00
name: Patti's Pleasure
ucname: PATTIS PLEASURE
intensity_bars: 880/800/12 12 12/400
devised: 2006-05-01
notes:
  'The dance is named for Patti Cobb. It was fIrst danced on September 26, 2006. The gypsy poussette is drawn from Terry Glasspool's "Gypsy Dreams" and the figure of eight grand chain is drawn from Ian Barbour's "Equilibrium."-GK


created: 2019-06-01 15:53:15.242368+00
last_modified: 2019-06-08 12:15:43.16071+00
name: Znojmo Sixsome
ucname: ZNOJMO SIXSOME
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Devised for the 3rd annual gathering for Austrian, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian SCD dancers (and friends) held in Znojmo, Czech Republic in 2018.


created: 2019-06-01 16:58:48.398478+00
last_modified: 2019-06-02 16:51:31.351926+00
name: Fairmount
ucname: FAIRMOUNT
intensity_bars: 844/666/888/888
notes:
  Fairmount Park is a favorite spot in Philly for hikes, outdoor concerts, and the May Day ritual dancing.


created: 2002-03-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-12-07 13:05:19.041626+00
name: Rush Hour Reel
ucname: RUSH HOUR REEL
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/800/888
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Eric Dam in 1998 to the drive home after work: There is the initial stop and go traffic, the merging on to the freeway, the chaos of lane switching, finally a stretch of empty space to accelerate in, followed by the realization that you forgot to stop at the store, and then the fun of trying to park at the mall.


created: 2019-05-30 22:05:25.048775+00
last_modified: 2021-02-23 18:01:14.544522+00
name: Reel for Iris, A
ucname: REEL FOR IRIS
intensity_bars: 8820/8888/8844/8800
devised: 2013-03-01
notes:
  This dance was devised to mark the 50th birthday of Iris Ronayne on 19 March 2013 and is a celebration of her love for SCD and was first danced at her birthday party, as a gift, by her friends.


created: 2002-09-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-04-03 12:20:06.314019+00
name: Toast to the Ladies, A
ucname: TOAST TO THE LADIES
intensity_bars: 8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  Devised for a competition of the Adelaide Branch (S. Australia) to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Society.


created: 2009-11-20 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-27 12:16:30.541686+00
name: Mrs Eightfold
ucname: MRS EIGHTFOLD
notes:
  For Yaeko Yasoshima of Yokosuka

  "Yae" can be translated as "folded eight times" but I believe her name means "a flower with eight
  petals". lt may be her name that has made her a versatile lady.

  Unfortunately the name of the CD is misspelt as Mrs Eightford.


created: 2010-04-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-03-28 10:55:11.874041+00
name: Newton Shore
ucname: NEWTON SHORE
intensity_bars: 844/844/844/888/888
notes:
  Newton Shore is part of the Ayrshire coast well known for its swirling tides depicted by the formations in the dance.


created: 2019-04-01 23:33:27.317649+00
last_modified: 2019-06-04 17:54:17.152675+00
name: Emma's Strathspey
ucname: EMMAS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 884/888/844/844
notes:
  Trudy Roughgarden devised the dance and also composed the lead tune, both in honour of her daughter-in-law, formerly Emma Dickson; she has generously made the sheet music available as Emma's Strathspey - Violin Score and Emma's Strathspey - Piano Score.


created: 2019-04-03 12:51:48.545346+00
last_modified: 2019-04-03 13:12:15.545503+00
name: Falstone Jig, The
ucname: FALSTONE JIG
intensity_bars: 880/808/888/888
notes:
  The original instructions are not clear for the reels [17-24], the way to reach (2,1,3) is not described explicitly.  The most elegant is 6-bar reels of 3, followed by changing places at the bottom on [23-24].


created: 2011-07-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-02 20:44:05.688528+00
name: Hudson Landing
ucname: HUDSON LANDING
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2009-07-01
notes:
  With thanks to Jim Rae whose ‗Dancing in the Cuckoo‘s Nest‘ inspired bars 9 to 16.

  Devised in July 2009. 

  The dance recalls the miraculous landing on 15 January 2009 of US Airways
  Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, just a mile or two south of our home in Edgewater.

  Music Rakes of Mallow. 
  A suitable recording is ‗Cromarties Rant‘, RSCDS Books 31 &
  32, Alistair Wood and his Scottish Country Dance Band, track 10.


created: 2019-04-12 16:13:11.837947+00
last_modified: 2019-05-03 21:06:25.148594+00
name: David's Warm Welcome
ucname: DAVIDS WARM WELCOME
intensity_bars: 800008/844448/484484/800008
devised: 2019-04-01
notes:
  Devised in memory of David Talbot, Kathy's husband, who always made any newcomer to SCD feel very welcome, no matter what their dancing ability. This dance captures how he would often add an extra "twirl" or "Birl" whenever he could, making it more fun.


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-03-02 21:27:26.257486+00
name: Argyll
ucname: ARGYLL
intensity_bars: 44/88/88/88
notes:
  The available instructions say "Taught by Miss Milligan during her visit in Apr-May 1975".  These instructions have an error, see the two cribs.

  Stephen Webb, in <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2336/|issue 2336>>, gives details of the corrections made on the spot by Jean Milligan at that London Branch day school. This information is not yet incorporated in the cribs.


created: 2019-04-11 08:11:54.779071+00
last_modified: 2021-07-15 22:24:59.871258+00
name: Airing Your Oxters
ucname: AIRING YOUR OXTERS
intensity_bars: 800/884/844/822/888
devised: 2018-07-24
notes:
  Dedicated to Elaine Brunken. In January 2013, Elaine came to the Delaware Valley to teach a weekend workshop. At one point, in exhorting the class to keep their hands up, she said “You need to air your oxters!” Nobody knew what she meant, so she explained that “oxters” is a Scottish term for armpits. In this dance, first couple is always airing at least one of their oxters.


created: 1997-09-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-07-20 08:54:13.48644+00
name: Mrs Hamilton of Wishaw
ucname: MRS HAMILTON OF WISHAW
intensity_bars: 44/44/80/88
devised: 1803-01-01
notes:
  The original instructions in Whetherly Book 24, derived from an 1803 text,  specify "set" for 4 bars starting on bar 1 and 9, but give no further information on how to do this.


created: 2013-03-14 17:48:58.045013+00
last_modified: 2019-04-03 20:16:40.079519+00
name: Chasing the Eclipse
ucname: CHASING THE ECLIPSE
intensity_bars: 800/888/822/888
devised: 2013-02-01
notes:
  Devised for Mike and Eilean Yates, formerly of Shelby North Carolina, in February, 2013. The Yates' have been a pillar of dancing in the Carolinas for decades and also been involved in the dancing at the Loch Norman Highland Games almost since the beginning. 

  Beyond dancing, Mike's passion for viewing solar eclipses have taken them all over the world. You can detect that in the Promenade Chain progression (thanks, Mary!)


created: 2012-08-23 16:10:50.034591+00
last_modified: 2019-04-03 20:22:00.158722+00
name: Noces d'Argent
ucname: NOCES DARGENT
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/888
devised: 2012-06-23
notes:
  Dance devised by Mylène Rousseau, on behalf of the RSCDS Paris Branch, for the 25th Wedding Anniversary of Danielle and Jerry Reinstein and introduced at their Anniversary Dance held in Paris on 23rd June 2012.

  This dance has been revised on 2017 (last 8 bars of the reel).


created: 2019-04-07 15:07:15.796309+00
last_modified: 2019-04-07 15:07:15.796309+00
name: Birlin' Corners
ucname: BIRLIN CORNERS
intensity_bars: 80800/84884/84884/86846/84844
notes:
  Devised with fond memories of endlessly birling with uiversity students in Scotland. Please note that pivot turns may be replaced by right hand turns if desired.


created: 2013-01-28 20:32:10.324379+00
last_modified: 2019-04-05 22:51:49.636646+00
name: Monica's Way
ucname: MONICAS WAY
notes:
  Source: the youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5RyjqXCTaA&feature=relmfu

  Devised for Monica Roots on the occasion of her retirement in 2007 from six years of teaching on Salt Spring Island.


created: 1997-09-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-29 16:45:05.288502+00
name: Dundee Holt
ucname: DUNDEE HOLT
devised: 1973-04-01
notes:
  Devised in honour of the marriage of Eleanor Brown (a native o fDundee) and Al Holt, July,
  1972, and first published in the Tartan Times for April, 1973


created: 2013-08-23 18:24:54.99275+00
last_modified: 2019-04-18 21:45:07.230607+00
name: Have a Good Weekend
ucname: HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND
notes:
  This dance is under revision and is presently withdrawn.

  Extensive description in the book. The dance was devised as a "tongue-in-cheek" description of work in the corporate world, from waiting for the morning bus, through time-wasting pointless meetings, a hurried lunch, more meetings and rushing home for the weekend with a hint of an office romance thrown in. 


created: 2005-09-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-05-02 21:39:06.315367+00
name: Never at Sea
ucname: NEVER AT SEA
intensity_bars: 800008/808808/888888/800008/888888/888888
notes:
  Devised by John Haddow for Lynn Edington’s 60th Birthday. Lynn was a meteorological officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (the “Wrens”). Their role, when founded in  1917, was to release men for sea service by taking over shore jobs, hence their original motto “Never At Sea”. It  was not until 1990, after Lynn had left the Service, that Wrens became full operational members of the Royal  Navy, able to go to sea as part of their service.


created: 1998-09-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-05 23:42:17.317236+00
name: Mrs Hamilton of Wishaw
ucname: MRS HAMILTON OF WISHAW
intensity_bars: 864 888 880 888
devised: 1967-01-01
notes:
  The instructions for 1st couple on bars 15-16 have changed.

  Drewry's original text in Book 23 says: "First couple, giving right hands cross to own sides, dance up to the top and turn to face the second couple who have danced in ready for the Rondel."

  The later Pocket Book 23 has the text: "First couple, giving right hands, dance up turning halfway round to finish  facing second couple ready for the Rondel." 

  The issue was discussed at the Technique Committee, see https://www.rscds.org/learn/resources-dancers/technique-advisory-panel-dances and search for Mrs. Hamilton of Wishaw.  Apparently the old version was specified in the "Prescribed Dances for the Teacher's Certificate Examination (2003)", the new version in the same for 2008.  

  The Committee answered: "When we reviewed the Manual [this is the 2nd. edition, 2004. EF] we looked at the latest publication (the Pocket edition in this case) and any ambiguity was referred back to the video as the final word. In this case the two are in agreement for first couple although the handing for second couple is not clear. It was felt therefore there was no need for a Manual note in chapter 7. The earlier A4 book instructions certainly imply a different way of finishing the reel in today's terminology and I doubt if there is a record of why the wording was changed - the intention may have been to change the way the reel was being danced or simply trying to "clarify" the instructions. In a further attempt at clarification, the Prescribed Dances for the Teacher's Certificate Examination (2008) now read: "1st couple, giving right hands, dance a half turn as they lead up to finish at first place on own sides in the middle of the set facing down. 2nd couple finish in the middle of the set, facing up and 3rd couple dance to places." This description now brings the movement into line with the formation shown in the video. "

  There was a discussion on this issue on Strathspey message 64873 of Thu, 17 Oct 2013 11:27:26 -0400

  The E-crib follows the new version.

  There are now two videos. 

  The one added on 2013-06-01 by Gert Werder follows Drewry's original instructions.

  The "Official RSCDS video" added on 2015-08-29 by Eric Ferguson follows the current revised instructions.

  Eric Ferguson, 2016-11-14


created: 2019-04-07 14:56:31.969702+00
last_modified: 2019-04-07 14:56:31.969702+00
name: Stroll in Munich, A
ucname: STROLL IN MUNICH
intensity_bars: 800/880/800/808
notes:
  Devised in memory of Munich Scottish Association's 2016  Whitsun Course and dedicated to an exceptional and mesmerizing partner.


created: 2019-04-08 21:37:49.801424+00
last_modified: 2019-04-08 22:22:21.064944+00
name: Ramsay's Fancy
ucname: RAMSAYS FANCY
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Ramsay Morrison, a long time member of the St. Catharines Branch of the RSCDS and friend to all.  He always greeted you with a smile, a pleasant conversation and a joke or two.
  Carol Howe 2018


created: 2011-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-11 10:58:30.013655+00
name: Still Buzzing
ucname: STILL BUZZING
intensity_bars: 800/844/833/833
devised: 2004-03-01
notes:
  This dance was written for John Ferguson, a stalwart member of the demonstration team of the Newcastle and District Branch of the RSCDS, on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday.


created: 2018-10-06 19:37:40.722648+00
last_modified: 2019-04-13 00:46:09.109296+00
name: One for All
ucname: ONE FOR ALL
intensity_bars: 880/800/844/888
devised: 2018-09-21
notes:
  Devised 21/9/2018 as simple teaching dance for corners pass and turn. I use this after teaching the figure in Strathspey time using Miss Leslie Cunningham. Note that there are no figures aside from completely straightforward ones. The name is to suggest that this is one all can do, and also for Muriel Johnstone's tune of the same name, played ABAB. An excellent recording to use is \Clydeside Lassies" as recorded by Luke Brady in part 5 of Dances from the Miscellany, where Muriel's tune appears as the second tune.


created: 2012-09-04 00:41:06.206456+00
last_modified: 2019-04-20 22:10:54.455102+00
name: Edison Circle
ucname: EDISON CIRCLE
intensity_bars: 8 8 8 8
devised: 2001-09-01
notes:
  I've been teaching SCD to 3rd- and 5th-grade classes this fall, and wanting to start with an easy dance with no partners and no progression that any number could do I devised the Edison Circle.  (I'm teaching at the Edison School.)  Here it is for anyone who'd like to try it.

  Original description submitted to Strathspey List on 8 Nov 2001.

  Edison Circle           4 x 32 J for any number of dancers in a circle, all facing the center

  1-8:               All dance hands round to the left and back to the right. (Younger children may do better with 8 bars to the left only.)

  9-16:            Facing the center, all advance and retire twice.

  17-20:          All dance spring points right, right, left, left, right, right, left, left.

  21-24:          All clap 8 times.

  25-32:          All dance 8 skip change of step clockwise.


created: 2019-04-10 13:49:06.851524+00
last_modified: 2022-12-25 22:21:51.96295+00
name: Waltz of the Bells (Ceilidh)
ucname: WALTZ OF THE BELLS CEILIDH
notes:
  (Celidh dance)   *Line of Dance is cclw; cpls face LoD NHJ, W on R.*
  Full description to be found on the album "Are ye dancin'?" from The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band.


created: 2015-01-18 14:52:50.861449+00
last_modified: 2019-04-18 22:44:20.759183+00
name: Part-time Postie's Jig, The
ucname: PARTTIME POSTIES JIG
intensity_bars: 800/844/800/866
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  The original instructions for bars 17-24 have "turn right hand once round, then left hand 3/4 ... to own sides" which seems wrong. The E-crib has swapped right & left hand turns pending clarification from the deviser.


created: 2019-05-04 13:16:23.509201+00
last_modified: 2019-05-04 13:24:26.859651+00
name: Dundee Reel (Dundee version)
ucname: DUNDEE REEL DUNDEE VERSION
notes:
  A secretary of the RSCDS Dundee Branch wites:  I have lived in Dundee for over 30 years but have never danced the Dundee Reel as described in the Border Book. The Dundee Reel as it is danced here is a longer version and is well established in this area. 


created: 2019-05-04 23:30:11.636427+00
last_modified: 2019-05-04 23:54:42.194482+00
name: Coleraine Rant, The
ucname: COLERAINE RANT
devised: 2019-03-12
notes:
  This is a beginner’s dance for poussette, and emphasising pas de Basque. It was devised for an Irish-themed St Patrick’s night, as an interesting easy dance; and hence lots of partner contact. Te Mata Coleraine is one if the great wines of New Zealand, and perhaps the world. Its name is derived from the fact that original winemaker John Buck’s grandfather was born in County Coleraine in Northern Ireland, and this name is maintained through the family home and the wine.  


created: 2011-07-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-12-31 12:35:22.765924+00
name: Square Cut Diamond
ucname: SQUARE CUT DIAMOND
notes:
  The dance of the same name in the book "Winchester Branch Diamond Jubilee Dances 1952-2012", devised by Wendy Mumford, is a similar medley with some of the same figures; there could be a relationship.  


created: 2018-12-06 12:28:53.551634+00
last_modified: 2021-03-13 21:02:40.774354+00
name: Dunfermline to Sarasota
ucname: DUNFERMLINE TO SARASOTA
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/880
devised: 2017-01-02
notes:
  One of Dunfermline's twin cities, Sarasota (Florida, USA) is now home to the interior of the old Dunfermline Opera House as part of the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts. The deviser regularly dances with Dunfermline Branch, and with Sarasota Branch when in Florida, and describes both groups as extremely welcoming and friendly.


created: 2015-08-26 19:01:52.810207+00
last_modified: 2019-04-14 21:04:12.911026+00
name: Perthshire Lad
ucname: PERTHSHIRE LAD
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888
notes:
  Devised by Anne Thorn for Nicol McLaren leader of the Glencraig SCD Band.


  There is an error in some printed editions of Magic of Music 2.  Bars 17-24 should be:

  17-20	1st woman turns 3rd woman once round with the left hand whilst 1st man turns 3rd man once round with the right hand.

  21-24	1st woman turns 2nd woman with the right hand whilst 1st man turns 2nd man with the left hand.


  =========================
  Original

  A 32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set.  
  Bars Description  
  1-8 1st couple lead down the middle for three bars and up for three bars then cast off into second place. 2nd couple step up on 7-8.  
  9-16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin 2nd couple cast off, 1st couple dance in and down and 3rd couple dance out and up.  
  17-20 1st and 3rd woman, giving right hands, 1st and 2nd men, giving left hands, turn once round.  
  21-24 1st and 2nd woman, with the right hand, 1st and 2nd man with left hand turn once round.  
  25-28 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance and retire.  
  29-32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round  
  Repeat having passed a couple.
  Tune: Nicol McLaren O’Blair’s Jig (John Renton)
  Devised by Anne Thorn for Nicol McLaren, leader of the Glencraig SCD Band.


created: 2015-02-26 13:01:25.371279+00
last_modified: 2019-04-18 17:34:06.951713+00
name: Bannockburn 700
ucname: BANNOCKBURN 700
devised: 2013-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.


  The dance comprises a formation in bars 25-32, that is a progressive variation of a Grand Chain with 2 bars per hand and when dancing across the dancers turn once round instead of crossing. In the original description, this movement was paraphrased as 'Chain progression'. However, ...
  The 'Chain Progression' was seemingly invented by Eric Forbes in the dances 'Summer in Assynt' and 'Glen Mor' in the Birmingham Book 1973 'Twelve Scottish Country Dances', but the figure in 'Bannockburn 700' is not similar to Eric Forbes' figure named 'Chain progression'. Instead there is another figure described in Eric Forbes' dance 'Ailsa Craig' in the same book. This figure is referred to as 'Progressive Chain for three couples' and is indeed identical to the figure in bars 25-32 of 'Bannockburn 700'... seemingly the two figures have been mistaken here.

  This figure is now described in the database as "Grand Chain - progressive (with turns)".


created: 2012-09-04 00:54:37.572815+00
last_modified: 2019-04-20 22:09:56.492209+00
name: Eagle Circle
ucname: EAGLE CIRCLE
intensity_bars: 8 4 8
devised: 2001-09-01
notes:
  Edison Circle worked so well that I modified it to add a progression and the kids named the new dance Eagle Circle for the Edison Eagles.  Here it is for anyone who'd like to try it.

  Eagle Circle            4x24 J or R for any number of couples in a circle, all facing the center.  Partner on left is #1, partner on right is #2.

  1-8:               All dance hands round to the left and back to the right. (Younger children may do better with 8 bars to the left only.)

  9-12:            All 1's advance and retire.

  13-16:          All 2's advance and retire.

  17-20:          All dance spring points right, right, left, left, right, right, left, left.

  21-22:          Face partner and clap 4 times.

  23-24:          Change places with partner giving right hand.

                          Repeat with new partner.


created: 2014-07-02 19:25:45.139758+00
last_modified: 2019-04-20 22:12:53.131336+00
name: Flame From Delhi, The
ucname: FLAME FROM DELHI
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  Hi All,  I wrote this dance for a performance related to the Commonwealth Games which fell through, so I’ll share it here in case anyone is interested in giving it a try.  

  The Flame From Delhi   
  Square set 4x32R  

  1-8         Grand chain all round (1 bar per hand)                   
  9-10       Turn ¾ RH to bring women into the middle          
  11-12     Women dance LH across half way while men dance one place clockwise  
  13-14     Turn ½ RH to bring men into the middle  
  15-16     Men dance LH across half way while women dance one place clockwise.  Men finish back to back in the middle facing partner, one place ACW around set.  
  17-20     Highland setting  
  21-24     Tulloch turn RH, opening out into  
  25-28     Circle round to the left  
  29-32     All dance into the middle, pull back right shoulders, dance out and chase round to complete the circle. *  
  Finish in the order 2, 3, 4, 1 ready to start again

  * This mimics the Delhi Commonwealth Games logo

  If you want symbolism:  
  [1-8] Passing the torch around the world  
  [9-16] Coming together  
  [17-20] Individual performances, or sizing up the opposition  
  [21-24] The combat  
  [25-28] All together for the closing ceremony  
  [29-32] Dispersing and heading back home  


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-20 22:17:01.281333+00
name: Kinmont Willie
ucname: KINMONT WILLIE
devised: 1967-01-01
notes:
  To the members of the Carlisle and Border Branch Advanced Class, who drink coffee under Kinmont Willie's portrait in the "Crown and Mitre".
  Kinmont Willie, the hero of one of the Border Ballads, was an Armstrong who was captured and imprisoned by the citizens of Carlisle. His fellow Scots made a raid across the Border and rescued him out of Carlisle Castle.
  In this dance, 1st man represents Kinmont Willie, his partner and 4th couple are the other Scots, while 2nd and 3rd couples are the worthy citizens of Carlisle.


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-20 22:33:25.230532+00
name: Thanks to You All
ucname: THANKS TO YOU ALL
devised: 1987-01-01
intensity_bars:
  3333  3333  3333  3333    0330  0330  0330  0330    3333  3333  3333  3333    2222  2222  3333  3333

notes:
  This is a demonstration dance of 4M+8W who form four lines WMW facing in pairs, sideways to the audience.

  Music: a lively reel.  


created: 1997-09-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-29 16:48:06.728557+00
name: Welcome Mina Corson
ucname: WELCOME MINA CORSON
devised: 1973-11-01
notes:
  This dance commemorates Mrs. Mina Corson's visit to North America during the RSCDS Jubilee Year, 1973. Bars 1-16 symbolize travel back and forth across the continent, 17-32 symbolize her meeting many dancers, and 33-40 are the Knot, a new progression which Mrs. Corson had devised that year for the RSCDS jubilee dance "Miss Milligan's Strathspey."

  The dance was first published in the Tartan Times for November, 1973. It has also been published by Scottish Dance Archives, Formby, England.


created: 2018-04-15 15:04:46.788888+00
last_modified: 2019-04-22 15:16:55.52269+00
name: Dixon's Delight
ucname: DIXONS DELIGHT
intensity_bars: 8888/8080/0808/8080/0808/4444/8080/0808/8888/8888
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  Devised to mark the occasion of Dixon Halliday's 90th birthday.  Dixon is a former teacher of the Abingdon Scottish Country Dance Class.


created: 2015-12-01 10:54:00.53837+00
last_modified: 2019-04-25 08:28:20.589445+00
name: Tough Love
ucname: TOUGH LOVE
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/844
devised: 2015-11-01
notes:
  Devised by Lara Friedman-Shedlov in memory of the inimitable Norma Briggs to be presented at her memorial event in Madison, Wisconsin, November 2015.


created: 2011-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-04-26 22:49:47.099825+00
name: Trip to Johnsonville School, A
ucname: TRIP TO JOHNSONVILLE SCHOOL
intensity_bars: 8800/4222/4222/8888
devised: 2011-07-05
notes:
  Written for teaching a children's class

  Devised 5th July 2011, after teaching a class of 9 and 10 year old children, and wanting to write a dance which had elements of Noeline O'Connor's "Kingston Flyer" and Tang's "A Trip to Gatlinberg".  The young dancers were confused with progressions so I sought to write a simple dance for them. Adults find the dance a bit quick.

  Music:  Any reasonable 4 by 32 J. For the class I used "Pelorus Jack" and asked them to dance it 8 times.


created: 2019-05-09 13:24:19.399679+00
last_modified: 2019-05-09 16:50:59.391828+00
name: Paws for Thought
ucname: PAWS FOR THOUGHT
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  Couples numbered anticlockwise: 1 & 2 down the men's side, 3 & 4 up the women's side, women on the right of their partner.


created: 1998-10-15 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-05-10 08:38:28.216167+00
name: Blooms of Bon Accord
ucname: BLOOMS OF BON ACCORD
intensity_bars: 8888 8008 8888 8008
devised: 1971-01-01
notes:
  Devised in 1971 to commemorate the winning by the City of Aberdeen of the "Britain in Bloom" Competition for the third successive year.


created: 2001-09-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-10 17:22:17.783865+00
name: White Heather Jig, The
ucname: WHITE HEATHER JIG
intensity_bars: 8000 8800 8220 8080 8000
devised: 1964-01-01
notes:
  There is a variant where on [35-36] 1c casts up to 2nd place (3c step down), making this into an 8 x 40 dance; it is called "<<ddd:#14666|The White And Purple Heather Jig>>".


created: 2019-05-09 21:09:31.622171+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 18:00:11.242241+00
name: One Humanity
ucname: ONE HUMANITY
intensity_bars: 880/844/800/888
devised: 2019-04-01
notes:
  This dance is a celebration of what binds us together; about seeing brothers and sisters
  instead of enemies or strangers.


created: 2019-05-18 18:50:25.174387+00
last_modified: 2019-05-18 22:58:46.725165+00
name: Enigma
ucname: ENIGMA
intensity_bars: 465/762/888/686
devised: 2019-03-24
notes:
  Devised to commemorate the work of Hugh Foss, along with Alan Turing and others, at Bletchley Park during the 2nd world war.

  The Enigma Machine had three coding wheels which were used to scramble messages into a ciphered form or to decipher encoded messages. These are represented here by hands across, circles and turning with both hands.

  Cryptographic literature often uses a few stock characters to illustrate problems. Alice and Bob are the main actors who hope to exchange secret messages without them being intercepted or decrypted by Eve, the eavesdropper. Here 1st woman and 2nd man are Alice and Bob while 3rd woman is Eve. Bars 1-8 and 9-16 represent encryption and decryption with Alice and Bob exchanging places as Eve tries to get close to Bob. The final progression is suitably scrambled with all changing partners. Alice and Bob end up together for the repeat.


created: 2003-05-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-05-24 10:32:55.423442+00
name: 10th of May, The
ucname: 10TH OF MAY
devised: 2001-05-10
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Sylvain Pelletier to commemorate the occasion of our domestic
  partnership on May 10, 2000. Due to the date, I felt it needed to be a 5-couple dance; and I tried
  to blend three of our favorite dances, The Reel of the Royal Scots, Pelorus Jack and Polharrow
  Burn. With thanks and apologies to Roy Goldring, Barry Skelton and Hugh Foss


created: 2019-05-21 16:24:37.65945+00
last_modified: 2019-05-21 16:41:27.530999+00
name: Bordeaux en Belle
ucname: BORDEAUX EN BELLE
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/844
devised: 2018-07-01
notes:
  Written for Line Farr and Terry Harvey in honor of their 30th wedding anniversary remembering sharing wonderful wines on Belle Island.


created: 2019-05-21 16:27:55.546094+00
last_modified: 2019-05-21 16:45:12.912907+00
name: Brian Johnson Lighthouse Keeper
ucname: BRIAN JOHNSON LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Brian Johnson is the retained lighthouse keeper at Shetland.

  5-8 Half Reels signify stairs within a lighthouse  
  9-16 Set & Link represents the sea swirling around  
  17-20 Rights and lefts are saying goodbye to crew signing off, couple at the bottom arriving crossing left hand  
  25-32 Circle and back - the light on top of the lighthouse


created: 2011-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-05-22 16:49:49.588947+00
name: Unjust Incarceration, The
ucname: UNJUST INCARCERATION
devised: 2011-06-27
notes:
  The isobirl formation is due to Terry Glasspool.

  The name of the dance is one of my favourite piobaireachds. King James I imprisoned his political enemies on Bass Rock, a grim volcanic plug in the Firth of Forth. This included Walter Stewart. In 1428, 14 year-old Neil Bhass Mackay was imprisoned on the rock in exchange for his father's freedom. In an attempt to pacify the Highlanders, James imprisoned 40 Chiefs including Angus Dubh Mackay of Strathnaver. Though he was soon released his eldest son Neil, was retained as hostage for the good behaviour of the Clan and since his mother was a daughter of MacDonald of the Isles, for that Clan too. Following the murder of King James at Perth in 1437 Neil escaped from the Bass and was proclaimed 8th Chief of the Clan Mackay. A pobaireachd commemorating this event 'The Unjust Incarceration' was composed by the blind piper of Gairloch, Iain Dall Mackay.


created: 1998-10-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-05-24 10:23:33.263938+00
name: On the Port Tack
ucname: ON THE PORT TACK
devised: 1991-01-01
notes:
  There are lots of dances, such as "The Reel of the Royal Scots', in which two dancers first set
  with hands joined as in Double Triangles and then use the joined hands as the axis of a
  tum. This dance explores what can happen if that turn is extended from half-way to threequarters
  of the way around.  

  As for the title: Scottish country dances tend to be quite symmetric. When an imbalance
  between left and right does crop up, though, right is almost invariably the winner. This
  dance is one of left's rare victories. If all of the right turning in dances like ':Australian
  Ladies" has twisted your ghillies around your feet, this dance will untwist them for you.   

  One of my favorite dance teachers introduced this dance as a left-handed person's response
  to the intolerance and insensitivity of a right-handed culture. Feel free to spread that story
  around - it makes a good introduction. But please don't give me any left-handed scissors,
  as I am right-handed.


created: 2019-05-30 10:03:39.422381+00
last_modified: 2019-05-31 08:35:04.561244+00
name: Miss Frances Stamp
ucname: MISS FRANCES STAMP
intensity_bars: 88/88/80/88
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  Miss Frances Stamp taught the RSCDS London Branch Teachers' Certificate class from 1954 to 1975.  She was President of the Ealing Scottish Country Dance Club and taught their Beginners class


created: 2019-06-01 12:24:55.526513+00
last_modified: 2019-06-01 12:24:55.526513+00
name: Anicuta's Reel
ucname: ANICUTAS REEL
intensity_bars: 8888/8008/8888/8888
notes:
  1st & 3rd couples progress around those four places ending in original places after four repeats. 2nd & 4th couples progress similarly.


created: 2017-11-12 01:04:49.054374+00
last_modified: 2023-01-14 12:09:28.361996+00
name: DAVID
ucname: DAVID
intensity_bars: 84844/83863/55585/68688/88888
devised: 2017-06-01
notes:
  This dance is for David Lieberman, one of the Gay Gordons enthusiasts for difficult or unusual dances.  It was inspired by <<ddd:Mrs Stuart Linnell>> which is one of his favourites.  

  DAVID is an acronym for David Admires Very Involved Dances.


created: 1998-09-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-06-02 23:08:48.326429+00
name: Black Swans of Narrabeen, The
ucname: BLACK SWANS OF NARRABEEN
intensity_bars: 80808/80808/08080/88888
devised: 1981-01-01
notes:
  Devised for a 1981 Christmas party of the S.C.D. Clubs of Harbord and Lakeside, NSW, Australia. Black swans frequent the nearly Narrabeen Lakes.  »Flock of Geese« is similar, but the progression is different.


created: 2019-06-02 12:28:49.445907+00
last_modified: 2019-06-04 15:10:39.476595+00
name: Interval
ucname: INTERVAL
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Inspired by the word "Interval" that can be found on every ball or social event programme.

  A recording of music for this dance can be found at <<https://youtu.be/-4-gF784S-Y>>


created: 2019-06-04 09:15:33.149594+00
last_modified: 2019-06-04 16:47:30.398855+00
name: Dagda Circle, The
ucname: DAGDA CIRCLE
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Created for the 25th anniversary of the band Dagda who provide dance music for Scottish events in Hungary and have been playing at the monthly Budapest Scottish Dance Club dances for over ten years.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-06-24 05:08:27.377152+00
name: Black Agnes
ucname: BLACK AGNES
intensity_bars: 8888/8448/8440/8448/0888
notes:
  This dance was specially composed by Mrs. June Scott, a native of Dunbar, for the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Burgh. It represents a siege of Dunbar Castle, and was performed in public for the first time in Dunbar High Street by teams of children from various parts of East Lothian.


created: 2019-05-11 12:58:26.623139+00
last_modified: 2019-06-24 21:54:37.954855+00
name: Holywood Production, A
ucname: HOLYWOOD PRODUCTION
intensity_bars: 448/888/888/844
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  For Patrick Brunskill who is responsible for filming, editing and occasionally appearing in the excellent series of Belfast branch videos (many thanks also to the other members of the demonstration team). Patrick lives in the Holywood district of Belfast which is pronounced exactly like the more famous film district of Los Angeles.


created: 2019-06-18 09:24:40.629807+00
last_modified: 2021-11-08 19:09:31.787492+00
name: Partisan, The
ucname: PARTISAN
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/800/888
devised: 2019-06-06
notes:
  This dance is inspired by the song “The partisan” by Leonard Cohen and was devised on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. This strathspey is dedicated to my wonderful grandfather, Louis Devèze - aka “Papou”- who was a member of the French Resistance (FFI), and to all the partisans who fought for freedom.

  Bars 19-24: It’s a 6 bars 11⁄2 gypsy turn, so take the time to turn around and exchange looks with your partner when you turn the 11⁄2 gypsy turn before going to your lines. It must be very sweet in this part of the dance.


created: 2015-06-19 21:34:19.462654+00
last_modified: 2019-06-04 15:05:22.628204+00
name: Three "E"s, The
ucname: THREE ES
intensity_bars: 44448/88888/24688/88888
devised: 2015-04-25
notes:
  The dance derives its name from the theme of the Budapest Scottish Dance Weekend, 24-26 April 2015.  The “three Es” are Enthusiasm, Experience & Excellence, which also represent the trio of organisers: Ágnes, Zsófia & Laura.  The dance is dedicated to the Budapest Scottish Dance Club with many thanks and great affection for their wonderful hospitality and happy dancing.   

  In the “Teapot Chain” the first wheel (or “teapot”) is done with the Head Couple positions and the second one with the Side Couple positions. At the end of this figure, the outside couples finish in the place opposite where they started while the middle couple returns to the centre of the set.  This figure was devised at the Budapest Scottish Dance Weekend in 2013 (using the pink & blue tops from bottles of water!) for a dance I was asked to write for a 50th birthday celebration.  I thought it would be nice to use it again in a dance for Budapest.

  Tim Bolton-Maggs


created: 2012-06-15 04:51:23.704568+00
last_modified: 2019-06-04 15:07:17.689988+00
name: 30 isnae Enaw
ucname: 30 ISNAE ENAW
intensity_bars: 8448/8448/8888/6006
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  As a present to Anikó Biró for her 30th birthday.

  This dance was first (officially) published in 2011 in "A Reel Goulash".  Recently (2019) the deviser saw that that original dance description has an error: on bars 13-16 the 1½ turn takes FOUR bars, and there is NO SETTING on [15-16].  The crib on this page ahs been corrected.  


created: 2019-06-07 22:36:43.178579+00
last_modified: 2021-01-02 16:03:45.632156+00
name: If You Ever Get There
ucname: IF YOU EVER GET THERE
intensity_bars: 80008/88888/88888/80448/88884
devised: 2017-06-01
notes:
  A freely downloadable recording of music for this dance is available via <<http://www.fiddletree-music.com/johnturner/scdrecordings.html>>


created: 2019-06-09 10:23:06.85439+00
last_modified: 2019-06-09 16:34:49.701635+00
name: Penultimate Class Dance
ucname: PENULTIMATE CLASS DANCE
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/880
devised: 2019-06-06
notes:
  The dance was written to be a succinct review of numerous basic figures (Linda Mae Dennis).  

  Arandel new formation: Read Tom Halpenny's article at <<http://www.rscds-swws.org/news/stories/arandel.htm>>


created: 2019-05-15 16:01:02.921113+00
last_modified: 2019-06-08 22:17:42.919025+00
name: Kilt Swing
ucname: KILT SWING
intensity_bars: 800/888/886/880
notes:
  Devised to celebrate the wedding of Chandi McCracken and Jacob Holm in July 2017. Kilt Swing combines Scottish country dance and the flirty twirls of swing dance.


created: 2017-01-04 17:30:49.445708+00
last_modified: 2019-06-28 14:20:09.313876+00
name: Fare Thee Well
ucname: FARE THEE WELL
intensity_bars: 7777/8888/8008/8888
devised: 2003-11-11
notes:
  This dance was devised for Helen Cox and Lorraine Bruce on their departure to the Midlands. It
  was first danced at their Farewell Ceilidh on 27th November 2003.


created: 2017-01-04 17:56:20.508134+00
last_modified: 2019-06-28 14:58:44.081003+00
name: Rock Gardens, The
ucname: ROCK GARDENS
intensity_bars: 800/822/888/888/888
devised: 2005-10-01
notes:
  The Rock Gardens in Southsea are sunken gardens with many steps and paths. There is a fountain and a variety of plants and shrubs and in the winter months beautiful beds of heather.


created: 2019-06-13 09:58:28.298993+00
last_modified: 2019-06-13 16:15:35.827127+00
name: Pat and Chris's Anniversary
ucname: PAT AND CHRISS ANNIVERSARY
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/888/844/844/888/888
notes:
  Dedicated to Cairns dancer Pat Neve and her husband Chris on the occasion of their 38th  wedding anniversary.


created: 2019-06-14 22:30:57.004817+00
last_modified: 2019-06-14 22:35:11.734207+00
name: Unfortunate Acronym, The
ucname: UNFORTUNATE ACRONYM
intensity_bars: 880/880/888/880
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Another dance for Mary Jo's request for dances with 4 8-bar figures that include the helix and tournée. The first letters of the 4 figures form an unfortunate word.


created: 2013-09-10 08:11:07.164665+00
last_modified: 2019-06-15 12:51:23.734935+00
name: Ezekiel's Wheel
ucname: EZEKIELS WHEEL
intensity_bars: 6666 6666 8888 8888 8888 8888 8080 0808 8888 8888 8888
devised: 2013-06-01
notes:
  First danced at Baton Rouge in 2013.  The author has asked for this official description to published below, 11 September 2013.  

  Ezekiel’s Wheel

  An 88-bar Reel for Four Couples in a Square Set

  Devised by: James Mungall

  1-4: Women dance right hands across.

  5-8: Women take left hands with their partners and balance in line (holding in right hands across position) (2 bars), then turn partners by the left (2 bars), putting men into the center.

  9-12: Men dance right hands across.

  13-16: Men take left hands with their partners and balance in line (holding in right hands across position) (2 bars), then turn partners by the left (2 bars), putting women into the center facing their partners.

  17-32: Double Celtic Reel (17-20 Men and Women pass right shoulder (as for reel of four), Women dance clockwise 1/4 of the way around the set while Men dance 3/4 Left shoulder around each other to face partner,  21-24 Men and Women pass right should (as for reel of four), Men dance clockwise 1/4  of the way around the set while the Women dance 3/4 Left shoulder around each other to face their partner,  25-32 M+W repeat bars 17-24)

  33-48: Dance straight into Schiehallion Reels

  33-34 Women dance through their position and around to place vacated by partner WHILE Men pass left shoulder to position vacated by second corner;

  35-36  Men cast to follow the same Woman (2 bars behind) WHILE Women pass left shoulder and continue to follow their partner (2 bars behind);

  37-48  repeat bars 33-36 three times to finish in original places.

  49-56: 1st and 3rd couples take partner with both hands and slip step to the opposing position (men passing back to back) (2 bars), turn partner once round with both hands (using slip step) (2 bars), slip back to original position (women passing back to back) (2 bars) turning again with both hands (using slip step) once around and to place (2 bars).

  57-64: 2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 49-56

  65-80: Grand Chain half way around, set to partners on bars 71 and 72, continue Grand Chain to place setting to partners on bars 79 and 80.

  81-88: Eight hands around and back.


  . 


created: 2019-06-14 22:43:49.136731+00
last_modified: 2019-06-14 23:08:34.403475+00
name: Lady McGowan's Nightmare
ucname: LADY MACGOWANS NIGHTMARE
intensity_bars: 88/75/88/88
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  While learning Lady McGowan's Dream, Mary Jo requested a dance similar to The Ultimate Brief (which consists of 4 8-bar figures: poussette, knot, bourrel, allemande) which uses a helix, men's chain, and tournée to help learn the figures.


created: 1997-09-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-02 23:40:35.626018+00
name: Sands of Asilomar, The
ucname: SANDS OF ASILOMAR
intensity_bars: 8888/4444/7777/8448
devised: 1984-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to the members of the San Francisco Branch, “Sands of Asilomar” was named after the tune of the same name by Paul Machlis. It was danced at the 1985 Asilomar Weekend's Saturday night Ball. 


created: 2019-06-16 04:39:35.593656+00
last_modified: 2019-06-16 04:49:26.458059+00
name: Vertical Basking
ucname: VERTICAL BASKING
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/822
devised: 2017-02-01
notes:
  One day I was looking out a second story room at a large oak and saw a squirrel splayed out on the bark soaking up the sun on a fairly cold day.


created: 2019-06-15 22:01:15.448753+00
last_modified: 2019-06-15 22:15:48.727569+00
name: Flashing Lights
ucname: FLASHING LIGHTS
intensity_bars: 860/860/800/844
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Our cul-de-sac is in a quiet and safe neighborhood, but one day we looked out and saw 3 police cars with lights flashing and doing a "traffic stop" of an odd neighbor that lasted more than an hour. Not a clue what it was all about.


created: 2004-09-16 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-06-17 11:44:22.904123+00
name: Arkansas Traveler
ucname: ARKANSAS TRAVELER
intensity_bars: 866/824/888/844
devised: 2002-01-01
notes:
  Devised for Chris Peterson and Michael Hudson, their lifetime of musical collaboration and their home state of Arkansas.


created: 2001-08-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-06-21 21:44:57.528407+00
name: Holey Knickers!
ucname: HOLEY KNICKERS
intensity_bars: 68680/82820/84884/80800
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  From John Drewry's note: "John Brown's tartan underpants are on display at the Tartan museum in Keith. They are made of coarse fabric and have holes in them. Was John Brown moth-infested or was he just air-conditioned?"


created: 2019-06-16 12:56:37.27364+00
last_modified: 2019-06-20 01:29:15.572969+00
name: Orange Slices
ucname: ORANGE SLICES
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  At the 2016 Chicago New Years Ball Tom Senior and Mary Helen Polensky were suggesting names for my yet-to-be-written dances and Tom suggested orange slices as there were orange slices on the snack table. It turns out ‘slice’ is a figure in English Country Dancing somewhat like that in bars 65-72.
    	


created: 2019-06-16 05:10:53.137754+00
last_modified: 2022-08-17 21:29:45.1057+00
name: Lost Princess of OZ, The
ucname: LOST PRINCESS OF OZ
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2017-03-01
notes:
  Written for a favorite character Geek week. I love the OZ books and a favorite is The Lost Princess of OZ. The snake pass evokes the merry-go-mountains in the book.


created: 2019-06-28 18:56:06.113292+00
last_modified: 2019-06-28 18:56:06.113292+00
name: While the Baby Sleeps
ucname: WHILE THE BABY SLEEPS
devised: 2017-03-01
notes:
  I find it hardest to name dances (writing them is easy), so I asked my group for ideas for this one and was given several ideas: Charles’ Jig, Playing While Gilbert Sleeps, Playing While the Baby Sleeps, and The Cat’s Meow. The ultimate choice was Charles Plays with the Cat While Baby Gilbert Sleeps, which I decided was too long.


created: 2019-06-28 18:58:01.106304+00
last_modified: 2019-06-28 18:58:01.106304+00
name: Walking With Fire
ucname: WALKING WITH FIRE
devised: 2017-03-01
notes:
  Named when watching a National Geographic show postulating that learning to control fire is the origin of human society.


created: 2019-06-28 19:19:22.535043+00
last_modified: 2019-06-28 19:21:14.751329+00
name: Katie's Wedding
ucname: KATIES WEDDING
intensity_bars: 800/840/804/888
devised: 2017-06-01
notes:
  Written for a wedding featuring 6 dancers, some of whom are not familiar with Scottish Country Dancing. This dance ends with a circle representing a wedding ring.
    	


created: 2019-06-28 17:28:28.438167+00
last_modified: 2019-06-28 21:49:58.180517+00
name: Goodbye from Him
ucname: GOODBYE FROM HIM
intensity_bars: 8448/8448/8448/8008
devised: 2018-10-01
notes:
  The Hello-Goodbye chase figure comes from <<ddd:The Cane Toad Jig>> by Rod Downey where it is done all the way round in 16 bars of pas-de-basque.


created: 2019-06-29 15:33:52.676511+00
last_modified: 2019-06-30 07:11:00.420115+00
name: Ten Words
ucname: TEN WORDS
intensity_bars: 840/840/800/888
devised: 2017-12-01
notes:
  My husband and I like to watch The Voice. We have a joke that rock/pop songs have few words and we count them. Most choruses have ten words or fewer.


created: 2018-10-06 19:54:20.989315+00
last_modified: 2019-07-29 10:21:23.986732+00
name: Ullswater Way
ucname: ULLSWATER WAY
devised: 2018-07-06
notes:
  Ullswater is a lovely lake in the Lakes District, we visited after "Downey Day of Dance 2018". The "Way" is a walk around the lake, of which we did the part to Howtown from Glenridding. The recommended tune is "Barley Cakes" which is traditional, the lead tune for "Barley Bree" from Book 13, and I would recommend either the recording by The Carfuffle Ceilidh Band, or either of the society recordings for book 13 (Neil Barron and Bobby Crowe) would be excellent.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-07-30 16:55:55.563402+00
name: Lammas Night
ucname: LAMMAS NIGHT
intensity_bars: 888/800/844/888
notes:
  "It was upon a Lammas night,  
  When corn rigs are bonnie..."

  The old dance "Corn Rigs" is never done these days, and it seems a shame to waste such a dancetable tune.


created: 2019-06-29 15:30:22.049961+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 15:30:22.049961+00
name: 50 Years a Fan
ucname: 50 YEARS A FAN
devised: 2017-11-01
notes:
  For Gordon Lightfoot’s 80th birthday. I have been a fan since I was a junior in college (around 1968).


created: 2019-07-30 19:42:50.566377+00
last_modified: 2019-07-30 19:50:19.051549+00
name: Ten Beach Dancers
ucname: TEN BEACH DANCERS
devised: 2019-04-05
notes:
  Obviously an homage to the late Eddie West’s ”Beach Dancer”, and inspired whilst daydreaming at the bottom of a 5C set,

  the first 3 couples walking through the Beach Dancer at the Capitol City Club on the night of the 4th. Recommended music is ”A Quickstep by the Duke of Gordon” by Robert Petrie, and 5C recorded music is that for ”The Campbells are Coming” as recorded by Muriel Johnston and her band in the Society’s ”Music for Book 24”. ”Come under my Plaidie” as recorded by the Craigowl Band in the Society’s recording of the Children’s book” would work at a pinch. I would avoid pipe marches, and use a light jig suggesting flight.


created: 2019-07-30 19:57:40.556516+00
last_modified: 2019-10-05 06:10:19.976845+00
name: Cocker Spaniel, The
ucname: COCKER SPANIEL
intensity_bars: 880/800/864/088
devised: 2019-07-24
notes:
  A relatively simple dance with an espagnole and an all round poussette for teaching purposes. The recommended set is the one for “The Orchards of County Armagh” as recorded by Marian Anderson and her Band on Belfast Branch Platinum. (”Sailing South” by J. Nicholson, The Sally Gardens (trad), and ”To Pauline” by M. Anderson).  

  The name is a pun on the Espagnole, I sometimes use when teaching this formation.


created: 1997-09-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-02 21:15:59.234608+00
name: Kate and Dod
ucname: KATE AND DOD
intensity_bars: 80/08/66/88
notes:
  This dance is named in honour of my parents, Kate and George S. Duncan, formerly of Insch and Kintore, Aberdeenshire.


created: 2019-08-11 20:58:32.176192+00
last_modified: 2019-08-11 20:58:32.176192+00
name: Lovely Maggie
ucname: LOVELY MAGGIE
notes:
  Written for Maggie, the Cal Tech class mascot:  
  1-4: upright ear  
  5-8: down-turned ear  
  9-16: eyes and nose  
  17-32: tail wagging   


created: 2011-08-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-13 23:15:03.035533+00
name: Bob Wilson's Jig
ucname: BOB WILSONS JIG
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8080/8888
notes:
  The dance spells Robert's name, hence:-  
  R - reel, 0 - circle, B- balance, E -exchange place, set, RT - rotate!


created: 2019-07-03 18:06:56.652013+00
last_modified: 2019-07-03 20:46:50.331999+00
name: Third Leg, The
ucname: THIRD LEG
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888/888/866
devised: 2001-03-01
notes:
  A Strathspey for 3 couples, to celebrate the ability to dance again after losing a leg and getting a new one!


created: 2019-06-28 17:23:29.466404+00
last_modified: 2019-06-28 22:07:47.97979+00
name: Great Permian Mass Extinction, The
ucname: GREAT PERMIAN MASS EXTINCTION
intensity_bars: 88888/66466/88888/88888/22422
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  I no longer remember why I ever thought it might be a good idea to try to represent the most severe of all known mass extinctions as a Scottish country dance, but it quickly occurred to me that I could dedicate it to the memory of my friend Martin with whom I used to have many fascinating conversations about biology and evolution. It was also an interesting and brain teasing challenge to organise the figures to allow the single surviving dancer’s solo in the last four bars.

  The first 8 bars are supposed to represent a trilobite (on its back) though the real ones had many more legs than are here depicted by the highland arms of six dancers while the first two couples are illustrating the head. Bars 9-12 are a convergent evolutionary progression via different paths leading into bars 13-24 which represent a pair of ammonites. Fossil ammonites used to be called snakestones, so an extended version of the “snake pass” figure seems suitable. Disaster arrives in bars 25-32. The figure here starts with a warning preshock which is followed by immense supervolcanic eruptions and falling ash and lava. Enthusiastic and extrovert dancers might add their own sound effects here! In bars 33-34 the dust settles and in bars 35-36 all is still. I am not normally in favour of dancers standing idle, but a moments silence after the “great dying” which ended the Palaeozoic era feels very appropriate. Finally in bars 37-40 3rd woman dances up alone to start the repopulation of an almost empty world.


created: 2019-06-29 13:34:50.876404+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 13:34:50.876404+00
name: River Road Roundabouts
ucname: RIVER ROAD ROUNDABOUTS
devised: 2017-06-01
notes:
  Naperville has 3 roundabouts (traffic circles) – all on River Rd – that I navigate every time I go for a haircut. These figures remind me of going around a roundabout.


created: 2019-06-29 13:38:17.877152+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 13:38:17.877152+00
name: Dance of the Golden Flashes
ucname: DANCE OF THE GOLDEN FLASHES
devised: 2017-07-01
notes:
  Every evening we see lightning bugs in the front yard, flying from plant to plant and giving us lots of lovely flashes of golden light.


created: 2019-06-29 13:39:31.647283+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 13:39:31.647283+00
name: Milkweed Dancer
ucname: MILKWEED DANCER
devised: 2017-07-01
notes:
  Monarch butterflies come to the milkweed we have in our yard. In their visits, they make the milkweed seem to dance.


created: 2019-06-29 14:59:56.978905+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 14:59:56.978905+00
name: Flights of Gold
ucname: FLIGHTS OF GOLD
devised: 2017-08-01
notes:
  This dance was inspired by watching our bees take off from the hives and fly off with the sun catching them and turning them to flying gold.


created: 2019-06-29 15:01:38.778684+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 15:01:38.778684+00
name: Twilight at Noon
ucname: TWILIGHT AT NOON
devised: 2017-08-01
notes:
  There was a full eclipse of the sun on August 21, 2017. It was only 87% where I live, but still noticeable.
    	


created: 2019-06-29 15:02:47.681337+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 15:02:47.681337+00
name: Jewel on the Wing
ucname: JEWEL ON THE WING
devised: 2017-09-01
notes:
  A hummingbird came to flowers in our yard and the sun lit up the iridescent wings so they looked like jewels.


created: 2019-06-29 15:17:17.137728+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 15:17:17.137728+00
name: Platinum
ucname: PLATINUM
devised: 2017-11-01
notes:
  News reports of the platinum wedding anniversary of the King and Queen of England reminded me that my parents celebrated their 70th anniversary in September. This dance honors that.


created: 2019-06-29 15:26:30.269266+00
last_modified: 2019-06-29 15:26:30.269266+00
name: Chain Reaction
ucname: CHAIN REACTION
devised: 2017-11-01
notes:
  During class one week, Mary Helen said she’d love to see a dance with all the chain figures. This is an attempt to fulfill that desire.


created: 2019-07-03 17:37:08.467936+00
last_modified: 2019-07-03 17:37:08.467936+00
name: Summer Pudding
ucname: SUMMER PUDDING
devised: 2001-07-01
notes:
  The women stand back to back in the middle of the set, facing their partner to begin.

  Amendment: Summer Pudding, bars 1-8.
  Now we've danced the dance through several times, I would prefer 'change right hand, set; change right hand, set' at the beginning!
  Wendy Mumford, May 2002.

  (The original version had set, change, set, change).


created: 2019-07-03 17:43:57.4432+00
last_modified: 2019-07-03 19:14:52.541877+00
name: Abbot's Strathspey, The
ucname: ABBOTS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8866
devised: 2001-06-01
notes:
  Bars 1-8 depict the monks, in their habits, leading up the aisle of the abbey.  
  Bars 17-24 represent the abbey.


created: 2013-09-28 22:22:12.336907+00
last_modified: 2019-07-06 07:51:52.10163+00
name: Dagmar's Delight
ucname: DAGMARS DELIGHT
notes:
  Solo R&Ls by <<ddp:Tague, David>> in <<ddd:Whistler's Jig>>  
  Targe by <<ddp:Haynes, Derek>> in <<ddd:The Clansman>>


created: 2005-04-28 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-07-25 20:14:25.92505+00
name: St Magnus Reel
ucname: SAINT MAGNUS REEL
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888/888/888/888/888
notes:
  February 2003. Dance first performed by a group of Community dancers as part of the “Elements” performance in St Magnus Cathedral on 25 June forming part of the St Magnus Festival 2003.

  Originally entered in SCDDB as "Saint Magnus Reel", but changed to "St Magnus Reel" as the online sources use that spelling. The "Saint" version is kept as an alias.


created: 2013-08-01 19:30:01.476058+00
last_modified: 2019-07-19 09:39:01.907125+00
name: Chriss Cross
ucname: CHRISS CROSS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/844
notes:
  For Chrissie Osborne on her 70th birthday

  Devised by Robert Senior with much assistance from Margaret, Eileen, Amanda , Oliver and John.

  This dance was devised for Chrissie Osborne for her 70th birthday - for which she held a magnificent Party Dance, with music by a six-piece Nicol McLaren & the Glencraig Band. A wonderful occasion befitting a wonderful lady -   and over £1200 was raised for Cancer UK.   The recommended recording for this dance is Marian Anderson’s Set of Jigs on the Belfast Diamond Jubilee CD.   This set includes tunes which Marian plays for Father Connelly’s Jig and bars 9-24 bear many similarities to movements in Father Connelly’s Jig (one of Chrissie’s favourite dances).


created: 2002-07-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-07-21 09:11:41.485373+00
name: Tail Kinker's Jig
ucname: TAIL KINKERS JIG
intensity_bars: 800/820/802/844/844/800
notes:
  The <<ddpub:Pawprints>> book has this dance also as a strathspey with the alternative title Dances with Shadows.


created: 2018-12-03 16:01:47.468295+00
last_modified: 2019-07-23 17:10:57.123966+00
name: Trip to Orlova, A
ucname: TRIP TO ORLOVA
intensity_bars: 888/828/844/888
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  In 2012 and 2016, Dunfermline Branch were asked to accompany a local church group to Orlova, in the Czech Republic. In 2012, the Branch provided the dancing for a fun Highland Games which included a large Dunfermline v Orlova tug of war - the dance represents travel to Orlova, the tug of war, the hands of friendship extended, the dancing and the races which also took place.


created: 2016-02-25 00:37:54.482901+00
last_modified: 2019-07-23 12:41:23.44582+00
name: Copenhagen Dragons, The
ucname: COPENHAGEN DRAGONS
intensity_bars: 888/888/800/888
devised: 2015-05-01
notes:
  The Copenhagen Dragons are the tails of four dragons intertwined on the spire of the børsen or stock exchange building in Copenhagen.


created: 2019-07-24 18:17:51.385804+00
last_modified: 2019-07-27 09:52:45.888027+00
name: Partner Race Strathspey
ucname: PARTNER RACE STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 6886/8008/8448/8228
devised: 2008-02-24
notes:
  Devised on the occasion of  the 80th birthday of Else Hartzberg on February 25 year 2008, 350 years after the peace in Roskilde 1658.  Celebrated on Sunday the 24th.

  The instructions suggest using Castles in the Air by Peter White although that is an 8x32 recording whereas this is a 4x32 dance.


created: 2019-07-24 11:17:53.950395+00
last_modified: 2019-07-24 11:17:53.950395+00
name: Copenhagens' Delight
ucname: COPENHAGENS DELIGHT
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/888
devised: 1982-02-01
notes:
  The instructions state that music for this dance was composed by Stanley Watts but the tune name(s) are not given.


created: 2005-04-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-10-11 14:28:36.147791+00
name: Findlater Castle
ucname: FINDLATER CASTLE
intensity_bars: 833/888/888/888
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  Findlater Castle, now a ruin, built in 1455 and once home of the "Ogilvie" clan, is situated about 2 miles east of Cullen in the Moray Firth area.

  The dance is "Dedicated to the Banffshire Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in hon­our of their 75th Anniversary."


created: 2015-05-01 13:57:08.212308+00
last_modified: 2019-07-24 15:19:11.599338+00
name: Fare Thee Well
ucname: FARE THEE WELL
intensity_bars: 880/800/888/888/808
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  _Notes from the book 'Book of Tom's Dances':_  
  *This dance was devised in 2005.  It is the sequel to "<<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/7284/|Cape Town Wedding>>".  Sadly our marriage did not last, so the dance was devised to mark the parting of the ways.   
  Like <<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/7284/|Cape Town Wedding>> the figures are symbolic.  The all-round poussette symbolises being very much in love.  The couple is going out together symbolised by leading down the middle and up, but then the break up happens, and they cross and cast to go their separate ways, meeting occasionally thereafter.  As the Knot represents the wedding in Cape Town Wedding, I devised _Untie the Knot_ to symbolise the divorce.*

  In 1995 Tom Kerr choreographed the dance "<<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/7284/|Cape Town Wedding>>" for his own and Christine Dawson's wedding celebration.  


created: 2016-12-31 14:37:22.348022+00
last_modified: 2020-11-02 09:31:22.325225+00
name: Revolving Hat, The
ucname: REVOLVING HAT
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888
notes:
  This dance was devised at Scottish Week of Pinewoods Dance Camp.  During one particularly silly moment (not that I'd ever indulge this) at an evening dance, the hat I was wearing was constantly being switched from head to head.  This dance replicates this, switching places and partners throughout. Also, I think Scottish Country Dance could use more mixers.


created: 2019-07-25 11:26:55.845348+00
last_modified: 2021-07-25 20:15:48.301016+00
name: Stockholm Ceilidh
ucname: STOCKHOLM CEILIDH
devised: 2016-06-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to the Scottish Country dancers in Stockholm, past and present, on the 40th Anniversary of the Stockholm Branch of the RSCDS, June 2016.


created: 2019-07-29 09:39:58.033927+00
last_modified: 2019-07-29 10:00:03.881955+00
name: Durian Rant, The
ucname: DURIAN RANT
intensity_bars: 880/800/888/888
devised: 2019-04-29
notes:
  Devised 23/4/2019 for an upcoming midwinter dances based on an international theme. We have members from both Malaysia and from Singapore, but all are united in their love of food. (1-8 Look at the durian hawker stall to see if it looks edible. 9-16 looking at the other hawker stalls and finding some friends. 17-24 eating the durian with them. 25-32 celebrating.) For Priscilla, Moira, and Nancy. Kristin and I lived in Singapore for several years.


created: 2019-08-07 18:24:50.605906+00
last_modified: 2019-08-08 07:04:22.720579+00
name: Stephen's Found Baggage
ucname: STEPHENS FOUND BAGGAGE
intensity_bars: 8000/8888/8888/8444
devised: 2019-07-01
notes:
  Dance composed by Anne Scobie at Summer School Week 2 2019, VA Low Impact Class to the tune "Stephen's Lost Baggage" composed by our class musician, Ewan Galloway, for Stephen Kraus whose baggage had still not arrived on Tuesday morning.  

  The dance represents the plane landing, passengers disembarking, going through customs and moving on to the baggage reclaim area, the carousel and a happy ending (as Stephen's baggage did arrive Tuesday afternoon :-))


created: 2019-07-29 10:16:36.151705+00
last_modified: 2019-07-29 10:19:07.800827+00
name: New York Fugue, The
ucname: NEW YORK FUGUE
intensity_bars: 8000/8800/8880/8888/8008/8888
devised: 2019-02-24
notes:
  Devised 24th February, 2019 following a request from Chris Ronald for a not unreasonably difficult fugue in Strathspey time. 

  I would suggest ”Lochiel’s awa’ to France” by Niel Gow as the lead tune, but all recordings I know are 8 by 48. So for recorded music I would would use ”The Nether Bow Has Vanished” (4 × 48 recording) by Bobby Crowe, or ”Lucy of Lammermoor” by Peter White. Since all of these are on vinyl, for a CD recording, perhaps ”The Ellwyn Stathspey” by Ian Homes in the Highlander Series.

  Personally, I would use Lochiel and edit the music. The music needs strong 2 bar phrases


created: 2019-07-29 10:38:03.102643+00
last_modified: 2019-07-30 19:40:26.530824+00
name: Dovecote Park
ucname: DOVECOTE PARK
devised: 2018-11-13
notes:
  Devised 20 October 2018. Revised 13 November 2018. Written for the recording of a 5 by 32 J of the same name by Jim Cameron and his band (Jim Cameron and his Scottish Band Vol. 2) for which I could find no written dance. The set they use is excellent. Dovecote Park (James Braidwood), Midlothian Pipe Band (F Beaton), and The Quaker (Trad). As best I can tell, the organization is 64 bars of Dovecote Park, Midlothian Pipe Band repeated twice and The Quaker once.

  Given that this is not a widely known (nor owned) recording, acceptable alternative recorded music would include (preferably) the Muriel Johnston 5×32 recording of ”The Campbells are Coming” in the Society’s recording of Music for Book 24, and alternatively any good recording of Airie Bennan (e.g. Ron Gonella, Caber Feidh, Peter White, or McBain), or finally if you lack such ancient recordings, the society’s recording of ”Vintage Simon” would work at a pinch.


created: 2019-08-30 19:38:14.072711+00
last_modified: 2019-09-04 21:58:25.582594+00
name: Davidsons' Farewell
ucname: DAVIDSONS FAREWELL
intensity_bars: 8444/8888/8808/8048
devised: 2008-10-01
notes:
  On the occasion of Bob and Jil Davidson’s relocation to Florida and in honor of their many years of dedication and service to the Harrisburg Scottish Country Dance Society.


created: 2019-09-02 22:40:58.014972+00
last_modified: 2023-12-22 20:17:36.927784+00
name: Handem Reel
ucname: HANDEM REEL
notes:
  Dance Crib compiled by the deviser at <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/handem-reel.html>>.


created: 2019-08-07 10:05:27.082256+00
last_modified: 2019-08-07 10:55:16.167599+00
name: Kobberhaughytta
ucname: KOBBERHAUGHYTTA
devised: 2014-03-01
notes:
  Devised in February/March 2014 after the Ski’n’do at Kobberhaughytta in the woods north of Oslo, Norway.

  To get to Kobberhaughytta, you walk or ski uphill, hence fourth couple is dancing couple. Kobberhaughytta has a bigger and a smaller hall, both very cosy. For the Ski’n’do, the dancers met for dancing at Kobberhaughytta the first night, went off on their separate tracks for skiing (or doing) the next day and met again in the evening for more common dancing.


created: 2019-08-04 10:31:45.757747+00
last_modified: 2019-08-04 10:58:30.295254+00
name: St Andrews Society of Denmark, The
ucname: SAINT ANDREWS SOCIETY OF DENMARK
notes:
  Tune used for this dance is Michael's compliments to Muriel and Robert

  The published instructions are shown as a "Contributed Crib".  They must contain a misprint, as the entry into the tournée on [25] is impossible.


created: 2001-11-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-07-24 15:17:12.561463+00
name: Cape Town Wedding
ucname: CAPE TOWN WEDDING
intensity_bars: 802 880 888 880
devised: 1995-01-01
notes:
  Tom Kerr choreographed this dance for his own and Christine Dawson's wedding celebration.

  The _following corrections_ were included on a loose sheet "Notes on Dances by Bob Grant June 1996", when Book 39 was first sold in the Summer School bookshop:

  - 9-16  Reel across is between 1st and 2nd positions
  - 21-24  Use first setting step to advance into the circle.  Pull right shoulders back quickly and tightly


  _Notes from the book 'Book of Tom's Dances':_  
  *"The dance was devised in 1995 to celebrate my wedding to Christine Dawson in Cape Town. lt is symbolic in that the dancers crossd own without giving hands as they do not know each other.  
  Turning the 3rd couple represents meeting other people; then they meet as they turn in the middle only to take right hands as they do not know each other well at that stage. As they lead up they get to know each other better represented by taking promenade hold for the reel across. After the petronella turn all join hands to form a circle representing the ring. The dance finishes with the Knot which represents the Wedding."*

  _Some additional information_ from the "<<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/16244/|Fare Thee Well>>" instructions in the 'Book of Tom's Dances':  
  Unfortunately the marriage did not last, hence Tom Kerr devided the dance "<<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/16244/|Fare Thee Well>>" as a sequel to "Cape Town Wedding". It contains the formation "Untie the Knot" to symbolize the divorce.


created: 2019-07-24 19:30:48.649903+00
last_modified: 2019-07-27 10:24:47.878299+00
name: Everlasting Flower, The
ucname: EVERLASTING FLOWER
intensity_bars: 8888/8448/8448/8888/8008
devised: 2017-08-01
notes:
  Devised as a tribute to Lise Nordal Rückert, Certified Teacher, for her relentless effort  in promoting Scottisch Country Dancing in Gothenburg, especially amongst young dancers, always bringing the standard of dancing to a very high level among the Branch members. Combining dancing with a good spirit and a good laugh has always been a landmark of hers.


created: 2019-07-24 18:33:04.155736+00
last_modified: 2019-07-24 18:33:04.155736+00
name: Two Towers Reel
ucname: TWO TOWERS REEL
intensity_bars: 866/888/844/888
devised: 2017-09-11
notes:
  The instructions give the deviser as "CRP/CPH" without indicating who CPH might be.

  Devised after a visit to Oslo where the City Hall has two towers.


created: 2019-07-24 19:12:38.988189+00
last_modified: 2019-07-24 19:12:38.988189+00
name: Danish Royalties
ucname: DANISH ROYALTIES
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/888/800
devised: 1996-03-01
notes:
  Devised as a tribute to The St. Andrew Society of Denmark, to mark the wedding of the Danish Prince Joachim to Miss Alexandra Manley, Hongkong.

  Revised 2003-01-06.


created: 2019-07-24 22:26:13.499121+00
last_modified: 2019-07-24 22:26:13.499121+00
name: SKI 'n' DO
ucname: SKI N DO
intensity_bars: 44/44/88/88
devised: 2014-02-01
notes:
  Devised for the Ski ‘n’ Do weekend organised by Kjell Mathiesen and Martin McWilliam in the Kobberhaughytta near Oslo 21/23 February 2014.


created: 2019-07-25 10:49:01.075104+00
last_modified: 2019-07-25 10:49:01.075104+00
name: Red Rose, The
ucname: RED ROSE
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8888/8888
devised: 1991-05-27
notes:
  Dedicated to Brita Viksten on her 70th birthday. At that time she was chairman of the Stockholm Branch.

  Revised 2017.


created: 1998-04-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-07-27 17:06:43.224268+00
name: Lord of Gondor, The
ucname: LORD OF GONDOR
devised: 1972-01-01
notes:
  This demonstration dance, for 2 men and 4 women, is divided into three parts:  
  - 1st figure: 88 bars  
  - 2nd figure: 128 bars (two repeats of 64 bars on alternate diagonals)  
  - 3rd figure: 72 bars  


created: 2019-07-27 17:57:37.831735+00
last_modified: 2019-07-27 17:57:37.831735+00
name: Linden's Diamond
ucname: LINDENS DIAMOND
devised: 2019-05-01
notes:
  Devised for the 60th Anniversary of Linden Scottish Country Dance Club.

  Full instructions are given in the notes to the youtube videos.


created: 2019-08-10 13:03:16.242507+00
last_modified: 2019-08-16 09:42:41.369723+00
name: Jim's Tangents
ucname: JIMS TANGENTS
intensity_bars: 811/808/811/888
devised: 2019-07-01
notes:
  Devised at Sumer School Week 2, 2019 to commemorate Jim Stott's retiral after four years as Summer School Director.


created: 2002-03-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-12 09:22:27.493089+00
name: Whortleberry
ucname: WHORTLEBERRY
devised: 1991-01-01
notes:
  This dance was entered in SCDDB as "Whortleberry" presumably as part of entering either the
  <<ddpub:25th Anniversary>> or <<ddpub:If the Ghillie Fits>> publications.
  And the tune was given as <<ddt:Jack's Prize Winner>>.

  However in <<ddpub:Homemade Dances, volume 2>> the title is given as "The Whortleberry" and the tune specified is <<ddt:Barley Bree>>.


created: 2019-08-12 07:50:28.726313+00
last_modified: 2019-08-12 09:30:17.610024+00
name: Brooks' Strathspey, The
ucname: BROOKS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888/888/844/888
notes:
  Written for Bob and Chris Brooks who devised the meanwhile figure of bars 9-16 while dancing in Wilma Fee's Manhattan Beach class, 21 April 1998.

  There seems to be a typo in bars 21-24 of the instructions where the order is given as ending 3,2,1 but should be 2,3,1 for the following reels.


created: 2019-08-14 10:16:41.251117+00
last_modified: 2019-08-14 10:16:41.251117+00
name: Catherine Wheel, The
ucname: CATHERINE WHEEL
intensity_bars: 800/633/655/844
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to my maternal grandparents, John Gibb of Muiravonside [1896-1966] and Catherine McIntyre Young [1894-1944], born in the Village of Dean.


created: 1997-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-30 16:52:25.485444+00
name: At The Edge of The Clear Running Burn
ucname: AT THE EDGE OF THE CLEAR RUNNING BURN
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/7777/8020
devised: 1978-01-01
notes:
  Devised for the wedding of Claire Robertson and Brian East in 1978. The title was devised to include their initials.


created: 2019-09-03 19:25:51.862184+00
last_modified: 2019-09-03 19:54:31.853434+00
name: VCS Ruby Jubilee, The
ucname: VCS RUBY JUBILEE
intensity_bars: 8800/8880/8224/8888
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Devised in 2017 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Flemish Caledonian Society in Ghent, Belgium (VCS – Vlaams Caledonische Society vzw founded in 1977)


created: 2019-08-26 12:46:41.492558+00
last_modified: 2019-09-23 19:30:58.000389+00
name: Double Sixty
ucname: DOUBLE SIXTY
intensity_bars: 804/888/855/888
devised: 2015-03-14
notes:
  This dance and accompanying tune were written to celebrate Greg and Olga Reznick's 120 (2x60) years of living, celebrated on March 14, 2015.


created: 2019-08-06 09:08:04.764495+00
last_modified: 2021-01-01 20:16:44.545181+00
name: Director Jim
ucname: DIRECTOR JIM
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8288/8888
devised: 2019-07-01
notes:
  Devised by Gordon Porter Summer School Week 2 2019 commemorating Jim Stott's retiral after four years as Summer School Director, in St Andrews


created: 2019-07-25 08:23:30.86039+00
last_modified: 2021-04-06 11:27:37.130893+00
name: 33rd Priest's Street
ucname: 33RD PRIESTS STREET
intensity_bars: 880/844/822/880
devised: 2016-03-07
notes:
  The Stockholm RSCDS branch have their weekly dance at the address Prästgatan 33 (33rd, Priests’ street) in the Old Town of Stockholm. In the Scandinavian dance book PDF the name of the dance is incorrectly given as "The 33rd Priest" (which is added as an alias).

  An as yet unnamed tune was composed for the dance by Mikael Georgii. You can listen to him playing it once through at <<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w74L9H_VBpM>>


created: 2019-08-30 18:33:41.342109+00
last_modified: 2019-09-04 17:11:48.092366+00
name: New Lanark Strathspey, The
ucname: NEW LANARK STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 8668/8008/4888/8888
notes:
  Devised by Myra Gibson, Lanark Branch, to celebrate the occasion of New Lanark receiving “World Heritage Status”.


created: 1997-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-16 00:02:41.252829+00
name: Gold Of Fairnilee, The
ucname: GOLD OF FAIRNILEE
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
notes:
  From the deviser: *"I would like to thank the members of Sutton Coldfield RSCDS, and their friends,
  for trying out these dances, and Barry Priddey for making this possible."*  

  *“Atween the wet ground and the dry  
  The gold of Fairnilee doth lie.”*  
  This old verse is supposed to give a clue as to the whereabouts of a hoard of gold buried near the Eildon Hills.


created: 2001-03-13 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-18 10:51:59.136614+00
name: Muse Cottage
ucname: MUSE COTTAGE
intensity_bars: 688/888/888/888/888
devised: 1988-03-26
notes:
  Devised for Muriel Johnstone of Allanton, Scotland to commemorate her first visit to America and to thank her for all the beautiful Scottish music she shares with us.


created: 2002-12-31 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-29 08:36:10.399159+00
name: Maze, The
ucname: MAZE
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888/888
devised: 1975-03-01
notes:
  At the ceilidh preceding the annual London Branch workshop in March of 1975, the Glenfinnan dancers demonstrated this dance, and announced a contest to name it.  The winning entry, selected by the composer, was “The Maze”, suggested by the configuration of bars 17-32.

  In the published original instructions both text and diagrams have errors.  The e-crib editors have received the corrections by a private e-mail from the deviser.   The essential correction is that on bar 16 1c finish on OPPOSITE sides (2x.1x.3x). From that position, 1c dance the full pattern [17-30], finishing on [31-32] by dancing to meet their partner on the midline (1W above, 1M below)  and facing 1/4 Right, ready for the RHA.  
    


created: 2019-08-30 13:05:40.303431+00
last_modified: 2019-09-04 22:16:04.432771+00
name: Ms. Dean's Fancy
ucname: MS DEANS FANCY
intensity_bars: 880/800/880/808
notes:
  In remembrance of Ms. Joan Dean a long time dancer and supporter of the Lyndhurst Group of the RSCDS,  Scottish Dancing and The Scottish Heritage Association of Northeast Ohio USA. Ms. Dean was a proud Veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force.


created: 2011-08-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-07 18:26:01.774569+00
name: Clement Street Reel, The
ucname: CLEMENT STREET REEL
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 2004-06-01
notes:
  Devised June 2004 by the San Francisco Youth class teachers, Susie Langdon Kass and Pat O'Brien. Originally, the dance was named "Maids in the Mirror" by the 2004 San Francisco Youth class dancers. The class met in a studio with mirrors on two sides. The class was all girls.  
  We used this dance for one of our adjudication dances at the 2004 Pleasanton Scottish Games.  
  The alternate title, "The Clement Street Reel", was given to the dance because the studio is on Clement Street. SLK


created: 2013-11-12 18:51:48.839922+00
last_modified: 2021-04-08 12:36:46.564044+00
name: Animals Lit Up Two by Two, The
ucname: ANIMALS LIT UP TWO BY TWO
intensity_bars: 8448/8008/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  Dance devised for the wedding of Fiona Welland and Stephen Brockbank at Carbisdale castle on 20th February 2010.  Fiona is a vet, and Stephen works with lighting, hence the name.


created: 2019-08-16 20:21:42.673848+00
last_modified: 2020-06-12 16:51:09.222712+00
name: Sum of All the Parts, The
ucname: SUM OF ALL THE PARTS
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/888
devised: 2019-06-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Naomi Lasher, with huge gratitude for the use of her dance studio for training candidates for the RSCDS examinations.  The dance is named after an autobiography she has written.


created: 2012-07-06 08:22:27.447576+00
last_modified: 2019-08-21 11:57:49.79358+00
name: Ken McFarland's Jig
ucname: KEN MACFARLANDS JIG
intensity_bars: 8000/0008/8088/8888
notes:
  Ken McFarland arranges and leads excursions for dancers in many places throughout the world. He brings
  along top flight musicians and other guests such as John Drewry. I got to know John trudging through the ruins of Greek architecture in Turkey, exploring the beaches and caldera on Hawaii, and other places such as dining in a Swiss type chalet on a mountain lake in Ecuador or climbing a peak in the Andes to do a Scottish dance at the top. This dance is inscribed to Ken who as teacher and traveler is well known throughout the Scottish Dance community.


created: 2019-09-02 11:42:53.681957+00
last_modified: 2019-09-02 21:56:04.920571+00
name: Home Farm Jig
ucname: HOME FARM JIG
intensity_bars: 880/888/800/866
notes:
  This dance was written for Nettie Merrick by her grandson Graham, named after Nettie’s family home. Harrow and District Caledonian Society.


created: 2019-08-30 20:04:42.492394+00
last_modified: 2019-09-04 22:08:25.581672+00
name: Scottish Responce, The
ucname: SCOTTISH RESPONCE
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
notes:
  Source: <<sspey:6022|strathspey message 6022>>. The (mis)spelling of "Responce" in the title is deliberate.


created: 1998-10-26 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-27 22:15:37.593947+00
name: Assembly, The
ucname: ASSEMBLY
notes:
  Different versions of this dance are in circlation.  The one used for this entry has 128 bars.  There is a 144 bar version, in which [25-32] is replaced by [25-48] in which the Men repeat [1-24].

  The versions have other differences too, like allemande replacing promenade, or differences in phrasing.


created: 2019-09-03 21:17:26.751268+00
last_modified: 2022-09-06 17:15:30.179859+00
name: Diamond Jig
ucname: DIAMOND JIG
devised: 2018-05-01
notes:
  This dance, Diamond Jig (Robson), was devised by the Tawa SCD Club tutor, Maureen Robson, to celebrate the Tawa SCD Club's 60th anniversary in 2018.

  Music was especially composed for the dance by Wellington musician Peter Elmes. 


created: 2019-09-02 16:17:04.269007+00
last_modified: 2020-02-16 01:05:40.287758+00
name: Marion's Welcome (To Ottawa)
ucname: MARIONS WELCOME TO OTTAWA
intensity_bars: 484/888/888/888
devised: 2015-08-01
notes:
  Devised by Bryan Gordon to welcome Marion Hamilton to Ottawa in 2015

  Dance Crib compiled by the deviser, Bryan Gordon, Aug 2017


created: 2019-09-02 10:49:19.86386+00
last_modified: 2020-11-03 09:48:20.938446+00
name: Frances's Goat Track
ucname: FRANCESS GOAT TRACK
intensity_bars: 4400/4400/8888/8000
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  Source: MiniCrib and video.
  There are copies of this dance in circulation which have  the title "Frances' Goat Track" but the deviser has confirmed (Nov 2020) that she prefers "Frances's Goat Track"


created: 2019-09-02 16:28:15.848481+00
last_modified: 2021-03-04 01:04:22.135446+00
name: Loki's Dance
ucname: LOKIS DANCE
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888
devised: 2014-04-01
notes:
  Loki was a very affectionate dark gray & white cat who lived with our family for almost
  15 years. He was named after the Norse god of mischief.  

  _Recommended Music_: The Birlin Burkie CD: A' the Best Fae Banffshire.


created: 2012-07-04 13:14:01.555807+00
last_modified: 2019-08-21 02:45:20.327629+00
name: Phase Rule
ucname: PHASE RULE
intensity_bars: 800/888/866/800
notes:
  Notes:  
    - Bars 17-20 1st couple must take measured steps to be in the middle (halfway) on bar 19  
    - Bars 25-30 1st couple should make the tum in 3 bars leaving 3 bars to dance out the end and cast to 2nd place  

  The New Haven Scottish Country Dance class since its founding has danced within a few blocks of the spot on Wall Street where J. Willard Gibbs spent his life (1839-1903). Educated at Hopkins Grammar School and Yale, he received the first doctorate in engineering ever given in the U.S.A. in 1863. He taught Latin for two years and Natural Philosophy for one year at Yale before spending three years in Paris, Berlin and Heidelberg. He returned to Yale in 1869 and in 1871 became Professor of Mathematical Physics.  

  In 1878, he published the second part of his "Equilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances", one of the most important works in the history of chemistry. To quote Prof Frank H. MacDougall, M.f\. (Queen's), Ph.D. (Leipzig) "Where F is the number of degrees of freedom of a system of C components in P phases in equilibrium F = C + 2 - P. This is the famous Phase Rule enunciated by Willard Gibbs". The phase rule is especially useful in the study of heterogeneous equilibria that are the bases of many important industrial processes. The Gibbs Medal of the American Chemical Society has been a yearly award to outstanding chemists starting with Svante A. Arrhenius in 1911.  

  Gibb's work in vector analysis is of import in pure mathematics. He applied it to find the orbit of a comet from just three observations. He made advancements in the electromagnetic theory of light, in statistical mechanics and in thermodynamics. He was greatly admired by such as Kirchoff, Helmholtz and James C. Maxwell. He was awarded the Copley Medal of the Royal Society, the most prestigious science prize of his day. 


created: 2012-07-04 12:55:35.646761+00
last_modified: 2019-08-21 22:22:30.954541+00
name: Stella Strathspey, The
ucname: STELLA STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880/884/808/888
notes:
  This dance is inscribed to Stella Fogg who teaches Scottish Country Dancing all around the U.S.A. Stella also teaches in Scotland and in Canada. Raised in Gourock on the River Clyde near Glasgow, Stella has had as home base for more than 20 years Richmond, Virginia on the James River. She saves out some weekends to dance at Branch balls throughout eastern U.S A. where the branch members look forward to dancing with her. There is a warmth for fellow dancers and a love of dancing emanating from her that makes her a favorite in any set.  

  Stella grew up ceilidh dancing and turned to Scottish Country Dancing in the Girl Guides. She married a US sailor and moved across the pond, initially to Maine, Brian's home state. On a posting to Hawaii, Stella was encouraged by Mary Brandon to take her teaching certificate in Scottish Country Dancing. She did so and gained her preliminary certificate in Hawaii with Miss Milligan as the examiner. Some years later, while living in Richmond, Stella received her full certificate at TAC -the Teachers Association of Canada. Stella is also the deviser of several dances. 


created: 2019-08-23 16:56:26.725728+00
last_modified: 2019-08-28 09:22:55.108581+00
name: Frank's Birthday Reel
ucname: FRANKS BIRTHDAY REEL
intensity_bars: 840/844/844/800
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised by Ruth MacInnes and Peter Jamieson to mark the occasion of Frank Stephen’s 70th birthday, celebrated on 2nd August 2019 with a dance at Munlochy Hall. 

  Music selected by Joy Bisset.

  Notes: bars 9-24 are essentially modified Mairi’s wedding reels, with the 1s starting slightly advanced and then dancing a similar path to that danced in Australian Ladies.  Corners must clear the centre of the dance promptly to allow this, so twirls and hand pats are not recommended.


created: 2002-10-15 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-24 23:58:44.984115+00
name: Silver Sails
ucname: SILVER SAILS
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8888//6666/6666/6666/6666//8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Les Cumming of Canberra and District Branch of the R.S.C.D.S. And dedicated to the Sydney Branch of the R.S.C.D.S. On the occasion of their 25th Anniversary in 1977.

  The dance has three 32-bar sections, [65-96] repeat [1-32].


created: 2002-10-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-08 10:40:10.845139+00
name: Back on Track
ucname: BACK ON TRACK
intensity_bars: 880 888 844 844 844
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Mrs. Frans Ligtmans, teacher fo the Eindhoven group, who recently, after a serius illness and operation went back home, well on the way to full recovery.


created: 2019-09-16 06:53:04.528563+00
last_modified: 2019-09-16 06:53:04.528563+00
name: Spurtle Cat
ucname: SPURTLE CAT
devised: 2013-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Victoria Lewis, 2013 ; revised 2018.  

  Spurtle Cat is dedicated to Greg and Olga's cat, Winona ---with homage to one of Greg's favorite figures, the spurtle.


created: 2019-08-30 19:48:03.418927+00
last_modified: 2020-02-02 10:21:52.991884+00
name: Four Hand Star
ucname: FOUR HAND STAR
notes:
  Easy Ceilidh dance: see videos

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZOi8wmlHZk

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQK0IaHCfto


created: 1999-02-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-25 07:37:08.803592+00
name: Inverness Reel, The
ucname: INVERNESS REEL
notes:
  The source of the alias "The Inverness Sixsome" is unclear, it is not on the original instructions. 

  Under Music, the instructions state "Preferably use the same tune for each chorus, and one or more
  tunes different from this for the figures." 

  The original instructions were printed by TYPANLITH at the Pitman Press, Bath, probably as a leaflet. This text lists four sets of "chorus {16} plus Figure {16}", making 128 bars.  Other instructions in use add a final chorus {16}, making 144 bars.  

  On Jan. 26, 2015, 10:30 p.m.  Heiko Schmidt (castle_ghost) wrote:

  "I have a transcript of it (sent by Ron Mackey in 2007) - it is strangely written regarding this point:

  At the top it says "4x32" which would be 128, but:

  Then there is the description of the Chorus [16 bars] (not mentioning anything that it may not be danced)  followed by:

  Figure 1: ‚St. Andrew’s Cross’ [16 bars] + Chorus [16 bars] Figure 2: ‚Spin Setting’ [16 bars] + Chorus [16 bars] Figure 3: ‚Half Reels’ [16 bars] + Chorus [16 bars] Figure 4: ‚Lines of Three’ [16 bars] + Chorus [16 bars]

  Since there is no statement not to dance the 1st Chorus, and because there are remarks after the four other Choruses stating "[2nd]", "[3rd]", "[4th]" and "[5th]" that sums up to 144 bars.

  Is there any information anywhere stating that the initial Chorus description is not intended to be danced? If yes, that would explain the 128 bars."

  On this basis the editors have chosen to enter this as a 144 bar dance.


created: 2019-08-28 12:12:11.192251+00
last_modified: 2019-08-29 09:40:28.599852+00
name: Be True to Yourself
ucname: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
intensity_bars: 804/880/808/808/808
devised: 2018-05-01
notes:
  In the past many lesbians and gay men have been, and in some places still are, pressured into contracting heterosexual marriages they really do not want. This dance is for those who have ended an undesirable relationship and found a more appropriate one.

  1st couple are not suited to each other and quickly find that someone on their own side is more interesting. So they dance the Untie the Knot figure (from <<ddd:Fare Thee Well#16244>> devised by <<ddp:Kerr, Tom>>) and after a little further dalliance they each proceed to tie the Knot with a partner of the same sex. A long and happy life together passes in a flash and the two new pairs celebrate with a modified diamond (anniversary) poussette.


created: 1998-07-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-29 19:49:50.302675+00
name: Spinning Wheel Reel, The
ucname: SPINNING WHEEL REEL
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8888/8888/6086
devised: 1976-01-01
notes:
  The formations in the dance reminded the deviser of the movement of a large spinning wheel owned by a lady living in Ireland.


created: 1997-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-29 20:20:15.534012+00
name: Northesk
ucname: NORTHESK
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
notes:
  The river North Esk is a tributary of the river Esk which flows into the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh where the deviser was living at the time.


created: 1997-08-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-29 21:41:23.168822+00
name: Hands Across The Sea
ucname: HANDS ACROSS THE SEA
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  Devised for the wedding (in Edinburgh) in September 1990 of Juliet Adamson (from Scotland) and Mark Davoren (from Australia), who were moving to Canada.


created: 1997-08-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-30 14:51:58.176612+00
name: Dean Village Reel, The
ucname: DEAN VILLAGE REEL
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  Devised for the 70th birthday of John's wife Christina. John and Christina lived in Dean Village, Edinburgh.


created: 2002-11-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-08-30 14:38:42.477693+00
name: Pelorus Jack
ucname: PELORUS JACK
intensity_bars: 804 844 844 862
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  ##>>
  The dance title refers to a Risso’s dolphin, named after Pelorus Sound in Marlborough, New Zealand. From 1888 until 1912, the dolphin would pilot ships through French Pass, a particularly dangerous stretch of the Cook Strait. Although protected by an Act of Parliament of 1904, the dolphin disappeared after four Norwegian whaling ships passed through the Strait.  Wikipedia, however, offers: ‘research suggests that Pelorus Jack was an old animal; his head was white and his body pale, both indications of age, so it is likely that he died of natural causes’.

  There is <<https://youtu.be/AgFQul3rlLk|archive footage>> of Pelorus Jack himself and also of <<https://youtu.be/qIg2H6gew7Y|Barry Skelton recounting the story>>.

  Note that Risso's dolphins are not the iconic animals everyone (or at any rate everyone who watched kids' TV in the 1970s) knows from “Flipper”. They are bigger and have no “beak”.
  ##<<


created: 2019-08-30 19:23:43.340922+00
last_modified: 2021-08-02 19:56:59.403365+00
name: Och Aye!
ucname: OCH AYE
intensity_bars: 880/800/888/866
notes:
  Originally entered as "Och, Aye!" the version on the OUSDS website is "Och Aye!". The former is now an alias.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-08 12:47:07.183756+00
name: Little Cascade, The
ucname: LITTLE CASCADE
intensity_bars: 820/822/800/888
devised: 1984-01-01
notes:
  Devised during the evening of Wednesday the 1st of February, 1984 at Percy's Reserve, Petone.  

  Symbolism -  
  1 - 16::
    The bubbling cascade in the valley behind the reserve.
  17-24::
    The more gentle movement of the stream just before it enters a small lake.
  25-32::
    The lake above the lawn where, for many years, the Wellington Region has held informal dancing during the summer months.


created: 2019-09-08 23:08:47.248118+00
last_modified: 2019-09-08 23:37:48.279384+00
name: Office, The
ucname: OFFICE
intensity_bars: 80800/88888/82842/84844
notes:
  New dance, 2019, aka EH3 7AF for 5 couples.  Source: Dance List for Scotia Dancers August 12th 2019


created: 2019-09-02 16:52:55.343817+00
last_modified: 2023-12-22 20:20:08.313038+00
name: Keppoch Charm
ucname: KEPPOCH CHARM
intensity_bars: 840/888/800/808
notes:
  Dance Crib compiled by the deviser, J. Duncan Keppie (<<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/keppoch-charm.html>>).


created: 2013-05-30 15:13:44.029792+00
last_modified: 2019-09-09 11:36:05.014443+00
name: Lover's Lane
ucname: LOVERS LANE
intensity_bars: 880/800/804/800
devised: 2006-02-14
notes:
  This dance was devised February 14,2006 to celebrate Valentine's Day.

  To be danced 3 x 32 or 6 x 32.  Can be danced in a 4C set (8 x 32), by using the modified [25-32] to change the progression to (2,1,3).


created: 2019-09-15 22:53:00.196328+00
last_modified: 2019-09-16 23:37:55.162509+00
name: Second Home, A
ucname: SECOND HOME
intensity_bars: 88/44/88/88
devised: 2008-04-01
notes:
  Devised by Lori Farrell Howard, April 22, 2008. Dedicated to the teachers and co-oping parents of Creative Play Center in Pleasant Hill, Califomia


created: 2019-08-28 12:28:08.56247+00
last_modified: 2022-04-27 10:14:41.558514+00
name: Variations on a Theme
ucname: VARIATIONS ON A THEME
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888/888/888
devised: 2019-06-01
notes:
  This dance has tandem variations of the two couple bourrel (ie other options for three couple bourrels).


created: 2019-09-16 00:10:24.092901+00
last_modified: 2019-09-16 08:11:10.536954+00
name: Bernadette's Bane
ucname: BERNADETTES BANE
intensity_bars: 888/800/888/822/888
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Greg Reznick for Bemadette Thill to honor her beautiful dancing, her wonderful observational skills, and a few of her pet peeves.


created: 2019-09-16 00:13:59.394052+00
last_modified: 2019-09-16 21:41:40.569791+00
name: Carriage House, The
ucname: CARRIAGE HOUSE
intensity_bars: 80/88/88/88
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Bruce Herbold in memory of Greg Reznick.  

  Greg and Olga went with us many times to hear our favorite musician, Richard Thompson, perform at the intimate theater of The Carriage House at Montalvo. Greg mastered one of Richard's tunes on the guitar and performed it at the Scottish Dance Weekend at Asilomar, another of our shared favorite places. Greg is painfully missed.


created: 2019-09-16 07:01:59.380532+00
last_modified: 2019-09-16 23:49:46.929721+00
name: Willows' Laughter, The
ucname: WILLOWS LAUGHTER
intensity_bars: 8888/6666/8888/8888
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  At the end of the third time through, during the last four bars of music, drop your partner's hand,
  end with a bow/curtsey to your partner for two bars and then a bow/curtsey to your set for two
  bars.

  Recommended music: "King of the Fairies" performed by The St. Louis Ocamia Trio


created: 2019-09-20 08:15:10.509097+00
last_modified: 2019-09-20 08:24:00.145543+00
name: Just Do it
ucname: JUST DO IT
intensity_bars: 800/888/808/888
devised: 2019-09-01
notes:
  Suggested Music: A Gin and Tonic  

  This dance consists of 32 bars of strathspey, danced three times through, and 32 bars of reel, danced three times through.


created: 2016-10-19 21:11:35.683599+00
last_modified: 2019-09-12 00:38:48.911657+00
name: Pop! Goes The Weasel
ucname: POP GOES THE WEASEL
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/844
notes:
  An arrangement of the nursery rhyme tune would be eminently suitable as the name-tune for this dance. (For details see: <<http://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/pop-goes-the-weasel.html|Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary>>)


created: 2019-09-13 19:03:02.756102+00
last_modified: 2019-09-13 19:03:02.756102+00
name: Waverley Station Jig
ucname: WAVERLEY STATION JIG
intensity_bars: 888/820/880/824
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Written for the 2018 Bluebonnet Ball musicians, Waverley Station.  
  David Knight and Liz Donaldson. 
  Original tune by David Knight.


created: 2019-08-26 12:38:23.300588+00
last_modified: 2024-01-25 11:25:01.704725+00
name: Kate's Apple Pie
ucname: KATES APPLE PIE
devised: 2012-01-01
notes:
  *Optional ending to get 1st couple to the bottom of the set after 2nd repetition:*  
  At the end of every second repetition, on bars 31-32, 1st couple accelerates at the end of the Comer Pass and Turn to cross by the left to finish at the bottom while the 3rd couple dances up one place to finish ready to circle with the couples above. (3rd man continues dancing while 3rd woman casts.)  


  This dance was devised by Julia Wyrick for Kate Fletcher in appreciation for the delicious home baked pies she brings to the Berkeley socials. Julie wanted a modal tune to go with the dance, so Steve wrote "a la Mode" to go along with the pie!


created: 1997-08-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-12 18:35:33.071804+00
name: Busy Seamstress, The
ucname: BUSY SEAMSTRESS
intensity_bars: 400/888/844/888
notes:
  A more recent, local sighting tells the story of a ghost that allegedly haunts the ancestral home of my husband's people in the Jacob Shoemaker Home in the Village of Bridgeport (now part of Kitchener). She likes to sew and was reflected in an adjoining room through a corner dressing table mirror, busily
  snip-snipping with her scissors, then disappearing into the kitchen. The tenant was frozen to the spot as she watched fascinated for some time. Her daughter saw the same apparition sitting quietly in a corner of the attic, and on another occasion two gentlemen were startled to see her in the same spot. I took a picture in the attic, hoping to catch an image on film, as has sometimes happened, but was disappointed.


created: 2019-09-16 06:46:11.424386+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 23:25:25.706721+00
name: Luna's Twiddle
ucname: LUNAS TWIDDLE
intensity_bars: 840/848/888/448/888
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Victoria Lewis, 2013; revised 2018.  

  Luna's Twiddle is dedicated to my cat, Luna. "Twiddle" refers to Linda Henderson, whose instructions to "twirl" sounded like "twiddle".


created: 1997-10-29 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-13 22:58:02.689585+00
name: Noel Park
ucname: NOEL PARK
devised: 1830-01-01
notes:
  A twenty four bar Reel for two couples in a longwise set, from Voight's "A Selection" Book 3. (1809).

  Note in Whetherly Book 24: the same figures were published under the title 'John of Paris' in J. P.
  Boulogne's "The Ballroom or Juvenile Pupil's Assistant" (1830).

  That dance is not identical to the "John of Paris' associated with "Tom Thumb"and published in J. Daniel & Sons" "The Ballroom Companion" (1879).  


created: 2019-09-13 01:52:37.407844+00
last_modified: 2019-11-20 09:07:00.711547+00
name: She'll Be Right
ucname: SHELL BE RIGHT
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/844
devised: 2019-02-01
notes:
  This dance was devised for Jeanette Stephan who carried on teaching and dancing with a painful broken left wrist.


created: 2019-09-16 00:21:54.110855+00
last_modified: 2021-06-14 08:20:30.770222+00
name: Coffee Bean, The
ucname: COFFEE BEAN
intensity_bars: 48/88/88/88/84
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Devised by The New World Scottish Dancers - Lori Howard, Michael Howard, David Rouggly, Kathy Rouggly, Sandee Schultz, and Sharon Stewart

  Greg and Olga Reznick traveled through California and Oregon, camping in their teardrop trailer named "The Coffee Bean".


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-13 20:16:58.299187+00
name: Queen's Jig, The
ucname: QUEENS JIG
notes:
  Note in Whetherly book 24: The original instructions specified particular setting steps which are no longer in the Scottish repertoire. Possibly the nearest step to be used for the first sixteen bars would be the highland 'shake and travel step'.

  John Walsh republished this dance with the same music under the title 'Princess of Hesse's Jig'; he also republished the same figures with different music under the titles 'London Bridge' and 'The Foxhunter's Jig'.


created: 1997-09-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-13 20:29:29.873317+00
name: Richmond Ball
ucname: RICHMOND BALL
devised: 1698-01-01
notes:
  Note iin Whetherly book 24: this dance originally titled 'Mr Lane's Maggot' was another late addition by Henry Playford to the ninth edition of "The Dancing Master". From the 1718 issues on the dance was retitled 'Richmond Ball or Mr Lane's Magot'.


created: 1997-10-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-13 22:19:07.838762+00
name: Mrs Booth's Minuet
ucname: MRS BOOTHS MINUET
notes:
  This dance appears twice in this publication, once as 'Drapers Maggot' (page 6) and once as 'Mrs Booth's Minuet' (page 54).


created: 1997-10-15 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-13 22:51:34.32621+00
name: Tom Thumb
ucname: TOM THUMB
devised: 1879-01-01
notes:
  A twenty four bar Reel for two couples in a longwise set, from J. P. Boulogne's TIThe Ballroom or Juvenile Pupil's Assistant" (1830).

  Note in Whetherly Book 24: these figures also appeared under the title "John of Paris' in J. Daniel & Sons" "The Ballroom Companion" (1879).  That dance is not identical to the "John of Paris" associated with "Noel Park", and published under the title 'John of Paris' in J. P. Boulogne's "The Ballroom or Juvenile Pupil's Assistant" (1830).


created: 2019-09-02 17:56:56.312827+00
last_modified: 2019-09-14 17:40:30.48121+00
name: Tribute to Joyce, A
ucname: TRIBUTE TO JOYCE
notes:
  A Highland Step Dance for Two Women. The dance is 96 bars with a 4 bar introduction.

  The music is from the Celtic Experience CD (not yet in SCDDB), the tune is My Home Town, the musician is William Jackson.


created: 2019-07-14 15:25:53.340025+00
last_modified: 2019-09-14 09:31:22.961433+00
name: David Ross
ucname: DAVID ROSS
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/888
notes:
  John Mitchell has also devised a 32 bar Jig with the same name which he published in Whetherly Book 9

  Recommended tune: David Ross (composer not specified)


created: 2018-10-19 20:29:08.513026+00
last_modified: 2019-09-14 17:52:57.25562+00
name: Ledbury Lassies, The
ucname: LEDBURY LASSIES
intensity_bars: 888/888/844/844/800/844
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Before appearing in the Hereford 40th anniversary book (as The Ledbury Lassies) this dance was originally entered in SCDDB as The Ledbury Ladies which is kept as a spelling alias.


created: 2001-05-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-14 22:54:28.783156+00
name: Blue Route, The
ucname: BLUE ROUTE
intensity_bars: 888/800/888/888
notes:
  Avril devised this dance from a set of exercises she developed for a Delaware Valley Branch
  workshop. The Blue Route is the local name for Interstate 476, which connects many of the
  towns in which Branch events take place.


created: 1998-02-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-15 22:22:19.607405+00
name: Dean's Delight, The
ucname: DEANS DELIGHT
intensity_bars: 888/808/844/822
notes:
  For Benita and Brian Jewell to celebrate Brian's appointment as Dean of the School of Medicine, Leeds.


created: 2001-11-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-26 10:43:47.461179+00
name: Joie de Vivre
ucname: JOIE DE VIVRE
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 888
notes:
  ##>>
  This is defined in the Concise Oxford Dictionary as *an exuberant enjoyment of life*.  
  Origin: French, literally 'joy of living'.
  ##<<

  The following corrections were included on a loose sheet "Notes on Dances by Bob Grant June 1996", when Book 39 was first sold in the Summer School bookshop:

  9-12  ... and return to places with men facing up and women facing down


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-10-09 22:30:03.094879+00
name: Mr Beveridge's Maggot
ucname: MR BEVERIDGES MAGGOT
devised: 1696-01-01
notes:
  3/2 time

  Note in Whetherly Book 24:  the original instructions for the last four bars are lead up hands abreast, half figure of eight through the second couple and cast off.
  This dance also appeared in a later volume of "The Dancing Master" with different music, under the title 'Ever Happy".

  Not really SCD, but some videos are at <<https://youtu.be/OxI616iJTqs>>, <<https://youtu.be/G9VvHYS95YM>>. The latter is described, in extensive youtube comments, as a simplified version.


created: 2019-09-26 14:26:30.699496+00
last_modified: 2019-09-26 14:34:34.252951+00
name: Bill's Clothes Pegs
ucname: BILLS CLOTHES PEGS
intensity_bars: 800/888/866/844
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Bill Ewen remembers how, as a child, he practised the piano on his Grandmother's window sill, using clothes pegs as "pretend" keys.


created: 2006-10-30 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-26 17:23:34.277649+00
name: Langdon Knot, The
ucname: LANGDON KNOT
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/880
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  For Susie Langdon Kass on the occasion of her significant birthday. Susie's husband Sid commissioned the tune by Muriel Johnstone. Susie was my fIrst teacher (as she was for many dancers in the Bay Area) and is a tireless and enthusiastic promoter of Scottish Country Dancing. She is well known for teaching "The Langdon Knot" to any (and all) who have yet to learn this very secure way of tying shoelaces. The fIgure in bars 9-16 reminds me of tying a knot and is evocative of the central fIgure in John McAlpin, one of Susie's favorite dances. A Ramsay herself, another of Susie's favorites is Lady Lucy Ramsay, which is the source for the last 8 bars. (Tim Wilson)


created: 2019-03-08 18:09:46.819724+00
last_modified: 2019-09-27 12:33:07.709821+00
name: Happy to See You
ucname: HAPPY TO SEE YOU
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Warm up dance written for the 10th anniversary international weekend course of the Budapest Scottish Dance Club.   
  Couple face couple round the room.     


created: 2019-09-28 20:50:44.36563+00
last_modified: 2019-09-28 22:34:46.168955+00
name: Islesman, The
ucname: ISLESMAN
intensity_bars: 888/660/844/844
notes:
  Written after reading Nigel Tranter’s book The Islesman about Angus Og MacDonald, who may be a very distant ancestor.


created: 2019-09-28 21:48:21.722032+00
last_modified: 2019-09-28 22:38:34.199499+00
name: McCaig's Tower
ucname: MACCAIGS TOWER
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/888
notes:
  When we were in Scotland we explored McCaig's Tower in Oban. It has an interesting history and is a round building with no top. I liked the crossover hands across in the Jute Spinner's Reel and wanted to try it up and down the set.


created: 2019-10-01 13:19:45.561967+00
last_modified: 2019-10-14 14:26:05.854663+00
name: Hurray for Sarah May
ucname: HURRAY FOR SARAH MAY
intensity_bars: 802/808/880/888
notes:
  This dance was devised for Sarah May van Leersum, daughter of our friends Sjoerd and Sophie van Leersum.

  There is now a <<ddt:Sarah May's Jig|tune>> for this dance (previously "any good jig" was recommended).


created: 2015-10-14 15:31:25.597536+00
last_modified: 2019-10-20 00:13:03.401065+00
name: Neighbours Day
ucname: NEIGHBOURS DAY
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2015-03-29
notes:
  Notes from The Johnsonville Collection:

  Devised 29th March 2015 as a teaching dance for pas de Basque and corners.

  The dance follows a very nice “neighbours’ day” where the Johnsonville Club danced at the Newlands Marae on Saturday 28th March, with a number of our new beginners involved. 

  Recommened tune is “Kirk’s Hornpipe” and an excellent recording is by David South and his band in “Kardinia Capers” as “Set of Hornpipes” (track 1)


created: 2019-10-04 07:56:59.319936+00
last_modified: 2019-10-04 21:07:36.617954+00
name: John McCormick
ucname: JOHN MACCORMICK
intensity_bars: 8888/8338/8668/8008
devised: 2019-09-20
notes:
  Devised 20 September, 2019, but modified when danced with Johnsonville on 30th September. John is a friend who leads the Milwaukee group, and has done so for many years. This is a little note of thanks for his kindness in driving me from Milwaukee to O'Hare after I taught a class late on the night of 16th September. His favourite tune is tourbillon, and step is Strathspey. 

  Recommended tune is "Red Plaid" (traditional) and I particularly like the set "Red Plaid/The Iron Man/The Banks of Spey" from Peter Elmes recording of "Glenys Pearce's Strathspey" from the Lochiel Collection. Should this not be available, I would recommended tune "Miss Janet Laing's Strathspey" by Nan Main, and either of the society's recordings for book 22 would be good. Failing that use any reasonable recording of "The Balmoral Strathspey".
  2


created: 2014-06-27 20:53:46.465157+00
last_modified: 2019-10-17 00:37:18.211835+00
name: Caledonian Step, The
ucname: CALEDONIAN STEP
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
notes:
  Remembering good times with the "Caledonian Dancers" of Stratford, Ontario.  

  This dance is very similar to <<ddd:Waterloo Welcome>>


created: 2019-10-14 09:23:03.808012+00
last_modified: 2019-10-17 22:13:22.847663+00
name: Reel for Margaret, A
ucname: REEL FOR MARGARET
intensity_bars: 888/888/866/866/888/888
notes:
  Devised as a posthumus tribute to Margaret Scrymgeour, for all the work she did for Fowlis Village.

  The local group taught by Muriel Boal has confirmed that the Crown Triangles figure of bars 9-14 only has two clockwise movements; 1c tuns third corner on bars 15-16. This solves the ambiguity of the original instructions,


created: 2019-10-28 11:23:12.577409+00
last_modified: 2019-10-28 14:27:58.378268+00
name: Paco's Wiggle Waggle Walk
ucname: PACOS WIGGLE WAGGLE WALK
intensity_bars: 602/842/844/888
devised: 2019-08-14
notes:
  The dance is about walking my dog Paco, a Labrackel or Teckrador or whatever. Even though we take the same route, we never seem to be at the same place at the same time (bars 1-16, a mirror fugue), only when I have him on the leash (bars 17-20). And he is totally thrilled whenever we meet all the other dogs at the local dogs‘ playground (bars 21ff ).

  Dedicated to Ilona Brown who inspired me to devise this dance.

  Music Suggestion: Cramond Bridge (Robert Whithead and the Danelaw Band)  
  Alternatives: Duncan MacCalman (Peter White and his Band) , Dumbarton Drums (Kenny Thomson And The Wardlaw Scottish Dance Band)


created: 2002-07-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-10-23 18:09:49.975127+00
name: Pint o' Ale is Fain
ucname: PINT O ALE IS FAIN
intensity_bars: 888 888 888 800
notes:
  There are two versions of this dance.  The original instructions for bars 17-24 say:

  1st couple dances a figure of eight on their own sides with 2nd and 3rd couples, giving left shoulders to 2nd couple to begin. For more advanced dancers, a reel of three on the sides may be substituted.

  The diagrams and cribs of this entry show the "advanced" version.


created: 2001-07-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-09-29 10:36:51.421396+00
name: Gnomes' Stone, The
ucname: GNOMES STONE
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/844
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  For the dancers at the Proitzer Müehle, Whitsun 1999.  

  The “Gnomes’ Stone” (der Zwergenstein) near the Proitzer Müehle marks the entrance to the subterranean abode of a tribe of gnomes in a local folk tale.

  At the Whitsun workshop, 1999, the Proitze dancers presented me with a beautifully illustrated children’s book by Susanne Laschütza, telling the story of the Gnomes’ Stone. This inspired the movements of the dance, starting with the gnomes surreptitiously grinding their corn at the Mill (bars 1–8) before being surprised by a group of farmers (beginning of bar 9) and having to retreat to their lair under the stone, pursued by the farmers (bars 9–16). In the tale, a farmer and his farm hand proceed to kidnap one of the gnomes as a children’s playmate; this gnome subsequently escapes overnight, and on the second attempt the farm hand vanishes in the gnomes’ cave, never to be seen again (most of this could be read into bars 17–28). Since that time, the entrance to the gnomes’ abode remains sealed, but the stone can be visited during an easy walk from the Mühle.

  Note: The turn in bars 13–16 may be danced three quarters round instead of one and three quarters round if dancers do not feel the need to escape from a group of angry farmers.
  8


created: 2012-01-21 08:07:05.051717+00
last_modified: 2019-10-11 01:25:19.130172+00
name: Aviator, The
ucname: AVIATOR
intensity_bars: 800/846/846/822
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  Note in Carola Fischer's original instructions:  NB.  It is up to the dancing couple how far down they dance down and in which place they dance out between the standing men.  Where there is more than one set, the dancing couple may dance out through the gap in the men’s side in the set below.

  Devised by Carola Fischer for Hans Prade on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Hans used to be a keen glider and my father nick-named him „The Aviator“. Hans once had the wonderful experience of being joined by a buzzard which took advantage of the thermal, flying at his wingtip and mirroring his movements. This dance depicts Hans taking off, banking round, enjoying his flight with the buzzard and then landing again safely. May the movements of this dance bring back those happy memories!


created: 2006-12-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-10-11 21:42:41.783861+00
name: Autumn Rose
ucname: AUTUMN ROSE
intensity_bars: 880/848/844/844
devised: 2006-10-17
notes:
  For my wife Claire on her birthday.  17 October 2006

  The deviser acknowledges that the published instructions contain an error in bars 25-28.  1st couple should dance out between the women, not the men, ie:

  25-28  1st couple lead out between 2nd and 3rd women, they divide and cast to finish 1st lady between 2nd couple at the top all face down and 1st man between 3rd couple at the bottom all face up


created: 2019-06-02 12:40:30.380981+00
last_modified: 2019-10-08 22:01:27.270806+00
name: New Shepherd's Crook, The
ucname: NEW SHEPHERDS CROOK
intensity_bars: 800/888/848/448/888
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Zsolt Molnár for David Hall on the occasion of a "rather special birthday” May 2018. Dave was the mentor and "shepherd” during Zsolt’s SCD teaching certificate.


created: 2019-06-29 13:41:59.229606+00
last_modified: 2019-10-02 00:15:06.88531+00
name: Basketweave Braid
ucname: BASKETWEAVE BRAID
intensity_bars: 800/866/866/800
devised: 2017-07-01
notes:
  In Milanese lace (one type of bobbin lace I like to do), stitches are braids and basketweave is one of these braids that has many crossings.


created: 2019-10-12 13:33:06.829166+00
last_modified: 2019-10-12 13:33:06.829166+00
name: Sparkling Eyes
ucname: SPARKLING EYES
intensity_bars: 888/800/888/888
notes:
  This dance is a slightly modified version of <<ddd:Twa Sparkling Een>> by <<ddp:Boyd, Iain>> just changing the order of the hands across in bars 17-24 from right then left (in the original) to left then right here.


created: 2019-10-10 22:24:16.654175+00
last_modified: 2019-10-10 23:04:44.962631+00
name: Leith Meets Edinburgh
ucname: LEITH MEETS EDINBURGH
intensity_bars: 880/880/888/844
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  In honor of Catherine & John  Prentice, who started the annual Burns Supper of the Kitchener-Waterloo Branch 35 years ago.

  E-crib derived from video and local crib


created: 2019-10-20 20:59:09.403762+00
last_modified: 2021-09-18 08:19:11.491057+00
name: Party at the French House, A
ucname: PARTY AT THE FRENCH HOUSE
intensity_bars: 840/888/844/844/888
devised: 2018-08-01
notes:
  For Liz and Gordon Matthew who live in Geneva but also have a lovely house in France to which the Geneva Scottish Country Dancing Club get invited for summer parties. 

  1st couple are the hosts, 2nd and 3rd couples are the guests. 2nd couple arrive a bit too early and get parked in top place as 1st couple survey their preparations. The hosts then encourage their guests to mingle on the sides as they dart across and back. 1st couple can then spend some quality time with each guest, working round from 4th to 1st corners. By this time the party has a developed a rowdier life of its own and the dance ends with a circle. 


created: 2012-05-05 08:39:45.640494+00
last_modified: 2019-10-13 07:13:54.989277+00
name: Mrs Jappy's Measure
ucname: MRS JAPPYS MEASURE
intensity_bars: 880/833/833/866
notes:
  Dance devised by Bill Zobel as a tribute to Ruth Jappy of Delta, British Columbia, who has for decades been one of the world's leading ambassadors for Scottish Country Dancing and its music.

  NOTE: Since the original publication of "Dancing on Air" in 2011, bars [13-16] and [21-24] of this dance have been modified.  The formation is now "set to corner; turn corner BH".  The diagrams are correct.  


created: 2014-05-09 22:02:57.577845+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 09:28:09.597715+00
name: Snow Eater, The
ucname: SNOW EATER
intensity_bars: 880/822/888/888
notes:
  Southern Alberta is known for its very strong winds, which can raise the temperature by 20 to 30 degrees in a very short time. This increase in temperature results in the melting of snow. These winds are known as Chinooks; thought to be taken from the First Nations word meaning Snow Eater.


created: 2016-02-25 00:20:26.302598+00
last_modified: 2019-10-23 16:56:21.141992+00
name: Behind the Scenes
ucname: BEHIND THE SCENES
intensity_bars: 888/840/822/844
notes:
  Devised for Kathleen Johnston from Dufftown who has done so much work “behind the scenes” in the running of the Dufftown Scottish Country Dance Club


created: 2019-10-28 11:31:19.275217+00
last_modified: 2019-10-28 16:27:30.847091+00
name: What d'ya want from me?
ucname: WHAT DYA WANT FROM ME
intensity_bars: 800/822/888/844
devised: 2019-08-14
notes:
  I wrote this dance as a warm up dance for my class and wanted it to be „not too dull“.

  Music Suggestion: Fight about the Fireside (Muriel Johnstone & Keith Smith)  
  Alternatives: Peter & Madelaine Quince (The Danelaw Dance Band), Sutters of Selkirk (Colin
  Dewar)


created: 2019-10-13 18:06:18.216403+00
last_modified: 2019-10-25 20:39:25.074576+00
name: Janice Stevenson's Strathspey
ucname: JANICE STEVENSONS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888/880/822/888
notes:
  The music, written as a tribute to Janice Stevenson by David Bowen, came first.  The dance was devised later, as posthumus tribute to Janice, in effect the dance was written for the tune rather than the other way round.

  Dance Source: by phone from the Inverness branch. 


created: 2019-10-25 09:50:25.898184+00
last_modified: 2019-10-25 20:44:08.825999+00
name: Couple of Gems - Two by Forty, A
ucname: COUPLE OF GEMS TWO BY FORTY
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8888/8888/8228
devised: 2019-09-01
notes:
  Devised to celebrate Margaret and Derek Darnell’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary in September 2019.  The dance name mirrors this in the words "Two by Forty",


created: 2019-10-28 11:38:25.697384+00
last_modified: 2019-10-28 14:29:23.311404+00
name: Tick Tock Goes the Clock
ucname: TICK TOCK GOES THE CLOCK
intensity_bars: 844/888/866/888
notes:
  In essence, this dance is a nod to the region where I grew up, the Black Forest. It‘s famous for its „Cuckoo Clocks“, and the „Tick Tock“ figure reflects the movement of the hands of the clock; the clock then has to be wound up to make it go round again...

  Music Suggestion:
  Oh Whistle and I'll come tae ye, my lad (Muriel Johnstone's Scottish Dance Band)  
  Alternatives:
  Bonnie Dundee (Sandy Legget), Two and two (Ron Kerr)


created: 2019-10-25 10:19:05.106838+00
last_modified: 2020-04-07 23:35:04.130398+00
name: Kelly's Journey
ucname: KELLYS JOURNEY
intensity_bars: 800/800/877/888
devised: 2016-09-01
notes:
  For Kelly Milne, to celebrate the start of her gap-year adventures, driving around the United States in her RV with her husband, David. Bon Voyage


created: 2019-10-24 16:38:37.958261+00
last_modified: 2021-03-13 10:11:43.674413+00
name: City of Wisteria
ucname: CITY OF WISTERIA
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/882
devised: 2018-11-01
notes:
  *Peter Marshall writes* "The dance commemorates the 15th Anniversary, in autumn 2019, of Kasukabe Sugar Candie Scottish Dancing Group.  Kasukabe City is famous for its Wisteria, one of its trees is over 1200 years old, and there is a wide main street opposite the station named Wisteria Street.  Members of this group have always made me very welcome and so it is a pleasure to devise this dance for them."


created: 2003-07-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-10-30 03:14:42.793263+00
name: Fifty Years On
ucname: FIFTY YEARS ON
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
notes:
  For Anthony Payne on his 50th birthday.

  Editor's note [Eric Ferguson].  For 1st couple, the transition on bar 24 is awkward.  The dance would flow better if on [21-24] the second diagonal half reel of 4 had started with 1st couple facing 4th corner.  I wonder if this is a mistake in the instructions, which clearly say 2nd corner.   


created: 1998-07-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-06-09 08:37:35.6425+00
name: Faraway Isle, The
ucname: FARAWAY ISLE
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote in the original description that the dance was *a dance for the visit to Majorca*.


created: 2019-10-28 18:19:55.334216+00
last_modified: 2020-01-10 09:30:38.888999+00
name: Bronzewing, The
ucname: BRONZEWING
notes:
  The Bronzewing is a native Australian pigeon.  In spring, the male does a courtship dance to attract the female, and this dance mimics many of those movements.


created: 2006-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-04 12:51:55.135528+00
name: Torridon Lassies
ucname: TORRIDON LASSIES
intensity_bars: 844 844 844 844 888
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  Torridon is a small village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. However the name is also applied to the area surrounding the village, particularly the Torridon Hills, mountains to the north of Glen Torridon. It lies on the shore of Loch Torridon.

  John Brenchley named this dance after Torridon Street in Perth, Western Australia, in an area where names of Scottish origin abound.

  The original dedication in <<ddpub:The Kangaroo Paw#1009>> publication reads: *A dance for the lassies in our house which is situated in a street named Torridon Loop.*


created: 2017-06-22 11:07:26.162244+00
last_modified: 2019-11-05 00:17:44.925437+00
name: Rope Spinner's Reel, The
ucname: ROPE SPINNERS REEL
devised: 2012-04-01
notes:
  A Roper Spinner is an old occupation in Scotland and refers to the maker of rope by braiding yams of cotton or flax.


created: 2003-10-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-01 02:01:37.13882+00
name: Seattle Landing
ucname: SEATTLE LANDING
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  Inspiration for the dance was the tune of the same name written by Fred Moyes. Fred wrote the music for the Seattle Branch when he visited in February 1998. He came to buy an accordion and he played for a Branch monthly party while here.  

  The alternate name for the dance is "Looking For a Latte", a reference to Seattle's reputation as the "Latte Capital of the Universe".  

  Explanation of the figures by David Vandegrift -  
  Bars  
  1 - 8 Wending one's way through town in search of the best latte stand.  
  9 - 16 Espressing the ground beans with the crema ( couple 1) rising to the top.  
  17 - 24 Frothing the milk.  
  25 - 32 Running the stir stick round the inside of the cup to scoop out the foam.


created: 2019-11-02 13:32:19.078025+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 13:32:19.078025+00
name: Saltoun Place Gardens
ucname: SALTOUN PLACE GARDENS
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/642
notes:
  Saltoun Place Gardens is the gardens in the town of Fraserburgh, Scotland, where the deviser grew up.


created: 2019-11-02 13:45:11.40668+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 13:45:11.40668+00
name: Summers in Belger
ucname: SUMMERS IN BELGER
intensity_bars: 2882/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, is for Margaret and Alex Summers who live in Cairnbulg (locally known as Belger) and have become the greatest of friends with Jamie and I.


created: 2019-11-02 13:51:19.645611+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 13:51:19.645611+00
name: Cat's Rugby Jig
ucname: CATS RUGBY JIG
intensity_bars: 888/484/888/888
notes:
  The dance was devised by Jack Pressley for Catherine Hines. Catherine, known as Cat, is an avid rugby player and originally hails from Los Alamos, New Mexico.


created: 2019-11-02 13:59:50.378552+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 13:59:50.378552+00
name: Adele's Jig
ucname: ADELES JIG
intensity_bars: 8/8/8/8/8
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, was written for Adele Zhau who is a very talented student at the British International School, Charlotte, NC.


created: 2018-06-03 14:24:51.00372+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 14:03:09.920793+00
name: Claire Telford of Netherlie
ucname: CLAIRE TELFORD OF NETHERLIE
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, was written for Claire Telford.

  It may be danced as a two couple demo or in a three or four couple set.


created: 2018-06-03 14:46:46.629079+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 09:26:05.292634+00
name: Langside Capers
ucname: LANGSIDE CAPERS
intensity_bars: 886/888/844/888
notes:
  The dance was devised by Jack Pressley for the dancers who dance, regularly every Sunday, at the Church Hall in Longside (Langside), Aberdeenshire and, who engage some of the best Scottish musicians, but, most of all they create such a welcoming atmosphere that it is an absolute pleasure to attend their dances.  

  "Caper" is the Doric word for dance.


created: 2019-11-02 10:00:41.87004+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 10:00:41.87004+00
name: Piccolina, La
ucname: PICCOLINA
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, was for Chiara and Patrick Architta who are returning to France. Patrick and Chiara were a great addition to any dance group and they were so much fun to dance with.


created: 2019-06-16 13:02:24.068259+00
last_modified: 2019-11-24 13:37:39.195607+00
name: Tuna Bandit
ucname: TUNA BANDIT
devised: 2016-04-01
notes:
  My husband opened a can of tuna and left it on the kitchen counter when he got called away to do something else. When he remembered it, he found our cat Sebastian chowing down.


created: 2019-11-02 10:09:20.038918+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 10:09:20.038918+00
name: Belger Quine, The
ucname: BELGER QUINE
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, was written for my wife Jamie Pressley who comes from Cairnbulg, Aberdeenshire, known locally as “Belger” and the word “Quine” is the Doric word for girl. The village of Cairnbulg which adjoins the village of Inverallochy is situated on the North-East coast of Scotland at one end of a beautiful bay of golden sand with the town of Fraserburgh being at the other end. The dance was written originally as a two couple demonstration dance. It may be danced as a two couple demo or in a three or four couple set.


created: 2019-11-02 10:43:49.024402+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 10:43:49.024402+00
name: Hills of Home, The
ucname: HILLS OF HOME
intensity_bars: 8888/8228/8888/8008
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, was for Harry and Greta McCouaig who 
  run some of the best dances in the Buchan area at Longside, Aberdeenshire 
  every Sunday. They have created such a great atmosphere at their dances and 
  book the best of Scotland’s musicians to play at their dances.
  The name “Hills of Home” relate to the Ochil Hills in Clackmannanshire. The 
  Ochil Hills dominated the scenery where Harry and Greta were originally from. 
  Harry from Tillicoultry and Greta from Alloa.


created: 2019-11-02 09:37:30.810858+00
last_modified: 2019-11-02 14:04:56.110436+00
name: Taylor's Grace, The
ucname: TAYLORS GRACE
intensity_bars: 844/866/822/888
notes:
  The dance, devised by Jack Pressley, was for Grace Taylor, who lives in New Aberdour, and is a music teacher and composer. Grace composed the music for my dance “<<ddd:Summers in Belger>>” and she is a regular at Scottish Country Dancing in the North East of Scotland.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-03 23:44:42.019963+00
name: Turra Coo, The
ucname: TURRA COO
intensity_bars: 68886/88488/68486/84840
notes:
  A white cow, impounded and ordered to be sold to pay for insurance stamps that her owner had refused to buy, escaped during uproar at the auction and went careering through the streets of Turriff, eventually returning to her farm. A granite slab marks the place where the worthy creature was buried.


created: 2019-10-28 18:27:12.558695+00
last_modified: 2020-06-05 17:17:01.582704+00
name: Curlicue
ucname: CURLICUE
notes:
  NB in the <<ddpub:#1547|2nd Canberra Book>> (2020) bars 17-24 vary from the version in <<ddpub:#1522>> (2019).


created: 1998-09-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-09 14:23:42.853085+00
name: Miss Hadden's Reel
ucname: MISS HADDENS REEL
intensity_bars: 888 844 888 888
devised: 1967-01-01
notes:
  Muriel Hadden was secretary of the RSCDS from 1943 to 1967 (!). The
  story goes that the Society wanted to dedicate a dance to her and
  offered her several to choose from; since she was not a dancer herself
  (!!), she picked the one which looked nicest when danced.


created: 2001-09-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-05 14:03:25.357071+00
name: Clach Na Cudainn
ucname: CLACH NA CUDAINN
intensity_bars: 8888/4444/8888/4444/8484/4848/4444/6666
devised: 2001-03-01
notes:
  For Inverness Branch of the RSCDS. 

  "Clacn na Cudain" means "Stone of the Tubs"  The stone with this name used to be at the top of the bank of the River Ness and the housewives of the neighbourhood rested their tubs of wet chothes on it while they recovered breath after doing their laundry and climbing the steep bank.  

  The stone is now incorporated in the fabric of the Town House in Inverness.

  One repeat from new places is probably enough for most dancers as this is a vigorous dance.


created: 2013-07-23 09:15:47.971009+00
last_modified: 2019-11-11 12:48:48.036743+00
name: Lady Irvine's Jig
ucname: LADY IRVINES JIG
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/844
notes:
  Devised in memory of Mabel, Lady Irvine, first chairman of St Andrews Branch.  A talented musician with a lifelong love of dancing she was wife of Sir James Irvine, Principal of St Andrews University from 1920 to 1952.


created: 2001-07-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-10 00:08:24.908256+00
name: Swinmark Sixsome, The
ucname: SWINMARK SIXSOME
intensity_bars: 888/844/888/686
notes:
  “Swinmark” (“Boar’s Mark”, in the sense of “border region”) is the name of the area surrounding Proitze and the Mühle. In fact, the boar is part of the Proitzer Mühle’s logo—see the title page of this book.

  This is a fun piece inspired by Derek Haynes’s dance "Domino Five". It proved quite hilarious in the pre-publication trials, but the dancers should by no means be encouraged to behave like wild pigs.


created: 2019-03-18 20:09:32.489081+00
last_modified: 2019-11-07 10:31:08.988201+00
name: Salute to Antonius
ucname: SALUTE TO ANTONIUS
intensity_bars: 8040/8484/8484/8004
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  To Tony Payne, whose email address is antonius, to show my appreciation of his unfailing support and encouragement with The Sunday Class, despite all that he has had to contend with in his own life


created: 2016-09-04 12:06:15.642812+00
last_modified: 2019-11-12 20:58:08.424196+00
name: Rennie's Rant
ucname: RENNIES RANT
intensity_bars: 800/844/822/888
notes:
  The name of the dance is in honor of Jack Rennie, my first teacher when I started dancing here in 1973.  It wasn't always easy to keep up the classes, but it was always Jack who would call and say he hadn't seen me dancing in a while, and I would go back to class. I've had so much fun dancing over the years, thanks to a good start in Jack's class in Santa Monica.


created: 2017-12-23 15:57:32.040124+00
last_modified: 2019-11-10 10:25:43.271674+00
name: Bonjour la Dordogne
ucname: BONJOUR LA DORDOGNE
intensity_bars: 44444/44444/80844/88888
notes:
  During a holiday in the Dordogne Valley, we were welcomed by the local Scottish Dance group, “Les
  danseurs celtiques”. This dance was devised and danced to celebrate that very meaningful experience,


created: 2017-05-10 22:51:24.06649+00
last_modified: 2019-11-12 23:39:40.864117+00
name: After Twenty Five Years (Higham)
ucname: AFTER TWENTY FIVE YEARS HIGHAM
intensity_bars: 800/044/888/644
devised: 2016-12-01
notes:
  Devised by Pauline Beeson and Roger Gurtner with help from Elizabeth Cooper, Ann Newberry, Mick Madigan and David Davidson at Higham Hall, Cumbria, December 2016.


created: 1998-04-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-04-25 15:52:16.83155+00
name: Willbergs of Rechberg, The
ucname: WILLBERGS OF RECHBERG
intensity_bars: 8642/8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Devised for Karin and Hans Willberg.  The figures symbolize how Karin and Hans set out to spread SCD in Germany, how people met and travelled through dancing, and how they enjoyed dancing in their own groups, at larger gatherings and as 'one large family".


created: 2013-11-12 18:57:34.006288+00
last_modified: 2021-08-28 16:24:59.697958+00
name: Collingwood Oaks, The
ucname: COLLINGWOOD OAKS
intensity_bars: 822/866/880/844
notes:
  Notes from Dunedin Book 6:

  The dance was devised by Jen Wood in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the death of Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood on 7th March 1810. Collingwood was known to carry acorns to plant on country walks, in the hope of ensuring that the navy would always have a supply of oak for building ships.


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-15 09:03:51.122848+00
name: Huntly Castle
ucname: HUNTLY CASTLE
intensity_bars: 880/880/888/888
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote in the original description:

  *Huntly Castle, now a ruin, was formerly the seat of the Earls, later the Marquises of Huntly - the chiefs of Clan Gordon.*


created: 1999-01-18 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-15 09:09:40.113951+00
name: Streets of Milan
ucname: STREETS OF MILAN
intensity_bars: 800 844 844 888
notes:
  The instructions for this dance are published in the <<dda:Take Your Partners For Vol 1#892|booklet accompanying the CD>> by <<ddp:Luke Brady's Scottish Dance Band#10034>>.


created: 2000-07-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-15 09:27:09.450091+00
name: Cati Ramsay
ucname: CATI RAMSAY
intensity_bars: 40/80/88/88
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  For Cati’s Birthday.

  The instructions for this dance are published in the <<dda:Take Your Partners For Vol 3#1021|booklet accompanying the CD>> by <<ddp:Luke Brady's Scottish Dance Band#10034>>.


created: 2013-08-02 19:28:22.57912+00
last_modified: 2019-11-15 14:11:00.646014+00
name: Cooper Children, The
ucname: COOPER CHILDREN
intensity_bars: 10,8,6/10,4,4/10,8,8/10,10,10
devised: 2009-05-09
notes:
  Devised by Hugh Porteous and the Caledonian Society of Sheffield Dance Class for the ASCDS Festival at Ollerton on 9th May 2009.

  10 bar phrases

  Note: Eric's Crib shows the current version.  In an earlier version the deviser, for [19-20], wrote “turn their partner by the left hand to finish in the middle of the dance with the man below the woman”.  In another variant, 1c turn LH 1½  for [25-26]


created: 2019-01-17 09:47:35.277398+00
last_modified: 2019-11-13 09:07:09.537489+00
name: Dewy Fields
ucname: DEWY FIELDS
intensity_bars: 8800/8080/8448/8888
notes:
  A tribute to Betty Hildebrand.  
  "When Dewy Fields Are Green" is a poem written by Betty's grandfather, David Scott, and published in 1922.


created: 2015-07-31 14:00:15.410892+00
last_modified: 2019-11-13 22:54:05.924831+00
name: Orpington Caledonians
ucname: ORPINGTON CALEDONIANS
intensity_bars: 802/808/840/888
devised: 1987-01-01
notes:
  The dance was written in 1987 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Orpington and District Caledonian Society.


created: 2019-11-15 23:22:54.025889+00
last_modified: 2019-11-15 23:23:41.742139+00
name: Thanks for All the Dancing
ucname: THANKS FOR ALL THE DANCING
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/808
devised: 2019-10-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Maureen Robson, upon her retirement from 38 years of teaching the Tawa Scottish  Country Dance Club, Wellington, New Zealand. The club meets in the Redwood Hall, Tawa.

  Further details and the instructions for the dance are available via the comment on the <<https://youtu.be/hodeZQ9-xoY|youtube video>>.


created: 2019-11-14 09:00:47.725194+00
last_modified: 2019-11-14 09:03:27.419407+00
name: Muirland Briggses, The
ucname: MUIRLAND BRIGGSES
intensity_bars: 800/866/800/888
devised: 2012-03-01
notes:
  Devised by Chuck Snowdon in honor of Mike and Norma Briggs on the 35th anniversary of the John Muir Branch (WI) Ball, March 2012.


created: 2019-11-14 22:30:04.985921+00
last_modified: 2019-11-14 22:34:43.670318+00
name: Red Poppy, The
ucname: RED POPPY
notes:
  The source for this dance is the <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com|Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary site>> who have helpfully published, <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/z-red-poppy.html|on this page>>, both the deviser's original hand written instructions and a typed up copy.

  It was devised to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and first performed on 8 November 1986.


created: 2019-11-18 20:13:32.144492+00
last_modified: 2019-11-19 10:16:41.464667+00
name: Lancers, The
ucname: LANCERS
notes:
  One original text for this dance says: Top couple #1, with back to the music; 2nd couple to their right 4th couple to their left, 3rd couple (bottom couple) facing them.  _Editors' note: This is the inverse of the normal SCD numbering._

  It also says:  "There are five figures, each with an eight bar introduction, when partners bow to each other, then to their corners, except in figure 5, which begins with a Grand Chain".  In that "original" those five figures are different 24, 32 or 64 bar dances.

  A very different description was published on a Dance List, there the dance has 4 repeats of one 48-bar figure, followed by a 16 bar Grand Chain.

  It could be that there are in fact two distinct dances with the same name.


created: 2000-04-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-15 23:09:30.550488+00
name: Welcome to Dufftown
ucname: WELCOME TO DUFFTOWN
intensity_bars: 866 888 888 844
devised: 1987-01-01
notes:
  The instructions for this dance are published in the <<dda:Special Requests Volume 5#430|booklet accompanying the CD>> by <<ddp:Colin Dewar and his Scottish Dance Band#3023>>.


created: 1997-12-29 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-06-21 08:43:47.841199+00
name: Miss Stevenson's Fancy
ucname: MISS STEVENSONS FANCY
intensity_bars: 44 44 80 88
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  This dance introduces a new progression, the Divided Knot.  

  This 2-couple dance can also be danced in sets of 3 couples if preferred or the numbers require it. 


created: 2019-11-16 09:07:38.988494+00
last_modified: 2019-11-16 09:13:07.990997+00
name: Capering Scarecrows, The
ucname: CAPERING SCARECROWS
intensity_bars: 744/866/844/888
devised: 2019-04-01
notes:
  Further details and the instructions for the dance are available via the comment on the <<https://youtu.be/3Kw7IaXNJuE|youtube video>>.


created: 2019-11-16 17:56:17.121493+00
last_modified: 2019-11-16 18:12:28.075255+00
name: Farewell to Tawa
ucname: FAREWELL TO TAWA
intensity_bars: 888/844/844/884
devised: 2019-10-16
notes:
  Further details and the instructions for the dance are available via the comment on the <<https://youtu.be/jQeEeUSQHUs|youtube video>>. According to these, Maureen Robson "devised this dance on 16 October 2019 to note the end of my time of teaching at Tawa club".


created: 2016-05-31 00:09:32.247411+00
last_modified: 2019-11-16 23:45:15.899623+00
name: Johnsonville Diamond, The
ucname: JOHNSONVILLE DIAMOND
intensity_bars: 66/80/88/88
devised: 2015-10-18
notes:
  Devised  18/10/2015.   2015 was the diamond jubilee of the formation of the Johnsonville club, as best we can tell.  

  Teaching Note:  In La Spirale, the cast of 1M and 2W should be tight else the covering will be lost.


created: 1998-05-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-19 09:41:22.10613+00
name: Flock of Geese, A
ucname: FLOCK OF GEESE
intensity_bars: 80808 80808 80008 88808
devised: 1989-09-09
notes:
  The dance was devised for the wedding of Lance Ramshaw and Gail Wine in Boston, September 9, 1989, and was presented to them at their wedding celebration dance.  

  It is a 5-couple dance based on "The Wild Geese".  This dance is rather similar to Olivia Robert's »The Black Swans of Narrabeen«; the progression is different


created: 2005-04-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-17 22:08:23.650165+00
name: Curling Lassies
ucname: CURLING LASSIES
devised: 2002-09-01
notes:
  Dance interpreted by John Drewry, August 2002.  An interpretation of instructions which were sent to me by Jackie Johnstone of Dumfries.  They were sent to him by someone in Vancouver B.C.    

  Included were two tunes:  

      "Mrs Cuthbert of Selkirk", a strathspey composed by Nancy Dickson, and 
      A Reel which is the original tune for "The Duke of Perth".  

  The interpretation is made more difficult because, in the diagram, squares seem to be used ot represent men and circles to represent the women, which is the opposite of the usual practice.


created: 2001-06-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-17 22:52:27.64942+00
name: Cleikum Crozier, The
ucname: CLEIKUM CROZIER
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
notes:
  For Innerleithen Scottish Country Dance Club. The Cleikum Crozier is the staff carried in the St. Ronan's Day Pageant in Innerleithen, Tweeddale.


created: 2019-09-16 06:55:21.850714+00
last_modified: 2019-11-20 09:03:40.276274+00
name: TAC Team
ucname: TAC TEAM
intensity_bars: 8008/8008/8088/8888
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Greg Reznick and dedicated to the Unit 2 and Unit 3 teacher candidates at T.A.C. summer school 2010.


created: 2006-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-08 11:52:58.427667+00
name: Fair Haired Cat
ucname: FAIR HAIRED CAT
intensity_bars: 800/866/888/880
notes:
  Dance Note: The transition between the left hands across and the rights and left bars 23-25 requires dancers to release hands early enough to end at the sidelines for the last figure. Visually it is an interesting transition.

  Note: The fair-haired cat, mentioned in the title, is my favorite buff colored, orange cat named Cocoa.


created: 1998-09-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-03-02 11:48:10.394148+00
name: Minard Castle
ucname: MINARD CASTLE
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888/888
notes:
  (Pronounced »MIN-nard«, not »MY-nard«, according to Linda Gaul, via Dagmar Suhm.)  

  <<http://www.minardcastle.com|Minard Castle>> is located on the north west shore of Loch Fyne near the road from Inveraray to Lochgilphead.


created: 2011-08-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-24 14:15:21.664485+00
name: Sandy's Scotch Broth
ucname: SANDYS SCOTCH BROTH
intensity_bars: 888 800 844 888
notes:
  May also be danced as a 6x32 medley - 3x32 strathspey followed by 3x32 reel.

  This dance is dedicated to my friend Sandy Gordon with whom I enjoy drinking good scotch. We both take great pleasure in dancing strathspeys and so I wrote this dance for him. The first time the club danced it, it was without a title and when the club member Catherine Bennett said the movement of the dance reminded her of scotch broth I thought it fit perfectly as a title.


created: 2005-05-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-25 00:25:26.947447+00
name: Best Set in the Hall
ucname: BEST SET IN THE HALL
intensity_bars: 800 844 844 888
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  To: Auckland Region President, Campbell MacKay, Nov. 2003.

  The characteristic formation of this dance called "Set to corner and cast away" in SCDDB terminology or often addressed as "Best set in the hall formation" sometimes also as "Peter White formation", has first been introduced by Alec Hay in 1976 in his dance <<Peter White>> in Strathspey time.
  The formation next occurred in Ron Wallace's dance <<ddd:Aberdeen Hunt>>, another Strathspey.

  Seemingly, the formation experienced a lift-off after it had been included into this dance, <<ddd:the best set in the hall>>, in Jig time in 2003 by Helen Greenwood and published in RSCDS Book 46.

  Now there are more the 20 dances of all types (Strathspeys, Jigs, Reels and even a Medley) featuring this formation.


created: 2011-12-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-11-26 22:27:07.613112+00
name: Stargazers
ucname: STARGAZERS
devised: 2009-07-04
notes:
  This dance was presented to Jane Turton and Michael Gregg on the occasion of  their wedding on July 4, 2009. One can easily see the stars in their eyes when they look at one another. On top of  that, Michael is an astronomer by profession.


created: 2019-11-27 06:55:09.088334+00
last_modified: 2019-12-17 22:05:50.744383+00
name: McGregor Strathspey
ucname: MACGREGOR STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 484/888/088/888
notes:
  The e-crib is provisional, it is based on information from a Dance List; the editors are still looking for an official description.  


created: 2019-11-26 10:50:07.351874+00
last_modified: 2019-11-28 16:39:15.544375+00
name: Tesla Coil, The
ucname: TESLA COIL
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
notes:
  Dedicated to Holger Crucius to celebrate his 50th birthday. Music composed by Sabine Schmitz (according to the <<https://youtu.be/mSwUqFtub5w|video>>).


created: 2018-07-19 10:46:11.48182+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 01:34:38.327465+00
name: Summer in Sherbrooke
ucname: SUMMER IN SHERBROOKE
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/880
devised: 2011-08-01
notes:
  Inspired by the TAC Summer School in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The 'La Baratte' and the 'Bourrel' provide the French connection with this Province in Canada.


created: 2018-12-06 13:04:27.145605+00
last_modified: 2022-05-22 22:16:21.048765+00
name: Abbot House
ucname: ABBOT HOUSE
intensity_bars: 8888/7777/7777/8888/8888/8888/8888/8888/4848/8888
devised: 2015-09-01
notes:
  The notes say that "Abbot House is the oldest surviving building in Dunfermline, other than the Abbey, and dates back to at least 1561. It was one of the few buildings to survive the great fire of Dunfermline in 1624, and over its history has been (amongst other things) a town house, a metal workshop and a naval officers' club. In the 1970s, it was used as a doctor's surgery, where the deviser's mother was based as a student nurse."


created: 2019-11-28 17:06:35.063719+00
last_modified: 2019-11-28 17:16:11.471869+00
name: Birthday Bee
ucname: BIRTHDAY BEE
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/844
notes:
  Dance devised by the "Lost  Sheep" Scottish country dancers Bochum in August  2015. (Bees and cake were Susanne's idea.) This dance is dedicated to Sabine Riese, called Bine (english bee) who enjoys celebrating birthday, friendship and summer by dancing. Happy birthday!


created: 2013-08-07 20:43:34.606955+00
last_modified: 2019-11-28 17:19:07.390213+00
name: Books and Maps
ucname: BOOKS AND MAPS
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888
notes:
  Devised for the wedding of Susan and Bastiaan. Both started SCD with Skua Dubh and fell in love at the Frankfurt Spring Ball. Susan is a librarian, Bastian a surveyor, hence the title. As both are fans of Terry Pratchell, we suggest shouting OOK! while clapping hands at the start of the Reel. 


created: 2019-11-28 23:39:31.35311+00
last_modified: 2019-11-28 23:45:57.880864+00
name: Jim's Strathspey
ucname: JIMS STRATHSPEY
notes:
  The information for this dance comes from this <<https://youtu.be/gZhszMden04|youtube video>> which calls it "Jim's Strathspey" and attributes it to <<ddp:Rae, Jim>>.


created: 2005-03-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-01 20:34:54.675203+00
name: Betty's Birthday
ucname: BETTYS BIRTHDAY
notes:
  The dance is for four couples plus a single lady (Betty), and is danced four times through. Starting as B1234, the progression is: 2L[2M+B]413, The original 1st lady doesn't get to dance the Betty position.


created: 2005-12-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-06 11:24:48.617713+00
name: See You Later
ucname: SEE YOU LATER
intensity_bars: 444/444/888/888
notes:
  The women do not progress but get a new partner each time. The men progress one place anticlockwise 231.


created: 2019-12-08 04:57:28.052935+00
last_modified: 2020-07-19 00:41:02.035988+00
name: Salute to Mrs Mac
ucname: SALUTE TO MRS MAC
intensity_bars: 888/844/800/888
devised: 2016-08-15
notes:
  Devised to celebrate my mother’s 105th birthday on Sunday 30 October 2016.  She was always called Mrs Mac by her friends and colleagues.


created: 1997-09-16 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-06 09:57:54.776922+00
name: Three Naked Men
ucname: THREE NAKED MEN
devised: 1984-01-01
notes:
  Drewry advises doing this once per couple in a set of "2, 3, 4, 5 or even 6" couples with a set one larger than the number of active couples. His instructions (followed by the E-crib) are for 3 couples in a 4 couple set.


created: 2019-12-02 22:37:18.929479+00
last_modified: 2019-12-08 22:55:50.88238+00
name: Welcome to St Columba's
ucname: WELCOME TO ST COLUMBAS
devised: 2013-09-01
notes:
  Round the room: 1st couples face anticlockwise, 2nd couples face clockwise.

  The dance celebrates 130 years of worship at St Columba's Church of Scotland, Pont St, London SW1X 0BD.

  The original church was built in 1884 and reconstructed after the second world war. It has an architecture in a distinctivelty Swiss style.

  The church is also  a well known venue for Scottish Country Dancing and its own group, St Columba's Dancers welcome everyone to join them on the Winter Monday dance evenings. Details are on their website <<https://stcolumbasdancers.org>>.

  The dance was requested by the group's convener at the time, Denise Haugh, who chose the name of the dance.


created: 2002-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-09 13:27:10.929609+00
name: Ruby Years, The
ucname: RUBY YEARS
intensity_bars: 66/66/88/88
devised: 1995-03-01
notes:
  The instructions say *danced 6 times in a 3 couple set.*

  Devised to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Brighouse SCDC.


created: 2019-12-13 13:07:07.003517+00
last_modified: 2020-11-12 00:58:02.749971+00
name: A.J.'s Jig
ucname: AJS JIG
intensity_bars: 880/808/808/888
devised: 2019-11-19
notes:
  For Andrew Clyde on the occasion of his 16th birthday on November 3, 2019. As his full name is Andrew John, his nickname is A.J. He and his family celebrated the event at the San Francisco branch’s annual Asilomar weekend workshop. Andrew shares his energy and enthusiasm on the dance floor with his partners and other dancers in the set. Such a joy!


created: 2016-09-30 23:21:03.916066+00
last_modified: 2019-12-12 21:16:50.508377+00
name: Windmills of Spain, The
ucname: WINDMILLS OF SPAIN
intensity_bars: 8008/8448/4004/8888/4224
notes:
  This is the original version of this dance, and is called "The Windmills of Spain" (note: with 'The').  It will be included in a forthcoming <<ddpub:#1492|book>> commemorating the annual Iberian SCD gatherings. 

  A later version of this dance appears on this database as the reel "<<ddd:Windmills of Spain#9906>>" (note: no 'The'). 


created: 2019-12-12 10:53:51.356871+00
last_modified: 2021-11-24 14:03:16.480413+00
name: Phare de Cordouan, Le
ucname: PHARE DE CORDOUAN
intensity_bars: 800/844/800/808
notes:
  The “Phare de Cordouan” is the oldest lighthouse in France (opened in 1611) and is still in activity. It watches over the estuary of the Gironde and the Atlantic Ocean. 
  I dedicate this dance to all the teachers and musicians who have been, and still are, my beacons (“mes phares” in French) in the world of Scottish Country Dancing. 


created: 2001-06-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-12 21:17:33.737319+00
name: Windmills of Spain
ucname: WINDMILLS OF SPAIN
intensity_bars: 8888/8008/8888/8668
notes:
  This is a later version of the reel "<<ddd:The Windmills of Spain# 17392>>" (note: with 'The').  That original version also appears on this database, and will be included in a forthcoming <<ddpub:#1492|book>> commemorating the annual Iberian SCD gatherings. 


created: 1997-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-06 16:25:13.101137+00
name: Marie's Jig
ucname: MARIES JIG
notes:
  Marie's Jig was on the programme for a dance on December 7, 2019 in the Ngaio town hall, Wellington, New Zealand. The dance was in honour of the Tawa SCD Club tutor, Maureen Robson, who is retiring as club tutor after 38 years. The late Marie Malcolm tutored the Ngaio SCD Club in Wellington.


created: 2001-09-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-12-13 19:08:51.655671+00
name: Muirland Willie
ucname: MUIRLAND WILLIE
intensity_bars: 888/888/820/880
notes:
  The music for this dance derives from the eponymous song which appeared, for example, in the *Tea Table Miscellany* (1726) published by the Scottish poet and publicist, Allan Ramsay (1684-1758). The music and lyrics (13 stanzas) can be seen on the University of Glasgow's web site at <<http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/teach/music/home.html#ramsay>>.


created: 2019-12-13 13:01:31.417119+00
last_modified: 2019-12-13 13:13:56.027288+00
name: Still and Always
ucname: STILL AND ALWAYS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/880
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  For Tom and Margaret Ward on the occasion of their anniversary. Although 2019 isn’t a 0 or 5 year anniversary, Margaret was moved to request a dance that honored their strong and loving marriage. Tom and Margaret share their respect and kindness with all on the dance floor. The dance, as yet unnamed, was presented at the Jean Patrick Memorial Dance on August 31, 2019. On the following morning, Tom shared the dance title above.


created: 2000-01-20 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-07-11 16:42:29.962436+00
name: Southern Stars
ucname: SOUTHERN STARS
intensity_bars: 888888 /808080/888888/484848/888888/484848 / 080808/888888/848484/888888/848484 / 888888
notes:
  This is a hexagonal set, so many of the figures produce a Y-shaped pattern with the same orientation on each iteration.


created: 2003-03-09 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-14 16:22:34.274621+00
name: Corrie Cas
ucname: CORRIE CAS
intensity_bars: 44/44/88/88
notes:
  A crib is available at <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/corrie-cas.html>>.


created: 2001-11-06 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-14 16:34:27.567163+00
name: Mountains of the Moon
ucname: MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
notes:
  A crib is available at <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/mountains-of-the-moon.html>>. May also be danced in a 5 couple set.


created: 2009-12-15 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-01-07 10:34:44.649787+00
name: Fireworks Reel, The
ucname: FIREWORKS REEL
intensity_bars: 800/822/822/888
devised: 2009-08-24
notes:
  This dance was originally written with the Reel of Seven recording in mind, so use that if you have it. The RSCDS recording is pretty dull by comparison. – Anselm


created: 2011-12-12 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-15 21:08:31.036909+00
name: De'il Amang the Gaylors
ucname: DEIL AMANG THE GAYLORS
intensity_bars: 888800/444400/888800/888800
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  Devised for Ian and the rest of the Gaylor clan of Madison, Wisconsin

  Can be danced in a 6- or 8-couple set

  In an 6C set, the progression of couples resembles the progression of individuals in a normal 2C/3L set

  In an 8C set, the progression of couples resembles the progression of individuals in a normal 2C/4L set


created: 1998-12-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-16 17:28:33.644354+00
name: Taobh ri taobh
ucname: TAOBH RI TAOBH
intensity_bars: 880/888/880/880
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  "Taobh ri taobh", which literally means "Side by side" in Gaelic, refers here to the hand-in-hand reels of three. "Taobh ri taobh" should be pronounced as "Toeuv ree toeuv" in English with the following conventions:
    "oeu" is as in the French "coeur"; and
    "ee" is as in "beet".
  See "Gaelic Dance Names" for more information on Gaelic spelling and pronunciation

  Crib written by the devisers


created: 2001-04-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-18 16:42:08.634021+00
name: Achnacarry House
ucname: ACHNACARRY HOUSE
intensity_bars: 800 833 833 888
notes:
  Dance inscribed to Alan Cameron, home on vacation from New Zealand.
  "Achnacarry House" is the seat of the Chief, Cameron of Locheil.
  Inverness-Shire.


created: 2019-12-18 19:23:22.295083+00
last_modified: 2019-12-18 19:23:22.295083+00
name: Reel Tay Dancers, The
ucname: REEL TAY DANCERS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/844/888
notes:
  Source: <<https://youtu.be/AfTzYTB031g|youtube video>> and <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/reel-tay-dancers.html>>. The dance was devised in 2019 to commemorate the Tay Dancers 100th video.


created: 2007-07-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-06-24 10:43:33.737171+00
name: See You in Arran
ucname: SEE YOU IN ARRAN
devised: 2007-05-23
notes:
  ”Set and Rotate” normally begins with couples joining nearer hands on the sidelines, but I prefer this variation with couples facing diagonally (not joining hands) as described in “The Westminster Reel”.  

  This dance is dedicated to Christine Hastie and Maggie Westley and all the other people, who helped to organise this great weekend.  
  What a good idea to organise a dancing event at the Isle of Arran!


created: 1998-04-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-08-06 15:19:57.488564+00
name: Kilrymont
ucname: KILRYMONT
intensity_bars: 880/800/822/822
devised: 1983-01-01
notes:
  Devised October 1983. This is the ancient name of St Andrews. Bob devised the dance for Georgina Finlay and notes that the figure 8 progression was devised in the early 1980's by Ben Stein of Burlington, Vermont.


created: 2011-12-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2021-01-30 22:53:06.978422+00
name: Cape Disappointment Light
ucname: CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT LIGHT
intensity_bars: 8484/8800/8888/8888
notes:
  Explanation  
  01-08   The waves of the ocean, and ships in the shipping lanes.  
  09-16   A storm brewing.  
  17-24   The revolving light of the lighthouse shining through the storm.  
  25-32   The ships are able to navigate the sandbars without incident.


created: 2019-12-14 13:51:43.025023+00
last_modified: 2023-12-22 20:22:33.922317+00
name: Holly Rigg, The
ucname: HOLLY RIGG
notes:
  Source: the youtube videos. One of them shows the dance in strathspey time, the other has reel in the title but is actually danced to jig music.

  This dance features the "Ancient Poussette" figure reconstructed by Duncan Keppie from early sources.


created: 2007-07-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-03-04 12:03:08.882837+00
name: Dancing on Water
ucname: DANCING ON WATER
intensity_bars: 8448/8448/8008/4884
devised: 2007-05-31
notes:
  This dance was first tried out during a small occasion in Beelen (near Muenster, Germany) in June 2007. We used a small room adjacent to the organiser's house. I subsequently learned that the wooden floor covers their former small indoor swimming pool.  
  This inspired me to call this dance: “Dancing on Water”.


created: 2019-12-19 22:21:09.986802+00
last_modified: 2019-12-19 22:21:09.986802+00
name: Galpin's Clock
ucname: GALPINS CLOCK
intensity_bars: 800/866/866/888
notes:
  Source: youtube video (<<https://youtu.be/YBcyeOSCbS0>>) which says that the dance was
  *named for the clock constructed by Henry Galpin (c. 1882) in the Observatory Museum on Bathurst Street, Grahamstown. Devised to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Grahamstown Scottish Country Dance Group.*


created: 2016-10-04 23:21:29.58017+00
last_modified: 2019-12-26 00:29:44.694292+00
name: Those Eyes
ucname: THOSE EYES
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  The dance is about dancing with your eyes, even when merely stepping up and down.  

  Gazing Into her Bold Eyes. 
  At lunch with two Scottish Dance teachers, Sheena MacQueen and Bruce Herbold, who both emphasize the social aspects of dancing in their teaching, James was unable to resist this pun when Sheena and Bruce made eye contact across the table. This tune was inspired by that moment.


  Eyes on the Prize                                                      
  After Bruce devised a dance for "Gazing into Her Bold Eyes," James wrote this to fit with the first tune, allowing a transition out of the unusual harmonic structures into a more standard modality.  Light and cheerful, the mood shifts away from the more dangerous flirtation of the first tune.


  Curve in the Dark                                                      
  James wrote this tune the summer after graduating from high school. It brings back memories of hot summer nights in Livermore when friends were a few minutes' walk away, and the anticipation of something new and unknown loomed in the future.


created: 2003-06-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-22 20:13:25.280337+00
name: Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie
ucname: BONNIE LASS O FYVIE
intensity_bars: 888/888/440/880
devised: 2001-10-01
notes:
  Ivy used to categorise dances by their title as 'male' or 'female' in order to remember who "went first".
  For example, "General Stuart's Reel" is 'male' and the man starts the dance. When discussing "The
  Wood of Fyvie", published by Jack McConachie, Ivy indicated it was a 'female' dance because "Fyvie
  includes Ivy." That comment is the inspiration for this dance. The women always dance in front of
  their partner and15t woman begins the sequence starting at bar 17.


created: 2019-12-22 22:14:10.074235+00
last_modified: 2019-12-22 22:14:10.074235+00
name: Robert Mackintosh
ucname: ROBERT MACKINTOSH
notes:
  Demonstration dance, published with many options. 

  For the purposes of a crib this is not needed, but the whole dance is much indebted to MAISY WILLIAMS and her “Saxmundham Reel” published in that pioneering scheme “Scottish Dance Archives” January 1980, as “Set Dance 6”. I very much enjoyed dancing this, and Green Ginger’s enthusiastic and excellent playing Scottish Dance music. So, maybe it is part of my memory of the pleasures of dancing, and of the partnership bond with Sandra and her memories of Orkney. Hence the use of the title word ‘Connection’. Personal, very. 


created: 2003-06-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-24 02:37:45.916895+00
name: Ready to Dance
ucname: READY TO DANCE
intensity_bars: 800/800/888/888
notes:
  When Aline submitted her dance, she said, "I can always picture Ivy, eagerly watching the dance,
  counting the bars, ready to move on cue as it came time."


created: 1998-04-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2019-12-30 01:01:11.501807+00
name: Twixt Bruce and Dee
ucname: TWIXT BRUCE AND DEE
intensity_bars: 888/888/880/880
devised: 1980-01-01
notes:
  This dance was composed in the early 1980s for Bruce and Dee, two members of my class in Sacramento.  I presented the dance to them as a wedding gift.  I lost all track of it until this year when Roland Telle of the e-cribs team asked if I could give him directions for the dance, as it was in the dance database with only a list of figures. Using my memory of the first half and the list of figures for the second half I reconstructed the dance.  It may differ from its original formation, but I always liked the flirtatiousness of the opening 8 bars.


created: 2006-07-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-01-02 23:01:19.328251+00
name: Chocolate Factory, The
ucname: CHOCOLATE FACTORY
notes:
  The chocolate factory was founded in the 1870s by George Cadbury who wanted to take his workers out of the dirt and grime of a large Victorian city and build them a new place in the country to live and work. Between 1878 and 1906 he built a factory, village and school in the green fields of Kings Norton, outside the city of Birmingham and called it Bournville. Bournville is now within the city of Birmingham but the factory and the parks are still there. The Branch class meets near there on a Tuesday evening.


created: 2017-06-22 17:03:24.86043+00
last_modified: 2020-01-05 22:39:25.753699+00
name: 'Tree Tops' Strathspey, The
ucname: TREE TOPS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 5555/8888/8008/8888
devised: 2012-05-01
notes:
  This dance was devised whilst enjoying the surrounds of the Tree Tops Resort, Coffs Harbour in Northern NSW, Australia.


created: 2020-01-06 07:24:32.683945+00
last_modified: 2020-01-06 07:31:59.972318+00
name: Bytown Lass, A
ucname: BYTOWN LASS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/844
notes:
  Bytown is the birth place of Mida Betty Lecocq. We know it now as Ottawa our nation’s capital. Mida Betty started dancing in Kitchener in 1984. Over the years we have become very good friends; we have both had similar ups and downs in our lives over the years. I hope we can share many more good times on the dance floor. Mida Betty enjoy.  

  Suggested Music.  Invercaulds Reel. On the R.S.C.D.S Book 11. C.D. John Renton and his S.C.D.B.


created: 2020-01-05 00:10:18.60538+00
last_modified: 2020-01-05 10:32:50.139514+00
name: Twesledown
ucname: TWESLEDOWN
intensity_bars: 888/866/888/888
devised: 2018-04-01
notes:
  Source: MiniCrib.

  The dance was devised to include the slip knot and the bourell in jig time, and was originally conceived while travelling home from Fleet along the winding road over Twesledown.


created: 2019-10-28 18:04:19.075862+00
last_modified: 2020-01-12 12:43:14.66415+00
name: Amberley
ucname: AMBERLEY
intensity_bars: 404/880/404/888
notes:
  Amberley Retreat and Conference Centre is situated in 20 acres of natural bush overlooking the Yarra River in Lower Plenty in Melbourne. The Melbourne and District Branch has held an annual weekend school in these beautiful surroundings since 2013.


created: 2020-01-06 11:45:02.5733+00
last_modified: 2020-01-06 11:45:02.5733+00
name: Mersea Island Strathspey, The
ucname: MERSEA ISLAND STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
notes:
  Source: <<https://youtu.be/GCIDX_yOYUI|youtube video>> (from 2:40 to 3:40) by the Colchester Scottish Dance & Ceilidh Club.


created: 2002-06-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2020-01-06 16:03:48.453083+00
name: Dancing Out of Habit
ucname: DANCING OUT OF HABIT
intensity_bars: 16,14,0/888/888
devised: 1996-10-01
notes:
  Drewry's Note: 

  Devised for Robert Baird.

  Robert, for a time, taught Scottish Country Dancing at a Catholic boys school. Girls from a neighbouring school were brought in as partners. At an end-of-term party, the monks, who taught at the school, joined in the dancing too. One of them danced on to a slippery part of the floor and went all his length. His habit flew up over his head giving a "non-divine revelation" to all present. Happily he was a good sport and, picking himself up, continued to dance.


created: 2020-01-06 15:48:37.238996+00
last_modified: 2020-01-06 16:08:35.130877+00
name: Mimosa Menagerie, The
ucname: MIMOSA MENAGERIE
intensity_bars: 8484/8888/8888/4848
notes:
  Source: <<https://youtu.be/viuecohwweA|youtube video>> by the Buenos Aires Scottish Country Dancers.


created: 2020-01-06 16:12:21.948636+00
last_modified: 2020-01-06 16:12:21.948636+00
name: Maple Flow
ucname: MAPLE FLOW
notes:
  Source: <<https://youtu.be/e3ISPXjavkc|youtube video>> by the Buenos Aires Scottish Country Dancers.


created: 2019-12-31 16:39:45.685894+00
last_modified: 2022-04-18 23:24:08.563686+00
name: Six Teas a Day
ucname: SIX TEAS A DAY
intensity_bars: 844/800/888/888
devised: 2013-12-13
notes:
  This dance was devised by Mathias Ferber and presented by Raphaëlle, Axel and Emma Orgeret, James Fairbairn, Sam Schad, Mélissa Meunier, Nils and Mathias Ferber for Christiane Orgeret’s 60th birthday party, held on December 21st 2013.  
  Christiane is known to drink about 6 cups of tea a day, probably the secret of her good health!


created: 2002-03-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-22 14:10:54.20233+00
name: Ray Milbourne
ucname: RAY MILBOURNE
intensity_bars: 8008/8448/8888/8888
devised: 1976-01-01
notes:
  <<ddp:Milbourne, Ray>> is a pianist who played with various bands including Frank Reid's. He was also the founding secretary of the National Association of Accordion & Fiddle Clubs.

  First published in *Scottish Dance Archives*, September 1976.

  Some sources, including the Scottish Dance Archives, mention a Reel "Glenfiddich" by Derek Haynes, identical to "Ray Milbourne".  It is not clear if this is a mistake, or if Derek first wrote this dance under that name, and then changed the name to avoid a name collision with the "Glenfiddich" by Hugh Foss.


