# dance

created: 2005-04-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-02-22 18:37:48.565132+00
name: Canongait
ucname: CANONGAIT
devised: 1968-01-01
notes:
  Canongait in the old city of Edinburgh is reputed to be the "gait" or walk of the Augustinian Canons of
  Holyrood Abbey, leading from the confines of the sanctuary to The Royal Mile and the precincts of the
  city proper.


created: 1997-08-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-02-22 18:51:33.541788+00
name: Dalston's Delight
ucname: DALSTONS DELIGHT
devised: 1965-01-01
notes:
  The dedication reads "To Miss F. Adams of Wishaw". The original notes explain that *Miss Adams chose the title of this dance to remind her of the weekend when she taught at the Carlisle and Border Branch Weekend School at Dalston Hall, near Carlisle.*


created: 1997-05-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-02-24 20:41:09.212456+00
name: Haggis Tree, The
ucname: HAGGIS TREE
intensity_bars: 84/88/88/88
devised: 1982-01-01
notes:
  This is a "Pastoral", which is danced to slow airs with slow strathspey-like steps. The dedication reads "for Freddy Sverdlove of New York".


created: 2016-09-04 10:16:36.231903+00
last_modified: 2022-03-25 18:39:59.51037+00
name: Diamonds are Forever
ucname: DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
intensity_bars: 4444/6666/6666/7337
notes:
  Devised by Roberta Gotfried in celebration of her parents’ 60th wedding anniversary

  Music: “Roz and Gil Gotfried” as composed by Andy Imbrie (see page 26)


created: 2022-07-04 22:42:40.806644+00
last_modified: 2022-07-05 07:55:18.25303+00
name: Hurtling Hedgehog, The
ucname: HURTLING HEDGEHOG
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Boris was named during the Tory Party leadership election. He is quite portly, bumbles around a lot, changing direction without warning and trampling over everything in his path.


created: 2022-03-26 20:39:34.358359+00
last_modified: 2022-12-01 14:53:22.778046+00
name: 'Halfway House', Petone, The
ucname: HALFWAY HOUSE PETONE
intensity_bars: 8080/0808/8440/8448
notes:
  Devised 2019-05
  The Community House in Britannia Street, Petone, has been the venue for Region Committee Meetings for a number of years. It would be difficult to find a suitable venue at the junction of State Highways 1 and 2. This would be almost equidistant between the two northernmost clubs, Waikanae and Carterton.


created: 1997-12-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-12-23 13:01:29.816071+00
name: Puddin' 'n' Pam
ucname: PUDDIN N PAM
devised: 1991-01-01
notes:
  This dance was composed by Mrs. Joyce Elliott, one of the Leicester Branch Teachers. It is ascribed to Mrs. Pamela Hood who had an uncanny knack or tracking down puddings in foreign countries when they were in short supply.

  Instructions may be found towards the end of issue 12 of the Leicester Branch bulletin The Quaich at <<https://us4.campaign-archive.com/?u=78fe0ddc70d920bcc3f82add4&id=700d2e1e62>>.


created: 2022-02-24 19:06:43.216288+00
last_modified: 2022-02-26 10:52:52.459059+00
name: H.A.D.
ucname: HAD
devised: 2021-08-01
notes:
  HAD stands for “hospitalisation à domicile”, which means Hospital At Home. I spent many days and weeks in hospital, but I also had the chance to be on a hospital at home programme for quite long periods, which was very nice! I really enjoyed being back home with my husband and two children, but still being as well taken care of as if I were in hospital. This department is very professional, the whole team is really great and includes a lovely and marvellous coordinating doctor and a fantastic psychologist. It is a dance for advanced dancers to symbolise these experienced professionals. The slow strathspey time represents how they took the time to listen to me and to look after me in a very reassuring way, and is also meant to describe their
  sweetness. It’s a two-couple dance (small number), because they treat patients in a very personalised way.


created: 2004-09-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-02-28 00:05:27.933259+00
name: Merchiston Castle Jig
ucname: MERCHISTON CASTLE JIG
intensity_bars: 8888 8448 8888 8008
devised: 2004-09-21
notes:
  Devised for Katy Thompson and Andrew Gray in honour of their wedding in Barclay Church in Edinburgh on the 21st of August, 2004


created: 2022-03-03 18:04:47.537619+00
last_modified: 2022-03-03 18:04:47.537619+00
name: Hands up!
ucname: HANDS UP
notes:
  At the beginning of the dance weekend in Kazan I mentioned about keeping right hands positions with
  joining at shoulder height and with elbows down, especially in two hands turns. Never seen sucn a brilliant
  hand usage than for the next two days!


created: 2022-03-03 17:51:27.123538+00
last_modified: 2022-03-03 17:51:27.123538+00
name: Secret Recipe, A
ucname: SECRET RECIPE
notes:
  We have some dishes at our dance events. Once someone said: “We know all your recipes“. We answered “No, we always have a couple of secret recipes”. And cooked two new dishes. One of them was this dance with “Flat Set and Link” formation.


created: 2022-03-03 17:59:54.460918+00
last_modified: 2022-06-16 22:27:24.624739+00
name: Haggis Muse, The
ucname: HAGGIS MUSE
notes:
  The dance [is] dedicated to Arina Volgina, who once helped me to cook haggis on the night before St. Andrew’s Day.  It was a giant leap in my ability of cooking haggises.


created: 2022-03-03 17:55:53.871167+00
last_modified: 2022-03-03 17:55:53.871167+00
name: Against the Wind
ucname: AGAINST THE WIND
notes:
  When your way leads against the usual directions. Written about the strong life situation it becames the
  kind of dance where you can test who leads – your mind or your body. That’s the challeng


created: 2021-11-30 11:36:22.241888+00
last_modified: 2022-03-13 18:10:04.18078+00
name: Hello "C" Goodbye
ucname: HELLO C GOODBYE
intensity_bars: 600/844/888/888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  In this dance 1st woman represents corona virus and the hand claps are the widening spread of infections.


created: 2022-03-03 00:22:39.604967+00
last_modified: 2022-07-05 22:34:54.523179+00
name: Give Way to Kangaroos
ucname: GIVE WAY TO KANGAROOS
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  The original video (<<https://youtu.be/PJxJTSD4imU>>) gave the title as "Give a Way to Kangaroo" which is also in the original version of the QS Twin Peaks Blue book. A later video has "Give Way to Kangaroos" which was added as a spelling alias. Later publication in the book Couple One Ready changed the name to "Give Way to Kangaroos" which is now the official title.

  The instructions for bars 17-20 in the book have the ladies slipping left into the centre first whereas the videos show the men slipping into the centre first. The e-crib follows the videos.


created: 2022-03-26 20:21:40.606067+00
last_modified: 2022-10-27 07:37:09.3739+00
name: Camping at Victoria Mines
ucname: CAMPING AT VICTORIA MINES
notes:
  Victoria Mines is an old silver mine on the trail between the Inca city of Choquequirao and modern day Yanama in the Peruvian Andes. To get from Choquequirao to Victoria Mines you have to zigzag down a vertical descent of around 1000m to cross the Rio Blanco and then zigzag 2000m vertical ascent up the other side of the valley to get to the mines. The mines are at an altitude of 4130m above sea level and the tailings make a great camping spot after a very long day's walk. The views are stunning!

  In the original book the tune was given as <<ddt:Hills of Lorne, The>> (as for Autumn in Appin). However in <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2891/|issue 2891>> the deviser explains this was a mistake and it should be <<ddt:Doon the Burn, Davie Lad#403>>.


created: 2019-10-24 16:53:21.68702+00
last_modified: 2022-03-07 18:13:10.899687+00
name: Little Girl in Red Shoes, A
ucname: LITTLE GIRL IN RED SHOES
intensity_bars: 6006/8888/8008/8008
devised: 2015-07-01
notes:
  Devised to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the SCDC Clara in Yokohama and dedicated to Mrs Yoko Takahashi the organiser and teacher of the club.

  The name and first tune of the dance come from a sad story and song based in Yokohama (not far from Tokyo). A summary of the story, about a little Japanese girl separated from her mother and raised by western missionaries, can be found at <<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akai_Kutsu>>. Akai Kutsu is a Japanese translation of [a little girl in] red shoes.

  SCD club "Clara" asked Marchan to devise a dance with this famous song, because Clara is a club in Yokohama. The Clara club made several recordings of the music for this dance featuring other Japanese hit songs with a link to Yokohama. These were played by Bluebell SCD band (piano: Akiko Kasama, fiddle: Kana Otake, recorder: Fumitaka Saito, drum: Akiyo Shito).


created: 2007-06-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-03-06 19:08:43.054337+00
name: Fireside Lounge, The
ucname: FIRESIDE LOUNGE
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  »Devised by Tim Harrison, San Pedro, California.

  Note::
    This dance was devised in the Fireside Lounge of the St. Jerome's University at the University of
    Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada. The Fireside Lounge is where after-parties were held during the
    Teachers' Association (Canada) Summer School 2000. People arrive at the after-party and join
    a group for chatting. As the party continues people leave that group to join another group while
    others wander from group to group searching for conversation in which they can participate. The
    dance idea was suggested by Karen Baisden of Seattle, Washington, USA.«


created: 2022-03-07 18:54:11.926397+00
last_modified: 2022-03-07 18:54:11.926397+00
name: Anniversary Celebration Jig
ucname: ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION JIG
devised: 2021-12-01
notes:
  "For Alderley & District Caledonian Society’s 50th Anniversary. It is one of a suite of three dances to mark the occasion and danced publicly at their 50th Anniversary Dance on 11th March 2022."


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-03-07 00:48:23.808764+00
name: Two Hearts Joined
ucname: TWO HEARTS JOINED
intensity_bars: 80808/08088/60024/02640
devised: 2006-10-01
notes:
  This dance was written for Marsha Hanson and Clay Spurlock on the occasion of their marriage October 14, 2006.


created: 2022-03-09 09:35:22.492345+00
last_modified: 2022-03-09 10:18:19.160246+00
name: Dance with Sashes
ucname: DANCE WITH SASHES
notes:
  From the dance description: When writing this dance, I was inspired by a display done by the Glasgow University Scottish Country Dance Club also using sashes.


created: 2022-03-09 09:45:38.808235+00
last_modified: 2022-03-09 10:22:16.599462+00
name: Maxglan Medley
ucname: MAXGLAN MEDLEY
notes:
  Maxglan is the part of Salzburg where The Flying Scotsman Scottish Dancers Salzburg founded by Regina Freinbichler used to dance.


created: 2022-03-09 09:50:22.843268+00
last_modified: 2022-03-09 10:23:09.879371+00
name: Fasching Hornpipe
ucname: FASCHING HORNPIPE
notes:
  Fasching is the German word for carneval. This dance, as you can see in the video, was danced at a carneval party.


created: 2012-09-08 21:55:28.962131+00
last_modified: 2022-03-10 18:57:16.105331+00
name: 3 Feisty Women
ucname: 3 FEISTY WOMEN
intensity_bars: 880 888 800 826
devised: 2007-04-01
notes:
  Devised in the Cleveland Heights Group, spring 2007

  The 6-couple version of this dance is called "Double the Trouble"


created: 2016-06-09 10:30:33.276689+00
last_modified: 2022-03-16 23:13:23.217747+00
name: Brighouse Bay
ucname: BRIGHOUSE BAY
intensity_bars: 8080 8484 0808 8888
notes:
  The deviser writes that
  "As a child my parents took us to Brighouse Bay campsite for summer holidays. I have since taken all my children there for holidays and Lewis had his first experience of camping there age 2."


created: 2022-03-07 00:40:49.003583+00
last_modified: 2025-01-18 13:58:51.300742+00
name: Two Hearts Entwined
ucname: TWO HEARTS ENTWINED
intensity_bars: 800/800/633/633
devised: 2022-02-01
notes:
  I had an idea for the figure in bars 1-8 and realized it looks like a heart when danced. It seemed appropriate the idea occurred in early in February before Valentine’s Day.


created: 2022-03-12 21:23:37.182722+00
last_modified: 2022-03-12 21:23:37.182722+00
name: Why Knot
ucname: WHY KNOT
notes:
  Source: <<https://youtu.be/wf3JBcvyIiI|youtube video>> by the Kalamazoo Royal Scottish Country Dancers, Michigan.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-03-17 08:54:56.029164+00
name: Corbie-Stones
ucname: CORBIESTONES
intensity_bars: 880/666/877/888
notes:
  Corbie-stones are the step-like projections on the sloping adge of a gable, found particularly on houses in the finishing villages of Fife.


created: 2011-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-03-17 20:55:51.133725+00
name: Devil's Water, The
ucname: DEVILS WATER
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8888/8008/8008
devised: 1999-03-01
notes:
  From the dance notes:
  "The Devil's Water is a small river between Corbridge and Hexham. The dance represents how the water swirls and flows and reminds me of pleasant walks alongside the river."


created: 2015-01-15 16:09:16.884938+00
last_modified: 2022-03-21 18:01:02.894399+00
name: Broome Rigg, The
ucname: BROOME RIGG
notes:
  2 couple dance in 3 or 4 couple set.

  The original version of this dance was subsequently revised. In an email from Duncan Keppie he writes that "I substituted the Ancient Poussette for the Highland Pousette". The PDF of <<ddpub:#1207>> on the MiniCrib website still has the original version (as of March 2022). The instructions available at <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/broome-rigg.html>> have the later version with the Ancient Poussette.


created: 2015-02-09 23:05:28.538447+00
last_modified: 2022-03-20 12:50:55.535271+00
name: Plethora of Piñatas, A
ucname: PLETHORA OF PINATAS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2014-10-01
notes:
  There is also a 5 couple version of this dance (<<http://www.rscds-swws.org/news/stories/PlethoraPinatasTenPesoVersion.pdf>>).


created: 2022-03-21 21:56:49.838641+00
last_modified: 2022-03-21 21:58:59.649928+00
name: Caleco
ucname: CALECO
notes:
  Demonstration dance devised by a local dancer in Leicester in the 1980s.

  The instructions called the dance "Caleco" but the <<https://youtu.be/8yEy2VAHfjc|video>> has "Calico".


created: 2015-01-09 14:35:50.873259+00
last_modified: 2022-05-07 22:14:41.107973+00
name: Villain's Turnstile Jig, The
ucname: VILLAINS TURNSTILE JIG
devised: 2009-05-31
notes:
  Dedicated to Richard Francis, a Villa fan, who are known as Villans.

  The dance was published with the title "Villain's" but the dedicatee says it should be "Villan's" which is added as an alias.


created: 2011-07-23 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-03-22 21:32:18.885731+00
name: Dun Arisaig
ucname: DUN ARISAIG
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/4444/0808
notes:
  Adrian writes:  Dun Arisaig: 4x32 J for 4 couples in a longwise set. Dance intensity 75%. Standard - I'd say intermediate, although it does involve 8 dancers in  a St. Andrews Cross (i.e. an oblique diagonal cross, not right-angled, as in the flag of Scotland).  This cross is formed in 4 bars, rotated halfway in 4 bars, and then dissolved in 4 more bars - so this dance is not for a crowded ballroom with close lines. The figures involving the cross are not so much difficult as unusual.  In such cases less experienced dancers, with less certainty about how Scottish dances "should" go, may actually take to them more easily.

  Dedicated to Ruth and Peter Thornton, of Liskeard, Cornwall

  Recommended tunes: jigs suitable for marches, e.g. Pipe-Major Donald Maclean, played AABB.


created: 2022-03-26 19:30:40.556395+00
last_modified: 2022-03-27 15:39:03.416505+00
name: Silver Star, The
ucname: SILVER STAR
notes:
  The dance is based on an idea made by a member of the advanced class of the 1971 Auckland Labour Weekend School. The Silver Star was a luxury passenger train that ran overnight between Wellington and Auckland.


created: 2022-03-26 19:44:50.583112+00
last_modified: 2022-03-27 15:39:29.640115+00
name: Camp Akatarawa
ucname: CAMP AKATARAWA
notes:
  This dance commemorates the last time the Linden Scottish Country Dance Club and friends gathered at the Salvation Army Campsite at Akatarawa for a weekend of socializing and dancing - March 2004


created: 2022-03-20 12:16:37.672224+00
last_modified: 2025-02-19 13:31:54.152982+00
name: My Little Buttercup
ucname: MY LITTLE BUTTERCUP
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/888
devised: 2016-11-01
notes:
  There is also a 5 couple version of this dance (<<http://www.rscds-swws.org/news/stories/MyLittleButtercupTenPesoVersion.pdf>>).


created: 2022-03-26 21:24:14.057489+00
last_modified: 2022-03-27 17:16:07.854109+00
name: Wingless Flight
ucname: WINGLESS FLIGHT
notes:
  Devised: 2015-08
  In May 2015, I slipped on an icy deck and fractured my right wrist. I am right handed. I had been invited to teach at the Queen's Birthday Weekend School that year, which I did - complete with plaster cast and sling. 
  I devised this dance to require no hands, so eye contact with your partner and other dancers is especially important.


created: 2019-07-23 09:22:30.91741+00
last_modified: 2022-03-29 09:33:14.094135+00
name: Reel for Cosmo John, A
ucname: REEL FOR COSMO JOHN
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  A Scottish Reel devised to raise Autism Awareness. My grandson is fascinated by all things that turn, spin or whirl. This dance contains movements to suggest coin spinning, washing machines, lorry wheels, turbine blades.... *(from the youtube video comment)*


created: 2022-04-02 18:32:57.777255+00
last_modified: 2022-04-02 19:08:40.224303+00
name: Strawberries
ucname: STRAWBERRIES
notes:
  Strawberries is one of Morgan's best known and most loved poems.
  The dance celebrates the connection between the two people. The tune ends unfinished, left behind, not unlike the discarded plates.


created: 2022-03-30 02:14:53.244225+00
last_modified: 2022-03-30 02:42:25.222543+00
name: Captain O'Neill's Strathspey
ucname: CAPTAIN ONEILLS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2022-03-30
notes:
  Captain Felix O'Neill was one of the companions of Bonnie Prince Charlie during his escape after the Battle of Culloden (1746). See <<https://www.dib.ie/biography/oneill-felix-a6922|Captain O'Neill's Biography>>  
  This dance has been devised to teach Schiehallion Reels.


created: 2022-04-02 18:27:03.788376+00
last_modified: 2022-08-16 12:22:05.998203+00
name: Trinity, The
ucname: TRINITY
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
notes:
  Trio is a tremendously joyous poem. This dance maintains the clever continued use of three and emulates the joy and happiness of the poem's protagonists.
  The tune refers to the memorable line, "Orphean Sprig! Melting Baby! Warm Chihuahua!" The melody references the threesome's journey, bouncing repeatedly onward, without looking back.


created: 2022-03-27 22:45:32.492014+00
last_modified: 2022-08-17 08:20:11.959171+00
name: Off Course
ucname: OFF COURSE
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
notes:
  In Spacepoem 3: Off Course, Morgan uses a series of ever slightly changing images to create a sense of isolation and unease, but also hopefulness and optimism.
  The dance emphasises some of the elegant images of "turning continents" and "imaginary somersaults." The tune warps from sombre minor to hopeful major and takes inspiration from the uplifting final image: "the floating song."


created: 2018-01-13 10:34:12.52575+00
last_modified: 2022-04-03 09:00:40.771252+00
name: Arctophiles' Jig, The
ucname: ARCTOPHILES JIG
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2014-05-29
notes:
  An 'arctophile' is a person who collects or is very fond of teddy bears.

  For all those who take their teddy bears with them to summer school.

  Any suitable jig played AABB.

  Suitable recorded music: "Major Ian Stewart' recorded by Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith on 'Cairngorms' track 12 (CD).


created: 2002-04-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-03 17:06:53.046373+00
name: Flowers of Kinburn, The
ucname: FLOWERS OF KINBURN
notes:
  The dance was originally entered with the wrong title: The Flowers of Kilburn. It should be "Kinburn" (see <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2753/|issue 2753>>). The mistaken version is kept as a (mis)spelling alias.


created: 2022-02-24 19:08:42.153773+00
last_modified: 2022-04-08 08:35:20.483799+00
name: My Private Physiotherapist
ucname: MY PRIVATE PHYSIOTHERAPIST
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2021-09-01
notes:
  When I had my two legs operated on (see Once on the Right, Once on the Left), I didn’t feel very autonomous and I was advised by the surgeon to go to a rehabilitation centre to improve quickly and to avoid home accidents which might lead to another operation!!! So I stayed several days in hospital waiting for a place in such a centre, but since there weren’t any, I finally went home on an H.A.D. (hospital at home) programme. A childhood friend of mine, Nathalie Comaille-Lenhoff, who is a physiotherapist but lives a long way from our home, managed to come and stay a few days with me right at that time. So I had my own private physiotherapist,even better than having a place in a rehabilitation centre!  
  This dance was devised for her, I really enjoyed the few days with her, and I was very grateful for her help. 1st man represents the private physiotherapist who guides the patient (1st woman) throughout the dance, except for the last 2 bars, when the patient has become autonomous and can set alone.


created: 2018-01-25 14:50:44.912154+00
last_modified: 2022-04-20 08:36:35.148572+00
name: Spring Fling in Brittany, A
ucname: SPRING FLING IN BRITTANY
devised: 2009-03-28
notes:
  Devised by Marilyn Watson on 28/03/2009 for the "<<https://scots-bonnet.fr|Saint Quay Perros Group>>" in Brittany.


created: 1998-04-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-09-06 20:02:56.012041+00
name: Campsie Glen
ucname: CAMPSIE GLEN
intensity_bars: 800/880/844/888
devised: 1976-01-01
notes:
  Robert Campbell's acknowledgements in his <<ddpub:Glasgow Assembly#526|Glasgow Assembly>> book end with:

  > Finally, during the past thirty-four years of dancing, teaching and devising dances I have owed, and still owe, more than can be expressed to my wife Dorothy. Campsie Glen with its new progression, the Bourrel, also known as The Birl, is for her.


created: 2022-03-26 21:19:57.709554+00
last_modified: 2025-07-03 07:12:27.974431+00
name: Isla and Johnny
ucname: ISLA AND JOHNNY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/4848
devised: 2018-08-01
notes:
  Devised: 2018-08.
  Inspired by the Island Bay and Johnsonville clubs' first combined annual dance of 2018. The Island Bay Club is now known as the Capital City but the collegiality and cooperation between the two clubs continues.


created: 2015-02-13 13:33:26.770123+00
last_modified: 2022-04-06 02:17:43.553242+00
name: Heart of the Run
ucname: HEART OF THE RUN
intensity_bars: 888/484/484/888
devised: 2008-11-01
notes:
  Prior to the distillation process of malt whisky the liquid passes through the spirit safe but the first part is recycled as it is not pure enough. Only the middle bit (the Heart of the Run) goes on to be distilled and the final part is also recycled. I learned this on a visit to the Glenturret Distillery near Crieff following the Society AGM in Perth.


created: 2012-09-02 20:49:42.190619+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 01:52:03.309405+00
name: Dancing Lights, The
ucname: DANCING LIGHTS
intensity_bars: 800 880 888 844
devised: 1992-11-01
notes:
  Devised for and dedicated to the Yellowknife Scottish Country Dance Club on the occasion of their annual workshop, November 1992. The name was chosen after the author saw the northern lights "dancing" in the arctic sky.


created: 2022-04-09 23:30:23.871543+00
last_modified: 2022-04-11 00:08:26.508972+00
name: Experimental Reel, The
ucname: EXPERIMENTAL REEL
intensity_bars: 404/404/7777/888
notes:
  This is a weird dance, there was no special reason to devise it, but I think there should be a place for weird dances.


created: 2015-02-09 13:34:55.11717+00
last_modified: 2022-05-07 21:41:01.082618+00
name: Mohonk Rant, The
ucname: MOHONK RANT
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  According to <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2785/|issue 2785>> this is a once and to the bottom 3 couple set dance meant to be done 6 times through. Finishing the slip step facing down with nearer hands joined is the key to starting the turns correctly.


created: 2016-10-19 21:42:59.445281+00
last_modified: 2022-04-10 17:44:28.114119+00
name: St George's Cross
ucname: SAINT GEORGES CROSS
intensity_bars: 484/888/888/888/888/648
notes:
  Contains Sash Pin Reels.

  This dance is a derivative of <<ddd:Mary MacNiven's Sash Pin#17411>> with the sash pin reels in a St George's Cross rather than a St Andrew's Cross formation.
  Also see the dance <<ddd:St Piran's Cross#17421>> by <<ddp:Reuben Freemantle>#10912>>.

  St George's Cross (or the Cross of St George) is a red cross on a white background used as a symbolic reference to Saint George. This flag was associated with St George from medieval times and has been adopted on the coat of arms and flags of several countries and cities which have St George as a patron saint, notably England. 

  (Source: <<http://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/st-georges-cross.html|Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary>>)


created: 2005-11-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-18 08:17:45.822294+00
name: Braes of Strathlene, The
ucname: BRAES OF STRATHLENE
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/888
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Bill Forbes, originally from Buckie, for Anne Taylor of Fochabers (Moray). Strathlene, on the eastern outskirts of Buckie, (Banffshire) has wonderful winding paths - a hiker’s paradise - leading away from the sea up to the golf course. The Braes cradle a fairly large holiday park overlooking the Moray Firth, famous for its sunsets - an unbelievable view. The Village of Findochty nestles to the East of the Braes and is where Anne grew up. “PS. I am not employed by the Scottish Tourist Board,” writes Bill Forbes.


created: 2005-11-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-17 10:47:17.108377+00
name: Compliments to Jessie Bain
ucname: COMPLIMENTS TO JESSIE BAIN
intensity_bars: 6666/8888/8040/8444
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Jean Mair, for her sister, Jessie Bain.  This dance was the winner of a competition
  organised by the Banffshire Branch for their 60th Anniversary in 1989.

  Jessie Bain was Pianist at the Buckie Class, and various other classes, for many years and was a
  recipient of the Society’s Scroll in 1986.


created: 2022-04-18 21:24:44.128444+00
last_modified: 2022-04-18 21:24:44.128444+00
name: DU3A UR30
ucname: DU3A UR30
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Written in 2022 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Dundee.


created: 2022-04-22 12:12:56.335353+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 18:13:20.769226+00
name: Robb Quint of Thousand Oaks
ucname: ROBB QUINT OF THOUSAND OAKS
intensity_bars: 800/822/844/844/808
devised: 2022-04-11
notes:
  "I composed a tune one Sunday afternoon under the Ginkgo tree on our front lawn. When Robb posted about Ginkgo trees in Southern California, I knew that tune was meant for him. The dance to accompany the tune is a tribute to Robb and our friendship of many years via email. We even communicate in Afrikaans, my first and his ??? language.", Wouter said.


created: 2002-03-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-21 14:25:15.498684+00
name: Duke of Kent's Waltz, The
ucname: DUKE OF KENTS WALTZ
intensity_bars: 88/80/88/88
devised: 1801-01-01
notes:
  For some interesting information on this dance from the ECD world see:

  http://www.cdss.org/dances.html#dukeofkents

  http://www.regencyassemblypress.com/The_Duke_of_Kents_Waltz.html

  http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/ecd/playford/333-duke-of-kents-waltz

  Eric's crib, and Keith Rose's diagram follow the ECD interpretation of this dance as shown in the videos.  Whetherly Book 24 differs:

  1-8    First and second couples dance right hands across in a wheel and back with the left hands

  9-16  First couple lead down the middle and back

  17-24  First and second couples allemande

  25-28  First couple turn first corners with the right hand

  29-32  First couple turn second corners with the left hand


created: 2011-07-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:30.781736+00
name: Summer Meeting, A
ucname: SUMMER MEETING
intensity_bars: 848/646/088/808
notes:
  »This dance is dedicated to TAC on their 50th Anniversary. ›A Summer Meeting‹ is named for those who meet at Summer School every year.«


created: 2022-04-22 23:20:40.949135+00
last_modified: 2022-04-22 23:30:40.224679+00
name: Ardbiel Strathspey, The
ucname: ARDBIEL STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880/840/808/828
devised: 2021-10-01
notes:
  Dance devised by Peter Jamieson and Ruth MacInnes to celebrate the October 2021 house warming of “Ardbiel” a beautiful home built by Fiona MacDonald at Farley, near Beauly in Ross-Shire.  
    
  The movements in the dance represent some of the elements of the build.  
    
  _Bars 1-8_ represent the complex negotiations with Highland Council Planning and Building Control departments to gain planning permission and building warrant for the innovative design.  
    
  _Bars 9-16_ represent the extensive mixing of the natural lime based building materials.  
    
  _Bars 17-24_ represent the raising of the beautiful arches which define the shape of the house and support the roof.  
    
  _Bars 25-32_ represent the travails of finally getting the completion certificate. (We couldn’t think of any way to elegantly represent the breaking of the laptop…)  
    
  _Bars 33-40_ represent the gathering of friends for the house warming.


created: 2018-10-09 14:03:22.560623+00
last_modified: 2022-04-25 20:14:43.518319+00
name: Ultimate Brief, The
ucname: ULTIMATE BRIEF
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 2010-08-01
notes:
  The name of this dance comes from the fact that it may be briefed in 4 words: poussette, knot, bourrel, allemande.


created: 2018-10-02 00:50:38.268481+00
last_modified: 2022-04-25 20:18:26.015759+00
name: Blood Moon, The
ucname: BLOOD MOON
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888
devised: 2015-09-01
notes:
  I wanted to try a 6-person reel and we had an eclipse on the moon on Sunday, September 27th – a super blood moon.


created: 2022-04-24 08:56:42.770214+00
last_modified: 2022-04-24 22:34:14.511323+00
name: Broadford Strathspey, The
ucname: BROADFORD STRATHSPEY
notes:
  Devised by Ruth MacInnes and Peter Jamieson as a simple dance to use for teaching the Broadford Bay centrepiece.


created: 2010-09-15 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-25 08:36:18.809598+00
name: Reel Archie, The
ucname: REEL ARCHIE
devised: 2007-03-01
notes:
  Dance composed for Archie McKechnie's 75th Birthday.  
  In some sources the dance is attributed to an Alec Taylor.


created: 2017-07-06 19:54:37.512247+00
last_modified: 2022-04-25 17:02:02.657982+00
name: 42 Years and Out
ucname: 42 YEARS AND OUT
devised: 2013-11-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance to celebrate my retirement and looking forward to no more commutes or schedules after 42 years working full time. The dance contains some of my favorite figures.


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-25 17:07:49.730591+00
name: Ampersand
ucname: AMPERSAND
devised: 2001-11-01
notes:
  This dance was named because the figure danced by 1M in bars 9-16 reminds me of the ampersand ('&') character.


created: 1998-10-15 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-25 20:11:17.399856+00
name: Ram's Horn, The
ucname: RAMS HORN
devised: 1984-01-01
notes:
  <<ddp:Iain Boyd#44>> notes in <<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/1918/|issue 1918>>:

  *The dancers should not hesitate at the end of the right hands across but flow smoothly into the cast to the left.*

  *The instructions to remain in the middle with hands joined were included to ensure that the cast started from the middle and not from the sidelines.*

  *The half poussette should start from the middle rather than from a diagonal line. The diagram in the original publication clearly shows where dancers should finish the promenade movement.*

  *The dance was published before the Society decided that the half poussette should start from a diagonal line.*

  *It would be appreciated if dancers respected the devisor's original instructions.*


created: 2012-06-12 13:45:43.200702+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 01:18:43.658079+00
name: Lord Brownlow's Strathspey
ucname: LORD BROWNLOWS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880/808/888/800
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  A bit of background on Lord Brownlow and Berkhamsted. He owned the Ashridge estate not far from Berkhamsted. He had a waiting room at Berkhamsted railway station where the Berkhamsted club used to meet in the 1950s before they moved to Potten End Village Hall.

  From the dance description:  
  Adelbert Wellington Cust, 3rd Earl Brownlow (1844-1921), inherited Ashridge House and the large estate and lived there with his wife Countess Adelaide Brownlow. By all accounts he also had his own Railway Waiting Room in which Berkhamsted Strathspey & Reel Club in the early days ofthe club met on Saturday nights to dance!


created: 2015-02-21 17:50:14.812461+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 01:26:44.825731+00
name: Mr Donald Davidson
ucname: MR DONALD DAVIDSON
notes:
  Devised by Jody Williams and inscribed to Mr. Donald Davidson, a most dedicated Dancer, on his birthday.


created: 2019-03-23 10:38:06.735724+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 01:29:25.240072+00
name: Peter Knight's Strathspey
ucname: PETER KNIGHTS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880/880/888/808
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Devised to celebrate the 80th birthday of <<ddp:Knight, Peter#218>>, the editor of A Guide to Scottish Country Dancing, formerly known as Collins.   It was danced for the first time at St Columba's Church London in January 2019, as a demonstration at Peter's 80th birthday party.


created: 2020-03-24 22:07:16.238049+00
last_modified: 2022-08-22 23:33:57.446256+00
name: 18th of November, The
ucname: 18TH OF NOVEMBER
intensity_bars: 880/880/844/844
devised: 2018-11-18
notes:
  To celebrate my 70th birthday and incorporating some of my favorite figures. I love how the knot flows into the bourrel.  

  Suggested music is *Don on Yon Bank* from Heather Hills by Mara Shea and Dave Wiesler.


created: 2017-08-23 11:18:54.920874+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 09:12:48.970689+00
name: Kirsten's Jig
ucname: KIRSTENS JIG
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/880
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  This dance was commissioned for Kirsten Steinbach, the committed long-time secretary of the Freiburg Scottish Country Dancers on the occasion of a special birthday. It was presented to her during a course she had organized in 2015 featuring Ron Wallace and Muriel Johnstone.


created: 2016-09-09 19:47:27.138552+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 09:21:16.251814+00
name: Peat Road, The
ucname: PEAT ROAD
intensity_bars: 880/848/884/888
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  The Peat Road was chosen as the 50th Tartan Ball Reel to celebrate 50 years of the Tartan Ball in the Royal York Hotel, Toronto. February 16th 2013

  The Peat Road: is a narrow, single track road that twists & turns with few passing places & is the "short cut" between Finsbay & Leverburgh in South Harris, one of the islands of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The Peat Road winds along the shores of Loch Langabhat & over the moor, past the peat beds, where the crofters cut & stack the peat. Once dried, it is transported to their croft houses & used as fuel.


created: 2005-04-28 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 09:29:19.411863+00
name: Sugar on Snow
ucname: SUGAR ON SNOW
intensity_bars: 808/880/844/866
devised: 2005-03-01
notes:
  I grew up in northern Vermont and still remember a trip to the sugarhouse when I was small. A treat served there was sugar on snow – freshly boiled down maple syrup poured on clean snow.


created: 2019-04-06 00:33:49.287579+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 09:36:01.454057+00
name: Another Trip Around the Sun
ucname: ANOTHER TRIP AROUND THE SUN
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8228/8008/8888
devised: 2019-02-01
notes:
  Devised by Ray McEward with valued assistance of Marjorie McLaughlin and Ward Fleri, Feb 2019   

  Tunes chosen by Andy Imbrie.  

  This dance is dedicated to Ms. Jeanne V. Moody on the occasion of her 40th birthday. The best is yet come! May there be many more trips around the sun for you.

  The San Diego 45th Anniversary book (2020) gives the title as "Another Trip Around the Sun" but the earlier online source URL (2019) has "'round" instead of "Around". This is added as a spelling alias.


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 09:44:51.365731+00
name: Dancing Thistles
ucname: DANCING THISTLES
intensity_bars: 8686/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2002-01-01
notes:
  Devised in honour of the 30th Anniversary of the Pretoria Branch, 2002.  The club emblem is the Dancing Thistle.  Suggested level: Advanced.


created: 2018-08-23 10:33:13.305019+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 15:03:48.523664+00
name: Martin's Farewell
ucname: MARTINS FAREWELL
intensity_bars: 8020/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  A memorial dance for Martin Norgate who not only danced and taught in Cumbria but danced with Schiehallion for many years.


created: 1997-09-07 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-01-09 11:16:24.569891+00
name: Lake Geneva
ucname: LAKE GENEVA
intensity_bars: 848/646/808/880
notes:
  Kent Smith writes:  My use of the figure [9-20] was inspired by "<<ddd:Three Rivers Reel , The#10514>>" by Martin Mulligan.

  Both on bars 12 and 16 1W and 3M pass Lsh and face R into the next half reel.  There is a variant where they pass a tight Lsh 3/4 round each other and face L; they thus change roles in the half reel across for [12-16].  From then on the variants are identical again. Eric Ferguson, march 2015.


created: 2019-06-29 13:36:50.47353+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 19:22:52.169535+00
name: Orillia's Own
ucname: ORILLIAS OWN
intensity_bars: 8888/8008/8888/8888
devised: 2017-07-01
notes:
  Gordon Lightfoot sang Farewell to Nova Scotia on a pirate album and I loved the tune; it is the 4th tune on this track.
    	


created: 2017-11-21 18:05:43.494166+00
last_modified: 2022-09-27 23:05:30.190377+00
name: From Finland to Bavaria
ucname: FROM FINLAND TO BAVARIA
notes:
  This dance was devised on the occasion of the wedding of Ramona and Matthias. The chase and the circle symbolize the wedding rings


created: 2016-09-14 23:08:39.114493+00
last_modified: 2022-04-26 19:27:34.023406+00
name: Pitlochry Lassies
ucname: PITLOCHRY LASSIES
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8008/8888
devised: 2009-10-01
notes:
  The dance was devised by Ruth Taylor from Kingston, Ontario to accompany the tune "Ruth Frae Pitlochry" written for her by Muriel Johnstone. 

  "The dance is dedicated to all the Scottish Country Dancing Lassies of Pitlochry - past, present, future - especially my mother, Lillie Donald, and my dear friend, Ruth Cunnison, the other 'Ruth frae Pitlochry'".

  The dance had been nominated for RSCDS Book 48.


created: 2020-06-16 20:31:05.920526+00
last_modified: 2022-07-11 12:05:11.233075+00
name: Alison Hogg Strathspey
ucname: ALISON HOGG STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 8888/8080/8044/8888
notes:
  This dance has been devised for Alison Hogg, who lives in Salisbury. She requested a strathspey containing a bourrel.


created: 2006-10-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-27 11:31:17.612882+00
name: Wee Birl, A
ucname: WEE BIRL
intensity_bars: 880/880/844/888
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  Devised in response to a request by the Brockville Scottish Country Dancers for a new dance to include in the Brockville Christmas 2000 Social program.


created: 2015-08-26 15:18:54.701205+00
last_modified: 2022-04-28 03:47:08.488547+00
name: Queen of Victoria
ucname: QUEEN OF VICTORIA
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/866
notes:
  The birl, a progression introduced in 1976 by Bob Campbell of Oakville in his dance, <<ddd:Campsie Glen#986>>, is also referred to as the 'bourrel',  
  For many years, June Shore lived with her husband, Sam, on Victoria Avenue in Hamilton. There, she
  undoubtably reigned as Queen. with Sam as her consort. The figures of the dance exemplify her courtly
  and regal manner.


created: 2022-04-27 22:52:18.980301+00
last_modified: 2022-05-04 12:20:18.89412+00
name: Barolo Palace Tower
ucname: BAROLO PALACE TOWER
devised: 2020-03-01
notes:
  Barolo Palace is a beautiful building in Buenos Aires. It was a challenge for me as I do not like heights. However, I was coaxed unwillingly to the top up winding, narrow stairs and had to sit precariously on a narrow ledge at the top of a lighthouse structure.  
  The view of the city was amazing.  
  An unforgettable afternoon. 


created: 2022-04-27 21:55:57.988434+00
last_modified: 2022-05-05 09:10:56.092221+00
name: Siete Colores
ucname: SIETE COLORES
intensity_bars: 4884/8888/8008/8688
devised: 2020-05-01
notes:
  The Siete Colores is a hill of 7 colours at Purmamarca. Each rock colour is said to have formed during different time periods. The patterns in this dance depict the layers of rocks.


created: 2022-04-30 18:55:21.880308+00
last_modified: 2022-04-30 19:14:04.654805+00
name: Do What I Mean, Not What I Say!
ucname: DO WHAT I MEAN NOT WHAT I SAY
devised: 2022-03-01
notes:
  A dance in memory of Ron Nedderman of Cambridge, reflecting on one of his favourite sayings when teaching the Foss and Drewry class.

  The dance consists of two 32 bar parts. In the the first "as I say" version all three couples end on opposite sides after the first 8 bars and dance bars 9-24 on opposite sides whereas in the second "as I mean" version they end on own sides on bar 8.

  This could be considered as a 4x64 bar dance but the deviser prefers it as 8x32 as it would be possible for sets to dance just the "right" second part.


created: 1998-01-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-04-30 19:23:14.750325+00
name: Devorgilla's Delight
ucname: DEVORGILLAS DELIGHT
intensity_bars: 848/484/844/880
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  Incribed "for Lena Barclay of Aberdeen, formerly of Dumfries".

  From Drewry's notes: Devorgilla was the wife of John de Balliol, the founder of Balliol College, Oxford. She built the old footbridge across the Nith in Dumfries and, after her husband's death, she founded Sweetheart Abbey.


created: 2022-05-04 00:48:04.339197+00
last_modified: 2022-09-06 10:43:53.313694+00
name: Mei schazzal is no füü zu glaa
ucname: MEI SCHAZZAL IS NO FUU ZU GLAA
devised: 2022-01-25
notes:
  The dance title means "My love, she’s but a Lassie yet" in Viennese dialect.  

  From the dance description: Inspired by Marian Anderson’s version of the music on her CD "Robert Burns Dances" during preparations for an online Burns Night; inscribed to Joanna Janiska who shared her book of Burns poems in Viennese and researched the title.


created: 2003-12-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-06 01:40:23.429265+00
name: Daisy Chain, The
ucname: DAISY CHAIN
intensity_bars: 888/880/880/844
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  Information from the original description:
  The dance was devised in June 1998 as a teaching dance to introduce 'ladies' chain'. Recommended music is a strong strathspey such as "Bonnie Flowers o'er the Muir" with a suitable recording being by the Berkeley Players "None So Pretty".
  Daisy Macdonald Fanning is the niece of Rod Downey. The dance celebrates her birth.  

  Originally "Bonnie Flowers O'er the Muir" was assigned as tune for the dance, which is the name of the suitable recording. The lead tune of this recording, however, has a different name. Rod Downey has realized this and had the tune corrected to "Barbara Rae", the correct lead tune of the recording "Bonnie Flowers O'er the Muir".


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-07 20:43:49.900864+00
name: Faa Patteran, The
ucname: FAA PATTERAN
notes:
  The "Faa" of the title is thought to refer to John Faa, king of the Gypsies at the time of James V of Scotland, while "Patteran" means signs used by Roma people. See <<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Faa>>.


created: 2015-02-09 13:20:09.929845+00
last_modified: 2022-05-07 21:26:29.655254+00
name: Mohonk Welcome, The
ucname: MOHONK WELCOME
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  According to <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2783/|Issue 2783>> Bob Houghton prefers recordings from "Don Bartlett and the Scotians Play Favourites".


created: 2022-04-27 21:21:29.295864+00
last_modified: 2022-06-26 16:52:09.497406+00
name: Road to Cafayate, The
ucname: ROAD TO CAFAYATE
intensity_bars: 888/800/844/844
devised: 2020-04-01
notes:
  I went on a day trip to Cafayate from Salta. The journey followed many winding roads and this dance reflects the bends and turns in the road. It wound its way through many multi-colored rocks with names like: the frog, castle, monk, Titanic sinking and the amphitheatre.  
  This amazing journey travelled through mountains and then desert. It ended in the beautiful town of Cafayate. It is a centre of wine production and is 1,683 metres above sea level. 


created: 2003-12-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-12-02 21:40:23.081412+00
name: Loralee Hyde
ucname: LORALEE HYDE
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "Loralee is a good friend living in Wellington, New Zealand."

  Note that bars 17-24 of the dance, which was originally devised in 1996, were revised in 2021. Previously all 4 couple set, then danced half a reel of four, then turned their partner. Now the setting comes after the half reel of four.


created: 2022-05-08 23:19:18.463978+00
last_modified: 2022-05-09 07:06:57.632566+00
name: Fifty Years Young... et alors ?
ucname: FIFTY YEARS YOUNG ET ALORS
intensity_bars: 800/822/822/808
notes:
  This dance was created for Sophie Marchand, the Scottish Country Dance teacher and president of the Méaudre Reel, on the occasion of her 50th birthday. Her adult SCD students surprised her with a first demo of this dance on April 4, 2022. This was an opportunity to thank her for her commitment to teaching SCD in the Vercors for more than 15 years. Through her dynamism and with a lot of patience, she has indeed brought the taste and the pleasure of dancing to dozens and dozens of students, young and old!


created: 2011-07-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-09 11:40:51.884563+00
name: Honeymoon in Scotland
ucname: HONEYMOON IN SCOTLAND
intensity_bars: 8888/8666/8888/8888
devised: 1986-01-01
notes:
  The dedication reads: "This dance is dedicated to Mr. Minoru Okumura and Mrs. Shoko Okumura on their honeymoon trip to St. Andrews and other places of Scotland."

  STRATHSPEY Bar 1-8 (Heart shape): They grew up without knowing each other. One day they met and
  fell in love. Bar 9-16: Wedding ceremony. REEL Bar 1-4: Honeymoon trip to Scotland. Bar 5-16: Touring around and dancing in Scotland.


created: 2015-02-09 13:26:17.954388+00
last_modified: 2022-05-09 11:56:12.154954+00
name: Warm Up Dance, A
ucname: WARM UP DANCE
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  This is a 1x32 bar Jig used solely to teach slip step. Each couple slips down and back to place before both couples circle round and back.


created: 2022-05-09 17:30:18.747431+00
last_modified: 2022-05-09 17:39:07.928353+00
name: Cober Hill Caper
ucname: COBER HILL CAPER
intensity_bars: 8800/8844/8088/8008
devised: 2019-05-01
notes:
  Inspired by the London Gay Gordons’ residential week at Cober Hill Hall, May 2019.

  Although intended as a reel this dance may also be done (or practised) in strathspey time if preferred.


created: 2022-05-09 14:48:15.913534+00
last_modified: 2022-05-09 14:48:15.913534+00
name: Betsy Miller's Hornpipe
ucname: BETSY MILLERS HORNPIPE
devised: 1991-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this dance commemorates "Elizabeth (Betsy) Miller (1792–1864) from Saltcoats, Ayrshire, a Scottish merchant who was the first woman to be given a sea captain’s licence by the Board of Trade, making her the first female sea captain in Great Britain"


created: 2022-05-09 14:57:12.89275+00
last_modified: 2022-05-09 14:57:12.89275+00
name: James Wilson's Reel
ucname: JAMES WILSONS REEL
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this dance commemorates "James Wilson (1742–1798) the Fife-born lawyer and political theorist who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 then helped draft the US Constitution, which he also signed in 1787, making him one of the founding fathers of the United States"


created: 2022-04-15 15:56:58.844411+00
last_modified: 2022-12-04 18:00:05.53891+00
name: Seven Up
ucname: SEVEN UP
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  A set of 7 dancers, 2 lines of 3 on the sides & with number 7 in the middle facing up  

  ……1…2…3  
  Top ....7....  
  ……6…5…4  

  The progression is 2,3,6,7,4,5,1.


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-12 15:10:35.055487+00
name: Auckland Airs
ucname: AUCKLAND AIRS
intensity_bars: 888/808/844/888
notes:
  "Inscribed  to Rhoda Tanner and the members of the Auckland Region, New Zealand Branch, on the occasion of their 1986 Summer School."


created: 2002-09-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-14 16:54:41.565058+00
name: Rosewood JEM, The
ucname: ROSEWOOD JEM
notes:
  Note that the instructions for this dance were changed slightly after its first publication in <<ddpub:Gatineau Gathering, A#794>> (handing for some turns and the final few bars for 1st couple). The deviser's preferred version is demonstrated in <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/dancevideo/8704/|Video 1>>.


created: 2022-04-15 15:56:22.213907+00
last_modified: 2022-06-13 23:22:33.111862+00
name: Five Times Twirl
ucname: FIVE TIMES TWIRL
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Start in W shape with dancers 2 & 4 facing gaps in line of dancers 1, 3 & 5

  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1…3…5  
  Top  
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...2…4…  


created: 2022-05-15 21:04:33.155239+00
last_modified: 2022-05-15 21:04:33.155239+00
name: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson's Strathspey
ucname: ELIZABETH GARRETT ANDERSONS STRATHSPEY
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this commemorates "Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836–1917), physician and suffragist, the first woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon and become the first female mayor in Britain"


created: 2022-05-14 18:02:38.2249+00
last_modified: 2024-11-19 01:36:26.87323+00
name: St Margaret's Knot
ucname: SAINT MARGARETS KNOT
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/800
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  For Catherine and James Coutts on their wedding day, 18 June 2004 (they were married in St Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle)


created: 2022-05-14 18:33:39.206426+00
last_modified: 2025-03-27 00:16:06.170694+00
name: Bonnie Benbecula
ucname: BONNIE BENBECULA
intensity_bars: 888/808/088/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  The inscription is "In memory of Sheila Jupp, who spent her childhood on this Hebridean island".

  The publication gives the tune as "Crawhillock". It is assumed to be intended as "Crowhillock".


created: 2013-02-04 16:31:51.507802+00
last_modified: 2022-05-17 22:46:58.001523+00
name: Foursome and Half Reel of Tulloch (trad. version), The
ucname: FOURSOME AND HALF REEL OF TULLOCH TRAD VERSION
notes:
  There are various versions of this dance in circulation, which tend to differ in the length of the strathspey and the reel parts. 

  See:

  <<ddd:Foursome and Half Reel of Tulloch, The  #7542>>. (32 S + 32 R + 64 R)

  <<ddd:Foursome Reel  and Half Reel of Tulloch, The#20860>> (32 S + 64 R)

  and  <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2759/|issue 2759>>.


created: 2022-03-26 20:02:45.881426+00
last_modified: 2022-05-17 07:18:59.673925+00
name: Bucket Tree, The
ucname: BUCKET TREE
notes:
  Devised: 1998-05
  Presented to the members of the Tawa Club to celebrate the Club's 50th Anniversary in 2008. The "bucket tree" is a large macrocarpa trimmed to the shape of an upturned bucket and is a Tawa landmark near the Willowbank Reserve. The Tawa Club includes a representation of the tree in its club badge.

  NB the suggested recording does not include the recommended tune (see <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2797/|issue 2797>> for background details).


created: 2022-05-21 09:42:07.549703+00
last_modified: 2022-12-10 19:10:57.196447+00
name: Cranberry Tartelette, The
ucname: CRANBERRY TARTELETTE
notes:
  Luitgard Merkens (SCD Group Münster/Germany) came up with this adaptation of <<ddd:Cranberry Tart, The#9157>> by <<ddp:Glasspool, Terry#2677>> for a 3 couple set, inverting the set each time. After the first turn the progression is 2,1,3. The next turn has the original 3rd couple as dancing couple with 3rd woman starting, followed 2 bars later by her partner. This variation seems sufficiently popular to have its own dance entry.

  See <<https://www.scdmuenster.de/2018/08/22/m%C3%BCnsteraner-variationen-cranberry-pie-und-tartelette/>> (German) for more details.


created: 2000-02-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-17 22:44:44.620758+00
name: Foursome and Half Reel of Tulloch
ucname: FOURSOME AND HALF REEL OF TULLOCH
notes:
  Note that there are various versions of this dance in circulation, which tend to differ in the length of the strathspey and the reel parts. 

  See also:

  <<ddd:Foursome Reel  and Half Reel of Tulloch(trad. version), The#14713>> (48 R + 88 R)

  <<ddd:Foursome Reel  and Half Reel of Tulloch, The#20860>> (32 S + 64 R)

  and  <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2759/|issue 2759>>.


created: 2021-07-14 08:16:11.431621+00
last_modified: 2022-05-21 23:24:43.851896+00
name: Nightingale Floor, The
ucname: NIGHTINGALE FLOOR
intensity_bars: 80808/88888/08088/42442
devised: 2012-03-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For Patsy & Ian Marks on their return from a Rotary trip to Japan, March 2012."

  The dance notes explain that "Centuries ago, floors in the hallways & corridors of Japanese temples & palaces were designed to make a 'chirping' sound when walked on.  This was a security device – an early, 'early warning system'.  Dry boards creak naturally under pressure, but these floors were created so that the flooring nails would rub against a jacket or clamp (usually leather), causing birdlike noises - hence 'nightingale' floors ('uguisubari'). This ensured that no one could sneak through the corridors undetected. The most famous example is in Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan."


created: 1998-10-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-21 08:17:15.191098+00
name: Mary Stewart Strathspey
ucname: MARY STEWART STRATHSPEY
devised: 1970-01-01
notes:
  This dance is published with the name "Mary Stewart Strathspey" in <<ddpub:Dances with a Difference#394>> but as "Mary Stewart's Strathspey" in the <<ddpub:#678|Los Angeles 25th Anniversary Book>>.


created: 2002-09-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-31 11:32:12.461073+00
name: Adelaide Strathspey, The
ucname: ADELAIDE STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 8000/8800/8044/8000
notes:
  This simple dance was devised for a St Valentine's Day demonstration. (from the publication)

  Music used is as for The Belle of Bon Accord on the "See You Jimmy'' tape. (from the publication)


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-22 09:08:06.58526+00
name: Jacobite, The
ucname: JACOBITE
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 2003-04-01
notes:
  During our trip to Scotland in August of 2001, we took the steam train from Fort William to Mallaig – the Jacobite. The figure in bars 19-24 reminds me of a train.

  Crib author's note: The online instructions say that [25-32] has mirror reels, but they are opposing reels (in 2pl 1M starts down, 1W starts up); in addition each of the end couples makes one crossing.


created: 2005-11-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-22 22:06:15.359302+00
name: Alison's Strathspey
ucname: ALISONS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 844/088/448/888
notes:
  The original text says:  Progressive 3 Cpl. dance in a 4 Cpl. Longwise Set.  <...> Can also be danced as a 3 couple dance with 3rd & 1st Cpl. circling to the Lt in bars 21 to 24, 3rd Cpl. opening out for the 6 hands round in bars 25 to 32.

  The E-crib gives the 3C/4C version as the default, whereas MiniCrib has the 3C set version. The diagram shows both.


created: 2022-04-27 21:34:25.280896+00
last_modified: 2022-05-23 17:48:37.743696+00
name: Insurance Man from BA, The
ucname: INSURANCE MAN FROM BA
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/866
devised: 2020-03-01
notes:
  The dedication reads "This dance is written for a wonderful Argentine friend, tourist guide, host, dancer and gentleman. He made my visit to Argentina in 2019 the most memorable time in my life."


created: 2022-05-24 21:17:58.34246+00
last_modified: 2022-05-24 22:01:51.919875+00
name: Harry Gordon
ucname: HARRY GORDON
notes:
  A performance dance with no progression. Written in memory of the deviser's father, Harry Gordon Friedman.

  Source: PDF linked from <<https://rscds-twincities.org/performance-repertoire/>>.


created: 2022-05-26 17:08:41.455379+00
last_modified: 2022-05-26 21:44:59.555211+00
name: Welcome to Your Feet Again
ucname: WELCOME TO YOUR FEET AGAIN
notes:
  Repeat from new places, but in the second round, for Bars 9–14, Partner 2 leads the chase down behind their own sides to dance below 3s, and casts up behind their opposite side to 2nd place, while Partner 1 dances up the middle to 2nd place opposite side.

  Couples decide independently who will be Partner 1 and Partner 2.

  On the final two bars of the second round, 1s can cross down to the bottom of the set while 3s can dance up a place to begin the next round.

  This dance was devised for a first class back after a hiatus due to Covid and avoids taking hands. If dancers are now comfortable taking hands in setting or changing places, they may! If dancers prefer not to take hands and instead hold champagne glasses, they may clink between the advance and the retire!


created: 2019-10-24 16:37:15.048055+00
last_modified: 2022-05-27 11:32:03.661219+00
name: Darvel Weaver, The
ucname: DARVEL WEAVER
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  In honour of James Gilchrist, weaver and tenter, of Darvel, Ayrshire and dedicated to his daughter and son-in-law, Cath and Alec Campbell


created: 2011-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-29 10:33:39.341558+00
name: Strathpsey Advancement Party of Scotland Strathspey, The
ucname: STRATHPSEY ADVANCEMENT PARTY OF SCOTLAND STRATHSPEY
notes:
  The notes say "This dance is dedicated to the members of the StrAthPSey Advancement Party of Scotland (SAPS). The dance is short because the title is long. PS There are only deliberate spelling mistakes on this page!"

  So the "Strathpsey" in the title is correct (see <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2800/|issue 2800>>).


created: 2002-09-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-05-31 11:33:44.200867+00
name: All In
ucname: ALL IN
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8888 8888
notes:
  This dance is titled "All In" because it is a favourite saying for dancers, and because everyone is dancing, and also when you stop, you are "all in". [from the publication]


created: 2022-06-07 22:17:47.22704+00
last_modified: 2023-02-25 17:59:34.545975+00
name: Frisky Ten Years
ucname: FRISKY TEN YEARS
devised: 2016-09-01
notes:
  Devised for the 10th anniversary of 'The Frisky", a dancing group based in Tokyo.

  According to the deviser, right hand turns by 2C and 3C on bars 21-24 may be omitted.


created: 2022-05-31 20:01:55.512101+00
last_modified: 2022-05-31 20:57:06.119148+00
name: Sightlines from Chernex
ucname: SIGHTLINES FROM CHERNEX
intensity_bars: 8484/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2020-02-01
notes:
  This dance is for Jim and Aline Cook who kindly invited me for supper in their former holiday home in the village of Chernex. This was in the hills above Montreux from where they had a lovely view over the eastern end of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains. Chernex, which is pronounced like “Shairnay”, is on the Montreux Oberland Bernois or “GoldenPass” railway line. This climbs and winds its narrow gauge way up from Montreux, through the gorgeous scenery of the Bernese Oberland, to the rail and river junction at Zweisimmen. The reels, snake pass and tournée may be taken to illustrate the loopy nature of the line.


created: 2022-06-07 20:37:59.022278+00
last_modified: 2022-06-07 21:36:19.298336+00
name: Tatiana's Dream
ucname: TATIANAS DREAM
intensity_bars: 844/888/488/880
notes:
  Tatiana is a character in Alexander Pushkin's novel Eugene Onegin who dreams that a bear helps her cross a raging torrent.


created: 2022-05-24 22:00:13.912541+00
last_modified: 2026-01-28 12:04:27.90937+00
name: Onyx
ucname: ONYX
notes:
  Source: PDF linked from <<https://rscds-twincities.org/programs/performance-repertoire-2022-2023/>>.


created: 2015-09-03 11:25:21.592773+00
last_modified: 2024-06-02 19:25:43.271699+00
name: Dublin's Delights
ucname: DUBLINS DELIGHTS
intensity_bars: 8484/4848/8080/8888/7777/8888
devised: 2013-09-27
notes:
  For the Dublin Group of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, to celebrate a special night.
  September 27, 2013, when the Canadians came to dance.


created: 2022-06-07 20:31:09.14674+00
last_modified: 2022-06-23 08:40:05.343259+00
name: Celebrate Ten and Twenty Years
ucname: CELEBRATE TEN AND TWENTY YEARS
intensity_bars: 888/880/800/844
devised: 2020-01-01
notes:
  This dance was written to celebrate two dancing groups which the deviser established. One group is 'Clara' for the 20th anniversary, the other is 'Saltire' for the 10 anniversary.


created: 2014-10-30 07:18:19.837985+00
last_modified: 2022-06-09 16:10:02.725788+00
name: Malcolm's Shoes
ucname: MALCOLMS SHOES
devised: 2014-05-04
notes:
  Devised 4 May 2014, by Sergey Kargapoltsev (robroyway [at] gmail.com). The little story that happened in Vladimir city (Russia) on Spring School with Malcolm Brown when he lost his shoes.


created: 2022-06-10 04:19:20.561452+00
last_modified: 2022-06-10 05:03:45.966905+00
name: Thank You Linda Henderson
ucname: THANK YOU LINDA HENDERSON
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888
devised: 2022-04-01
notes:
  "I had forgotten all about the pinwheel progression until Linda Henderson asked me about it.  So, of course, I had to write a new dance with it, in quick time this time." Holly said.


created: 2011-08-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-06-12 11:05:18.625447+00
name: Docent's Tour, The
ucname: DOCENTS TOUR
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/866
devised: 2006-12-28
notes:
  This dance was devised for Sid Kass to celebrate his 75th birthday, December 31, 2006. The dance was presented at the San Francisco Class on Thursday December 28, 2006 as a surprise to Sid. The title of the dance refers to Sid's volunteer work as a docent at two local museums.- TW


created: 2022-06-07 20:59:32.647862+00
last_modified: 2022-06-19 12:11:29.918379+00
name: Happy Dancing
ucname: HAPPY DANCING
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2020-06-01
notes:
  This dance was devised with delight to meet and dance together again after long adjournment by COVID-19 and for enjoying without hands as much as possible.


created: 2022-06-08 09:35:02.647098+00
last_modified: 2022-06-19 13:12:16.107462+00
name: Yamashita Park
ucname: YAMASHITA PARK
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 2020-03-01
notes:
  Yamashita Park in Yokohama city is one of the most beautiful and famous parks facing Tokyo Bay.

  1st couple dance a floor pattern of two interlocking hearts during bars 9-16.


created: 2002-09-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-14 11:31:04.507851+00
name: Tea Break
ucname: TEA BREAK
notes:
  This dance was devised during a tea break, which is considered essential at our Friday night dancing class. This class enjoys a challenge. [from the publication]

  In the dance description Julie Pastok suggests "The Wapenshaw" on Highlander Music Volume 6 CD by Drummond Cook's Scottish Country Dance Band as suitable recording.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-06-12 11:36:17.425714+00
name: Brimmond
ucname: BRIMMOND
devised: 1986-01-01
notes:
  The inscription reads "for Simon Wood of Ellon who played for the first performance of this dance Simon is a helicopter pilot - hence the name of the progression".

  So this is the first dance with the Set and Rotate figure.

  Brimmond is a hill overlooking Aberdeen.


created: 1997-08-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-06-18 09:08:24.045439+00
name: Cape Cod Reel, The
ucname: CAPE COD REEL
intensity_bars: 888/888/866/888
notes:
  Description
  -----------

  1- 8::
    1s and 3s advance 2 steps diagonally to centre. Then turn left 90 degrees and take 2 steps out to the corner and stay facing out. Meanwhile 2’s pull their right shoulder back and cast, man up, lady down to end in the middle of the set at top and bottom. 2s set facing each other whilst 1s and 3s set turning right to face each other. All 3 couples set once more whilst facing each other. 
  9-16::
     Repeat bars 1 to 8. i.e. 1s and 3s in diagonally whilst 2nd man casts down the ladies side and 2nd lady casts up the men’s side. 2s set facing each other whilst 1s and 3s set turning to face each other. All 3 couples set once more. (Everyone is now on the opposite side and the set is upside down.) 
  17-20::
     3s at the top, cast to the bottom on the wrong side, followed by 2s who end up in 2nd place. Whilst 1s cross to the top, lady crossing in front of her partner. 
  21-22::
    1s and 2s right hands across for 2 steps. 1st lady finish facing out the men’s side with her partner behind. 
  23-24::
     1s and 3s left hands across for 2 steps. (1s are now at the bottom and everybody is back on the correct side) 
  25-32::
     All 3 couples circle left and back   
  Repeat twice in new positions.

  The dance was devised by Mark Dungey, Sue Prout, Margaret Miles (all of the FalmouthWhite Heather Club) and Margaret Hoare, on a trip to Falmouth Massachusetts (On the Cape Cod Peninsula)


created: 2022-06-23 19:05:31.108458+00
last_modified: 2022-06-23 21:25:24.448124+00
name: Piwakawaka, The
ucname: PIWAKAWAKA
devised: 2022-05-13
notes:
  Fomr the notes: The piwakawaka is a New Zealand fantail. It is known for its friendly "cheet cheet" call and energetic flying; dancers will need some energetic dancing and to be on their game for this dance.


created: 2022-06-25 15:26:29.010226+00
last_modified: 2022-10-25 19:43:16.300792+00
name: Shadows
ucname: SHADOWS
notes:
  The Shadow Progression needs careful timing and is quite slow. 
  1st man and 2nd woman simply shadow 1st woman and 2nd man in the progression. The idea came to me one very hot, sunny day while watching dancers outside dancing on grass and casting shadows.


created: 2022-06-25 13:36:14.001344+00
last_modified: 2022-06-26 22:53:09.564054+00
name: Newcastle's 70th Celebration
ucname: NEWCASTLES 70TH CELEBRATION
notes:
  Dance devised in 2019 to celebrate Newcastle and District Branch's 70th Anniversary in 2020
  (The first 8 bars show the 7 and 0 shapes)


created: 2022-06-25 14:18:28.501803+00
last_modified: 2022-10-25 20:05:57.994665+00
name: Sheila of Morpeth
ucname: SHEILA OF MORPETH
notes:
  Dance written by Dr. Peter Avery (Branch Chairman) as a tribute to the tremendous contribution made by Sheila Trafford to Scottish dancing in the North East of England, both as a teacher and an organiser.


created: 2022-06-25 15:17:31.020661+00
last_modified: 2022-08-12 09:40:07.561827+00
name: Golden Wishes
ucname: GOLDEN WISHES
intensity_bars: 84048/88088/84884/88888
notes:
  Dance written for Stocksfield Scottish Country Dance Club's 50th Anniversary in July 2016. When asked to write this dance, I was requested to make it a challenge! I hope it fits the bill! Enjoy.


created: 2023-05-03 22:22:34.410241+00
last_modified: 2025-01-04 12:41:06.563816+00
name: Foxton Flight
ucname: FOXTON FLIGHT
intensity_bars: 48884/80800/88888/80888
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  The notes explain that "Foxton Flight is a flight of ten locks on the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The locks are arranged in two groups of five and can be negotiated in about 50 minutes."


created: 2022-06-25 15:07:23.479575+00
last_modified: 2022-10-25 20:02:44.428149+00
name: Cathie Smith's Reel
ucname: CATHIE SMITHS REEL
notes:
  Dance devised in memory of Cathie Smith who died in December 2016. Cathie was a member of the Newcastle & District Branch of the RSCDS for many years and she was a founder member of Mike Barlow's Ponteland evening class.
  She was a very friendly lady and supported all local events. She is greatly missed by all her friends and those who knew her.


created: 2022-06-25 14:09:51.741154+00
last_modified: 2022-10-25 20:07:08.867302+00
name: Freda's Frolic
ucname: FREDAS FROLIC
notes:
  This dance was written for Freda Phillipson. Freda has been a loyal member of our Branch and Life member of the RSCDS for 47 years. During this time she has seved as a committee member, teacher, pianist and musical composer as well as a keen dancer. Over these years, Freda has enjoyed lots of trips to places all over Scotland including the Scottish Islands (These trips are known as Freda's Frolics!)


created: 2022-06-25 14:56:06.60418+00
last_modified: 2022-08-05 17:35:45.765022+00
name: Jesmond Saunter
ucname: JESMOND SAUNTER
notes:
  Jesmond Dene is a pleasant, green, leafy area with footpaths along and near the River Ouse in a part of Jesmond on the outskirts of Newcastle.


created: 2018-10-17 11:19:16.952179+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 14:39:13.876603+00
name: Golden Branch, The
ucname: GOLDEN BRANCH
intensity_bars: 8004/8888/8080/8888
devised: 2000-07-01
notes:
  This dance is devised in honour of the 50th Anniversary of the Boston Branch of the RSCDS. They are indeed a Golden Branch.

  NB there is a version of the instructions for this dance which has it as a Reel rather than Strathspey.


created: 2022-06-25 14:52:02.01652+00
last_modified: 2022-06-28 17:56:14.944002+00
name: Gill's Jig
ucname: GILLS JIG
notes:
  This dance was devised for Gillian Stewart, Branch member and one of our very accomplished Branch pianists. She has played for classes, courses and dances etc. for many years. She plays in both our local bands "The Braes of Wansbeck" and "The Music Will Tell You".


created: 2022-07-06 11:21:13.644173+00
last_modified: 2022-09-02 10:25:09.919467+00
name: Friday Evening, The
ucname: FRIDAY EVENING
intensity_bars: 800/811/844/804
notes:
  From the dance notes: *What to do when your Internet connection is lost while you’re in the middle of the class? To write a new dance, of course!*


created: 2022-06-17 15:04:31.484378+00
last_modified: 2022-06-26 11:39:47.319337+00
name: Ronalds' Reel, The
ucname: RONALDS REEL
intensity_bars: 884/888/844/844/888/888
devised: 2022-04-30
notes:
  The dance is dedicated to Chris and Sue Ronald in gratitude for mentoring and supporting a new generation of teachers and dancers in the New York area in the years before they left stateside and returned to their native England in 2021. 


created: 2022-06-29 18:24:41.153402+00
last_modified: 2025-01-18 23:21:59.056964+00
name: Bees Are Back!
ucname: BEES ARE BACK
intensity_bars: 800/880/888/822
devised: 2022-03-01
notes:
  This dance should rightly be named 'Bees Are Still Here!'' since this is the first year we have had bees survive the winter.


created: 2022-06-29 04:20:02.06846+00
last_modified: 2025-01-19 12:35:27.92046+00
name: Golden Splendor
ucname: GOLDEN SPLENDOR
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/844
devised: 2022-05-01
notes:
  One day I was looking out the window and flashes of gold flew by and I watched a pair of goldfinches flying around the yard, then I thought of the figure in bars 1-8 and the rest followed. When my group tried the dance, people set in bars 17-24 as is often done in Australian Ladies (half set across then finish facing up and down) and one person opted to half set backing up then finishing forward. But first couple can make the track just fine – note that the track is a figure of 8 around 1st corner positions.


created: 2022-06-29 03:55:12.221961+00
last_modified: 2025-01-19 12:43:27.630929+00
name: High Maintenance
ucname: HIGH MAINTENANCE
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/488
devised: 2022-05-01
notes:
  We have a 16-year-old cat who has many medical issues. He’s been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease and has all the issues that come with that, so we have to regulate his food and he takes many medications. He is 'high maintenance' and I wanted to write a dance in which everyone is busy all the time.


created: 2013-07-25 10:25:30.843969+00
last_modified: 2025-05-15 01:22:06.443528+00
name: Time to Spare
ucname: TIME TO SPARE
intensity_bars: 884/884/844/808
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised in 2011 in memory of Howard Graham who, with his wife Heather, were members of our Branch and attended most of our functions.  Howard was retired and used to say he had "Time to Spare".


created: 2022-06-25 14:28:47.181819+00
last_modified: 2025-05-26 08:53:14.835282+00
name: Robert's Rant
ucname: ROBERTS RANT
devised: 2018-03-01
notes:
  Devised in March 2018 in memory of Robert Hudson who died the previous month. [More detail in the book].


created: 2022-06-23 22:41:56.971234+00
last_modified: 2022-10-25 20:10:03.462831+00
name: North Country Weaver
ucname: NORTH COUNTRY WEAVER
devised: 2022-02-01
notes:
  Devised by Beth Birdsall in February 2022 in honor of her mother, Polly Birdsall, for the occasion of a
  birthday. Polly is an avid weaver and knitter in addition to being a Scottish Country Dance teacher, and
  the figures of the dance are intended to evoke warping and weaving on a loom.


created: 2017-12-13 14:52:06.494306+00
last_modified: 2023-01-21 16:40:55.126404+00
name: Salt and Sauce
ucname: SALT AND SAUCE
devised: 2003-05-01
notes:
  The original title for this dance was "Found on Strathspey". The deviser states: *It has been renamed to "Salt and Sauce" because I found people were confused by a reel having "Strathspey" in its name.*


created: 1998-12-20 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-06-15 07:45:51.021248+00
name: Scottish Fiddler o' Crieff, The
ucname: SCOTTISH FIDDLER O CRIEFF
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/888
devised: 1984-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to the fiddle players at Pinewoods, 1982, and devised for Ron's tunes "Bert Gonnella's Jig" and
  "Lizzie Duncan's Fancy" by Evelyn M. E. Murray.  

  The Fiddler is, of course, Ron Gonnella. The musicians at Pinewoods Camp in Massachusetts, that year included Christine Anderson, Ron Gonnella, Colin Gordon, Barbara McOwen, Ed Pearlman, Ralph Thompson and John Turner. Pinewoods is the place where the Boston Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society holds its summer week and weekend sessions. To the deviser, Pinewoods is a beautiful place to enjoy the timeless musical and dancing heritage of Scotland without interference from the modern world; it means "time out"!


created: 2002-03-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-27 11:16:45.780382+00
name: Glowerin' Coo, The
ucname: GLOWERIN COO
intensity_bars: 888 866 866 844
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Dedication for the dance: "For Stanley Wilkie of Edinburgh who, when teaching double triangles, said that first couple should not be like 'coos glowering ower a dyke'."


created: 2020-10-03 19:56:11.118922+00
last_modified: 2022-06-16 23:02:37.794313+00
name: Four Weeks of Summer School
ucname: FOUR WEEKS OF SUMMER SCHOOL
devised: 2020-01-01
notes:
  The notes suggest you "Imagine the first day of Summer School in St. Andrews where people from around the world meet. First meetings, first dancing, more and more new friends till the last night which means the end of the week and leaving new friends. But at the same time it is the beginning of a new week..."


created: 2021-06-21 21:25:49.969513+00
last_modified: 2022-06-17 11:07:59.687536+00
name: Paddlewheeler, The
ucname: PADDLEWHEELER
intensity_bars: 8080/8080/8888/8888
devised: 2001-04-01
notes:
  Devised to celebrate the one day workshop held by the Vernon SCD club in the Paddlewheel Hall, Vernon B.C. in April 2001.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 15:05:36.634919+00
name: Cat and the Fiddle, The
ucname: CAT AND THE FIDDLE
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 844
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  Note from the original description: Both of the diagonal half reels of four (Bars13-16 and Bars 21-24) are from first place on the women's side to third place on the men's side.


created: 2002-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-01-28 21:31:33.641563+00
name: Road to Applecross, The
ucname: ROAD TO APPLECROSS
intensity_bars: 800/866/866/888
notes:
  Not to be confused with <<ddd:Trip to Applecross>>.

  “Applecross, a remote Highland village on Scotland's west coast, facing the island of Raasay, can be approached via Bealach nam Bo, ‘The Pass of the Cattle’, a mountain road with steep zig-zag turns and spectacular views of Skye and the Outer Isles.”


created: 2011-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-07-15 09:36:16.366075+00
name: City in Bloom, A
ucname: CITY IN BLOOM
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 2007-03-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Muriel Johnstone, Keith Smith, Bill and Atsuko Clement and Bill Zobel, on the occasion of Pretoria Branch's 35th Anniversary celebration in October 2007, the time of year when Jacaranda blossoms turn the city of Pretoria into a mauve wonderland.


created: 2022-07-03 01:55:33.072332+00
last_modified: 2025-07-15 17:05:03.879724+00
name: Shared Tradition, A
ucname: SHARED TRADITION
intensity_bars: 800/822/822/844
devised: 2022-03-01
notes:
  We dance all over the world and we dance the same figures, thus Scottish Country Dancing is a worldwide shared tradition.


created: 2005-04-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-06-22 22:11:54.945856+00
name: Desperation
ucname: DESPERATION
intensity_bars: 880/844/888/888
devised: 1994-04-01
notes:
  The dance was devised in desperation as the deadline for the 1994 Jack McConachie Sword Competition entries loomed


created: 2021-11-06 18:06:29.546164+00
last_modified: 2022-06-23 20:57:09.77081+00
name: Maggie Boag's Jig
ucname: MAGGIE BOAGS JIG
devised: 2021-10-08
notes:
  Source <<https://youtu.be/pmMfNLfAOKU|youtube video>> which suggest that any reasonable recording of ”The Dhoon” will suffice.


created: 2022-07-07 09:38:25.837162+00
last_modified: 2022-07-07 09:38:25.837162+00
name: Eat the Road!
ucname: EAT THE ROAD
notes:
  From the dance notes:  
  *The dance is dedicated to Uriy Saifulin, the fastest taxi driver in Volga river region. He can transfer you from one town to another with the the speed of the light. Just fasten your seat belt.*


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:28:12.349536+00
name: Premium Bonds
ucname: PREMIUM BONDS
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  Drewry specifies in the notes to the dance: 

  - The dance may be danced just as a strathspey or just as a reel, or four times as a strathspey followed by four times as a reel, or twice as a strathspey followed by twice as a reel. 
  - When turning with two hands in reel tempo, skip change of step should be used.

  John Drewry wrote the dance for Paul and Dulcie Bond with the comment: "A dance to enrich life and avoid overtaxing yourself."


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-10 08:31:05.476299+00
name: Susie Petrov's Strathspey
ucname: SUSIE PETROVS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 84448/88088/08880/88888
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  Devised in 1990 under the working title "Hamish Henderson's Refusal", the dance was revised in 1991 and published in 1992 as "Susie Petrov's Strathspey".

  The dance is dedicated to Susie Petrov, one of the inspiring musicians who have played at TAC Summer School [presumably 1990].

  This dance appears in a <<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cQ-vaS3Nsc|YouTube video>> that states: *Recorded on September 13, 2008, at the Arkansas Dance Festival in Mountain View. The dances included are "A Flock of Geese," "A Trip to St. Andrews." and "Preston Mill."*    The second dance is in fact "Susie Petrov's Strathspey".  It is unclear how the wrong name arose.


created: 2020-06-16 20:11:12.294631+00
last_modified: 2022-07-10 08:45:22.717334+00
name: Thunderbird 5
ucname: THUNDERBIRD 5
intensity_bars: 88888/80808/08088/24442
notes:
  devised this dance to help in classes when numbers may be limited and gave it this title as Thunderbirds was a favourite TV programme as a child.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-14 02:10:15.423311+00
name: Scotch Gate
ucname: SCOTCH GATE
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/822
devised: 1979-01-01
notes:
  Entry to the old walled City of Carlisle from the Borders was through the Scotch Gate. It has historical associations with Bonnie Prince Charlie, Sir Walter Scott and the song The Yellow Haired Laddie.


created: 2021-10-21 18:20:13.362697+00
last_modified: 2022-07-10 10:18:12.409344+00
name: Trèfle à Quatre Feuilles, Le
ucname: TREFLE A QUATRE FEUILLES
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2019-04-01
notes:
  This dance was devised to introduce the corners pass and turn formation. It was very popular in a group where only a very few people understand English, so it was given the French name for a four-leaf clover.


created: 2003-01-09 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-11 20:11:27.687956+00
name: Saint Columba's Strathspey
ucname: SAINT COLUMBAS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 08080 48884 08080 48444
devised: 1985-02-15
notes:
  Devised for St. Columba's Hospice, Boswall Road, Edinburgh

  Warning. In "SCD in Diagrams" (the "Pilling" book), up to the 8th Edition, the line at bar 12 is solid instead of dashed, giving the erroneous impression that this is a 40-bar dance.


created: 2002-02-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-11 20:52:19.520131+00
name: Thomas Glover's Reel
ucname: THOMAS GLOVERS REEL
intensity_bars: 800 844 822 888
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  The dance notes say this was "for the dancers in Mr. Miyakawa's Group in Japan, who have invited me to visit them in 1998".

  Thomas Glover, originally from Aberdeen, settled in Nagasaki Japan where he founded a trading company.


created: 2022-07-07 09:31:09.292553+00
last_modified: 2024-12-29 20:20:54.945181+00
name: Moscow Bikefest
ucname: MOSCOW BIKEFEST
intensity_bars: 8448/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  From the dance notes:  
  *It’s about the Moscow Bicycle Festival. On which people who love cycling gather together to drive the entire Sadovoe Koltso (the name of the boulevard in Moscow). This is a dance about a meeting of like-minded people, Sadovoe, and of course, bicycles.*


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 15:07:23.067785+00
name: Christies' Strathspey
ucname: CHRISTIES STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 800 844 844 822
devised: 1999-08-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote this dance for the Christies of Vancouver Island.

  We have two PDFs as source for this dance:
  1.  A typical Drewry typed sheet, where the dance is called "Christie's Strathspey"
  2.  A copy of the pages of Greenburn Book 3, where the dance is called "Christies' Strathspey"


created: 2022-07-15 13:28:18.307423+00
last_modified: 2022-07-15 13:41:53.843779+00
name: Mainzer Narhalla Reel
ucname: MAINZER NARHALLA REEL
devised: 2009-01-01
notes:
  The title of this dance is inspired by the <<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrhallamarsch|Mainzer Narrhalla-Marsch>>, the signature tune of the “Meenzer Fassenacht” (Mainz carnival), composed in 1840 by bandmaster and founding member of the *Mainzer Carneval-Verein* (Carnival Club of Mainz), Carl Zulehner (1805-1847).

  In the city of Mainz, carnival is culturally very important (to a point where it is referred to locally as “the fifth season”). The SCD group there is called the “Narhalla Dancers” [only one “r”].

  The formations of the dance symbolise various aspects of the history and culture of the city of Mainz:

  - The hands across on bars 1–8 stand for the wheels in the city's traditional coat of arms.
  - The 1st couple's solo figure on bars 9–16 symbolises the Mainz carnival parade.
  - Bars 17–24 evoke the *Äbsch Seit* (“wrong side”), i.e., the other bank of the river Rhine.
    Of course the inhabitants of Mainz consider themselves greatly superior to the people living there
    (a sentiment that is vigorously reciprocated).
  - Bars 25–32 allude to Mainz-based Johannes Gutenberg's invention of printing using movable type.
  - The cross formation in bars 33–36 signifies the archbishopric of Mainz.
  - The final movement on bars 37–40, the “wine press”, points to the local tradition of viticulture.


created: 2022-07-15 17:37:12.538423+00
last_modified: 2022-07-15 17:37:12.538423+00
name: Reverse Reel, The
ucname: REVERSE REEL
notes:
  Deviser's notes: “While the instructions are for a 5×40 Dance, it can be danced in 3, 4, or 5 couple sets. If a 3 or 4 couple set, careful phrasing is required. It can also easily be ‘converted’ to a 32 bar reel by eliminating bars 17–24 (or 33–40).”


created: 2022-07-15 22:29:57.476833+00
last_modified: 2022-07-16 22:59:59.235228+00
name: Troubles End
ucname: TROUBLES END
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888/844
devised: 2022-05-01
notes:
  After a wonderful SCD weekend at Pawling and a visit with Lois New in Albany for a hybrid zoom dance (on the more exciting side of the camera for a change), we were driving up through Vermont to see Don and Martha Kent. We passed a lane called Troubles End and, since that described exactly how we felt after going away for the first time in 2 years, I decided to use it as a name for a dance – dedicated to Pawling,  
  Lois New and Don and Martha Kent. Thank you for making us feel human again.


created: 2000-01-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 14:53:48.619494+00
name: Milton's Strathspey
ucname: MILTONS STRATHSPEY
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote the dance in memory of Milton Levy, who died in December 1996 and who devised the formations 'set and link for three' and 'balance in line with Highland Schottische'.


created: 2005-11-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-16 19:45:10.735443+00
name: Lady Stoneycroft
ucname: LADY STONEYCROFT
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/6666/2666
notes:
  Lady Stoneycroft was the name given to the mother of one of the dancers who put on a posh voice when answering the phone.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 15:03:31.129258+00
name: Bow Fiddle Rock
ucname: BOW FIDDLE ROCK
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 2000-05-01
notes:
  Note from the original description: "Bow Fiddle Rock" is at Portknockie at the west end of Cullen Bay (about forty miles north of Aberdeen). It is a large pointed rock surrounded by the sea, but not very far from the shore. On it's south side there is a large arc of rock almost like a flying buttress. An impressive sight! There, are several other interesting rocks nearby.


created: 1998-07-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 10:13:51.51853+00
name: Whisky in Bond
ucname: WHISKY IN BOND
devised: 1982-01-01
notes:
  *Notes from the book:*

  The dance was written to mark the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Paul and Dulcie Bond.

  'Whisky in Bond' is whisky stored in a 'bonded' warehouse awaiting payment of excise duty.
  Naturally it is kept with the strictest security.


created: 2002-02-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 10:20:47.252652+00
name: Whirling Dervishes, The
ucname: WHIRLING DERVISHES
intensity_bars: 8080/8888/8484/8008
devised: 2000-09-01
notes:
  The dance notes for the set turning about in bars 3-4 say
  'Dancers who find this too vertiginous may set without turning'.


created: 2022-07-30 12:27:52.637809+00
last_modified: 2025-04-21 22:01:58.009653+00
name: Julia's First Cousin
ucname: JULIAS FIRST COUSIN
notes:
  Found at <<http://rscdsboston.org/events-fliers/Albany50thAnniversaryParty2022.pdf>> and dance list <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/32988/>>. The second link notes there is a variant with left hands across in bars 29-32 instead of all turning right hand.


created: 2002-03-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:19:01.804961+00
name: Oooh Chihuahua!
ucname: OOOH CHIHUAHUA
intensity_bars: 4884/8888/8008/6666/8448/8888
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry adds some notes in *Greenburn Book 3:*

  * A jolly dance to celebrate May Day 2000
  * The title, which comes from an exclamation made by a young man in a current Television Commercial, is pronounced with the "Oooh" very long and the second syllable of "Chihuahua" strongly accented. I thought it would be an amusing dance title.
  * Chihuahua is a province and a city in the north of Mexico. My books tell me that the province is mainly a high plateau and I hope that the dancers are on a high after doing the dance.
  * Chihuahuas are also a breed of miniature dogs.


created: 2022-07-30 12:09:00.876289+00
last_modified: 2023-04-13 20:18:39.86936+00
name: V Times X
ucname: V TIMES X
notes:
  Found at <<http://rscdsboston.org/events-fliers/Albany50thAnniversaryParty2022.pdf>> and dance list <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/32988/>> where it is just attributed to "Grubb".


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 15:15:18.065559+00
name: Dowry Bride, The
ucname: DOWRY BRIDE
intensity_bars: 8000/8880/8880/8484
devised: 1999-10-01
notes:
  *Notes from Greenburn Book 3:*

  For Margaret Pirie of St Cyrus at the request of her husband Charlie.

  1. John Orr was born at Bridgeton, near St Cyprus, in 1794. He went to India and worked in Madras. He retired in 1843 and died in November 1845. He left money in a trust, proceeds from which were to be divided by five and given each year to the oldest, youngest, tallest and shortest brides married in St Cyrus Kirk; the fifth portion was to be used for the relief of the poor of the parish. This distribution of money continues to the present day and the recipients are known as 'The Dowry Brides of St Cyrus'.
  1. The progression is similar to that in *The Earl of Mansfield*.
  1. In this dance 4th couple do not dance until Bars 29-32.
  1. Bars 1-8 could be regarded as 1st woman comparing her statistics with those of the other women in the set.<BR> 
  Bars 17-24 are the bridal progression!


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:02:33.718962+00
name: Granny Knot, The
ucname: GRANNY KNOT
intensity_bars: 520 888 444 555 888 888
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote in 2000: "The Granny Knot" and "The Ocean Plait" are virtually the same dance, but in different tempi.  I may withdraw one when I find out which is more popular with the dancers."

  *Greenburn Book 3* shows the following dedication: Another KNOT for Morland! For all the grannies who attend the week of dancing in Morland.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 15:18:28.533013+00
name: Dunbuy
ucname: DUNBUY
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  Notes from *Greenburn Book 3:*

  Dunbuy (pronounced dun-boo-eee) is a small rocky island with a hole through the middle like a window. It lies between Siains Castle and the Bullers of Buchan, just to the south of Peterhead. It was visited by Dr. Johnson and Boswell on their tour of Scotland.

  Dunbuy comes from the Gaelic "Dun Buidhe" meaning "Yellow Castle". The rock is reddish-brown. Maybe the "yellow" comes from the droppings of the sea birds which swarm on the rocks in their thousands!


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 15:58:05.348067+00
name: Jiggin' Janet
ucname: JIGGIN JANET
intensity_bars: 880 880 880 880 800
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  Dedication from *Greenburn Book 3:* A dance in memory of Etta Gibson who left us at Christmas 2000.

  More notes from the book: 

  1. This is a very energetic dance in which 1st and 2nd couples dance without a break for 32 bars. The last eight bars have been added to take 1st couple to third place where they can rest after dancing once. The unfortunate 2nd couple have to dance twice with only an 8 bar rest between turns. 
  1. There is a Jig tune composed by Jimmy Blair called "Etta Gibson".


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-08-11 16:35:56.071587+00
name: Rings Round the Moon
ucname: RINGS ROUND THE MOON
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/888
devised: 2000-04-01
notes:
  Devised in April 2000 for the Hereford Scottish Country Dance Club in memory of Harold James, who had been dancing for 49 years.

  In the 2001 printing by TACbooks, the title in the table of contents is "Rings Around the Moon", but the title above the dance description is "RINGS ROUND THE MOON".  After the description follows: "NOTE: I called a previous dance for Hereford Over the Moon.  "Rings Round the Moon" are not rings like the rings of Saturn, but Lunar Haloes. A double halo is a rare event."   It seems clear that Drewry wanted the name to be "Rings Round the Moon". "Rings Around the Moon" has been added as an alias.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:00:09.4596+00
name: Lord's Lodging, The
ucname: LORDS LODGING
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  Dedication from *Greenburn Book 3:* A dance to celebrate the visit of Ron Wallace and his dancers to Huntly.

  Further notes from the book:

  1. At the end of the second turn of the dance,1 st woman dances down crossing over to fourth place, while 1 st man casts off to fourth place.
  1. While staying at Huntly Castle Hotel, Ron and his party visited the ruins of Huntly Castle and, in the part known as "The Lord's Lodging", Ron played the pipes while some of the group danced. Ron felt that this was one of the highlights of the tour.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:04:12.636714+00
name: Monster on the Rocks, The
ucname: MONSTER ON THE ROCKS
intensity_bars: 4444/8888/8888/8888/8844
devised: 2000-05-01
notes:
  Drewry adds two notes in *Greenburn Book 3:*

  1. The title does not refer to Bigfoot in Western Canada, but to a rock formation which I have discovered between Slains Castle and Dunbuy (just to the north of Cruden Bay). The rocks have two holes right through the base and, from the cliff top, they look like a monster trying to climb out of the sea.
  1. It is quite safe to be near the monster because it is very friendly. In fact it is "pally"olithic.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:12:38.86453+00
name: Ocean Plait, The
ucname: OCEAN PLAIT
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote in 2000: "The Granny Knot" and "The Ocean Plait" are virtually the same dance, but in different tempi.  I may withdraw one when I find out which is more popular with the dancers."

  *Greenburn Book 3* shows the following dedication: Another KNOT for Morland! This is similar to the Granny Knot but in quick tempo.

  In addition, John Drewry notes: An Ocean Plait is a very complicated knot made from a single length of rope. (See "Knots and Ropework" by Eric C. Fry. (David and Charles))


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:24:09.732823+00
name: Paddy Baa
ucname: PADDY BAA
devised: 2000-05-01
notes:
  Note in *Greenburn Book 3:* 

  I have just visited my friends at Dulnain Bridge and they were helping the local farmer by bottle-feeding two lambs. The farmer's wife had christened one of the lambs PADDY BAA and I felt this would be a good title for a dance because that was the way some people used to pronounce "pas de basque".

  The dedication at the top of the dance description reads: for the Cade Lambs of Strathspey


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:25:48.672188+00
name: Out of Africa
ucname: OUT OF AFRICA
intensity_bars: 6886/8228/8448/8888
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  The dedication in *Greenburn Book 3* says: A dance For the Golden Wedding of Jim and Rina Grant of Aberdeen.

  Furthermore, John Drewry added some notes:

  1. At the end of each tum, except the last, 4th man in second place on the men's side, and 1 st man in third place on the women's side, can stay facing out ready to repeat the dance with new end couples.
  1. This dance was requested by Jim and Rina's daughter Fiona, who now lives in Bristol.
  1. Jim and Rina were married in 1952 in Nigeria, where they were both working. That gave me the idea of the title of this dance.
  1. Haverholme Priory, near Sleaford in lincolnshire, was the home of the Finch-Hattons. It is now a shell because of a disastrous fire.<BR> Denys Finch-Hatton features in Karen Blixen's book Out of Africa. My sister thinks that our father's mother worked at the Priory when she was a young girl. She certainly came from that part of lincolnshire and was the same grandmother who claimed a family connection with Sir Isaac Newton.


created: 2003-01-30 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:29:49.918876+00
name: Recumbent Stone, The
ucname: RECUMBENT STONE
intensity_bars: 48884/80800/84840/84884/82842/80800
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  Some notes by John Drewry in *Greenburn Book 3:*

  Recumbent stone circles are found in the North-East of Scotland and
  they are thought to be at least five thousand years old. The recumbent
  stone is a very large stone lying on its side and it is flanked by two
  upright stones which are of a similar size to the other stones in the circle.
  The recumbent stone is always on the south-west side of the circle and it
  is thought that it was used in observations of the moon. There is a fine
  recumbent stone circle at Easter Aquhorthies to the north-west of
  Inverurie.

  Once, when I was visiting it, I met a wee man who assured me that
  someone standing in the circle was much more likely to see U.F.O's than
  someone standing nearby! Maybe his powers of imagination were more
  developed than mine.

  An article in the Scotsman revealed that this circle has unusual
  acoustic properties which have been verified with scientific instruments.
  Similar acoustic properties are found at the Cairns of Camster, near
  Wick, in Caithness. The suggestion was that the old priests used the
  acoustic properties to impress the people with their "magic" powers.


created: 2022-05-21 09:47:56.837123+00
last_modified: 2022-07-27 21:59:07.469708+00
name: Splendour in the Grass
ucname: SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/808
devised: 2020-09-01
notes:
  The title comes from seeing a sign attached to a lamp post on Hampstead Heath (during the pandemic) which read:  
  *“There is splendour in the grass” (Wordsworth).*  
  *There is also my lost hearing aid!*  
  *Unusually pleasant reward offered...*

  The dance contains the Snake Pass figure but any snakes in the grass should be assumed to be slow worms (which are actually lizards).


created: 2022-06-25 14:36:58.399533+00
last_modified: 2022-07-29 09:19:34.002105+00
name: Quince Jelly
ucname: QUINCE JELLY
intensity_bars: 4884/8888/8008/8888
notes:
  1st and 4th couples cross on 2nd chord.

  The deviser wished the dance to be danced 2x32S + 2x32R. The Recording on the CD is 2x(32S+32R).

  Dance written for our good friends, Peter and Madeleine Quince who have been members of our Branch and attended dances here for many years. Peter was on our committee and served as Chairman for two years. They danced and made friends all over this country as well as many others, especially in France, Madeleine's home country, where they lived for part of each year. Peter liked homemade jam and I often gave them some of my home made quince jelly.
  Sadly, Peter died in early 2019 before the dance was published.


created: 2022-07-30 12:13:42.722064+00
last_modified: 2022-07-30 12:13:42.722064+00
name: Five Star Reel, The
ucname: FIVE STAR REEL
notes:
  Found at <<http://rscdsboston.org/events-fliers/Albany50thAnniversaryParty2022.pdf>> and dance list <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/32988/>>.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-11-01 15:52:24.367815+00
name: Banks of Aray, The
ucname: BANKS OF ARAY
intensity_bars: 860/844/866/888
devised: 1992-01-01
notes:
  The Aray is a small river near Inverary. It was on its banks that Betty was first courted by Dan Sharpe. She has kindly accepted my dedication of this dance to her : my first Scottish Country Dance Teacher.


created: 1997-09-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-31 09:54:37.980699+00
name: Catch Ye Her Eye
ucname: CATCH YE HER EYE
notes:
  The notes say this was written "To emphasise the importance - and the pleasure from the use of eye contact with your partner".


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-31 11:35:30.631754+00
name: Kickapoo Gatherings
ucname: KICKAPOO GATHERINGS
devised: 1989-09-01
notes:
  From the notes: Dedicated to Avril and David Quarrie as thanks for the many delightful social gatherings they hosted at their home on Kickapoo Road in Batavia, Illinois.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 16:56:51.586475+00
name: New Leeds Strathspey, The
ucname: NEW LEEDS STRATHSPEY
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote the dance for the Day School in Leeds, Yorkshire.

  ...and he added the note: *New Leeds* is a village about eight miles south of Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.


created: 2022-08-11 08:36:35.336809+00
last_modified: 2022-08-11 08:44:35.767975+00
name: Reel of the 51st Confusion, The
ucname: REEL OF THE 51ST CONFUSION
devised: 2021-08-01
notes:
  Devised by Anne Lanvin, Corentin Lefèvre, Isabelle Herlant, Louise Baltera, Nicolas “Niols” Jeannerod and Victor Lanvin on August 8th, 2021. This dance is a variation of one of the most popular Scottish country dances, “The Reel of the 51st Division”.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-21 17:00:17.035399+00
name: Toll House, The
ucname: TOLL HOUSE
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/088
devised: 1999-09-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote this dance in September 1999 for Margaret Hutcheon of Mosstowie and Margaret Kendall of Pontefract.

  Furthermore he added the following notes in *Greenburn Book 3:*

  - At the junction on the. A96 Aberdeen-Inverness road, where the road to Mosstowie branches off, there is an old toll house which is painted in such a way that the windows appear to have eyebrows!
  - The house in Monymusk, where Margaret Kendali spends some time each summer is also an old toll house.

  _Please also note:_ The Pilling diagram in the 8th edition is in error, see the supplement to the 8th edition for the correct one.


created: 2002-05-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-22 15:25:20.304954+00
name: Nae Fantoosherie
ucname: NAE FANTOOSHERIE
intensity_bars: 822/888/866/888
devised: 1994-05-01
notes:
  The dance was devised to celebrate the appointment of Miss Biddy Fawdry as a Vice-President of the Birmingham Branch of the RSCDS in May 1994. 

  'Nae Fantoosherie' means 'no pretentiousness'. 


created: 1998-10-15 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-24 08:45:18.35231+00
name: Wind Dragon, The
ucname: WIND DRAGON
intensity_bars: 888/800/880/880
devised: 1990-12-30
notes:
  Inspired by a small kite with long red tails seen soaring above a local park earlier in the day. The deviser has since learnt that a 'dragon' is also 'a paper kite'.

  The instructions published in <<ddpub:Island Bay Collection (2nd edition)#344>> have an error in bars 17-24 which those who have a copy should correct. Instead of:  
  *17-24   First couple, first woman followed closely by her partner, dance a reel of three across the set with _second_ couple passing second woman by right shoulders to begin.*  
  it should read:  
  *17-24   First couple, first woman followed closely by her partner, dance a reel of three across the set with _first_ couple passing second woman by right shoulders to begin.*  


created: 2006-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-07-24 19:52:44.132954+00
name: Starsigns
ucname: STARSIGNS
notes:
  For all the Maths enthusiasts who enjoy SCD. The last 8 bars portray constructing a hypocycloid. Some dancers would love knowing this; perhaps better not tell the others ...


created: 2002-02-27 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:29.596701+00
name: Robertson Rant, The
ucname: ROBERTSON RANT
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8080 8888 0808 8888 6666 6666 8888 8888
devised: 1949-01-01
notes:
  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:

  17-24  Men finish reel by curving left about, acknowledging partner, before facing corner (Men speed up, women slow down).

  For a "floral" variation, see <<http://camberleyreelclub.org.uk/DanceCribs.htm#_TheFloralRobertsonRant>>.


created: 2022-07-24 22:13:05.935427+00
last_modified: 2026-08-08 12:14:46.271881+00
name: X Marks the Scot
ucname: X MARKS THE SCOT
intensity_bars: 800/844/466/844/888
devised: 2020-11-01
notes:
  > The title was shamelessly stolen from the website <<www.xmarksthescot.com>>,
  > an online community of kilt wearers (of which I am not a member).
  > The dance has several twirling opportunities which those wearing kilts
  > or other swirly apparel may enjoy - within reason!
  > The central figures take place on both diagonals to mark the X of the Scottish saltire.
  > The last 16 bars are intended to echo the end of The Reel of the Royal Scots -
  > but with pivot and chase to finish.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-01 20:10:09.718626+00
name: Manor Farm
ucname: MANOR FARM
notes:
  The notes say this was "devised from an idea put forward by Margaret Roberts at a dance class at Manor Farm and arranged in conjunction with her."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-02 07:52:41.617521+00
name: Parrotts' Strathspey
ucname: PARROTTS STRATHSPEY
devised: 1988-09-01
notes:
  The notes say: "Dedicated to Jeanette and Ken Parrott, active members and supporters of the Loch Michigan Scottish Country Dance Group since its beginning. Jeanette was one of the first teachers of the group."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-02 08:05:46.226713+00
name: Ringing The Changes
ucname: RINGING THE CHANGES
notes:
  From the notes: "Dedicated to Charles and Elaine Dunn on their retirement as Masters of Quincy House".


created: 2019-09-04 09:10:47.118159+00
last_modified: 2022-08-02 09:11:39.573295+00
name: Piper's Wedding, The
ucname: PIPERS WEDDING
intensity_bars: 80808/08080/88888/80000
devised: 1989-02-01
notes:
  Sole source:  Minicrib who just attributed it to "Johnstone" (of which there are several).

  According to <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2846/|issue 2846>> it was devised by Jackie Johnstone, Dumfries, February 1999 with music arranged by <<ddp:Holmes, Ian#1668>>.


created: 2001-09-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-03 10:48:39.218956+00
name: Craigievar Magic
ucname: CRAIGIEVAR MAGIC
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/6666/8888/8888
notes:
  Two couples facing two couples round the room.

  *From <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2853/|issue 2853>>:* The original notes to this dance contain the following notations at the bottom:

  Repeat 3 more times (Hoping the magic works) P.S. If one person goes wrong, the magic doesn’t work!!

  The “magic” Bill Forbes is talking about is that the progression of the dance over four repetitions is somewhat miraculous. The first repetition takes everyone away from their original partner and set, and further repetitions seem to irretrievably scramble things. But, astoundingly, after four repetitions, everyone is back with their original partner in their original set (!). And it works regardless of how many sets are on the floor. Truly amazing when it works. But as pointed out in the notes, if any one person goes wrong, especially early on, it messes up the progression for almost everyone.


created: 2022-07-30 23:26:39.765125+00
last_modified: 2022-08-03 13:17:35.03867+00
name: Natsumi's Jig
ucname: NATSUMIS JIG
intensity_bars: 8888/8000/8000/8800
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Source <<https://youtu.be/mpIOTXbUmz0|youtube video>> where it is described as a 4C set but appears to have 2134 progression. In SCDDB it is, for the moment, shown as a 2 couple dance although all couples take part in the circle.

  Deviser's note:  
  * Note 1: This was originally devised as a dance performed only twice through for four couples in a four-couple longwise set to honour and entertain 1st couple.  
  * Note 2: This dance has the progression of a three-couple dance in a four-couple set, and is danced eight times through. However, all four couples dance bars 1-8 as in a four-couple dance.


created: 2017-05-21 08:49:37.212648+00
last_modified: 2022-08-03 20:09:00.129873+00
name: Ashley and Her Husbands
ucname: ASHLEY AND HER HUSBANDS
intensity_bars: 800 853 835 888
devised: 2016-12-01
notes:
  For Ashley Weller, with many thanks for organising the Gay Gordons expert evenings.

  Ashley’s husband Steve does not dance, so Ashley travels to dance events with past and present members of the Gay Gordons who are sometimes assumed to be her partner and whom she collectively refers to as her extra husbands. In this dance 1st woman goes on promenades with other men while her partner is solo for the central 16 bars.

  A recording by Ian Robertson of the music for this dance is available via <<https://my.strathspey.org/u/murrough/recording/>>.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-21 08:16:08.835635+00
name: Mill on the Don, The
ucname: MILL ON THE DON
notes:
  The instructions for this dance are a little hard to interpret usually omitting "half" from half figues and relying on bar counts. The numbering of couples often seems to refer to current places rather than original positions.


created: 2002-02-28 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-04 21:57:07.706447+00
name: Mrs MacDougall's Strathspey
ucname: MRS MACDOUGALLS STRATHSPEY
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For Jeannie Mac Dougall of the St. Columba's Scottish Country Dance Group".

  SCDDB originally had a devised date of 1993, but a copy of the instructions has January 1988. And the name is spelled with a space as "Mac Dougall" which is added as an alias.


created: 2021-12-03 22:17:05.898319+00
last_modified: 2022-08-04 07:58:48.932481+00
name: Madge Wildfire's Reel
ucname: MADGE WILDFIRES REEL
intensity_bars: 880/800/822/888
notes:
  Originally published in 1820 by John Sutherland, Edinburgh in a booklet linked to Sir Walter Scott's novel The Heart of Midlothian. Reconstructed by the RSCDS in 2021 to mark the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott's birth.


created: 2001-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-05 16:56:31.29552+00
name: Glencoe Weeps
ucname: GLENCOE WEEPS
devised: 2001-11-01
notes:
  During my August 2001 trip to Scotland, our last stop was Glencoe. It was an on-and-off rainy day, but that made it all the better because water poured off the mountains of Glencoe, making lovely waterfalls and rapids. The name of this dance also reflects the legend of the massacre of Glencoe.


created: 2013-03-14 10:15:09.622151+00
last_modified: 2022-08-05 17:01:42.426862+00
name: "You Cannot go Wrong!"
ucname: YOU CANNOT GO WRONG
notes:
  Devised by Trisha Rawlings for the Oxfordshire Branch of the RSCDS as a mark of their affection and esteem for John Armstrong, a favourite teacher, whose catchphrase after instruction was "You cannot go wrong!"


created: 2022-08-11 05:53:30.963558+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 03:31:48.870862+00
name: Praha Matka Měst
ucname: PRAHA MATKA MEST
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/808
devised: 2019-04-01
notes:
  Devised by Nicolas “Niols” Jeannerod in Prague in April 2019. The title translates to “Prague, Mother of Cities” and refers to Prague's motto during the twentieth century. It was a symbol of the mission of Prague to protect the independence and prosperity of the Czecho-Slovakian state.


created: 2019-01-29 23:06:34.402298+00
last_modified: 2022-08-08 16:03:43.997066+00
name: Noethersche Ring, Der
ucname: NOETHERSCHE RING
intensity_bars: 888/888/840/888
devised: 1999-11-19
notes:
  Dedicated to the 1999-2000 Erlangen Scottish Country Dancers.

  Written in honor of the mathematician Emmy Noether (born March 23, 1882 in Erlangen - died April 14, 1935 in Bryn Mawr), who loved to dance.


created: 2022-08-10 23:10:35.003024+00
last_modified: 2022-08-11 07:14:47.439136+00
name: Mall in St. James's Park, The
ucname: MALL IN ST JAMESS PARK
intensity_bars: 800/822/888/808
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Nicolas “Niols” Jeannerod in 2018. The name was suggested by Christophe Schuwey in reference to the painting of the same name by Thomas Gainsborough.


created: 2011-08-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 20:18:08.903219+00
name: Lady of Wishaw
ucname: LADY OF WISHAW
intensity_bars: 8448/8448/8888/8888
notes:
  Dedicated to May Loudon, much loved dancer and teacher of the Gleneagles SCD Club in West Vancouver on the occasion of her seventieth birthday. May grew up in Wishaw in Scotland.


created: 2022-08-10 18:10:19.696731+00
last_modified: 2022-09-18 21:42:20.732696+00
name: Wee Journey, A
ucname: WEE JOURNEY
devised: 2022-07-01
notes:
  This dance is written as a gift for Rachel Shankland and George Meikle that took such good care of us during our Units 2 and 3. The changes of direction give many opportunities for the men to flash their underwear as the RSCDS demands for Unit 2.


created: 2022-08-07 19:44:52.345767+00
last_modified: 2025-11-04 12:29:57.24585+00
name: Creagan Ruadh
ucname: CREAGAN RUADH
intensity_bars: 880/800/822/844
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  This may also be danced as a reel.  

  For Margaret Gowan with thanks for all her patience & perseverance with the Kintail Ceilidh & Country Dance Group


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-17 13:22:47.426148+00
name: Magic Dishpan, The
ucname: MAGIC DISHPAN
intensity_bars: 8888/8080/8888/4848
devised: 2002-04-01
notes:
  A different version of this dance had been published by Sue McKinnell on her web site.  This was a 4x32 Jig in square formation and contained some of the same figures.  

  In *The Lost Princess of Oz*, Cayke the Cookie Cook has her magic dishpan stolen. Ugu the shoemaker uses it to steal the all the magic he can from the inhabitants of Oz (including Ozma of Oz) (*Sue McKinnell*).


created: 1998-10-18 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-11 14:43:15.527858+00
name: Bonnie Woods o' Craigielea, The
ucname: BONNIE WOODS O CRAIGIELEA
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888/888/844/844/888
notes:
  Note from the instructions: to get to the bottom from third place the original first couple should set and cast off on the first four bars of the next repeat.


created: 1998-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-11 14:55:49.356418+00
name: Fiddler on the Capstan, The
ucname: FIDDLER ON THE CAPSTAN
devised: 1981-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for Herb Carl of Albany, California".

  The notes explain that "While he was at St. Andrews in July 1981, Herb Carl had a dream. Mary Stoker was teaching her class to dance "The New-Rigged Ship" on the deck of the Victory in Portsmouth Harbour. As usual, she was cracking her vhip and urging them to extra effort. Music for the dancing was supplied by a fiddler vho stood on the centre of the capstan while the class danced round him."


created: 1997-08-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-11 15:04:02.867229+00
name: Cadger's Bridge, The
ucname: CADGERS BRIDGE
notes:
  The dance notes explain that "The Cadger's Bridge crosses the Biggar Burn at the west end of the main street of Biggar. William Wallace is said to have crossed the bridge disguised as a cadger (hawker or carrier) before defeating Edward I in a battle to the south-east of the town."


created: 1997-09-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-11 23:12:50.562439+00
name: Dee's Dandy Dance
ucname: DEES DANDY DANCE
intensity_bars: 44/44/88/88
notes:
  If the name sounds like something out of a nineteenth-century medicine show , that's intentional.
  This dance was devised as a dance that even the rankest beginners would not be able to foul up,
  and so far it has lived up to those hopes. That's why it carries no designation as reel, jig,
  strathspey or medley -- it can be (and has been) used as any one of them, as the need arises.
  Often it is done with just a skipping step. That doesn't matter; its purpose is to give beginners a 
  sense of accomplishment, the satisfaction of having done a dance right, as early in the first lesson
  as possible (although more experienced dancers have been known to enjoy it too).


created: 1998-04-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-12 09:12:46.232823+00
name: Magic Moments
ucname: MAGIC MOMENTS
intensity_bars: 444444/444444/800008/888888
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  This is a 3 x 32 dance; all dancers end diagonally opposite their starting point (6,5,4,3x,2x,1x).  If danced 6 times through, all finish in own places.

  In the original 1990 version, published in "Brock Summer Celebration", bars [25-32] had "6c+1c turn RH, turn LH".
  The current version, published in "Canada's Irish Rover", bars [25-32] have "All Circle12 and back".


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-12 11:07:17.642515+00
name: Norma's Tune
ucname: NORMAS TUNE
intensity_bars: 73/84/88/88
notes:
  Editor’s note to the 2021 edition.

  The cross with left hand in bars 1-2 is a suggested alternative to the original instructions. These are included here for completeness, yet it is a long way for the first man in two bars.

  1-2 First man casts off and crosses to second lady’s place whilst second lady crosses to first man’s place.


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-12 11:38:57.380786+00
name: Saint Andrew's Flag
ucname: SAINT ANDREWS FLAG
intensity_bars: 880/800/888/880
notes:
  Sheila writes:  I use this dance when introducing double triangles as most dances containing this formation have a preceeding movement which results in a confused entry into double triangles.


created: 2022-08-12 09:04:02.722405+00
last_modified: 2022-08-12 09:20:17.561358+00
name: Waves, The
ucname: WAVES
intensity_bars: 800/880/844/808
devised: 2022-08-01
notes:
  Devised by Saskia Frisby and inspired by the waves in the sea around St. Andrews. For Rachel Shankland and George Meikle, with heartfelt thanks for their kindness towards and patience with the Units 2/3 class of 2022.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-12 11:43:18.184281+00
name: Sea Caves, The
ucname: SEA CAVES
intensity_bars: 80800 88888 80800 48488
notes:
  The Sea Caves refer to the many caves in the coastal cliffs at Wemyss. "Wemyss" is apparently gaelic for caves. (Source: Southern Stars Book, where the dance is published)


created: 2000-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 11:03:56.664952+00
name: Amy in the Middle
ucname: AMY IN THE MIDDLE
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  The notes explain that "In 1998, Amy Chlebecek hurt her ankle and was unable to dance rounds. Instead, she look jumping into the middle of the set from whatever position she was dancing, and letting the other couples dance around her. Someone suggested writing a dance called 'Amy in the Middle', so I did."


created: 2022-08-09 11:25:27.414453+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 09:04:57.433252+00
name: Cro of Kintail
ucname: CRO OF KINTAIL
intensity_bars: 8800/8000/8000/8888
notes:
  The River Cro slowly meanders down the glaciated valley of Glen Lichd flowing into Loch Beag and under the
  causeway into Loch Duich.  
  The river is named after the 'cro' of Kintail where the mountains encircle the low level ground near Morvich
  as a fold would encircle & protect sheep.  
  It would be lovely to dance this simple strathspey to the tune of Ian MacMhurachaidh's song “Theid mi dhachaidh Chro Cintaille” - “I will go home to the fold of Kintail”.


created: 2000-03-09 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 09:14:12.371431+00
name: Wheels Around The World
ucname: WHEELS AROUND THE WORLD
intensity_bars: 4444/4444/8080/0808/8888
notes:
  This dance was devised by a class at a Special School so that children in wheelchairs would be able to take part. (Teacher Mrs M Barlow).


created: 2002-07-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 12:14:41.888641+00
name: Fiddlin' Round
ucname: FIDDLIN ROUND
intensity_bars: 800/844/800/888
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  The San Francisco Branch has been blessed to have so many fine fiddlers play for balls and monthly parties. This dance is a tribute to their dedication and to many years of listening and dancing pleasure (Bob McMurtry).

  May be danced as a reel or a jig.

  Contributed crib supplied by Bruce Clark.


created: 2002-07-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 12:19:54.945107+00
name: Halsway Anniversary
ucname: HALSWAY ANNIVERSARY
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  Devised in 1996 by Peter Wright for the South Dorset Caledonian Society's 21st Week-end at Halsway Manor. The tune was written by their "resident musician", Hugh Ferguson.


created: 2002-07-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 14:15:41.320161+00
name: Gentle Lads and Lassies, The
ucname: GENTLE LADS AND LASSIES
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/866
notes:
  On those nights when only two dancers show up, I think teachers will welcome this three person dance.


created: 2004-09-16 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 14:18:35.868591+00
name: Colwyn's Ruby Reel
ucname: COLWYNS RUBY REEL
devised: 2002-12-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and District Caledonian Society on their fortieth anniversary."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 17:08:30.509655+00
name: Carlisle Castle
ucname: CARLISLE CASTLE
intensity_bars: 680 804 840 880 888
devised: 1967-01-01
notes:
  Two of Bonnie Prince Charlie's men were captured and left behind in Carlisle after the failed rising of 1745. One young soldier was to be executed, the other released. The Spirit of the dead soldier travelling by the 'low road' would reach Scotland before his comrade, who would be struggling along the actual road over high, rugged country.


created: 2013-10-14 22:30:50.365036+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 20:26:59.233706+00
name: Jig for Ayla, A
ucname: JIG FOR AYLA
notes:
  The notes say this was "devised by Ayla Huseyinoglu (age 9), Darlington Juniors. I like the petronella movement, and slip steps as well as skip change."


created: 2014-05-09 21:55:37.862568+00
last_modified: 2022-08-13 20:28:55.693726+00
name: New Year Wedding
ucname: NEW YEAR WEDDING
intensity_bars: 808/080/080/088
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Emily Ziccarelli and Jesse Adams in celebration of their marriage December 31, 2011.
  <p>1-8 First Glances
  <br>9-16 The Chase
  <br>17-24 The Courtship
  <br>25-32 The Wedding


created: 2007-09-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-14 08:13:03.738632+00
name: High Peak
ucname: HIGH PEAK
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  From the notes: "Devised by Evalyn and Ernst Eder in April 2007 for the first formal dance of the Madoma Group to celebrate its 25th season of dancing. This easier dance was devised to be coupled with '<<ddd:Kinder Scout>>' on the dance programme."


created: 2018-10-06 13:43:29.577718+00
last_modified: 2025-06-06 12:40:40.869005+00
name: Passing Fancy, A
ucname: PASSING FANCY
devised: 2012-09-01
notes:
  I love playing with variations of dance figures and the bourrel is one of my favorites. I decided to see if I could make up a 4-couple version.


created: 1999-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-01-23 01:00:26.948671+00
name: Barnes of Washington, The
ucname: BARNES OF WASHINGTON
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888
devised: 1996-03-01
notes:
  Inscribed "Devised by Christopher Barnes. To commemorate the golden wedding anniversary of his parents Duard and Betty Lee Barnes in March 1996."


created: 2012-09-13 16:03:11.198592+00
last_modified: 2022-08-14 08:53:58.768594+00
name: Saturday Market
ucname: SATURDAY MARKET
intensity_bars: 800/800/800/888
devised: 2010-03-01
notes:
  A good dance for exploring different kinds of figures of eight.

  Vancouver, WA has a lovely Weekend Farmer’s Market, but you have to get there early on Saturday to get the hydroponic lettuce. 1st couple practically run over each other getting ready for the market (bars 1-4), travel to the market (bars 5-8), and wander among the stalls looking for the best prices, the best produce, and the beautiful lettuce (bars 9-24). They got there in time to get the last one, and celebrate with a circle round and back!


created: 2013-01-22 00:01:34.824147+00
last_modified: 2022-08-14 10:12:48.993317+00
name: Reel for Miss Donaghue
ucname: REEL FOR MISS DONAGHUE
intensity_bars: 800 880 804
notes:
  Note: The deviser was 6 y old.  This becomes a more attractive dance by adding 25-32: Circle6 and back.


created: 2013-05-27 16:39:03.7839+00
last_modified: 2022-08-14 10:29:39.842965+00
name: Mairrit at Last
ucname: MAIRRIT AT LAST
intensity_bars: 840/888/888/
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  My wife and I dated in the 70s, but then broke up for 17 years. This dance was part of our wedding celebration in 1999 and represents various aspects:  the first 8 bars represent the diamond ring with which I engaged her, the reels chronicle our parallel lives while apart, the chase is self-explanatory, I hope, the Double Triangles represent our sharing the news with friends and the Promenade is the wedding. 


created: 2013-10-14 10:21:48.121646+00
last_modified: 2022-08-14 10:41:09.162503+00
name: Mortimer's Jig
ucname: MORTIMERS JIG
notes:
  Deviser aged 9.

  The instructions have the title "Mortimer's Jig" but say its a 32 bar reel for three couples though only two couples are dancing. SCDDB has it as a jig. It is not clear if this was the intention. 


created: 2015-01-20 11:55:03.309886+00
last_modified: 2022-08-14 11:50:18.821945+00
name: Salute to St Andrew, A
ucname: SALUTE TO ST ANDREW
devised: 2003-11-01
notes:
  Any good reel

  such as "Dirk Kommer's Reel" played by Marian Anderson on "Bordering On Scottish" CD - TRCD9905


created: 2015-02-27 18:10:37.385628+00
last_modified: 2022-08-14 15:08:07.848976+00
name: Dance o da Shetland Puffins
ucname: DANCE O DA SHETLAND PUFFINS
intensity_bars: 80/80/88/88
devised: 2006-09-15
notes:
  Suggested music: "Dance o da Shetland Puffins" on Da Fustra, Dance o da Shetland Puffins.

  The dance notes say this was devised while listening to that CD and looking at the drawings of puffins doing a very energetic left hand tum.


created: 2022-08-09 11:26:12.57384+00
last_modified: 2022-08-17 08:53:22.488182+00
name: Sisters, The
ucname: SISTERS
intensity_bars: 80608/08680/88888/88888
notes:
  The ridge of mountains on the north side of Glen Shiel known as the Five Sisters of Kintail are named after the legendary princesses who stand waiting, looking out over the loch for their husbands-to-be to come from Ireland after the youngest sister was only allowed to leave for Ireland with her suitor on condition that his five brothers returned to marry her five older sisters.


created: 2021-04-06 21:36:30.499405+00
last_modified: 2022-08-18 09:16:55.801062+00
name: Millennium Jig
ucname: MILLENNIUM JIG
intensity_bars: 80008/08880/80008/80000
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  Source <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/millennium-jig-2.html>> and <<https://youtu.be/RyPv-5kbRYk|youtube video>>.


created: 2022-08-23 12:27:29.736724+00
last_modified: 2022-08-23 12:27:29.736724+00
name: Just Keep Dancing
ucname: JUST KEEP DANCING
devised: 2018-05-01
notes:
  With all the heat and all the pain in my hip and knee, the best medicine is to keep dancing (gently).


created: 2016-09-14 23:02:40.664129+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 08:37:07.425066+00
name: Finishing Touches
ucname: FINISHING TOUCHES
intensity_bars: 800/800/866/888
devised: 2007-03-01
notes:
  Devised for the Hamilton Workshop, March 2007.  

  The theme was "Finish a STEP, Finish a PHRASE, Finish a DANCE".


created: 2017-04-01 19:44:00.978235+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 08:49:50.480957+00
name: Borderland Jig
ucname: BORDERLAND JIG
devised: 2016-07-01
notes:
  Devised in July 2016. In the middle section (bars 9 - 16), the two lines of dancers confront a border which 
  prevents them from meeting. By the end, however, all obstacles are overcome and they are able to join hands and dance together.


created: 2011-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-07-15 11:25:09.815066+00
name: Hamba Kahle
ucname: HAMBA KAHLE
intensity_bars: 660/880/888/844
devised: 2006-03-01
notes:
  Devised by Irene van Maarseveen. Pretoria. March 2006.  

  This dance is dedicated to Elma Mccausland and Margo Monteith. It commemorates Elma 's visit to South Africa in August 2006. The title, Hamb a Kahle, is a widely-used Zulu farewell which means Go Well. It is pronounced with "a" as in "ah", "h" aspirated, and "e" as in "bed", each word having two syllables, thus: "ham-ba ka-hle''.


created: 2015-04-24 07:59:41.147646+00
last_modified: 2025-07-27 12:59:40.444998+00
name: Kelly's Kaper
ucname: KELLYS KAPER
intensity_bars: 800/888/880/800
devised: 2015-04-01
notes:
  Written for STV Appeal Big Challenge.  This is the revised version of 27 April 2015.

  Note: on the RSCDS website this dance was first erroneously stated to be a 3C/4L dance, with progression (2,1,3). Unfortunately the new RSCDS website has broken the old link (https://www.rscds.org/article/stv-appeal).


created: 2021-12-03 22:09:10.423092+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 09:07:06.522396+00
name: Madge Wildfire's Strathspey
ucname: MADGE WILDFIRES STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888/888/844/800
notes:
  Originally published in 1820 by John Sutherland, Edinburgh in a booklet linked to Sir Walter Scott's novel The Heart of Midlothian. Madge Wildfire is a character in this novel.  Reconstructed by the RSCDS in 2021 to mark the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott's birth.

  The RSCDS has previously published a different reconstruction of this dance in Book 9  <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/4064/>>


created: 2017-12-19 22:15:15.23956+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 11:14:51.989656+00
name: Tinto Hill
ucname: TINTO HILL
notes:
  Suitable Music The Golden Pheasant

  Tinto Hill reaches at  height of 2,320 feet. The hill lies close to the village of Symington in Lanarkshire, Scotland


created: 2019-06-01 12:46:22.26772+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 11:42:22.841983+00
name: Jacquy's Jig
ucname: JACQUYS JIG
intensity_bars: 8448/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  Slow jig (can also be done as a strathspey).

  To Jacquy, my wife, who has been a huge support in running my classes for many years.


created: 2019-06-01 16:57:28.454842+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 11:48:29.719482+00
name: Frog on the Mantle, The
ucname: FROG ON THE MANTLE
intensity_bars: 800/888/877/855
notes:
  This dance revises the infamous candidate dance <<ddd:Frog in the Middle>>. I find the tune fantastic and the dance, well, lacking.  
  The frogs on the mantle belong to Alfred and Eleanor Hurd, whose home has hosted many social dances, and classes and who use frogs to mark the sets. This dance is written for them, and for our candidate class tutors, Geoffrey Selling and Jill Emery.


created: 2019-09-16 00:59:13.514199+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 13:27:21.695989+00
name: David's Box
ucname: DAVIDS BOX
intensity_bars: 88/88/80/88
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised by Sandee Schultz to teach rights and lefts. Bars 17-32 can be varied if need be.  

  The dance is named for David Newitt, who uses this method of teaching rights and lefts as an exercise.


created: 2021-04-05 09:08:49.304509+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 14:09:06.934763+00
name: Eeeasy
ucname: EEEASY
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8008/8448
notes:
  Arnold Thurling has been teaching at the Wollongong White Heather group for half a century. After teaching then recapping a dance he would inevitably declare it as “Eeeasy”. Usually we got through it too.


created: 2015-05-30 18:22:46.363803+00
last_modified: 2022-08-15 17:25:12.522994+00
name: Weaver's Bonnie, The
ucname: WEAVERS BONNIE
devised: 2011-01-01
notes:
  NB bars 17-28 of the instructions for this dance in the PDF on the MiniCrib site were truncated in the original version (now fixed). They should read:

  17-28 TEAPOTS INTO DOWN MIDDLE & BACK: 1st couple dance 3-hands across, 1st man with
  2nd & 3rd women, 1st woman with 2nd & 3rd men, then dance down middle followed by 2nd & 3rd
  couples; and return up the middle 1st followed by 2nd and 3rd couples who separate to let 1st, then 2nd 
  couple through;


created: 2021-07-30 12:51:57.207827+00
last_modified: 2022-08-16 10:05:56.646959+00
name: Sound Man, The
ucname: SOUND MAN
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/804
notes:
  In memory of our friend Mr John H. Hutton - sound engineer and a man of the highest integrity - a Sound Man in every way.  

  Dance devised by Patricia and John Cass with help from the Thursday Afternoon Class and sold in aid of St Benedict's Hospice, Sunderland.


created: 2022-03-27 21:10:48.230828+00
last_modified: 2022-08-17 10:18:53.195749+00
name: Open The Doors!
ucname: OPEN THE DOORS
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/880
notes:
  Inspired by Morgan's poem: "For The Opening of the Scottish Parliament, 9 October 2004"

  The name of the dance is taken from the opening line and of the tune from the last. The dance is suitable for the opening of a Scottish Dance programme allowing dancers of any age or ability to join in. The music highlights the joy and optimism of the poem, with some descending musical reference to mimic Morgan's trip, "down the mile, into the heart of the city". There is occasional syncopation to interrupt the flow, suggesting the political missteps that Morgan warns against.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-17 18:38:46.716766+00
name: Eleanor's Strathspey
ucname: ELEANORS STRATHSPEY
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  Carl Dickson dedicates this dance to Eleanor Reed Searle, a family friend who died three and a half months before her eightieth birthday. Eleanor was a swing dancer, not a Scottish Country Dancer. However, she knew of and supported his passion for SCD. She was also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, avid watercolorist, and gardener. As a committed volunteer she was dedicated to human rights, low-income housing, civil rights and welfare reform and served on many committees and boards in her homes states of Massachusetts and Maine. She received several honors and awards for her hard work.


created: 2022-07-06 23:36:48.007618+00
last_modified: 2022-08-29 06:37:41.840452+00
name: Strawberry Picking
ucname: STRAWBERRY PICKING
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888
notes:
  From the dance notes:  
  *The dance was devised during wild strawberry gathering in summer.*  
  *1-4 entry into the strawberry glade*  
  *5-16 strawberry gathering into small jars*  
  *17-24 pouring strawberries from the jars into a large buckets 25-32 bringing the harvest home*  


created: 2021-02-03 13:04:46.163432+00
last_modified: 2026-01-07 14:34:18.984177+00
name: Auld Lang Syne
ucname: AULD LANG SYNE
notes:
  Source: MiniCrib. Can be danced as a Reel or a Jig (deviser's statement).

  There is also a medley version with bars 1-24 in strathspey time and bars 25-40 in reel time. In this version bars 9-16 are modified to set to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th corners.


created: 2000-09-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-18 09:02:31.957904+00
name: Belfast Hornpipe, The
ucname: BELFAST HORNPIPE
intensity_bars: 440 448 800 804
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  A variant, created inadvertently by Mel Briscoe, has now been given its own name "<<ddd:Wes Clindinning's Hornpipe>>" as it has become popular in its own right (see there for more information).

  The dance denoted as "Belfast Hornpipe (New Way)" at <<https://dances.e-cribs.org/var/Cincinnati_Demo_Dances_2007-2008.pdf>> (there also attributed to Mel Briscoe) is not identically to either of the two dances above. However, all three dances only differ in bars [25-32].  


created: 2010-10-07 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-18 09:14:02.187614+00
name: Spinnaker Tower, The
ucname: SPINNAKER TOWER
intensity_bars: 888 800 888 888 888
notes:
  In the original description 2c stepped up on [15-16]; the author, Kathy Lawmon, now writes "After publishing it in a book of dances called Dancing in Southsea, I realised myself when teaching it that it was better to step up on bars 11-12."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-18 20:57:11.347459+00
name: Five Sisters, The
ucname: FIVE SISTERS
notes:
  "Devised for Catherine Espie, a long-time member of Downpatrick class, who now lives in Letterfearn where she enjoys the view of the near-by Five Sisters."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-18 21:09:15.375123+00
name: Kay Armstrong's Delight
ucname: KAY ARMSTRONGS DELIGHT
notes:
  "Inscribed to Kay Armstrong for her eightieth birthday, who is an example to us all with her enthusiasm and pleasure in our national dancing."


created: 1997-09-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-19 08:33:50.222191+00
name: Phyllis's Fancy
ucname: PHYLLISS FANCY
notes:
  Inscribed "For Phyllis Wood, for eleven years class teacher of Sutton Coldfield Scottish Country Dance Society."


created: 2006-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-19 09:03:13.792229+00
name: Sailor Hector
ucname: SAILOR HECTOR
intensity_bars: 7777/8448/8448/0880
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  A modified version of this dance, in which the final 8 bars were completely changed, was published in 2013 keeping the name "Sailor Hector".  To avoid confusion the new version has now (Jan 2017) been renamed "The Naughty Child".  This database entry shows the original "Sailor Hector".  "<<ddd:Naughty Child, The#17539>>" appears as separate dance on the database.


created: 2017-01-15 23:21:03.876269+00
last_modified: 2022-08-19 09:27:47.475089+00
name: Naughty Child, The
ucname: NAUGHTY CHILD
intensity_bars: 7777/8448/8448/4444
devised: 2013-01-01
notes:
  This dance was derived from "Sailor Hector" (2006), differing only for bars 25-32.  This dance was first published in 2013 keeping the name "Sailor Hector", but to remove the confusion of two different dances with the same name it has now (Jan 2017) been renamed to "The Naughty Child".   This database now shows both dances separately.


created: 1997-12-28 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-20 08:21:49.970009+00
name: Three Times on Sunday
ucname: THREE TIMES ON SUNDAY
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  From the dance notes:

  "I read a story about a Kirk that employed an organ blower in the 1800s. The membership at Garturk Parish Church on Calder Street in Whiftlet, Lanarkshire, was around 750. Apparently it was very strenuous work and demanded pumping the hand bellows three times every Sunday - 12:00 noon service, 3:00 p.m. Senior Bible Class, and 6:00 p.m. evening service - also any week-night services. Once during the sermon he fell asleep. When the next hymn was announced the organist started to play but no sound came out, so the organist had to pop round behind the curtain to wake him up. After that, during the sermon, he had to sit in front of the organ and face the congregation. The bellows were still in use in 1974 when there was a power failure during a storm or an electrical fault."


created: 1998-10-18 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-20 08:29:29.085725+00
name: Bonnie Band o' Gold, The
ucname: BONNIE BAND O GOLD
devised: 1983-07-01
notes:
  Cy Chapman of the 1982-83 beginners' class composed this dance to celebrate the wedding of fellow members, Rebecca Beddoes and Rory McAlpine, July 1983.


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-20 17:53:08.339054+00
name: Fredericton Welcome
ucname: FREDERICTON WELCOME
devised: 1981-11-01
notes:
  This dance was created immediately after (he Fredericton Scottish Country Dance Group's tenrh annual weekend workshop to thank the host group and to keep the driver alert on the journey home to Cambridge, Massachusetts.


created: 1999-12-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:33.591375+00
name: Virginia Reel
ucname: VIRGINIA REEL
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8888 8000 8888
notes:
  Walking step (this is a ceilidh dance)

  Set can be 4 couples or more. 

  Collected by Mary Stoker

  Music: any good hoe down.


created: 2003-11-29 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-20 19:51:28.651815+00
name: Jan Finlayson's Jig
ucname: JAN FINLAYSONS JIG
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  "Devised to mark Jan Finlayson's three years as President of Kamo Scottish Country Dance Club. In grateful recognition of a job well done."


created: 2019-10-05 00:00:23.325446+00
last_modified: 2022-08-22 23:09:21.512885+00
name: Grandpa Squeezebox
ucname: GRANDPA SQUEEZEBOX
intensity_bars: 886/844/888/888
devised: 2019-09-01
notes:
  <<ddp:#1862|Mike Briggs>> played piano and accordion for the Madison SCD Branch for years. Sadly he left us this year in August. His <<https://editor.freethoughttoday.com/free/in-memoriam-mike-briggs/|obituary>> mentioned he was called Grandpa Squeezebox by his grandchildren.  

  Suggested music is Two and Two from Music for RSCDS Book 19 (Ron Kerr Quintet).


created: 2022-08-21 18:26:06.181117+00
last_modified: 2022-08-21 22:56:29.217189+00
name: Shimmering Flamingos
ucname: SHIMMERING FLAMINGOS
intensity_bars: 8888/6262/8888/8888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  The title comes from endless walks around odd corners of my local neighbourhood during Covid lockdowns. An architecturally uninspiring housing estate is adorned with some striking murals. One of these is a surreal adaptation of Wordsworth's famous "I wandered lonely as a cloud" poem where the "golden daffodils" are replaced by "shimmering flamingos".


created: 2022-08-23 11:24:11.018353+00
last_modified: 2022-08-23 11:24:11.018353+00
name: First Robin of Spring, The
ucname: FIRST ROBIN OF SPRING
devised: 2018-03-01
notes:
  I wanted to play with the Best Set in the Hall figure and came up with this. Note that in bars 21-28 1C is dancing Inveran reels. Written after I heard the first robin of spring in the yard.


created: 2022-08-23 11:43:04.288124+00
last_modified: 2022-08-23 11:43:04.288124+00
name: Shadow Double Knitting
ucname: SHADOW DOUBLE KNITTING
devised: 2018-03-01
notes:
  These figures remind me of the double knitting technique, which I used in a pattern I made up combining shadow knitting with double knitting.


created: 2022-08-23 11:51:35.551353+00
last_modified: 2022-08-23 11:51:35.551353+00
name: Twisted Triangle
ucname: TWISTED TRIANGLE
devised: 2018-04-01
notes:
  I had an idea that one could make a triangle in a regular set and started playing with it. I also had a request for a 3-couple targe and this is what I came up with.


created: 2022-08-23 12:13:56.032795+00
last_modified: 2022-08-23 12:13:56.032795+00
name: Loop de Loop
ucname: LOOP DE LOOP
devised: 2018-04-01
notes:
  The idea for the figure in bars 1-16 occurred to me along with the phrase loop-de-loop so I wrote this dance.


created: 2022-08-23 12:37:22.386479+00
last_modified: 2022-08-23 12:37:22.386479+00
name: Tuxedo Cat
ucname: TUXEDO CAT
devised: 2018-05-01
notes:
  For our black and white tuxedo cat Harrington who started out shy and is now as demanding and demonstrative as our other cats – after only 10 years.


created: 2022-08-23 12:51:00.007227+00
last_modified: 2022-08-23 12:51:00.007227+00
name: Farfalle
ucname: FARFALLE
devised: 2018-06-01
notes:
  Farfalle is bow-tied shaped pasta and the figures in this dance are all bow ties. Also, farfalle means butterflies and we have Monarch butterflies in our yard.


created: 2001-10-23 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-08-25 21:22:42.814031+00
name: Vanessa
ucname: VANESSA
intensity_bars: 888/888/880/888
devised: 2000-01-01
notes:
  Drewry writes that Vanessa is the old Hittite name for Avanos which is a town in the Cappadocia region of central Turkey. It is on the banks of the Red River and is famous for high grade pottery and carpets.


created: 2022-04-15 15:55:09.646651+00
last_modified: 2022-08-29 07:05:49.720139+00
name: Winter Has Come, The
ucname: WINTER HAS COME
intensity_bars: 888/844/888/688
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  From the dance notes:  
  *The dance represents the image on the crest and flag of the Chuvash Republic:*  
  *bars 1-4 - lower branches of the Tree of Life*  
  *bars 5-8 - middle branches of the Tree*  
  *bars 17-20 - upper branches of the Tree*  
  *bars 29-32 - the three suns above the Tree of Life*  


created: 2022-08-21 18:38:35.162201+00
last_modified: 2024-12-17 17:37:11.24554+00
name: Generous Tunesmith, The
ucname: GENEROUS TUNESMITH
intensity_bars: 842/844/877/866
devised: 2020-06-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to <<ddp:Joubert, Wouter#3179>> who regularly gifts tunes he has composed to other dancers and dance devisers.
  In particular he offered a tune for a dance to be written for <<ddp:Ferguson, Eric#3323>>.
  I made two attempts at such a dance.
  Eric preferred one and it seemed obvious to offer the other dance to Wouter.
  Both were devised with the same (excellent) tune in mind but Wouter subsequently preferred to assign another new tune for this dance.


created: 2022-08-29 03:52:01.077898+00
last_modified: 2025-02-11 00:40:12.629252+00
name: Waltz Hold Poussette Medley
ucname: WALTZ HOLD POUSSETTE MEDLEY
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Andrew Timmins 2016 to 2022.  
  "The idea of this dance started in 2016. Ian Russell suggested, I should devise a dance with the Waltz Hold Poussette, after watching Mechthild & I dance it. We have been dancing it since 1994. Schorsch Lusky mentioned he wanted to learn it after we attending 2022 Frankfurt Ball."


created: 2022-08-23 12:54:19.737132+00
last_modified: 2022-09-01 10:47:16.617773+00
name: Orange and Black Beauty
ucname: ORANGE AND BLACK BEAUTY
devised: 2018-07-01
notes:
  I wrote this after seeing a Monarch butterfly in our yard on a milkweed plant opening and closing its wings – it was gorgeous.


created: 2022-08-30 19:32:56.320216+00
last_modified: 2022-10-03 13:01:57.175438+00
name: Trip to Yokohama, A
ucname: TRIP TO YOKOHAMA
intensity_bars: 8888/8440/8448/8888
devised: 2020-03-01
notes:
  There are many beautiful sightseeing spots in Yokohama City. It's deviser's pleasure, if you can feel fun by this dance.


created: 2022-08-30 19:46:50.894489+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 09:24:20.739437+00
name: New York Yankees
ucname: NEW YORK YANKEES
notes:
  Deviser's note:  
  This was devised with the intention of inviting all to dance it with the deepest yearning for the dear friend Yoshiaki Niwa, who has passed away.
  Mr Yoshiaki Niwa and my late husband, Yukio Naitoh, were very good friends.
  I remember them saying to each other that the initial of their names was the same as the New York Yankees, the baseball team, since they both had NY as the first letter of their names.
  They sometimes borrowed the design of the baseball team logo, which N and Y are overlapped, when inscribing their initials. This is the origin of this dance.


created: 2022-08-30 18:45:03.664898+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 09:31:29.765075+00
name: Wave of Memory
ucname: WAVE OF MEMORY
devised: 2020-11-01
notes:
  The image of this dance is waves, approaching the center, pulling back, swirling or cutting through a vortex.
  Deviser thinks the wave is similar to human memory.


created: 2022-08-31 09:58:51.729222+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 10:08:38.263314+00
name: Monarch Duet
ucname: MONARCH DUET
devised: 2018-07-01
notes:
  This year was a good one for Monarch butterflies in my yard and one day I watched as a pair flew first separately then came together to dance a duet in the air.


created: 2022-08-31 10:13:18.701434+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 10:13:18.701434+00
name: Spinnen, Spinnen, Spinnen
ucname: SPINNEN SPINNEN SPINNEN
devised: 2018-07-01
notes:
  Named for a favorite bobbin lace book (Spinne is German for spider, Spinnen is the plural, and the book is all about making different spiders, an interesting and fun bobbin lace stitch).


created: 2022-08-31 11:03:23.484546+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 11:03:23.484546+00
name: Nome King's Belt, The
ucname: NOME KINGS BELT
devised: 2018-09-01
notes:
  In the book Ozma of OZ, Dorothy manages to acquire the Nome King's belt, which is an important magic item and used in later books as well.


created: 2022-08-31 11:17:07.470646+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 11:17:07.470646+00
name: Diagonal Duet
ucname: DIAGONAL DUET
devised: 2018-09-01
notes:
  I had an idea for an allemande on the diagonal and wrote this dance to try it out. When dancing it, one of the dancers remarked that a set of tall, long-legged, excellent dancers might prefer to dance around the outside of the set rather than within it.


created: 2022-08-31 16:14:43.643796+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 16:14:43.643796+00
name: NWT Mountie
ucname: NWT MOUNTIE
devised: 2018-12-01
notes:
  My grandfather was a Mountie in the Northwest Territories in the early 1910's. At that time NWT meant a huge chunk of what is now Canada, including Alberta, which is where he lived.


created: 2022-08-31 16:21:29.627871+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 16:22:40.281024+00
name: Highland Scrambler
ucname: HIGHLAND SCRAMBLER
devised: 2018-12-01
notes:
  The original name of this dance was The Eggbeater because the figure in bars 9-24 reminds me of an eggbeater, but my class renamed it for me when they first danced it. Note that timing is critical in that figure!


created: 2022-08-31 16:28:12.158103+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 16:29:42.063906+00
name: Torties Are Always Sweet
ucname: TORTIES ARE ALWAYS SWEET
devised: 2018-12-01
notes:
  For Ember, who was a tortieshell I rescued. My vet says she has never met a tortieshell that wasn’t sweet-tempered and Ember definitely was a sweet cat.


created: 2022-08-31 16:41:07.167862+00
last_modified: 2022-08-31 16:41:07.167862+00
name: Longer Days
ucname: LONGER DAYS
devised: 2018-12-21
notes:
  I like ladies' chain and am always searching for ways to get first couple back on their own sides after the figure. The non-standard progression works, but is a bit 'interesting' and my local class recommended it be listed as a 3-couple set dance after trying it out.

  This dance was written on the Winter Solstice – thus the name.


created: 2022-08-31 17:04:01.109122+00
last_modified: 2025-01-22 14:02:17.170145+00
name: Ice-Cold-Ice
ucname: ICECOLDICE
intensity_bars: 808/860/806/844
devised: 2019-02-01
notes:
  Class was cancelled for ice, then extreme cold, then ice. The temperature got to -23º F, but we survived.


created: 2022-08-31 16:57:58.007183+00
last_modified: 2025-01-22 13:33:05.004433+00
name: Return to Delaware Valley
ucname: RETURN TO DELAWARE VALLEY
intensity_bars: 888/880/666/888
devised: 2019-02-01
notes:
  Written for Barbara Cool and Tom Senior who plan to move back to the Delaware Valley area where they started dancing.


created: 2022-08-31 21:41:54.603585+00
last_modified: 2025-01-24 01:52:12.270437+00
name: Four Daughters
ucname: FOUR DAUGHTERS
intensity_bars: 8000/8800/8880/8888
devised: 2019-03-01
notes:
  For my Dad who had Scottish heritage (MacDonald) and also four daughters, which is why the dance adds a couple each figure to the total of four.


created: 2022-08-31 21:27:11.389483+00
last_modified: 2025-01-22 15:08:49.323254+00
name: Jersey Boy
ucname: JERSEY BOY
intensity_bars: 800/880/800/822
devised: 2019-03-01
notes:
  For my Dad who was born in New Jersey, served in the Navy in WWII, and died at the age of 93 on <<https://www.piday.org/|pi day>> this year. Bars 1-8 look like a heart to me.


created: 2022-08-31 21:30:26.973135+00
last_modified: 2025-01-23 01:09:19.968687+00
name: Scream of the Cat
ucname: SCREAM OF THE CAT
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 2019-03-01
notes:
  Our cat Edwin somehow managed to flip an S-shaped scratching board onto his back and screamed an awful scream. He wasn’t hurt (the board is not heavy).

  I love the Celtic reel and wanted more dances containing it.


created: 2022-08-31 21:47:11.994821+00
last_modified: 2025-01-24 02:20:01.692729+00
name: April Snow Again
ucname: APRIL SNOW AGAIN
intensity_bars: 800/822/844/822
devised: 2019-04-01
notes:
  Just an idea that came to me for bars 9-16 and 25-32. Note that 1C is dancing full reels while corners are dancing half reels.

  We had snow on April 14th this year which covered blooming daffodils. Weird.


created: 2022-08-31 22:08:52.354657+00
last_modified: 2025-01-26 10:21:44.906438+00
name: Fox in the Sun
ucname: FOX IN THE SUN
intensity_bars: 888/840/880/800
devised: 2019-06-01
notes:
  We were visiting the next-door neighbors one afternoon and there was a beautiful fox in their backyard, lying on its side enjoying the sun.


created: 2022-08-31 22:05:47.524382+00
last_modified: 2025-01-26 10:10:03.568884+00
name: Too Much Rain
ucname: TOO MUCH RAIN
intensity_bars: 800/880/800/888
devised: 2019-06-01
notes:
  After the wettest May on record, it kept raining nearly every day in June as well. A friend posted 'The drought is over after 36 hours without rain!'


created: 2022-09-01 12:10:36.560369+00
last_modified: 2025-02-02 04:24:15.230708+00
name: Bookends
ucname: BOOKENDS
intensity_bars: 844/800/888/800
devised: 2020-02-01
notes:
  The idea for bars 1-8 came to me and I started playing with it in my head. The rest of the dance sort of fell into place. Bookends seems to fit since there are figures of 8 at both ends.


created: 2022-09-01 11:32:54.664396+00
last_modified: 2025-01-26 23:58:02.974401+00
name: Merry & Bright
ucname: MERRY AND BRIGHT
intensity_bars: 800/880/844/888
devised: 2019-12-01
notes:
  I wrote this after noticing a neighbor's holiday bench with 'Merry & Bright' on the back – from the song White Christmas.


created: 2022-09-01 11:58:18.800939+00
last_modified: 2025-10-16 23:15:58.57829+00
name: Soft Pretzels
ucname: SOFT PRETZELS
intensity_bars: 864/800/844/888
devised: 2019-12-01
notes:
  This set of figures reminds me of pretzels. Plus I was born in Philadelphia, a city known for its soft pretzels.


created: 2022-09-01 11:23:12.006072+00
last_modified: 2025-10-16 23:00:16.201909+00
name: Chained Together
ucname: CHAINED TOGETHER
intensity_bars: 844/808/684/888
devised: 2019-10-01
notes:
  I was playing with the snowball grand chain as a way to get first couple back to their own sides after a ladies' chain.


created: 2022-09-01 11:28:18.125921+00
last_modified: 2025-10-16 23:59:51.910694+00
name: Tartan Weave
ucname: TARTAN WEAVE
intensity_bars: 8228/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2019-11-01
notes:
  Toni makes beautiful cloth napkins and Gwen chose the pattern pictured. Toni challenged me to replicate the pattern in a dance.


created: 2022-09-01 11:16:09.468815+00
last_modified: 2025-10-17 23:47:17.767331+00
name: He Slept on My Heart
ucname: HE SLEPT ON MY HEART
intensity_bars: 880/844/880/800
devised: 2019-10-01
notes:
  We lost our cat Christopher 10/8/19. He was about 14.5 years old and one of those special cats that come along now and then: sweet tempered and very loving – every night he slept on my left side all night. This dance is set to a happy tune since the 12.5 years we had together we were really good years.


created: 2022-09-01 10:55:33.312907+00
last_modified: 2025-10-18 07:31:15.669162+00
name: Remnants of Barry, The
ucname: REMNANTS OF BARRY
devised: 2019-07-01
notes:
  Tropical Storm/Hurricane Barry hit New Orleans and Baton Rouge then travelled up the Mississippi and eventually the remnants hit Chicago. Since we have a dancer named Barry this title seemed appropriate.


created: 2022-09-01 15:02:55.573444+00
last_modified: 2026-01-19 22:21:40.88276+00
name: Jack Meets George
ucname: JACK MEETS GEORGE
intensity_bars: 800/804/844/844
devised: 2021-10-01
notes:
  This is a combination of Pelorus Jack reels with George Whitehorne's LS half reels all 4 times in <<ddd:Skirl of the Royal Ghosts>>.


created: 2022-08-21 18:19:33.37433+00
last_modified: 2022-09-01 16:41:02.340788+00
name: Back to Square One
ucname: BACK TO SQUARE ONE
intensity_bars: 8484/8888/4848/8888
devised: 2020-02-01
notes:
  The Covid pandemic encouraged hands-free dances. During the first lockdown my number one favourite local walk included Tavistock Square in London. Unusually it has more statues of women than men and also several monuments for peace. So I kept going back to it - also in the series of subsequent lockdowns.

  NB this dance is a hands-free revision of an earlier dance <<ddd:Helvellyn#20089>>.


created: 2016-09-04 11:56:07.284531+00
last_modified: 2022-09-02 14:28:47.763286+00
name: Poppy and the Thistle, The
ucname: POPPY AND THE THISTLE
intensity_bars: 8448/8888/8008/8888
devised: 2015-04-01
notes:
  The logo selected for the 50th anniversary of the Los Angeles Branch depicts the entwined stems of the California Golden Poppy and the Thistle of Scotland framed by the name of our Branch at the top, with the dates 1966-2016 at the bottom and a large 50 in the center. Bars 9-24 of the dance outline the shape of our anniversary logo.


created: 2005-01-20 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-02 22:56:32.470219+00
name: Greenmantle
ucname: GREENMANTLE
intensity_bars: 800/866/866/868
devised: 2004-03-01
notes:
  The title has no connection with John Buchan’s novel of the same name.  It could have some connection with the fine beer brewed by Broughton Brewery.

  The notes for the dance also claim that "Broughton is the birthplace of John Buchan" however according to his <<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchan|wikipedia entry>> Buchan was actually born in Perth.


created: 2018-12-06 11:42:49.708353+00
last_modified: 2022-09-04 19:02:31.145107+00
name: Half a Crown
ucname: HALF A CROWN
intensity_bars: 888/888/808/888
notes:
  A dance in 2 and 6 bar phrases!
  Before decimalisation of UK money in 1971, a half crown was the largest value coin in common circulation, worth 2 shillings and sixpence or 1/8 of £1. This was converted into 12.5p in the new money.


created: 2022-01-27 19:03:58.873468+00
last_modified: 2022-09-06 14:14:11.027784+00
name: Oh to go Dancing for Perth's 95th
ucname: OH TO GO DANCING FOR PERTHS 95TH
notes:
  The dance is named as "...Perth's 95" in the table of contents but "...Perth's 95th" on the page with the dance description. The former is added as a spelling alias.


created: 2022-09-06 16:53:04.993651+00
last_modified: 2022-09-06 16:53:04.993651+00
name: What a Party!
ucname: WHAT A PARTY
devised: 2007-03-31
notes:
  The dance was devised on the occasion of Peter and Marise van Riel's party '40 Years of Dancing Together' (31 March 2007). Devised by Els van der Kamp-Grotenboers, 2007.


created: 2022-09-01 20:51:31.569985+00
last_modified: 2022-12-19 00:39:56.896626+00
name: Cheeky Chipmunk
ucname: CHEEKY CHIPMUNK
intensity_bars: 822/888/844/866
devised: 2022-07-01
notes:
  I like the idea of diagonal rights and lefts across the set. I saw a chipmunk eating something on our deck and it totally ignored me and kept eating.


created: 2022-09-01 20:46:41.622692+00
last_modified: 2022-09-08 11:52:57.210711+00
name: Penelope
ucname: PENELOPE
intensity_bars: 800/888/880/844
devised: 2022-07-01
notes:
  Written because I wanted to try the slip knot in strathspey time and ended up with a circulating version. Named to honor a friend's new baby girl.


created: 2016-04-12 07:50:17.997056+00
last_modified: 2022-09-08 07:30:29.393636+00
name: Mrs Gibbs of Josselin
ucname: MRS GIBBS OF JOSSELIN
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888
devised: 2016-04-12
notes:
  Dedicated to Mrs Gibbs who very often welcomes and hosts at home with great kindness and generosity the many dancers who came from various parts of Brittany to dance together periodically in Josselin.


created: 2022-09-01 20:55:18.530406+00
last_modified: 2022-09-08 10:21:40.65048+00
name: Get Ready
ucname: GET READY
intensity_bars: 880/808/888/844
devised: 2022-08-01
notes:
  This dance was written for a class on anticipation. It is a lively dance and definitely requires all 3 dancing couples to anticipate the next figure.


created: 2022-09-04 08:09:47.432644+00
last_modified: 2024-12-24 15:30:19.868291+00
name: Szilvia's Summer School Birthday
ucname: SZILVIAS SUMMER SCHOOL BIRTHDAY
devised: 2022-08-01
notes:
  Written for the deviser's wife Szilvia whose birthday was during week 3 of the 2022 St Andrews Summer School.


created: 2022-09-01 20:04:13.340376+00
last_modified: 2025-01-18 14:36:32.539251+00
name: German Figure, The
ucname: GERMAN FIGURE
intensity_bars: 800/880/888/888
devised: 2022-03-01
notes:
  This dance was written as an exercise in the 2- and 3-couple allemande. I looked up the translation of 'allemande' and it came up 'German' so I named it The German Figure. When we danced it, we realized first couple needs to really hustle to get into position for the last 8 bars.


created: 2022-09-01 11:11:37.990472+00
last_modified: 2025-01-26 09:22:11.072946+00
name: Tunes of Glory
ucname: TUNES OF GLORY
intensity_bars: 800/800/888/888/888/844
devised: 2019-08-01
notes:
  I used to play drums in a pipe band named Tunes of Glory and my favorite set was Wings followed by Cockney Jocks so when I realized this track plays them both and in that order, I had to write a dance. Since it is 48 bars it couldn’t be too much of a mind-twister.


created: 2022-09-01 20:42:00.399426+00
last_modified: 2025-08-03 07:56:30.627708+00
name: Canadian Roots
ucname: CANADIAN ROOTS
intensity_bars: 811/811/844/844
devised: 2022-07-01
notes:
  July 1st being Canada Day reminded me that I have Canadian roots (my paternal grandfather was born in Alberta and his parents ranched there).


created: 1997-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 11:43:39.789568+00
name: Harris Tweed
ucname: HARRIS TWEED
notes:
  From the instructions: "Harris Tweed originates in the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. Most of the tweed is produced on one island with two names - Lewis and Harris. First produced over 150 years ago, the weaving is still based on a cottage industry of over 500 crofters who hand weave the tweed in their own homes."


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 12:01:56.968668+00
name: Susie Ferguson Reel
ucname: SUSIE FERGUSON REEL
notes:
  Originally entered in SCDDB as "Susie Ferguson Centennial Reel" it seems to be called just "Susie Ferguson Reel" in the Centennial Collection book. The original database name is now an alias.

  Bars 9-24 represent the petals of the fleur-de-lis for French Canada, bars 33-40 the St. Andrew's Cross for Scotland and the music is for English speaking Canada.


created: 1997-12-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 12:25:23.032006+00
name: Sam's Reel
ucname: SAMS REEL
intensity_bars: 8888/8000/8800/8222
devised: 1995-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised to teach reels of four to beginners.  
  Sam is a very active black cat. The dance retraces his path through my home the weekend I left him to attend the TAC AGM. When I returned I found that he had unwound and "reeled" a full roll of toilet tissue, plus most of a roll of paper towels! (CP) 


created: 1997-10-26 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 12:32:01.864651+00
name: Ins and Outs
ucname: INS AND OUTS
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  From the instructions: "This dance is a memory of the lively ceilidhs we have enjoyed during the Scottish dance courses in the Kuckucksnest, very ably run by Carola Tress."


created: 1999-08-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 12:53:17.311786+00
name: Sparkling Shores of Kamagari, The
ucname: SPARKLING SHORES OF KAMAGARI
devised: 1994-01-01
notes:
  From the dance notes:
  "The dance was devised on the occasion of the 5th Anniversary of the 'Kamagari Scottish Festival' in Japan, 1994. Whilst swimming in the sea off Kamagari Island I noticed the sea glowing around me as I made contact with phosphorescent phytoplankton and the shoreline sparkling as the microscopic organisms were washed up on the sand."


created: 2018-03-06 00:15:24.399534+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 15:19:28.334034+00
name: Jig for Jessie, A
ucname: JIG FOR JESSIE
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/844/888
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  Devised for Jessie MacLachlan, who taught the Abingdon SCD Class and the Headington class in Oxford for many years.
  Tune: Jig for Jessie (Vincent McCourt) (no further information available)


created: 2005-04-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 15:24:24.525152+00
name: Doug's Farewell to Kenner
ucname: DOUGS FAREWELL TO KENNER
devised: 1995-06-01
notes:
  Devised and danced on the occasion of Doug Davison's retirement as principal of Kenner College, Peterborough. June 1995.


created: 2005-04-27 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 15:30:45.419309+00
name: On the Banks of Shee Water
ucname: ON THE BANKS OF SHEE WATER
devised: 1992-01-04
notes:
  From the notes "devised and danced for John Reeves on his 60th birthday. John's roots are in Blairgowrie which lies at the foot of Glen Shee".


created: 1997-12-27 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 15:54:03.373807+00
name: Mingle-Mangle
ucname: MINGLEMANGLE
devised: 1995-07-01
notes:
  Inscribed "To Peter Newman, who requested a medley for three couples in a triangular set, the dance to include schiehallion reels."


created: 2014-08-31 16:24:59.517541+00
last_modified: 2022-09-13 16:56:46.583046+00
name: Braw Twa, The
ucname: BRAW TWA
devised: 2001-10-01
notes:
  Bunty has taught Scottish Country Dancing at Montrose for over forty five years, and still going strong in 2008. The other half of the Braw Twa is Olwyne Taylor, who plays the piano for the classes.


created: 2014-04-11 19:59:49.954382+00
last_modified: 2022-09-19 04:47:28.448548+00
name: Tea with Sylvia
ucname: TEA WITH SYLVIA
devised: 2013-09-01
notes:
  Written for Sylvia Dalkin from the Stafford & District Caledonian Society, to go with the tune Tea with Sylvia by Chris Dewhurst. Recorded on track 11 (Morland Ladies) of the CD Crossing Borders, by Chris, Julie & Nick Dewhurst.


created: 2011-12-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-19 06:35:30.044583+00
name: Alyth Promenade
ucname: ALYTH PROMENADE
intensity_bars: 666 666 888 800
notes:
  This is a variation of Goldring's Ayr Promenade.  Documented by Charles Upton, 2006.  No source indicated.


created: 1997-09-18 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-19 13:41:59.588054+00
name: Miss Frown's Reel
ucname: MISS FROWNS REEL
intensity_bars: 880/800/844/888
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  This is a modified version of "Miss Nancy Frowns" in reel time to practice pas de basque for a University of Alabama Birmingham Special Studies Class in September 1993.  
  I have also taught the dance with 1st and 3rd couples dancing the hands across and back (not switching to 2nd couple for the left hands across). That works fine, too.


created: 2022-09-17 21:02:59.138898+00
last_modified: 2022-09-26 22:23:15.25257+00
name: Reel for Freddie Stewart, A
ucname: REEL FOR FREDDIE STEWART
intensity_bars: 86860/84884/88888/80800
notes:
  Freddie was a keen dancer who died in a tragic kayaking incident in the Sound of Jura in April 2007 at the age of 23.


created: 2022-09-14 08:28:54.99169+00
last_modified: 2023-05-24 22:36:46.723655+00
name: Libelinha
ucname: LIBELINHA
devised: 2021-09-01
notes:
  Written for a young dancer of our group. She is so light and smooth dancing, that people call her Libelinha (dragonfly in portuguese). The word can also be Libellula or Libélula.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-06-19 08:24:54.429321+00
name: Glenfiddich
ucname: GLENFIDDICH
devised: 1975-02-02
notes:
  Not to be confused with <<ddd:Glenfiddich Strathspey>> by <<ddp:Foss, Hugh>> which uses a different tune also called Glenfiddich. The instructions for this dance were published in The Reel #136.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-26 22:39:05.972939+00
name: Anne Munro of Portree
ucname: ANNE MUNRO OF PORTREE
intensity_bars: 802/880/808/888
notes:
  The figures in the dance represent the letters A N N E.

  The notes say that "The dance was devised by Dr Ellen Garvie. Anne has been the teacher ofthe Portree class since 1975 and the dance was written by Ellen in recognition ofAnne's many hours of labour preparing for, and keeping control of the Portree class."


created: 2022-09-19 08:14:26.303314+00
last_modified: 2022-09-22 12:47:55.605335+00
name: Units 2 and 3
ucname: UNITS 2 AND 3
intensity_bars: 888/088/088/888
devised: 2022-07-01
notes:
  I devised this dance at the 2022 St Andrews Summer School while doing Units 2 and 3 of the RSCDS teaching certificate. The dance was devised such that the 2s and 3s are showcased representing Units 2 and 3. The vigour of the dance represents the high level of effort put in by students during the course. Each dancer dances from several positions, similar to how we have been taking the position of different dancers to demonstrate formations. That the ones are still during bars 9-24 represents spending time observing other dancers and teachers during the course. The plentiful curving and casting to change positions on the side lines was included to demonstrate good kilt control (or lack thereof)!


created: 2023-01-21 21:19:57.698321+00
last_modified: 2023-01-22 12:43:58.769952+00
name: Rachel's Bakery
ucname: RACHELS BAKERY
intensity_bars: 800/877/877/844
notes:
  Source: youtube video <<https://youtu.be/QlqLF2TvRcA>>.

  The youtube comments say "This dance was written to thank <<ddp:Pusey, Rachel#10900>> for sharing many of her delicious homemade baking treats with me during the covid sheltering in place months."


created: 2005-04-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 15:11:46.817839+00
name: Ardbrae Bank
ucname: ARDBRAE BANK
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  The dances notes advise that:
  *Bars 9-24 has a formation similar to the "Targe" but danced from the comers of a square formed by the original positions of the four dancers. At the end of each four bars the dancers meet their partners and the rotation is one place clockwise round the square.*

  *There may be an "Ardbrae Bank" somewhere in the world. But in this instance the name is made from the letters of "Barbara" and "Ken" (Roberts) long-time and enthusiastic members of the Peterborough Scottish Country Dance Society to whom the dance is dedicated.*

  May be danced as reel or jig.


created: 2005-01-19 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 15:22:33.174978+00
name: Raspberry Ripple
ucname: RASPBERRY RIPPLE
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  From the notes: "Many of the farms around Blairgowrie derive part of their income from the cultivation of raspberries."


created: 2004-10-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 15:47:49.645278+00
name: Wishing Tree, The
ucname: WISHING TREE
intensity_bars: 808/888/484/880
notes:
  "On Isle Maree, one of the islands in Loch Maree, there are the ruins of a chapel founded by St. Maelrubha, a sacred well and the remains of a wishing tree on which Queen Victoria fixed an offering in 1871."


created: 2004-10-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 15:54:56.159303+00
name: Fair Jennie's Jig
ucname: FAIR JENNIES JIG
devised: 1995-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For Jennie Hamlin and Jeff Pitchers on the occasion of their marriage - 29th July , 1975."


created: 2004-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 16:09:35.020698+00
name: Molinos, Los
ucname: MOLINOS
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for the Trip with JAG to Torremolinos."

  Drewry also notes that "<<ddd:Five Stars>> is a 5-couple version of this dance. Dancers may choose which version they prefer."


created: 2003-09-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 17:12:38.558351+00
name: Gifts
ucname: GIFTS
devised: 2002-04-01
notes:
  Note that the whole dance is palindromic. The figure in bars 9-24 is done 1st diagonal, 2nd diagonal, 2nd diagonal, 1st diagonal.  
  The figure in bars 9-24 reminds me of bows tied on packages, thus the name 'Gifts.'


created: 2000-11-17 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 22:18:38.485603+00
name: Alice's Strathspey
ucname: ALICES STRATHSPEY
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  Devised "in honour of my teacher, Alice Schabram, whom I thank for her dedication and support for me over the years."


created: 2022-08-17 10:49:38.894825+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 18:47:44.966776+00
name: Sunday, Early in the Morning
ucname: SUNDAY EARLY IN THE MORNING
devised: 2022-07-31
notes:
  "During the Saturday ball at the end of the first week of Summer School in St. Andrews, I was asked if I wanted to write a dance for our tutor Rachel Shankland and for our musician George Meikle. Thus, on the following morning, at 6.30am, I started devising this dance."


created: 2022-05-17 22:26:24.915307+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 19:07:06.888782+00
name: Foursome and Half Reel of Tulloch
ucname: FOURSOME AND HALF REEL OF TULLOCH
notes:
  Note that there are various versions of this dance in circulation, which tend to differ in the length of the strathspey and the reel parts. 

  See also

  <<ddd:Foursome and Half Reel of Tulloch, The  #7542>>. (32 S + 32 R + 64 R)

  <<ddd:Foursome Reel  and Reel of Tulloch(trad. version), The #14713>>. (48 S + 88 R)

  and <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2759/|issue 2759>>. 


created: 2020-11-14 14:25:56.169998+00
last_modified: 2022-09-23 22:01:58.776717+00
name: We'll Meet Again
ucname: WELL MEET AGAIN
devised: 2020-09-01
notes:
  A video is available at 
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oFq_JqTPwdUlTP-sWpwM-BJHJn5PEQku/view?fbclid=IwAR2O5-OpKSW92e8cwQfuV-IFgt9Cqyf3XiaCuezetqPY_c-WFXoR8kCM7CA
  Video is only twice through.
  Performed by Innes Scottish Country Dance Club, Auckland, New Zealand on 1 November 2020


created: 2001-07-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 20:10:47.765422+00
name: Pika, The
ucname: PIKA
notes:
  The dance was devised by Jeff Davis to be performed on the top of Pikes peak where the SDC
  of Colorado set a high altitude record for Scottish Country Dancing. The author hoped there
  might be enough other total idiots who would want to dance a jig as well as the planned
  strathspey at that elevation. Small and rabbit-like, the Pika can be found scurrying through
  the rocks at high altitude, gathering and storing the tundra grasses in little haystacks for the
  coming winter.


created: 2002-06-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 12:12:22.119625+00
name: Sarah Elizabeth's Jig
ucname: SARAH ELIZABETHS JIG
notes:
  From the notes: "This Dance was devised for my youngest daughter Sarah, who was born on May 31st 1992."


created: 2022-10-01 09:06:55.743895+00
last_modified: 2022-10-09 07:02:07.276521+00
name: Winter Rose, A
ucname: WINTER ROSE
intensity_bars: 7007/8888/0880/8888/8888
devised: 2018-04-01
notes:
  In honour of Anne Naylor who has been an active branch member for many years. Anne's southern hemisphere mid-winter birthday was the inspiration for the title. 


created: 2002-11-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-22 18:23:11.826658+00
name: Christine Miller's Reel
ucname: CHRISTINE MILLERS REEL
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8000
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  Ruary writes:  The formations are: 

  1. All four couples set twice and cross to partner's place. 

  2. First couple, followed by the other 3 couples, lead down the middle for 4 steps and cast back to place. 

  3. First couple cross over RH and cast to the bottom of the set on the opposite side. The other three couples join hands and move up. First couple turn with the RH one and a half times to finish on their own side in 4th place. [seems to be incomplete]

  Ruary also wrote:  Set twice and cross RH, and back,  lead down the middle and cast back Cross, cast and turn RH.

  Originally, the last 4 bars were a half figure of eight, but by 2004 this had been changed to turn right once and a half


created: 2001-11-29 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 12:36:32.714882+00
name: Pond Place
ucname: POND PLACE
devised: 2000-05-01
notes:
  Devised in May 2000 for Robin and Nick Knox of Pond Place, Babylon, for their first wedding anniversary.

  *Balance-in-line in strathspey time: This is a formation devised by the late Milton Levy of New
  York. The steps are the same as for normal strathspey setting. The hands move as follows: on the
  first bar, those with left hands joined in the middle drop left hands and all, moving to the right,
  join left hands under right hands and then drop right hands. Those moving into the middle of the
  line join right hands. Repeat moving to the left on bar 2, joining right hands under left hands.
  This is not as complicated as it sounds: the free hands simply join underneath the ‗holding hands‘
  each time.


created: 2019-10-28 21:33:55.457198+00
last_modified: 2024-06-01 06:22:48.253767+00
name: Melbourne Gold
ucname: MELBOURNE GOLD
notes:
  The original publication of this dance suggested the recording <<ddrec:The Dancers' Wedding#5118>>. Subsequently <<ddp:David South#1899>> composed the tune <<ddt:Melbourne Gold#15762>> specifically for this dance.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 20:07:41.249142+00
name: Spin Doctor, The
ucname: SPIN DOCTOR
devised: 1999-11-01
notes:
  The dedication reads: for Alice Maclean to cure her of the Millennium Bug.

  Additional notes from *Greenburn Book 3:*

  1. Spinning is permitted in bars marked with double underlining [that means in bars 1-8, 13-16 and 29-32]
  1. Teviot Bridge (RSCDS Book 5 No.1) starts with 1st couple turning with the right hand two and a half times, but in that dance, they do not move down.
  1. The reels of three are similar to those in Thomas Glovers Reel.
  1. During the Winter Break in Aviemore, Alice said she was tired of people spinning so much in dances that they spoiled the phrasing. George Meikle suggested that they needed a spin doctor and so this dance was born. (Is the spin doctor also an obstetrician?) (Strangely, when they were told that spinning was permissible, the dancers did not spin.)


created: 1997-12-28 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-27 14:06:34.861407+00
name: Blue Loch, The
ucname: BLUE LOCH
notes:
  This dance is almost identical to <<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3834/|The  Linton Ploughman>> from <<http://my.strathspey.org/dd/publication/5/|RSCDS Book 5>>, but ending with an Allemande instead of a Poussette.


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 11:21:10.217124+00
name: Weird Sisters, The
ucname: WEIRD SISTERS
devised: 2006-10-01
notes:
  Halloween falls on our regular dance night this year and we’ve been planning a party that night. Also, I am a great fan of Shakespeare and enjoy "The Scottish Play" a great deal. The title of this dance comes from a reference to the three witches in that play ("*Double, double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble*.")


created: 2002-12-01 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 11:27:40.834034+00
name: Mi Amigo
ucname: MI AMIGO
intensity_bars: 808/800/888/804
devised: 1992-01-01
notes:
  This dance was written in honor of our amigo, Javier Cortina, a student from Spain for two years. The
  figures represent his travel from Madrid to Portland and getting to know us - Los Norteamericanos.
  This dance was presented and first danced in the Vancouver, USA class in Vancouver, Washington, on
  July 8, 1992.


created: 2002-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-09-30 11:36:11.721694+00
name: Striding Sharply Along the Edge
ucname: STRIDING SHARPLY ALONG THE EDGE
devised: 2002-05-01
notes:
  From the dance notes: The title of this dance comes from two famous edges in the Lake District, Striding Edge on Helvellyn and Sharp Edge on Saddleback. Both edges provide interesting routes to the summits of the fells. The name of the dance could be condensed to "Striding Sharply"!"

  The dance is inscribed "for the dancers at Morland 2002".


created: 2022-10-01 07:55:12.463722+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 13:47:57.395539+00
name: Arch, The
ucname: ARCH
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8008/8888
devised: 2022-07-01
notes:
  *From the dance notes:*
  This is a humble collaborative tribute of a dance and a tune for a truly great man, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who passed away on 26 December 2021.

  This dance does things in 2 and 2 and includes formations with arches as a nod to the humble man who was known as "the Arch".


created: 2022-10-30 10:39:38.193822+00
last_modified: 2022-10-30 10:39:38.193822+00
name: Gombey-san
ucname: GOMBEYSAN
devised: 2020-11-01
notes:
  Gombey-san was a famous farmer and hunter. He was always busy working and became a main character of a
  famous song for children.


created: 2022-10-01 08:17:09.104589+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 15:18:36.98203+00
name: Fields of Gold
ucname: FIELDS OF GOLD
intensity_bars: 884/646/282/882
devised: 2022-02-21
notes:
  In celebration of the Pretoria group's golden (50th) anniversary in 2022 which coincides with the Pretoria Branch's 40th anniversary.


created: 2018-11-10 13:17:49.38889+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 15:20:01.676534+00
name: Fraoch-badain
ucname: FRAOCHBADAIN
intensity_bars: 808/888/888/880
devised: 2018-06-01
notes:
  Fraoch-badain is the five leaved Heather, Erica cinerea. This dance is in celebration of my wife Heather’s 50th Birthday.


created: 2018-09-04 11:19:50.80088+00
last_modified: 2025-07-16 06:38:24.584082+00
name: Elvish Affair, An
ucname: ELVISH AFFAIR
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8008/8008
devised: 2018-08-01
notes:
  Devised by Liebet Joubert, August 2018. This dance was inspired by elves from various fantasy stories.


created: 2022-02-16 01:47:36.145844+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 18:04:25.767287+00
name: Platinum Reflections
ucname: PLATINUM REFLECTIONS
intensity_bars: 804/808/480/844/880
devised: 2022-02-13
notes:
  Devised by Wouter Joubert, 13 February 2022, in honour of the platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The tune suggests pleasant reflection rather than processions, pomp and ceremony – hence the title.


created: 2022-10-01 08:48:29.423366+00
last_modified: 2022-10-06 09:47:44.055925+00
name: Peter's LMP
ucname: PETERS LMP
intensity_bars: 8888/8080/8888/8080
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised for Peter Macfarlane in celebration of his Lemon Meringue Pie which certainly is the finest that we have ever tasted.


created: 2022-10-01 07:42:59.729663+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 21:12:57.768556+00
name: 20 in 2020
ucname: 20 IN 2020
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/888
devised: 2020-11-19
notes:
  In honour of the 20th birthday of Stefan Naudé, a good friend, who joined us for dancing a few times this year before the Lockdown. 


created: 2022-10-01 08:15:20.957879+00
last_modified: 2022-10-10 16:36:04.643421+00
name: Fee Fi Foh
ucname: FEE FI FOH
intensity_bars: 880/800/888/844
devised: 2020-03-01
notes:
  Inspired by the tune that Wouter posted on the Strathspey Mailing List where he linked the Coronavirus to the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk.


created: 2022-10-01 07:57:31.006808+00
last_modified: 2022-10-24 22:09:49.44236+00
name: Be Prepared
ucname: BE PREPARED
intensity_bars: 880/888/844/844
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised to celebrate the 70th birthday of Jean Dunn. Aside from being a dancer, Jean is also a Regional Commissioner for the Girl Guides, hence the dances title.  

  In this dance, you always need to be prepared for what comes next. The half diagonal reels represent the petals of the Guide Trefoil and in the last two bars you will see the lady "guiding" her partner home. 


created: 2022-10-05 17:36:24.4891+00
last_modified: 2022-10-05 17:36:24.4891+00
name: Eight, Eight, Eight
ucname: EIGHT EIGHT EIGHT
devised: 2022-09-01
notes:
  This is a modified version of Jean Shaw’s '<<ddd:Figures of Eight#18474>>' which is more suitable for beginners who haven’t yet learned the setting step.


created: 2019-09-09 21:07:30.432888+00
last_modified: 2022-10-01 18:23:55.633577+00
name: Spokane Rainbow, The
ucname: SPOKANE RAINBOW
intensity_bars: 8880/8660/8088/8004
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  On our first day in Spokane WA, my wife Heather and I saw a beautiful rainbow while driving back into town after a visit to Coeur d’Alene. On the second day we saw a rainbow in the Spokane falls. On day three we went dancing with the Spokane SCD group, and I overheard a conversation among some of the dancers about how lovely it would be to have a 7 couple set with each couple dressed in a different one of the rainbow colours – we were 7 couples on the floor at the time.  

  This dance has been devised for the Spokane Scottish Country Dance group, with thanks for a lovely evening of dancing, and to remember the rainbow which has become one of the symbols of our visit to Spokane.  

  Note : This dance has been devised as a 4 couple dance to minimize the number of dancers required, but has been written in such a way that should the need arise, it can be danced in a 7 couple, rainbow coloured set by the 1st as well as 4th couples beginning. In this case it becomes a 7x32 bar dance.

  *Note:  In the instructions, the title says it is a 3C/4L dance, but the description is for a 4C/4L dance.*


created: 2001-10-23 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-02 11:51:00.929664+00
name: Tri Fichead
ucname: TRI FICHEAD
notes:
  From the dance notes: "Tri Fichead (pronounced. tree feeket) is the gaelic for 60. The dance was written to celebrate the 6th birthday of Cathy - a dancer in the Fortrose class. Bars 17-24 describe a 6 and bars 25-32 a 0."


created: 2001-10-23 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-02 11:54:38.757291+00
name: Leasowe Castle
ucname: LEASOWE CASTLE
notes:
  From the dance notes: 'This is a castle in Wallasey, Wirral, near Liverpool. It was once a sporting residence for the Earls of Derby and there is a local belief that the first "Derby" was run on Leasowe Race Course. Latterly it has been used as a convalescent home and then an hotel and conference centre.'


created: 2000-04-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-02 12:02:53.718931+00
name: 25th Reel, The
ucname: 25TH REEL
intensity_bars: 8066/8860/8000/8888
devised: 1985-01-01
notes:
  Fomr the dance notes:
  "Alan and Lydia Smith founded the Concord, Massachusetts, Scottish Country Dance group in 1960. They wrote this dance for the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Ball in 1985, and Ed Pearlman composed the title tune and played for that occasion. The Concord group became a Boston Branch class in 1989 and now meets in Weston, Massachusetts."


created: 1999-08-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-02 12:44:15.019241+00
name: 96 Ten, The
ucname: 96 TEN
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  From the dance notes:
  For the 1996 first fortnight Certificate Class at Summer School. (It was the first Summer School class to be held for both Certificates together.) This was a happy group of three Full Certificate and seven Preliminary Test candidates.


created: 2002-09-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-14 19:44:17.334791+00
name: Platinum Jig
ucname: PLATINUM JIG
notes:
  75th Anniversary is either Diamond or Platinum. As most people know 60 years as Diamond the decision was made to call this dance Platinum Jig. [from the publication]


created: 2015-10-01 10:31:57.760768+00
last_modified: 2026-01-09 11:28:14.054925+00
name: Road to McGregor, The
ucname: ROAD TO MACGREGOR
intensity_bars: 8080/8888/8484/8484
devised: 2013-09-01
notes:
  McGregor is a small town in South Africa's Cape Winelands. The town has firm Scottish roots, and even has its own SCD club. An excellent road leads to McGregor, it carries on through the heart of the village and then... stops. The Road to McGregor could in fact be described as the Road to Nowhere. 

  This dance was devised to celebrate a dancing weekend in McGregor.


created: 1999-08-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-03 08:46:47.553187+00
name: New Brudenell Jig, The
ucname: NEW BRUDENELL JIG
intensity_bars: 4444/4444/4884/8444
notes:
  This dance is not to be confused with the <<ddd:Brudenell Jig>>, also by Brenda Burnell, published by the RSCDS in <<ddpub:Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances, A>>.

  The dance is named after the Brudenell Evening Institute, Leeds, UK.  The deviser's husband taught Scottish Country Dancing there, and eventually became head of the Brudenell Evening Centre.

  (This information is taken from the note at the end of the description of this dance in the 35th Silver Thistle Collection)


created: 2022-06-23 18:13:30.909225+00
last_modified: 2022-10-03 18:38:10.181958+00
name: NHS Hero
ucname: NHS HERO
intensity_bars: 444/880/888/844
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Linda Williamson who worked for NHS Scotland as a nurse throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic. During the first lockdown members of the public thanked the NHS by clapping on their doorsteps at 8pm on Thursday evenings. Bars 1-8 represent this with the claps.


created: 2009-11-20 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-03 22:27:06.103856+00
name: Bobby and Kobby
ucname: BOBBY AND KOBBY
notes:
  Inscribed "for Greyfriars Bobby of Edinburgh".

  The instructions describe this as a 32 bar dance for three couples in a four couple set. However the 2nd time through is slightly modified, so the dance can also be considered as a 64 bar dance for four couples in a four couple set.


created: 2022-10-30 10:48:03.404424+00
last_modified: 2022-10-30 10:48:03.404424+00
name: Burns Club
ucname: BURNS CLUB
notes:
  Devised in memory of the late Mr. Hidenobu Katsuzaki, the founder of Burns Club in Kanazawa city. He was the excellent teacher of Scottish Country Dance in Japan.


created: 1998-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-27 17:26:00.723155+00
name: Misses Farrell of Alloa, The
ucname: MISSES FARRELL OF ALLOA
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote in the original description that the dance was for Miss E. and Miss K. Farrell of Alloa.


created: 2011-12-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-22 19:53:59.513907+00
name: Tribute to Fred DeMarse
ucname: TRIBUTE TO FRED DEMARSE
devised: 2008-01-01
notes:
  Official Alias: The Nondescript Carpet Court

  Devised sometime in 2008. Named in tribute to Fred DeMarse's great teaching of the Highland Class at the 2008 RSCDS Summer School.

  The alternative title - The Nondescript Carpet Court refers to an article in the Nov 2008 RSCDS San Francisco Branch Newsletter 'The Reel and Strathspeyper' where Donna Weidenfeller had told of the demise of the chequered carpet tiles of the Chequered Court in University Hall in St Andrews, which have been replaced by nondescript carpeting. 


created: 2023-01-04 22:51:07.217996+00
last_modified: 2026-07-25 10:53:35.962917+00
name: All Cackle and No Eggs
ucname: ALL CACKLE AND NO EGGS
devised: 2020-01-01
notes:
  > At our cottage we maintain a small flock of laying hens.
  > When an eagle sits on a branch overlooking the chicken run or a fox watches them
  > through their wire enclosure, there is a lot of cackling and a pause in egg production.
  > The title of this dance was suggested by Toronto teacher Teresa Lockhart.


created: 2002-03-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-04 01:56:47.690757+00
name: Dragon, The
ucname: DRAGON
intensity_bars: 811/844/844/844
devised: 1998-05-01
notes:
  I dreamed up this dance while driving down to Morland (near Penrith in Cumbria) at the end of May for the Morland Scottish Dancing Week.  
  The entry into the reel of four from the left hands across is similar to that in "Dream Maker".  
  The "Dragon" in the title could come from my recent trip to Japan, where there are many dragons. There is a famous temple in Kyoto which has a dragon painted on the ceiling. The dragon's eye is in the middle of the ceiling and, no matter where you stand, the dragon's eye is always looking at you. I was given a silk kimono bath robe with dragons printed on it. The title could also come from Morland where the landlady of the local hostelry used to be called "The Dragon". Sadly, the Dragon's Pub has now been closed, leaving only one
  hostelry in the village.


created: 2022-10-01 09:03:43.323164+00
last_modified: 2022-10-04 10:00:11.82343+00
name: Sylvia Miskoe's Strathspey
ucname: SYLVIA MISKOES STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880/833/822/888
devised: 2018-04-01
notes:
  For Sylvia Miskoe of Concord, New Hampshire.  

  When I started composing music for SCD I had a million queries and Sylvia was one of those wonderful people who listened to my many questions and provided answers and explanations, who played my creations and gave feedback and advice.  

  In 2004 I wrote her a tune to express my gratitude. Fourteen years later I would like to add a dance to that tune. 


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-01 18:11:37.638562+00
name: Trim the Velvet
ucname: TRIM THE VELVET
intensity_bars: 888 888 844 822
devised: 1969-06-11
notes:
  Devised on Wednesday 11th June, 1969. The title is that of an Irish reel.
   
  Both Noeline and Iain enjoy "The Montgomerie's Rant". Those who are not familiar with the terminology 'third and fourth corners' should read Harry Ways letter published in the March 1985 issue of TACTALK or the note published in the 1986 issue of "The New Zealand Scottish Country Dancer", page 14.

  Recommended tune "The Fair Maid of Perth" played AABB.


created: 2002-04-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-14 20:02:59.434274+00
name: Peggy's Joy
ucname: PEGGYS JOY
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised by Margaret Waddell in 1989 and dedicated to Mrs. Margaret Spouse of Duns - known to all as Peggy.


created: 1998-04-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-04 18:49:53.376079+00
name: Manchester Medley
ucname: MANCHESTER MEDLEY
devised: 1993-09-01
notes:
  Dedicated to the Manchester Branch.

  The original description is named "Manchester Medley".  SCDDB also has a (S64+R64) medley called "A Manchester Medley", by an unknown deviser.  It is quite possible that to distinguish the two medleys _this_ dance was nicknamed "T' Other Manchester Medley"; it was originally entered in SCDDB under that name.  That name has now been added as an alias.


created: 2022-08-30 18:26:34.537329+00
last_modified: 2022-10-04 18:58:03.025394+00
name: Fairy Feather, The
ucname: FAIRY FEATHER
intensity_bars: 888/888/822/888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  The deviser gave the club a nickname 'Feather Tartan' in wishing to dance like a celestial maiden wearing a heavenly robe of feathers. "Fairy Feather" is a silk fabric created with an image of a celestial feather robe.


created: 1997-12-27 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-04 20:42:21.829566+00
name: Sally's Army
ucname: SALLYS ARMY
intensity_bars: 880/804/804/844
devised: 1996-02-01
notes:
  From the notes:
  This dance was devised by Isobel Eaton in February 1996 when a new class commenced in the Salvation Anny Citadel. Hence the name "Sally's Army". With the Captain's blessing it was danced publicly forthe first time at their Church Parade in March 1996.

  Isobel's suggested music (Chippy's Rant) may no longer be available as it is from a very old recording. Another possible tune might be: Two of the Best, Craigellachie Band "Reel Friends" AD 010


created: 2022-10-25 23:05:18.568021+00
last_modified: 2022-10-30 12:35:50.965097+00
name: Richmond's Platinum Celebration
ucname: RICHMONDS PLATINUM CELEBRATION
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Devised for the 70th anniversary of the Richmond Branch (North Yorkshire).

  Source: youtube video <<https://youtu.be/SK8gIrSRt5k>> and <<https://www.rscds-richmondnorthyorks.org.uk/videos>>.


created: 2022-10-01 08:58:50.456455+00
last_modified: 2026-07-25 09:02:20.709658+00
name: Sophie and the Dance of Life
ucname: SOPHIE AND THE DANCE OF LIFE
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/844
devised: 2020-04-06
notes:
  Sophie Thompson, the granddaughter of a friend, was born on 30 March 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. I wrote her a tune. Often during this time of crisis I thought about the wonder of living so I decided that Sophie's tune also needed a dance to celebrate life, Sophie's life in particular but also life on a broader scale.


created: 2022-10-01 08:51:28.433207+00
last_modified: 2022-10-07 07:03:31.386194+00
name: Reel for Bessie, A
ucname: REEL FOR BESSIE
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/844
devised: 2019-10-17
notes:
  Bessie Keun has been my accompanist and a friend since my university days. She is an excellent musician, has the patience of Job, seems to manage a 26 hour day with a smile but above all, she has a heart of gold. 


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-11 14:46:10.478485+00
name: Heart of Midlothian, The
ucname: HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN
notes:
  The old Edinburgh Tolbooth, "The Heart of Midlothian", was for many years a prison for debtors and criminals. Demolished in 1817, its site is marked in the causeway by a heart-shaped design.


created: 2022-10-01 08:10:59.625936+00
last_modified: 2022-10-13 07:04:27.206122+00
name: Elephants Dancing on Tip-Toes
ucname: ELEPHANTS DANCING ON TIPTOES
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8080/8888/8888/8484/8888/8484
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Isabel Walker on the occasion of her 70th birthday. In her youth, Isabel was trampled by an African elephant, and was fortunate to survive the incident. I think that the elephant never meant to harm her, and when I heard the story, I had a picture in my mind of the elephant delicately doing its version of a sword dance over terrified Isobel, hence the title. In recent years Isobel has enjoyed cycling, and so you will see wheels and a chain in the dance.  

  To make up the 64 bars, and to accommodate the Schiehallion reels, the composer suggests that the tune be played ABABCABC. 


created: 1998-03-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-04-22 14:41:14.566002+00
name: Knotted
ucname: KNOTTED
intensity_bars: 72 72 80 88
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For Gabi and Guido Lülf, on the occasion of their wedding during the Sylvester course in the Eifel in 1989."


created: 2022-10-01 08:56:29.252751+00
last_modified: 2026-02-12 14:24:58.934678+00
name: Serenity
ucname: SERENITY
intensity_bars: 840/886/880/808
devised: 2020-10-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Christopher Duigan, one of South Africa's leading concert pianists, whose twice-weekly livestream concerts from his home studio in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were my link to sanity and serenity during the long and lonely months of aloneness in the COVJD-19 pandemic lockdown (27 March 2020 to 4 April 2022) and continue to be an immense source of joy for me.


created: 2002-12-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-14 20:24:21.508878+00
name: Hastings Welcome, A
ucname: HASTINGS WELCOME
intensity_bars: 5552 5552 8880 8888
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  From the dance notes: This dance was written in appreciation of the fantastic welcome Bill received on stepping onto the platform of Hastings station (New Zealand). He was met by dancers (led by Val Mitchell) and a piper and was given royal treatment during his visit.


created: 2020-02-19 22:39:02.420703+00
last_modified: 2022-12-04 10:37:34.640979+00
name: Salute to Bill Hamilton
ucname: SALUTE TO BILL HAMILTON
intensity_bars: 8888/8080/8888/4484
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Alex Milligan and friends in 2019 to recognise the work and commitment by Bill Hamilton to promote the enjoyment of Scottish Country Dancing over the last 60 years.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-18 20:22:18.016213+00
name: Carswellian Revel, The
ucname: CARSWELLIAN REVEL
devised: 1974-12-01
notes:
  The author says in the sheet: "To Barbara Quicke who introduced me to SCD. Her enthusiasm became instilled in me and inspired me to devise this collection of dances."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-20 11:44:20.197992+00
name: Craigleith
ucname: CRAIGLEITH
intensity_bars: 8228/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  Although the instructions for 2nd & 3rd couples in bars 9-24 do not always mention which hand is used, they do describe their actions as "like J.B. Milne", so right hands can be assumed.


created: 1997-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-10-23 20:50:34.176933+00
name: Windmills Are Turning
ucname: WINDMILLS ARE TURNING
notes:
  The dance notes say this was devised "following a visit to Kinderdijk, near Rotterdam, HolIand. This locality is unique for its rows of windmills, nineteen in total, dating from the eighteenth century, all of whIch are still functional. All the left and right hands across figures in this dance represent the sails of the mills turning in the wind.


created: 2002-11-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-22 18:31:37.90714+00
name: St. Abb's Head Reel, The
ucname: SAINT ABBS HEAD REEL
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  This was originally entered in the datbase as "Saint Abb's Head Reel" but the instructions give the title as "The St. Abb's Head Reel".


created: 2022-09-27 13:26:00.252745+00
last_modified: 2022-10-25 19:38:34.908109+00
name: At the Library
ucname: AT THE LIBRARY
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888/888
notes:
  I wrote the danse during my shift at the library using the formation danced the previous day during our class at Saint Quay Perros.


created: 2017-10-28 22:35:56.189604+00
last_modified: 2022-10-26 13:29:37.507903+00
name: Chemnitz Loopings
ucname: CHEMNITZ LOOPINGS
devised: 2014-08-13
notes:
  From the dance description: The danced was devised by Undine Meister, Gabriele Schrader-Ladewig, Kristina Helle, Albrecht Meister and Thomas Gro&szlig; on 8. and 13. August 2014 during some 2 couple
  exercises.

  The dance description was online available at http://www.scd-chemnitz.de/tanze/ - however, the Scottish Dance Group in Chemnitz seemingly has dissolved and thus also the server does not exist anymore.

  The description is now available again both via the e-cribs site and <<https://www.folkverein-chemnitz.de/scd/Chemnitz_Loopings.pdf>>.


created: 2022-10-01 08:31:28.687036+00
last_modified: 2022-10-28 21:39:21.460099+00
name: Inspired by Diamonds
ucname: INSPIRED BY DIAMONDS
intensity_bars: 822/822/833/833
devised: 2019-11-21
notes:
  The dance was inspired by the "half diamond reels of four" in <<ddp:Drewry, John#108>>'s dance "<<ddd:Diamond Set in Silver, A#7679>>".


created: 1997-09-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-01 19:30:16.204023+00
name: Tamworth Chase
ucname: TAMWORTH CHASE
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/844
notes:
  For several years, members of clubs in the Hunter Valley Branch attended the Highland Gathering at Tamworth. We would meet with friends from Queensland and to reduce costs, would bed down children in the rooms of those who came without. There was much chasing from one room to another with sashes and items of clothing as we made our preparations. It was a lot of fun, and with a handshake at the end, came the greeting "See you next year".


created: 2022-10-16 21:02:16.166787+00
last_modified: 2022-11-03 12:57:47.368783+00
name: House Keys of Lisbon, The
ucname: HOUSE KEYS OF LISBON
intensity_bars: 666/666/888/888
devised: 2020-11-01
notes:
  The title was inspired by a BBC news article about a Portuguese law allowing descendants of Jews expelled in the 15th and 16th centuries to return and claim citizenship.
  Apparently a few families who took refuge in Istanbul still have keys to the houses in Lisbon that they were forced to leave centuries ago.
  These keys have been passed down as family heirlooms.
  For more details see <<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Turning_Portuguese>>.

  Those keen on symbolism can imagine the six dancers starting at the points of a Star of David and that the hands across and turns represent keys in locks.

  The tune, <<ddt:Slockit Light, Da#7803>>, was written by fiddler Tom Anderson as a lament for the lights of houses in Shetland being extinguished as people moved away. It seemed an appropriate choice.

  This dance also provides an opportunity to thank several people that I know in Lisbon: firstly Adriana Duarte for organising the Curia weekends; also <<ddp:Monteiro, Isabel#11225>> and <<ddp:Neves, Isabel#11150>> for devising lovely dances; and Barbara Gray, Joana Ferreira, Roger Picken and Sue Willdig for running the Carcavelos, Lapa and Telheiras SCD groups.


created: 1997-09-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-08 15:54:23.223243+00
name: Swelkie, The
ucname: SWELKIE
intensity_bars: 800 888 444 444
notes:
  The Swelkie is a tidal whirlpool, near Stroma in the Pentland Firth. In days gone by, folk believed that
  there were a pair of millstones under the Swelkie which ground the salt to make the sea salty.


created: 1997-09-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-08 16:33:53.233739+00
name: Snakes And Ladders
ucname: SNAKES AND LADDERS
devised: 1978-05-01
notes:
  "Snakes and Ladders" is a children's board game "for wet weather". One climbs up the ladders and slides down the snakes, eventually making it -- in this case to the bottom of the set. Bars 1-8 represent the board, 9- 16 the dice box and counters, and 17-32 the ladders (crossing) and snakes (circles). This dance is dedicated to the Brookline class of the Boston Branch, RSCDS, and was first published in the Tartan Times for May 1978.


created: 1997-09-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-08 16:53:46.484207+00
name: Shieling, The
ucname: SHIELING
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888
notes:
  Originally published by Jean in the leaflet “Inveran Bridge and three more Scottish Country Dances”.  

  Written for Daisy and Eddie Cassie who retired to their shieling in Oxfordshire in 1984. Eddie was President of the Harwell Caledonian Society for many years.


created: 2022-10-05 19:36:30.54497+00
last_modified: 2026-04-16 17:48:58.972465+00
name: Anne Marshall's Jig
ucname: ANNE MARSHALLS JIG
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  Written for Peter and Anne Marshall's Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations which were delayed a year due to Covid


created: 2002-04-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-20 11:11:53.37801+00
name: Seagreen
ucname: SEAGREEN
intensity_bars: 828 888 828 844
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for the members of the Paris Branch who invited me to visit them in June 1989
  200 years after the storming of the Bastille. My birthday is the 14th of July!"

  The instructions also have a note:  
  Thomas Carlyle, in a well-known phrase, described Robespierre as "The seagreen incorruptible".


created: 1997-09-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-08 23:07:11.996835+00
name: Schoon's Bairn
ucname: SCHOONS BAIRN
devised: 1981-07-15
notes:
  The dance notes say this was devised to celebrate the birth of Jacob Kenneth Schoon, July 15, 1981. The movements of the dance represent the danceIli meeting. greeting, and exclaiming over Jacob's arrival. The original instructions were for reel time, but the dance has come 10 be done in jig lime to the tune of "Just As I Was In The Morning."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-27 16:42:28.807839+00
name: Morpeth Town
ucname: MORPETH TOWN
devised: 1991-03-01
notes:
  From the notes: "It is in Morpeth that the Hunter Valley Branch of the RSCDS holds a weekend school to mark the start of the dancing season. Morpeth was at one time an important river port and terminus for sea traffic from Sydney. It boasts many buildings from the early 19th century many of which have been restored."


created: 2022-11-18 14:05:59.977363+00
last_modified: 2022-11-18 15:58:25.552004+00
name: One Foot in Front of the Other
ucname: ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER
intensity_bars: 880/888/844/844
devised: 2020-02-01
notes:
  Devised by Sara Gratiot in February 2020 for Anneliese Suter, who has been putting one foot in front of the other every day as she danced, hiked, and quietly made many wonderful friends on a joyous journey to her 85th birthday.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-04-22 15:09:50.211243+00
name: Connaghtman's Rambles
ucname: CONNAGHTMANS RAMBLES
intensity_bars: 8800/8000/8400/8400/8888/8888
notes:
  Until Nov 2022, the dance was listed as "Connaughtman's Rambles", connecting it to a tune of that spelling. It was then reverted to its original publication name "Connaghtman's Rambles".


created: 2023-05-04 15:09:33.946454+00
last_modified: 2025-01-04 13:07:25.111026+00
name: Falkirk Wheel, The
ucname: FALKIRK WHEEL
intensity_bars: 0808/8888/8888/4848/8080/8888/8888/8484
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this was devised "by John Clack in 2004 and dedicated to his wife, Val, following a trip on the Falkirk Boat Wheel on her birthday."


created: 2019-01-17 11:37:42.645812+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 09:37:14.92255+00
name: Yellow-Haired Laddie Quadrille
ucname: YELLOWHAIRED LADDIE QUADRILLE
notes:
  Arranged by Gerry Gray, Prince Edward Island.  

  Repeat the dance in jig time. Some changes will be necessary:  During the Grand Square, the HEAD dancers should dance out of the centre rather than retire. Also, in the Grand Square, pas de basque should be used when turning with both hands in Bars 13-16 and 29-32. Otherwise, the dance is the same.    

    
  This quadrille (square dance) is based on the country-dance of the same name published in RSCDS Book 12. Each section is suggested by actions in the original dance. However, by dancing in a square and having four active couples instead of two, very little similarity is apparent.  
    
  Suggested Music: “Yellow Haired Laddie” – Bobby Brown – Grandfather Mountain Gala.  

  As there is no Yellow Haired Laddie in Jig Time, I recommend using “Selection of Jigs (4x32)” – Bobby Brown – Any Good Dance Any Good Tune.


created: 1997-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 18:43:48.952039+00
name: Ronda Blue
ucname: RONDA BLUE
intensity_bars: 88 66 88 88
devised: 1986-06-10
notes:
  The notes say that this was devised "following a visit to the Andalusian town of Ronda in Southern Spain on 10th June 1986. Ronda is an ancient Moorish stronghold and is rich in mediaeval Arabic architecture, characterised by its regular geometric structUres. This dance, featuring several square and circular figures, is a representation of the Ronda buildings, and takes its name from the blue sky above the town on Ihat June morning."


created: 1998-07-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 18:49:57.341758+00
name: Sparkling Loch, The
ucname: SPARKLING LOCH
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/808
notes:
  The instructions for this dance also give a variation for four couples. In 21-24 1st couple cast to 4th place. Then in 25-32 all four couples set twice and turn partners RH.

  The deviser writes that:
  *At my home on the Gareloch in Scotland, our living room was upstairs. It was right on the water and at night, when it was dark, we could follow the fish by the trails of phosphorus they left behind as they darted to and fro – hence "The Sparkling Loch".*


created: 1997-09-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 18:57:54.018546+00
name: Ring in the New
ucname: RING IN THE NEW
intensity_bars: 888/844/888/888
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  An audience participation dance. The progression is a little different but have faith, it works.

  Editor's note: the e-crib follows the original instructions exactly, but could the words "and set" have been accidentally omitted for [23-24]?


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 19:03:55.126803+00
name: Rhodes House Reel
ucname: RHODES HOUSE REEL
notes:
  Inscribed "for the girls of the Oxford University Scottish Dancing Society 1983/84."

  The notes add that "Rhodes House is a magnificent building where the Oxford Uniuersity Scottish Dancing Society hold their Ceilidhs. It was founded in 1929 for Rhodes Scholars, in memory of Cecil Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia."


created: 1998-11-29 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 19:18:16.113243+00
name: Reids o' Monymusk, The
ucname: REIDS O MONYMUSK
notes:
  Inscribed "for Angela and Jimmy Reid".

  The notes add that the "dance pays tribute to Angela and Jimmy Reid who live in a house named 'Monymusk' near Basingstoke. Angela teaches the local Scottish group, and Jimmy is an ex-piper of the Black Watch. The original tune for the dance was written by their daughter, Sheena, well known as a member of the Frank Reid Band."


created: 2002-10-15 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-12 19:27:58.84073+00
name: Reel for '88, A
ucname: REEL FOR 88
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "in honour of Australia's Bicentennial Year, 1988."

  NB the instructions describe this as for "3 couples in a 4 couple set" but the dance actually involves all 4 couples.


created: 2018-06-03 14:01:14.089099+00
last_modified: 2022-11-13 18:18:02.020896+00
name: Atsuko's Reel
ucname: ATSUKOS REEL
intensity_bars: 866/800/855/855/888
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Dance was devised by David Carter (CSCDS Inc.) for Atsuko Clement who gave a fabulous workshop at a class mini workshop in Charlotte, NC in 2018.

  Deviser's instructions are available at <<https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/atsukos-reel.html>>.


created: 2012-01-06 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-06-02 20:40:08.269511+00
name: Campbells of Crannagh, The
ucname: CAMPBELLS OF CRANNAGH
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 844
devised: 2008-07-26
notes:
  Presented to Pam and Forbes Campbell on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary, 26th July 2008, with very best wishes from all their friends in the Dublin Scottish Country Dance Club.  The title was thought of by Hazel Convery as Forbes and Pam live in Crannagh Park, Dublin.

  The track of 1st Lady in bars 1-7 represents the figure 5 (her partner’s track is a mirror image) and bars 9-16 represents the figure 0.  Diagonal Rights and Lefts is Pam’s favourite formation.


created: 2022-10-05 17:24:42.007474+00
last_modified: 2022-11-17 00:22:00.254993+00
name: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
ucname: SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Devised to a medley on the Somewhere Over the Rainbow theme played by Bill Ewan.

  *Instructions from the deviser:*  
  1-8: 1st couple cross over with right hand, cast off one place and turn partner with left hand once round.  
  9-16: 1st man dance half figure of eight round 2nd couple as 1st lady dance half figure of eight round 3rd couple. 1st couple finish in back to back position facing 4th corners. 1st couple set to and turn 4th corners to finish in lines.  
  17-24: 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance circle six hands round and back. 1st couple finish in back to back position facing 3rd corners.  
  25-32: 1st couple set to and turn 3rd corners to finish in lines across. 1st couple dance half figure of eight on own sides giving left shoulder to 4th corner and finish in 2nd place own sides.  
  Repeat having passed a couple.   
  Next and last couple dance the same in strathspey time.


created: 1998-11-29 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-11-14 19:34:51.585197+00
name: Mrs Watt's Teakettle
ucname: MRS WATTS TEAKETTLE
intensity_bars: 555/555/800/844/804/840
devised: 1992-03-01
notes:
  The notes say that "Mrs. Hepburn Belches [the tune for the dance] is both a tune and a dance, written by John Bowie about 1789. Mrs. Watt is John Watt's mother, famed for her teakettle."


created: 2022-11-20 22:59:25.331516+00
last_modified: 2025-06-30 09:50:25.350762+00
name: Choochoo
ucname: CHOOCHOO
intensity_bars: 8888|8888|8888|8888|8888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  Deviser says: "The dance is about trains and how they ride, come to a halt in a train station, shift tracks. This dance introduces the 'Choochoo Reel'."


created: 2022-11-18 12:12:13.45207+00
last_modified: 2022-11-18 20:12:58.589921+00
name: Black Joke, The
ucname: BLACK JOKE
devised: 2019-10-01
notes:
  This dance is in phrases of 6+6+10+10.

  The notes say this was devised "to fit the traditional song tune 'The Black Joke'.  This 18th century tune has an unusual structure of 6-bar and 10-bar phrases. It is used for a number of Cotswold Morris dances, which is how John first came across it."


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-20 15:22:15.311173+00
name: Paisley Mondays
ucname: PAISLEY MONDAYS
intensity_bars: 888 888 888 880
notes:
  At the end of the second turn of the dance, 1st couple cross diagonally to the bottom to allow 4th couple to move up ready for the circle.


created: 2022-11-23 10:00:37.172863+00
last_modified: 2022-11-23 10:13:44.146422+00
name: Palindrome, Le
ucname: PALINDROME
notes:
  Palindromic mixer dance for couples in a circle. Taught by Martin Sheffield, but apparently not devised by him (information from Sophie Marchand).


created: 1997-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-11-25 16:18:54.8528+00
name: Lord of Islay
ucname: LORD OF ISLAY
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888
notes:
  From the notes "Lord of Islay was the title of one of the grandsons of Somerled, the founder of Clan Donald."


created: 2022-11-21 17:51:57.753778+00
last_modified: 2022-12-07 16:44:48.904973+00
name: Rhum de Feu
ucname: RHUM DE FEU
intensity_bars: 80808/88888/08088/66668/88888/44486
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Dagmar Suhm, Beate Bartels and all those involved in preparing a lovely „Feuerzangenbowle“ each November Course at the Kuckucksnest in Schlüchtern/Germany.


created: 2022-11-18 20:16:41.206581+00
last_modified: 2022-12-27 13:41:35.722424+00
name: Atholl Anniversary Strathspey
ucname: ATHOLL ANNIVERSARY STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/4844
devised: 2019-09-01
notes:
  Devised "as a tribute to a welcoming Scottish Country Dance club providing Tuesday evenings of great enjoyment to members and visitors."


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 11:43:33.873925+00
name: Miller o' Hirn, The
ucname: MILLER O HIRN
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote in the original description that the dance was for Bob Millar of Toronto, Ontario.

  The progression in Bars 25-32 is similar to that in the reel "Lochside" by Jackie Johnstone of Dumfries.


created: 2022-12-01 12:52:23.090055+00
last_modified: 2022-12-01 13:42:21.653144+00
name: Albany on Cloud Nine
ucname: ALBANY ON CLOUD NINE
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  To mark Albany (N.Y.) Class’s one year anniversary of Scottish Country Dancing on Zoom (or on the cloud).  Dedicated to Lois New, Barbara and Sam Bemis, and all the teachers who have spearheaded virtual dancing for the Albany Class, and have extended the warmest of welcomes to all on Sunday nights during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The half a double triangle and half a reel sequence is borrowed from <<ddd:Rudyard's Reel#19851>> by <<ddp:Harris, Chris#671|Chris Harris>> of Zurich (2015).


created: 2000-07-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-01 14:59:18.61538+00
name: Haunted Manor, The
ucname: HAUNTED MANOR
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8080
devised: 1989-01-01
notes:
  For the Dance Weekend at Halsway Manor, Crowcombe, June 1989.

  The dance notes say that "In view of the ghostly nature of the title, steps should be as smooth and silent as possible and all arm movements to allemande hold should be strongly marked."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 12:27:27.678616+00
name: Mary Rose Hornpipe, The
ucname: MARY ROSE HORNPIPE
notes:
  The notes say this was "offered to the Portsmouth and District Caledonian Society on the occasion of their Day School, 31st October 1981, and in respect of the proposed raising of Henry VIII's flagship "The Mary Rose", which foundered off Southsea Castle".


created: 2022-11-21 18:24:18.161262+00
last_modified: 2025-11-01 11:46:03.651504+00
name: You Haunt Me
ucname: YOU HAUNT ME
intensity_bars: 884 888 888 884
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  The dance is meant to be danced in a 4cpl set, but due to its uncommon progression (3,1,2) it can be danced in a 3cpl set as well.


created: 2009-11-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-02 10:06:06.077655+00
name: TAC's Hospitality
ucname: TACS HOSPITALITY
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
notes:
  »This dance was devised by Ian Souter, Hamilton, Ontario and Chairman of the T.A.C. 2006–2008 to acknowledge the wonderful hospitality that has been shown to its AGM Weekend and Summer School participants over the past several years by Pat Souter and her team of volunteers. There is always so much work that goes into an event that is kept in the background and magically appears each night. Well done!«


created: 2009-11-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-02 15:24:46.714715+00
name: TAC 50
ucname: TAC 50
intensity_bars: 8888/6666/8888/8888/8888/8888/4444/8888
notes:
  »Devised by Marie Malcolm, of Wellington, New Zealand, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of TAC.«

  The <<ddrec:TAC 50#6893|recording>> for this dance is just once through 64 bars, but the dance has a 2341 progression suggesting that it might be done four times. It is no longer possible to ask the deviser.


created: 2015-08-26 18:50:49.240617+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 12:41:17.401447+00
name: Alan Ross's Reel
ucname: ALAN ROSSS REEL
intensity_bars: 800/888/804/888
notes:
  Inscribed "by Anne Thorn for Alan Ross with grateful thanks for composing tunes for her dances and for providing wonderful music for Scottish country dances in the Helensburgh area."


created: 2015-08-26 19:12:26.742395+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 19:12:51.916369+00
name: Silver Acorn, The
ucname: SILVER ACORN
intensity_bars: 444/888/888/888
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  Some early copies of Magic of Music 2 did not specify that the interlocking reels in bars 9 - 16 are actually reels of four as in The Wind on Loch Fyne.

  The ntoes says this was devised "for the special birthday of David Reid, treasurer of Helensburgh RSCDS, a dedicated scout leader, cyclist and hill walker."


created: 2002-10-28 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 19:30:00.653153+00
name: Münster 1200, The
ucname: MUNSTER 1200
intensity_bars: 80800/63663/63663/80800
notes:
  The notes say that "Münster in Westphalia, is York's German twin city. In 1993 it celebrated the 1200th anniversary of its founding."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 20:28:59.351219+00
name: Major Erskine Of Edinburgh
ucname: MAJOR ERSKINE OF EDINBURGH
notes:
  Inscribed "for Miss Helen Erskine." And the notes say that "the dance symbolises the Major introducing herself and mixing with her fellow officers and cadets."


created: 1997-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 20:38:35.728682+00
name: Madeline's Rant
ucname: MADELINES RANT
devised: 1992-02-14
notes:
  The notes say that "The night Madeline Kunin was elected first woman governor of Vermont, we had enough dancers for a three couple set. The rest were glued to the radio."

  For a three couple set, 1st couple end crossing down to 3rd place.


created: 1997-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 20:51:10.981192+00
name: Maarten's Melbourne
ucname: MAARTENS MELBOURNE
intensity_bars: 840 408 822 866
notes:
  From the notes: "Maarten van der Giessen's life was lived in three worlds; in Nederland, where he was born; in Australia, where he spent the latter three quarters of his life and in the world of Scottish Country Dancing. He was for a time Secretary of the Melbourne & District Branch of the Society, as well as being an occasional relief teacher. He was a friend to many and always courteous on and off the dance floor."

  The symbolism of the dance is given as:  
  1-16: Travelling south with partner.  
  17-20: A brief return to the "old" country.  
  21-28: Visiting friends and relatives.  
  29-32: Going back home to Melbourne.  


created: 2015-01-09 15:38:07.292971+00
last_modified: 2023-01-10 11:25:35.123604+00
name: Five O'Clock from Welshpool, The
ucname: FIVE OCLOCK FROM WELSHPOOL
devised: 2009-05-31
notes:
  Inscribed "For Sally McGurn who made the long journey from Welshpool on the five o’clock train to classes in Birmingham. One of her favourite formations is corner pass and turn."


created: 2015-08-27 18:00:58.113212+00
last_modified: 2022-12-03 23:38:35.076413+00
name: Robin's Rant
ucname: ROBINS RANT
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/808
devised: 2014-11-01
notes:
  From the dance notes: "After a rather strenuous night of dancing, Don suggested that I write a dance for Robin Stewart as a joke. I was to make it as complicated as possible since Robin always despairs when I introduce one of our challenge dances (so, of course, it had to end with a Tournée though Robin swears he never has trouble with the Tournée). Use a brisk strathspey tune."


created: 2021-07-26 20:05:39.934773+00
last_modified: 2022-12-04 13:53:58.796151+00
name: Speyside Way, The
ucname: SPEYSIDE WAY
intensity_bars: 880/886/808/808
notes:
  The Speyside Way is a long distance footpath, which starts in Buckie and ends in Kingussie. It takes walkers along 100 miles of the most scenic parts of the Spey Valley and visits many famous whisky distilleries on route.


created: 2022-12-05 16:34:06.310307+00
last_modified: 2022-12-05 23:44:44.035463+00
name: Chesterfield Caledonians, The
ucname: CHESTERFIELD CALEDONIANS
notes:
  Source: SCDDB dance list <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/37582/>>.
  Tune also composed by David Queen.
  An 8x32 recording played by Andrew Lyon and David Queen is available at <<https://youtu.be/M14CDJx9fek>>.


created: 2013-09-20 17:34:49.574146+00
last_modified: 2022-12-07 23:36:37.05082+00
name: Marion's Medley
ucname: MARIONS MEDLEY
intensity_bars: 844/888/800/844
notes:
  Devised for Marion Peace. The notes say that "Marion's sparkle and long-time dedication to the Houston Branch are greatly appreciated by all who know and dance with her. A medley seems particularly suitable for a dance in Marion's honor as it is akin to the movements of a Butterfly - another passion of Marion's."


created: 1999-08-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-10 23:04:30.857502+00
name: Laird o' Dochart's Reel
ucname: LAIRD O DOCHARTS REEL
notes:
  "Collected from Archie McNab of Toronto, Ontario. Toronto was named York in the old days and it was near there where, in 1823, Chief Archebald McNab and some of his clansmen settled on their arrival from Scotland. The Chief built a house on the banks of a stream which he named the Dochart after a river in Scotland. The proud and haughty Chief was named the Laird o’ Dochart."

  In <<ddpub:#1580>> this is described as a "reel for four couples", but the tune is a jig.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-08 21:19:37.53151+00
name: Old Eightsome Reel
ucname: OLD EIGHTSOME REEL
notes:
  This was originally entered in SCDDB as a medley with a total of just 28 bars. It seems likely this is a typo, probably for 128, but the editing team has no access to the original instructions to check. See <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/1568/|issue 1568>>.


created: 2001-10-23 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-09 23:19:56.671434+00
name: Red Kites over the Black Isle
ucname: RED KITES OVER THE BLACK ISLE
intensity_bars: 8008/0880/8888/8888
notes:
  or 2x32 bar Strathspey + 2x32 bar Reel  ---  

  This dance was originally written as a strathspey, but on a "party"
  night it was done as a medley for fun and we found it worked. So you
  have the option of dancing it either way.


created: 2002-02-28 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-10 19:19:33.284872+00
name: Life Begins at Forty
ucname: LIFE BEGINS AT FORTY
intensity_bars: 8888/8008/8888/0880/8448
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this was devised "to celebrate the Fonieth Anniversary of Newcastle upon Tyne and District Branch. The friendly spirit of Scottish Country Dancing is shown by each couple dancing with every other couple in each repeat of the dance and the deliberate lack of new formations is so that all Scottish Country Dancers may join in with little difficulty."


created: 2019-07-29 10:34:07.763309+00
last_modified: 2022-12-10 21:30:16.17912+00
name: Burning of Paddy's Breeches, The
ucname: BURNING OF PADDYS BREECHES
devised: 2019-03-13
notes:
  Devised 13th March 2019 for an Irish-themed night. Based around a lovely piece of music ”The Burning of Paddy’s Breeches / The Burning of the Piper’s Hut” which is 64S+64J for which I had been meaning to compose a dance for over several years. The jig is too quick to be easily danced, and hence the music needs to be slowed down about 10-15% but the Strathspey part remains quick; perhaps how historical ones were danced. To my nonmusician ear it sounds like a Irish Hornpipe. The recording is by Bobby Macleod and his band in ”Highland Accordion Medley”. I wanted to capture the evenness of the first part and the flight of the jig.

  Finding a musician would solve all problems so that the first tune could be played as a reel and the second as a jig.

  Alternative recorded music is ”Gay Gordons” as recorded by ”The Dancing Strings Of Scotland” (LP+) which is 64R+64J, consisting of The Barren Rocks of Aden/The Duke of Athols Highlanders.

  Alternative alternative recorded music where the first part would definitely be a strathspey would be any reasonable recording of ”Johnny Walker”. For example, the version on ”Special Requests, Vol. 1” by Colin Dewar and his Band.


created: 2013-08-02 10:21:40.360577+00
last_modified: 2022-12-11 00:18:25.043275+00
name: Leaving York Factory
ucname: LEAVING YORK FACTORY
intensity_bars: 800/800/844/888
notes:
  Crib contributed by Peter McClure (jpm) – joptmc@cc.umanitoba.ca
  1-8::  1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side around 2nd and 3rd couples; start by dancing in.
  9-16::  1st couple lead down the middle and up, finishing in top place.
  17-20::  1st and 2nd couples set once, then dance right hands across half way.
  21-24::  1st and 3rd couples set once and dance left hands across half way.
  25-28::  2nd, 3rd and 1st couples advance for two and retire for two; on bar 26, 2nd and 3rd couples turn to their own side to retire.
  29-32::  All 3 couples turn with the right hand once around.

  Repeat with a new top couple.


created: 1997-12-28 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-11 02:20:46.543667+00
name: Saint John's Rant, The
ucname: SAINT JOHNS RANT
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8000/8888
notes:
  The E-crib and diagram follow the version available to the editing team.

  According to <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2870/|issue 2870>> in the revised publication bars 17-24 reads: "1st man followed by his partner, cast off behind 2nd couple, cross over, cast behind 3rd and 4th couples to finish in 4th place on own sides".

  For the moment the E-crib and diagram reflect the original version.


created: 2010-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-11 20:40:30.674721+00
name: Trip to Vienna
ucname: TRIP TO VIENNA
intensity_bars: 888/888/008/880/880
devised: 1998-12-02
notes:
  A Note from "The Vienna Book":  
  Dance written by Ann Murray on December 2, 1998 on the occasion of Jim Cook’s ‘Trip to Vienna’. The figures of the dance signify specific places to visit in Vienna.  
  -  The Ring (circular road)  
  -  Walking in the parks  
  -  The spire of St. Stephen's Church  
  -  The Big Wheel  in the amusement park  
  -  The Viennese Waltzes  




  Note, the dance contains a "Lead up to the top and down again" which is not defined in SCDDB - thus, it was (for its similarity) annotated as "Lead down and up".


created: 2016-09-05 23:06:56.513558+00
last_modified: 2022-12-11 11:42:28.326299+00
name: Judie's Farewell to Spring Creek
ucname: JUDIES FAREWELL TO SPRING CREEK
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2013-05-13
notes:
  This dance was devised for Judie Hansen, a longtime member of the Madison County Scotch Hoppers Scottish Country Dance group upon her leaving Spring Creek (Hot Springs), North Carolina for her new home in Indianapolis.

  The original instructions suggest the recording <<ddrec:The Whale's Moo#7092>> but the presumably later <<ddrec:Judie's Farewell to Spring Creek#17266>> recording uses a different tune.


created: 2023-01-04 22:46:14.420603+00
last_modified: 2026-07-28 14:50:11.963827+00
name: Abby's Lullaby
ucname: ABBYS LULLABY
intensity_bars: 8444/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  > For our granddaughter, Abigail Porter, who is continuing the family tradition of Scottish dancing.


created: 2011-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-07-15 11:08:02.735209+00
name: Rainbow Nation, The
ucname: RAINBOW NATION
intensity_bars: 8888/6600/8022/8888
devised: 2004-04-01
notes:
  Devised by Terry Lynne Harris, Pretona, April 2004 

  Witten in celebration of 10 years of democracy in the new South Africa.

  Notes:  
  1. The sideways Y shape formation in bars 25-28 forms the distinctive Y of the South Africa flag design, with the (invisible) boundaries of the set forming the rectangular shape of the flag.  
  2. Between repeats, it is suggested that couples retain hands after bar 32 and go straight into the circle of bars 1-8. After the final repeat (ie the 4th time through), dancers drop hands at the end of bar 32.


created: 1997-09-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-12 17:18:51.963332+00
name: Nina's Dance
ucname: NINAS DANCE
intensity_bars: 888/880/800
devised: 1987-07-01
notes:
  Deviser's Notes: This dance was devised during the summer of 1987 when Nina was 10 years of age. The dance was performed by the Basic class at our 1987 Christmas Party to the tunes of Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls. The dancers wore jingle bells on their ghillies

  The is dance was published by the Portland Oregon database editors have an original text which carries page number 14.  It must therefore behave been published in some book(let), but we have no information on where it originated


created: 2019-01-30 17:08:01.662854+00
last_modified: 2022-12-13 23:12:39.038752+00
name: Paranoid Jig, The
ucname: PARANOID JIG
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/844
devised: 2019-02-02
notes:
  *Note: Published in January 2019 with no setting in [17-32]. Version of 2nd February is final.*   

  Devised in 2019 by Judith Kowalczik in preparation of the Skua Dubh 7th Bonn Spring Workshop on 16th March 2019 and inspired by “The Paranoid Jigs” (Touch & Go, Ben Hiant and Monika's Jig by Keith B. Smith) by Hoogie from the album “Knackiedoo”.   


created: 2014-06-27 21:22:00.934599+00
last_modified: 2022-12-18 11:11:58.759379+00
name: Come to Kennisis
ucname: COME TO KENNISIS
intensity_bars: 844/844/880/888
notes:
  This dance was devised to welcome a group of Scottish Country Dancers to our cottage on Kennisis Lake, in Haliburton County, Ontario.


created: 2022-12-18 13:17:06.122623+00
last_modified: 2022-12-19 00:42:48.444784+00
name: Squirrel in a Pumpkin
ucname: SQUIRREL IN A PUMPKIN
intensity_bars: 840/880/088/800
devised: 2022-11-01
notes:
  This dance was written when the idea of bars 1-8 into bars 9-16 came to me and was named for how the squirrels in our yard love the pumpkins we have left over from Halloween decorations and climb into them to eat them.


created: 1997-08-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-19 02:36:51.433736+00
name: Christmas Tree, The
ucname: CHRISTMAS TREE
intensity_bars: 8000/8800/8800/8000/4444/4444
notes:
  A Dance devised at the KIRKWHELPINGTON CLASS. teacher Mrs M. Barlow. (possibly <<ddp:#528>>?).  

  This dance describes a Christmas tree as follows:  
  1- 8: Tinsel on the tree  
  9-16: Star on top of the tree  
  17-24: The baubles on the tree  
  25-32: The trunk of the tree  
  33-48: The strings of lights going round the tree.  

  DON'T LET GO OR THE LlGHfS WILL GO OUT!


created: 2003-10-30 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-16 08:40:32.645707+00
name: Verl Girl, The
ucname: VERL GIRL
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888
notes:
  This dance was written for Birgit Röhricht, teacher of the small but enthousiastic group in Bielefeld and keeper of Samson, a very nice bear.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-16 21:36:02.565089+00
name: Jacobite Sword Dance, The
ucname: JACOBITE SWORD DANCE
notes:
  This is a Highland-style sword dance for two dancers. It consists of 3 steps in strathspey tempo (16 bars each, with the 3rd step being repeated, for a total of 64 bars) and one reel step (40 bars).  March music is stipulated to enter and exit.  
  The dance was collected and revived by Mrs MacNab in Ontario, Canada, in 1917.  It was published in 1961 in a leaflet by her niece Mrs Elizabeth Sutorius for her aunt.


created: 1998-10-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-16 23:15:31.261277+00
name: Key to the Door, The
ucname: KEY TO THE DOOR
intensity_bars: 80800/82842/88888/84884/84884/80800
devised: 1966-01-01
notes:
  Excerpt from the original dance sheet: "Weirdlaw Scottish Country Dance Sheet No 1. / (...) "The Key to the Door" was devised by Iain Boyd to celebrate the coming of age of Mr Robert Brady in April, 1966. (...)"


created: 1997-09-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-17 11:33:26.389541+00
name: Saint Margaret's Hill
ucname: SAINT MARGARETS HILL
devised: 1710-01-01
notes:
  In <<ddp:Mitchell, John W#270>>'s <<ddp:Whetherley Book 24#474|Whetherley Book 24>> the date of this dance is given as 1610 from The Dancing Master (Playford). However it does not appear in the first edition of that and <<http://playforddances.com/dances-2-3/st-margarets-hill/>> gives the date as 1710. So this entry is now changed to that later date.


created: 2022-12-18 01:34:45.171602+00
last_modified: 2022-12-18 02:06:00.01505+00
name: Families Together
ucname: FAMILIES TOGETHER
intensity_bars: 888/888/448/888
devised: 2022-11-01
notes:
  I really like the reel in Eileen Watt's reel and wanted to try something similar in strathspey time. This dance was written around Thanksgiving and a dancer in the class suggested a title similar to the one I chose.


created: 2022-12-18 01:13:07.147092+00
last_modified: 2022-12-18 01:17:15.126453+00
name: Thanksgiving Kindness
ucname: THANKSGIVING KINDNESS
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/648
devised: 2022-11-01
notes:
  We had planned to visit my family for the first time in years and at the last minute things got cancelled when the sister who was to host everything called to say she had a ringworm infestation (new kitten) and couldn't have people at her house. A friend who learned about this insisted on providing us with a cornucopia of food for our Thanksgiving.


created: 2001-05-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-03-17 13:51:37.280798+00
name: Passing Place
ucname: PASSING PLACE
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8008/8888
devised: 1995-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Charles Snowdon on the Isle of Skye in celebration of the one-way roads with numerous passing places.


created: 2023-01-05 12:32:36.370967+00
last_modified: 2026-08-02 20:30:38.627929+00
name: Tears at Niagara
ucname: TEARS AT NIAGARA
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/800
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  > For many, many years we have been homestay ‘parents’ hosting
  > more than one hundred international students.
  > Many remain in touch with us, and some have visited again.
  > Marcio, from Brazil, returned with his wife for a visit.
  > I took them to Niagara Falls, and upon seeing the Falls,
  > his wife Patricia, was overcome with emotion and burst into tears.


created: 2023-01-05 12:37:31.041921+00
last_modified: 2026-08-02 22:19:06.78661+00
name: Two Taysides, The
ucname: TWO TAYSIDES
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  > Dedicated to the dancers in my two Tayside SCD groups (morning and evening classes)
  > that I currently teach in the East York area of Toronto.


created: 2022-12-18 02:09:30.377368+00
last_modified: 2022-12-18 02:15:02.142073+00
name: Promen-all
ucname: PROMENALL
devised: 2022-11-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance as a teaching dance. We'd been working on rights and lefts and figures of 8 and wanted to introduce promenade. I couldn't find a dance in any tempo that covered all three figures, so I wrote this dance.


created: 2011-08-26 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-18 16:45:06.997602+00
name: Netherhall
ucname: NETHERHALL
intensity_bars: 848/888/880/880
notes:
  The booklet states: "Netherhall is in Kirkcubrightshire where a group of us spent several happy holidays."


created: 2002-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-18 21:31:03.532756+00
name: Ladies of Pont Street, The
ucname: LADIES OF PONT STREET
notes:
  The author states: "This dance was devised for the partners at Pont Street who have been kind enough to dance with me. Before entering the pick-up chain 2nd and 1st couple can swing a little longer than four bars but they must be ready to enter chain when due."


created: 2002-11-24 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-19 16:40:33.603403+00
name: Cruachan
ucname: CRUACHAN
intensity_bars: 4444/8080/0808/8888/8888/4444/8080/0808
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  Deep within Ben Cruachan is a pumped storage hydro-electric power station.  

  This dance may be interpreted as:  

  - Strathspey - Water being pumped from Loch Awe up to Cruachan reservoir.  
  - Reel - Water rushing back down and producing electricity.


created: 2016-06-26 17:09:22.934264+00
last_modified: 2022-12-19 16:25:39.444319+00
name: Hill at the Top, The
ucname: HILL AT THE TOP
devised: 2010-11-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Judy Hili who became President of Alderley and District Caledonian Society in 20JO.  

  It was first danced at the Alderley and District Caledonian Society St Andrews Ceiltdh on 30lh November 2010.


created: 2002-10-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-19 20:40:31.943222+00
name: Mrs May Anderson
ucname: MRS MAY ANDERSON
intensity_bars: 800 880 844 808
notes:
  Alasdair Graham owns a framed original, previously owned by May Anderson. It states: "The dance was written to commemorate the retiral of Mrs May Anderson as teacher of the St James' Church Country Dance Club after 40 years. The dance was devised by Eileen Miller."


created: 2022-12-20 11:01:05.213686+00
last_modified: 2022-12-20 14:58:59.549563+00
name: Viennese Swing
ucname: VIENNESE SWING
devised: 1973-01-01
notes:
  CD notes it is usually attributed to Tony and Denise Dyer with a date of 1973, however the Dyers don't recall the dance and doubt they composed it on stylistic grounds.
  A video that can't be embedded on our "video" section can be found at  <<https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1635738579860364>>


created: 1998-12-19 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-31 16:26:19.062654+00
name: Scottish Lilt, The
ucname: SCOTTISH LILT
notes:
  Solo Highland man/ woman dance for 8 steps in 9/8 jig. According to D. G. MacLennan in Highland and Traditional Scottish Dances (1950), it originated in Perthshire after 1746. For competitive purposes the dance is usually danced to a completely different tune, a retreat march (also in 9/8 time, but not a jig) called <<ddt:Battle of the Somme#6343>>, by P/M Willie Lawrie.


created: 2022-12-15 09:47:40.286396+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 11:05:32.30162+00
name: Spritz at Marostica Square
ucname: SPRITZ AT MAROSTICA SQUARE
devised: 2022-12-01
notes:
  This dance was writtten to celebrate Scotia Shores 20th Anniversary in 2020. The Scotia Shores group, which is based in Marostica, was cofounder of the RSCDS Northern Italy Branch.


created: 1997-08-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 13:06:28.855724+00
name: Kynoch of Bucksburn
ucname: KYNOCH OF BUCKSBURN
intensity_bars: 811/833/833/888
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for the 40th Wedding Anniversary, in September 1993, of Jim and Kathleen Kynoch, who came from Bucksburn but now live in Toronto".


created: 2001-07-18 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-06-05 15:04:54.4524+00
name: Ladebraes Jig
ucname: LADEBRAES JIG
devised: 1973-01-01
notes:
  The recommended recording is actually a reel, due to the few LP's available to the devisor at the time. Devised on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the The Hague Branch in 1973. The dance was named after the well known "Lover's Walk" alongside the Ladebraes in St Andrews.


created: 2022-12-19 15:20:19.208191+00
last_modified: 2025-03-27 09:37:31.059237+00
name: Norma's Garden
ucname: NORMAS GARDEN
intensity_bars: 880/808/888/888
devised: 2002-06-30
notes:
  Devised for the 46th wedding anniversary of Norma and Michael Briggs, June 30, 2002.  

  >On 22 March 2025, Nancy McClements, Chairman of the *Madison Scottish Country Dancers* wrote about *Norma's Garden*: "I asked a number of our older dancers about this, and our best guess is that it was written by Norma's husband, <</dd/person/1862|Michael Briggs>>.  
  >It's possible that Michael wrote it with some input from others, and perhaps that's why he didn't want to claim it. But since we can't ask him, let's give him the credit."


created: 2026-03-10 12:30:23.768083+00
last_modified: 2026-03-10 12:45:18.874063+00
name: Ingrid and Yoshi
ucname: INGRID AND YOSHI
intensity_bars: 800/880/888/844
devised: 2026-01-01
notes:
  Yoshi sent a couple of dances for us to try that he had submitted to the Atlanta 50th Anniversary Book and which reflect his love and respect for Ingrid Kendall, a stalwart original member of the Chicago Branch. I was inspired to write this dance for Yoshi.


created: 2011-07-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-20 23:05:48.12526+00
name: Broadway
ucname: BROADWAY
intensity_bars: 800/866/866/888
devised: 2003-08-01
notes:
  I decided to give the name Broadway to this dance, as this famous street cuts diagonally through much of New York City.

  Music: I originally stated 'Any good tune' but later I learned that a band in California was using 'Give My Regards to Broadway' - for obvious reasons. I therefore asked Marian Anderson to use that tune when she made the Sunday Class Book 2 recording.

  Original dance description placed here with the approval of the author
  1-8::
    1st couple taking nearer hands dance down the centre for two bars, turn once round with both hands, dance up with nearer hands joined and cast to second place on own side. 2nd couple step up on bars 7 and 8.
  9-12::
    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set and link for three.  Dancers finish in two lines across the set.
  13-16::
    Half diagonal rights and lefts: 1st man and 2nd woman, and 3rd man and 1st woman, change on the diagonal to begin. Finish in lines across the set, women at the top facing down, men at the bottom facing up.  2nd couple are on men’s side, 3rd couple on women’s side, 1st couple in the middle.  
  17–20::
    Set and link for three.
  21-24::
    Half diagonal rights and lefts: Again, 1st man and 2nd woman, and 3rd man and 1st woman, change on the diagonal to begin.  All finish on opposite side, in order 3, 1, 2.
  25-32::
    3rd, 1st and 2nd couples set, half turn and twirl* with partner, and set.  Finish on own side in order 3,1,2.

  Repeat from new places.

  Note: The figure on bars 9 to 24 is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance.  The dancers on the left hand end of the line in set and link for three are the dancers who stand still during half diagonal rights and lefts. The remaining dancers flow into half diagonal rights and lefts. To begin, they look diagonally to their left. (Rule: If there’s no-one diagonally to your left, don’t move!)  
    
  *Half turn and twirl:  
  Bars 1-2:  Half turn with right hand and remain momentarily face-to-face in middle of set  
  Bars 3-4:  Pulling right shoulder back, dance out to place.    


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-21 10:25:40.970544+00
name: Joan Warren's Medley
ucname: JOAN WARRENS MEDLEY
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/1570/>> 


created: 1998-10-31 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-21 13:40:16.900589+00
name: Arthur's Seat
ucname: ARTHURS SEAT
intensity_bars: 860/806/800/822
notes:
  Opinions differ on the last two bars of this dance (petronella or turn right hand). For detailed discussions of interpretations of historical sources see the following strathspey mailing list threads:
  <<sspey-thread:70706>>,
  <<sspey-thread:69473>>,
  <<sspey-thread:69471>>,
  <<sspey-thread:37481>>.
  The dance is attributed to Jack McConachie on the basis that his changes from the original are effectively a new dance.


created: 2023-01-04 11:33:59.179282+00
last_modified: 2023-01-04 11:37:19.948416+00
name: John Rice's Gift No 1: The Reel
ucname: JOHN RICES GIFT NO 1 THE REEL
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  The "devised" entry is an estimation. The deviser notes she could dance again from January 2015 on after her surgery, and the tune to the dance was composed in early 2016.


created: 2022-12-20 23:20:45.348759+00
last_modified: 2023-04-12 12:50:54.966112+00
name: 111100
ucname: 111100
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/4884/8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2022-12-01
notes:
  A present for <<ddp:Gräff, Zoltán#3661>> on the occasion of his birthday (111100 is 60 in binary).

  The progression is (5x,4x,1x,6,3,2) after the strathspey section and (3,6,5,2x,1x,4x) including the jig section if keeping the same numbering throughout.

  A recording of suitable music for the dance is available via the online source page <<http://www.bstk.hu/dances/111100/>>


created: 1999-08-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-09-03 20:45:05.312476+00
name: McLaine of Lochbuie
ucname: MACLAINE OF LOCHBUIE
notes:
  In <<link:thethistle/33||2>> this dance is also given an alternative title “McLaine's Hogmanay” which is added as an alias.


created: 1998-10-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-09-14 09:45:41.384148+00
name: Eva Three Step
ucname: EVA THREE STEP
devised: 1904-01-01
notes:
  Neither steps nor the music are anywhere near SCD style (nonetheless its an adopted RSCDS dance for which they made a video). According to the CD inlet of Glencraig's "Are Ye Dancing'?", the dance was named after the deviser's daughter Eva.


created: 2022-04-02 18:38:30.577088+00
last_modified: 2024-06-02 15:45:50.072216+00
name: Mercury Men
ucname: MERCURY MEN
notes:
  A dance and tune for those native to Mercury on meeting their visitors from Earth in Edwin Morgan's poem, *<<https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/first-men-mercury/|The First Men on Mercury>>*.
  The dance is complex and involves dancers in the unconventional feature in Country dancing of couples changing sides as the dance progresses. This reflects the way that the men arriving on Mercury and the inhabitants adopt each other's language and become increasingly difficult to disentangle.
  The tune is named after the aliens' initial greeting and has a simple theme, which becomes gradually altered and more complicated. As Morgan concludes, "but nothing is ever the same, now is it?"


created: 2023-01-05 11:46:49.397609+00
last_modified: 2026-07-31 20:54:48.536483+00
name: Lifelong Friends
ucname: LIFELONG FRIENDS
devised: 2020-01-01
notes:
  > Dedicated to Joan Bulger, long time member of the
  > Toronto Branch, whom we met in 1980 at dancing events,
  > and became lifelong friends for the next 40 years. SCD
  > has resulted in many lifelong friends throughout the world.


created: 2023-01-05 11:49:21.146513+00
last_modified: 2026-08-02 16:19:27.526886+00
name: Memories of York
ucname: MEMORIES OF YORK
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  > The first class that I formed and taught consisted of about
  > forty absolute beginners. It was gratifying to watch them
  > progress over the years into a group that wasn’t afraid to
  > try new things. The class was located in York, now a part
  > of the city of Toronto, in York Memorial Presbyterian
  > Church. Their shield was designed by me and painted by
  > Viola Steele


created: 2023-01-05 11:56:29.801937+00
last_modified: 2026-08-02 20:10:14.219101+00
name: Roses of Duthie Park
ucname: ROSES OF DUTHIE PARK
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  > A reminder of my time spent at the University of Aberdeen where I started Scottish Country
  > Dancing, and the beautiful rose gardens found throughout the city. While there, I took private
  > Scottish dance lessons from the renowned Highland dance teacher Bobby Watson.


created: 2002-11-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-22 18:22:17.285806+00
name: Bride's Favourite, The
ucname: BRIDES FAVOURITE
devised: 1976-01-01
notes:
  This dance was composed for the original music “The Bride’s Favourite” by Steeleye Span on the album “Below the Salt”, CYL 34716 - “Jigs (2009 remaster)”.

  This dance has been through a number of changes. The original version was for 2 couples (see <<ddd:Bride's Favourite (V1), The#11974>>). This was later changed to be a 3 couple dance first published in <<ddpub:Weird But Wonderful#848>>. The first 16 bars of the original 3 couple version were:  
  1-8: 1c+2c circle 4H round & back  
  9-16: RSh Reels of 3 on sides  
  17-24: 1c lead down for 3, up for 3 & cast off  
  25-32: 1c+3c RHA; 2c+1c LHA  

  In 2020 that was radically changed to the current version starting with 1st couple dancing figure of 8 round 2nd couple and then into mirror reels on the sides.

  In the notes for the dance the deviser describes its origin as follows:

  *In 1976, during the holidays, I enjoyed having a morning bath and playing music loudly so that I could lie back and listen in a relaxed but concentrated way.  On one such day I was listening to “Below the Salt” and suddenly realised that the track I was listening to was going in eight bar phrases.  No-one else was home so I rushed through to the stereo dripping water everywhere, started that track again, puddled back to the bath,  topped it up with a bit more hot water and lay back to check on the phrasing, count how many phrases in each tune and how many tunes made up the whole piece.  After several more trips through to the stereo and top-ups I had it – 32 bar tunes and 6 of them.  Such evocative music needed a dance to increase the pleasure, so here it is!*


created: 2006-05-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-22 18:22:56.42458+00
name: Candy Floss
ucname: CANDY FLOSS
intensity_bars: 880/800/844/866
devised: 1998-01-01
notes:
  This dance was originally composed as a simple strathspey to teach Corners followed by Left Shoulder Reels of Three for 6 bars danced to the music of Sugar Candie .


created: 2002-10-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-22 18:25:15.495257+00
name: Dianne Murdoch's Promenade
ucname: DIANNE MURDOCHS PROMENADE
notes:
  Ruary writes: 
  Turn partner RH and back LH 
  Men dance round their partner and back 
  Ladies dance their partner and back 
  All couples promenade round the room


created: 2002-10-23 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-22 18:28:13.220125+00
name: May Johnston's Reel
ucname: MAY JOHNSTONS REEL
notes:
  Ruary writes:  
  All the men cross Rsh and cast down back to place 
  All turn their partner R and L 
  All the ladies cross Rsh and cast up back to place 
  4th couple cast followed by the other 3 cpls. All turn RH 
  1st cpl cast off to the bottom and turn RH
  [this seems incomplete.  EricF]


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-09 23:34:16.54232+00
name: Waves of Tory, The
ucname: WAVES OF TORY
notes:
  Video 1 shows an "Instructional video from RSCDS archives" for this ceilidh dance, which seems to be the most common spread version in Scotland. The crib refers to this video. Can be danced as Reel or Jig, recordings for both versions exist.  
  There are Irish Ceili dances and English Country Dances with the same name; their descriptions and structure do not suit Scottish Country Dancing. Yet, you can encounter other SCD descriptions for that dance that are partially influenced by bits and pieces of the Irish or English version, and it may also be danced in a 4 couple set. It is not possible to feature all those variations. 


created: 2022-12-25 19:24:34.446119+00
last_modified: 2022-12-25 19:24:34.446119+00
name: Progressive Barn Dance
ucname: PROGRESSIVE BARN DANCE
notes:
  Essentially the first 8 bars of the Dunoon Barn Dance with a progression on bar 4 by advancing to next lady and not to partner.


created: 2022-12-25 22:48:57.241543+00
last_modified: 2022-12-25 22:48:57.241543+00
name: Lion Standard Quadrilles, The
ucname: LION STANDARD QUADRILLES
notes:
  (8 + 32×2 Jig) + (8 + 24×4 Reel) + (8 + 32×4 Jig) + (8 + 32×4 Jig) + (8 + 32×4 Reel) + (32×4 + 16 Jig)


created: 2009-11-08 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2022-12-26 12:19:26.812524+00
name: Gold and Silver
ucname: GOLD AND SILVER
intensity_bars: 866/866/844/666
notes:
  »Devised by Dale Birdsall, Shoreham, Vermont. The title, ›Gold and Silver,‹ was easy. The ›Gold‹ is the golden anniversary of the Teachers' Association (Canada) and the ›Silver‹ refers to the 25 years since I received my preliminary certificate and first joined the TAC. I am proud that my dance was included in this tribute to the great organization of teachers which has done so much to spread the joy of Scottish Country Dancing.«


created: 2011-12-01 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-04 22:35:05.240348+00
name: Wee Green Book, The
ucname: WEE GREEN BOOK
devised: 2009-04-01
notes:
  Source: "Pilling", Supplement to 8th Ed.  
  The cover of the "Green Book Set of SCD" names the deviser.


created: 2017-05-29 07:34:59.265646+00
last_modified: 2023-01-08 10:22:06.084558+00
name: Do Not Stop
ucname: DO NOT STOP
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/800
devised: 2017-01-01
notes:
  'This dance was written in 2017 after Spring Fling and Spring School (in Kazan) when, sadly, I had to go back to the working routine. At work I ached with the feeling of sudden “stop”: why am I not hurrying anywhere, not dancing? My wish to keep going at last turned into this dance, where the main idea is – “Go ahead, do not stop!”  
  The combination of RHA and LHA in the dance came to me when I thought of Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test – for me the process of learning or devising new dance looks rather similar to working on that test.'


  No tune is recommended but the video uses the recording <<ddrec:Black Dance, The#5799>> by <<ddp:Bobby Brown and The Scottish Accent#3067>>.


created: 2016-10-19 21:24:17.282367+00
last_modified: 2023-01-07 12:31:41.350431+00
name: Puggy, The
ucname: PUGGY
intensity_bars: 8888/8000/8888/8888
notes:
  There are some variants of this dance suggested by the devisor:
  - The Puggy 1a: uses circles 8-hands round and back on bars 1-8 and 17-24.
  - The Puggy 1b: if danced with 3 couples, the circles are 6-hands round and back on bars 1-8 and 17-24.
  - The Puggy 2: uses circles 4-hands round and back on bars 1-8 and 17-24 for the top two and bottom two couples, respectively.

  (rf. <<http://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/puggy.html|The Puggy 1>> and <<http://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/puggy-2.html|The Puggy 2>> at the Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary)

  The Puggy was the nickname of the steam­driven, 0-4-0 locomotives used for shunting and short­haul work in many industrial locations (notably distilleries and shipyards) in Scotland.
  Bars 1-8 represent the driving wheels starting and reversing;
  in bars 9-16, the puggy is moving around the goods yard;
  bars 17-24 represent the driving wheels starting and reversing again;
  in bars 25-32, the puggy takes three trucks around the goods yard and shunts them back into the siding.

  (Source: <<http://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/puggy.html|Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary>>)


created: 1997-09-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-07 12:51:17.295062+00
name: Peggy McGhie's Reel
ucname: PEGGY MACGHIES REEL
devised: 1988-02-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For my mother". Originally devised in January 1987 and updated in February 1988.

  This was previously wrongly spelled in the database as "Peggie" rather than "Peggy". This is now corrected but the former is kept as a (mis)spelling alias.


created: 2023-01-12 15:19:18.629802+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 15:19:18.629802+00
name: Glengarry Waltz, The
ucname: GLENGARRY WALTZ
notes:
  W64+W32+W80+W32  
  The publication states: "It dates from the time of the Great War, and comes from Norway, having been composed by Norwegians who were very fond of the Scottish waltz tunes."


created: 2023-01-12 15:06:50.453492+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 15:06:50.453492+00
name: Dirk Dance, The
ucname: DIRK DANCE
notes:
  The linked publication states: "Colin Robertson commented in September 2018 The Dirk Dance was bought by Tom Flett who passed on to John Wesencraft who in turn passed the dance on to Jane Harrison, daughter of Tom and Joan Flett. The reason for all the passing on was that Mrs MacNab insisted that the dance should only ever be known by two living persons at any one time (Great way to preserve a Heritage). This was the agreement that Tom took with the dance, but when Tom died Joan did not feel obliged to maintain that agreement and published the dance in Traditional Step-Dancing In Scotland in 1996."


created: 2023-01-12 16:26:06.415457+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 16:26:06.415457+00
name: Weaving Lilt, A
ucname: WEAVING LILT
notes:
  Structure: Intro 4 bars; 76 bars fixed; an amount of bars needed (flexible)  
  The publication states: "(...) collected (...) from Lief Hansen, of central Canada. Mr. Hansen is of Norwegian descent."


created: 2023-01-12 16:27:47.286431+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 16:30:36.67725+00
name: Whirlygig
ucname: WHIRLYGIG
notes:
  Structure: 37 bars + whatever needed.  
  A dance for six men. The publication states: "(...) collected (...) from Hector MacPherson of Lochboisdale."


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-19 21:01:00.210284+00
name: Watergate Caper, The
ucname: WATERGATE CAPER
notes:
  Devised for Pinewoods in 1973. No further 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/1572/>>


created: 1998-01-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-19 21:59:02.343225+00
name: Royal Auction
ucname: ROYAL AUCTION
notes:
  Editor's note: *This dance was in honor of the memorable May Ball, 1981, in Sacramento when a dance with Jean Patrick was auctioned off to the highest bidder to help pay Ball expenses. She brought $47.51--sold to the Scot who added the final penny and claimed his dance. The dance is also a pleasant alternative to the named tune for Princess Royal--as recorded by the Berkeley Scottish Players.*


created: 2022-10-16 21:12:45.671007+00
last_modified: 2023-01-07 16:18:56.870818+00
name: Hutton's Unconformity
ucname: HUTTONS UNCONFORMITY
intensity_bars: 8400/8800/8888/8888
devised: 2022-06-01
notes:
  The dance starts with two chords.
  On the second chord 3rd woman and 4th man change places so that 1st and 2nd couples are facing their partner while 3rd and 4th couples are beside their partner.

  This dance commemorates James Hutton (1726-1797) one of Scotland's foremost scientists who is considered the founder of modern geology.
  He was one of the first to realise that weathering of rock formations showed the Earth was far older than was assumed at the time.
  Most famously he found several "unconformities" where strata of sedimentary rocks clearly overlaid older strata at a very different angle indicating that the older rocks must have been raised up from the sea bed, turned over so the strata were vertical, then sunk again and later covered with new sedimentary layers and raised up a second time.

  The cross, cast off and dance down figures indicate build up of the sedimentary layers (perhaps silt carried by rivers and falling to the sea floor).
  These are compressed when 1st and 2nd couples end closer together by bar 16 than at bar 9.
  The rock layers are turned in bars 17-24.
  The last figure has a hint of more sedimentation but is mainly oriented across at the top and up/down at the bottom like a typical unconformity.

  For more information about unconformities see <<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutton%27s_Unconformity>>. One of the notable unconformities in Scotland is on the island of Arran. See <<http://www.arrangeopark.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Walk_Leaflets/1.%20Hutton.pdf>> and <<https://www.scottishgeology.com/best-places/isle-of-arran/>>.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-10 11:29:22.727792+00
name: Kinnessburn Reel
ucname: KINNESSBURN REEL
intensity_bars: 800 888 888 888
notes:
  From the notes: "The Kinness will be familiar to those who have attended the R.S.C.D.S. Summer School as the burn which flows through St. Andrews."


created: 1997-09-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-10 19:30:01.612658+00
name: Jones Falls Jig, The
ucname: JONES FALLS JIG
intensity_bars: 822/888/833/833
notes:
  From the notes: "Devised on the 150th Anniversary of the Rideau Canal in Ontario, and presented at Jones Falls, on the Rideau, at the 5th Annual Jones Falls Weekend of the Ottawa Branch of the R.S.C.D.S."


created: 2023-01-12 15:13:39.101358+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 15:13:39.101358+00
name: Double Sword Dance
ucname: DOUBLE SWORD DANCE
notes:
  The publication states: "Scottish Dance Teacher's Alliance - Notes from December 1969: Double Sword Dance may not be attributed to Mary MacNab"  
  Structure of the dance: Intro + Strathspey + Reel


created: 2023-01-12 19:18:26.60219+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 19:29:28.032142+00
name: Shapinsay Polka
ucname: SHAPINSAY POLKA
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised for the St Magnus Festival, Orkney, 2003. First performed as part of the choreographic piece – Elements. 


created: 2023-01-12 19:33:12.022412+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 19:33:12.022412+00
name: Queen Mary Two Step
ucname: QUEEN MARY TWO STEP
devised: 2007-10-01
notes:
  Dance devised on board the Queen Mary 2 crossing the Atlantic from Southampton to New York and back with the Ian Muir Sound.


created: 2023-01-12 19:40:17.750884+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 19:40:17.750884+00
name: Loch Aineort Two Step
ucname: LOCH AINEORT TWO STEP
devised: 2019-07-01
notes:
  Inspired by, and dedicated to, the dancers of the Uists: Locheynort; St Peters, Daliburgh; Carinish, and beyond.


created: 2023-01-12 19:46:41.232852+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 19:46:41.232852+00
name: Piper's Schottische
ucname: PIPERS SCHOTTISCHE
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  Deviser states: "Piper’s Schottische is based on the aesthetic dance style of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. The dance was initially inspired by the Port-a-Beul: Hara Hibhi which is featured on Gillebride MacMillan’s album Air Forladh. It can however be danced to any good recording of the Highland Schottische."  
  Editor's note: not a typical Polka, but with Polka elements.


created: 1998-10-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-12 22:54:01.880134+00
name: Mississippi Dip
ucname: MISSISSIPPI DIP
notes:
  Ceilidh type dance, couples in ballroom hold, man with back to centre of room.  
  In 2/4 the dance has 32 bar phrases, in 4/4 count it has 16 bars. Each set of known instructions is slightly different, mainly in how to do the "dip", and whether the couples waltz or polka in certain sections.  
    
  Dance originally devised by Charles Wood. Collected by Nan Lawson.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-13 22:01:30.173607+00
name: Lady Louisa Macdonald Of Sleat
ucname: LADY LOUISA MACDONALD OF SLEAT
notes:
  The instructions specify 6 steps of 32 bars; in some steps the second 16 are optional. For step 2 a triangular pattern is specified, and for step 16 a square pattern, but in the Summer School 2001 demonstration all dancers dance solo without forming these patterns. This database entry is made for the demo version.


created: 2016-06-11 15:38:31.298988+00
last_modified: 2023-01-14 15:47:29.782616+00
name: Masters Of Art, The
ucname: MASTERS OF ART
intensity_bars: 886/888/888/848
devised: 2016-05-01
notes:
  Dedicated to Barrie Gabbott and Cos Ahmet, excellent teachers and practitioners of Art, with abiding thanks for being the leading lights of the London Gay Gordons for so many years.


created: 2023-01-12 19:36:31.747863+00
last_modified: 2025-01-04 20:50:38.146547+00
name: Lena of Boisdale's Waltz
ucname: LENA OF BOISDALES WALTZ
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  To Lena MacLellan of Boisdale in recognition for her work as a dance teacher in South Uist on the occasion of the St Peters Traditional Dance Club’s 20th Anniversary on 7 July 2018.


created: 1997-09-11 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-30 09:37:50.988395+00
name: Provost Skene's House
ucname: PROVOST SKENES HOUSE
notes:
  <<ddp:Conrad, Adrian#1276>> has kindly provided a summary of the instructions for this dance (from notes he made in the 1970s).


  *Extra info: Provost Skene’s House (with Skene pronounced “Skane”) is, according to Aberdeen City Council, “the oldest surviving townhouse in Aberdeen”, dating from 1545 but with many later additions and alterations. In 1940 it had been proposed to demolish the building but after a long public campaign, restoration began in 1951. This dance commemorates the public debate at that time, with the final long circling figure representing the final debate in the city council that led to the decision to restore the property.*

  **Strathspey**  
  *First figure (Bars 1-32)*  
  1-8: Starting to their diagonal right but curving to the left, all women dance in to meet in the centre linking RH (2bars), dance ½ RHA to end level with the opposite man (2 bars), then dance slowly (4 bars) anticlockwise (L Shldr) around that man into his partner’s place.  
  9-16: Starting to their diagonal left and curving to the right, all women meet again in the centre (2bars) for ½ LHA (2 bars), then dance more quickly through own places and clockwise (R Shldr) behind partner (2 bars), back towards the centre to meet but turning away to their right, out into places (2 bars).  
  17-32: Men repeat Bars 1-16 but mirror-image, i.e. start dancing to left and curving to right for ½ LHA, etc.  

  *Second figure (Bars 33-64)*  
  33-40:1s & 3s advance 2 steps to meet in centre, set, then turn facing person (e.g. 1M+3W) twice BH, with the two pairs separating slightly.  
  41-48: 2s & 4s advance NHJ under arches made by 1M+3W, 1W+3M (2bars), all with facing person NHJ dance out to corner places (i.e. at right angles to their approach to centre, e.g. 1M+3W to 2nd place, 2 bars), set to and change places RH with the person in own place (their corner, e.g. 1M & 2W).  
  49-64: Repeat the pattern of Bars 33-48 but with side couples (2s & 4s) advancing to start.  

  Clap for the change to reel time.

  **Reel**  
  *First figure (Bars 1-32)*  
  1-8: 1W+3W turn 1¾ with R elbow grip (4 bars) to face corners (4M & 2M), turn corners just over once round with L elbow grip (2bars, end in gap between own place and corner) and all turn partners just over once with R elbow grip to places (2 bars).  
   9-16: 2W+4W repeat Bars 1-8.  
  17-24: 1M+3M repeat Bars 1-8 but with a 2¼ R elbow grip turn in Bars 17-18 to face corners.  
  25-32: 2M+4M repeat Bars 17-24.  

  *Second figure (Bars 33-64)*  
  33-40: 1s & 3s with RHJ dance in to centre (2bars), with setting steps turn R about to face places (W under the raised R arms, 2 bars), dance back to places (2 bars), with setting steps turn L about (W under the raised R arms).  
  41-48: (In one bar) 1s & 3s dance in NHJ to form a double arch on the diagonal line running to the left of their places, all facing clockwise, 1L&3L joining RH in centre and making arches with partner, then (6 bars) rotate this double-arch formation about the centre of the set, one-eighth rotation each bar, and (1 bar) separate to places while 2s & 4s NHJ dance anticlockwise around set to places, passing under an arch of the 1s or 3s at the end of each odd bar.  
  49-56: 2s & 4s repeat Bars 33-40.  
  57-64: Similarly to Bars 41-48, 2s & 4s make a rotating line of arches but this time with 2M+4M joining LH in centre and the formation working anti-clockwise, while 1s & 3s NHJ dance clockwise around the set under the arches.  

  *Third figure (Bars 65-96)*  
  65-80: All women dance slow RHA continuously twice round in centre (2 bars per quarter-rotation), ending in places, while all men dance NHJ with the adjoinng woman 1/4 round (i.e. in a double wheel, 2 bars), then releasing hands, turn once R about with two setting steps (2 bars); repeat the 4-bar sequence three more times until back in own places.  
  81-96: Repeat Bars 66-80 but with roles reversed: all men dance slow LHA continuously twice round in centre while women alternate between accompaning men ¼ round NHJ (2 bars), and turning R about with setting (2 bars).  

  *Fourth figure (Bars 97-128)*  
  97-112: All circle to L (16 bars)  
  113-120: Continue circling (4 bars) but closing up until in a tight circle and stand with heads lowered (4 bars)  
  121-128: Resume circling, opening out to original circles, but on last bar dance in raising the still-linked hands, and call “Skene”.


created: 1997-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-14 21:44:02.748997+00
name: Itchenor Strathspey
ucname: ITCHENOR STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888/800/844/844
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for Dorothy Murray an indefatigable worker for good causes and Honorary Treasurer of West Wittering Reel Club."


created: 2002-03-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-17 11:49:24.136696+00
name: Entertainer, The
ucname: ENTERTAINER
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8884/8888
notes:
  Devised in honour of Hugh Reekie on the 25th Anniversary of the entertainment Group of the RSCDS Ottawa Branch. Deviser states: "Music: The Blue Mess Jacket or other suitable strathspey" which seems to point to a recording, not a tune. 


created: 2003-03-19 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-18 16:50:32.090845+00
name: Skagits in Stockbridge
ucname: SKAGITS IN STOCKBRIDGE
intensity_bars: 8008/8448/8448/8888
devised: 2003-01-01
notes:
  The dance is dedicated to Leslie (nee Henderson) and Peter Hastings. Peter and Leslie got married on the 26th of March, 2001 in the company of members of the Skagit SCD group in Annacortes, WA, and held a ball in celebration on the 27th of June, 2002, in Cluny Church Hall, Edinburgh. At the time of the celebration they were living in Stockbridge in Edinburgh.

  This dance starts with two chords. On the 2nd chord 3rd and 4th couples cross to opposite side.

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


created: 2002-08-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-18 16:54:20.894769+00
name: Canonbie Ceilidh, A
ucname: CANONBIE CEILIDH
intensity_bars: 88 80 08 88 88
devised: 1996-01-01
notes:
  This dance was devised for Hazel Easey and James Williams and presented to them on the occasion of their wedding in Canonbie, Dumfriesshire on August 24th, 1996.  © Caroline Bradshaw and Ian Brockbank, May 1996   Originally published in the New Scotland 50th Anniversary book of dances.

  Bars 29-32 modified 1999 to stop the men overextending their arms in the arches.  In a private message the devisers wrote:

  The original version has the men in the centre on 29-32 instead of the ladies.  This means that they are trying to move out while making arches, which means the circle has to expand, and something has to give, which makes it difficult.  With the ladies in the centre, the men are moving in, and the arches are shrinking instead.

  The link to the original description has been removed to avoid perpetuating the obsolete text.


created: 1997-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-20 19:26:55.585035+00
name: Guid To Ken Ye
ucname: GUID TO KEN YE
notes:
  The deviser writes that "I wrote this dance so dancers could meet more folk - namely three couples instead of the usual one with each repetition of the dance."


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-17 12:16:25.356813+00
name: Craig Mhor
ucname: CRAIG MHOR
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 1983-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for David Eastwood who, in 1983, was living in a house called "Craig Mhor" in Bucksburn, Aberdeen."


created: 2019-05-11 12:40:36.365254+00
last_modified: 2024-10-02 14:56:10.716772+00
name: World Wide Web, The
ucname: WORLD WIDE WEB
intensity_bars: 86684/88888/88888/88888
devised: 2013-01-01
notes:
  This demonstration dance is intended as a homage to the wonder of the modern world and contains various W-like formations and a sequence of set and link figures in reference to the network of hyperlinks that comprise the web. The final circle might be viewed as representing the world (in elliptical projection).


created: 2015-05-01 13:50:29.607682+00
last_modified: 2023-01-19 23:13:01.253291+00
name: Wye Valley Strathspey
ucname: WYE VALLEY STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 444/12,12,12/444/440/044/404/repeat
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  A 64 bar strathspey in two 32 bar parts for three couples in a 'Y' shaped triangular set.

  The database editors' copy of "Tom's Book" looks like an original, but still this dance has an erroneous description: there is no progression.  That is why no correct e-crib could be made.


created: 1997-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-20 11:10:30.856695+00
name: Island Fling, The
ucname: ISLAND FLING
devised: 1980-09-01
notes:
  The dance is dedicated with compliments to Betty and David Grant of the George C. Armstrong group, who held "The Island Fling" annually at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto Island.


created: 2015-09-20 15:15:22.693369+00
last_modified: 2023-01-19 12:40:04.673466+00
name: Cariboo Capers
ucname: CARIBOO CAPERS
intensity_bars: 868/888/888/800
notes:
  From the notes: This dance is dedicated to my new multi-generational family home on Cariboo Crescent. Here I've experienced the joy, excitement and laughter of being a parent and a grandparent all at once. This has become my third home which perhaps makes it, and myself, "three times lucky."


created: 2023-03-21 09:09:54.303865+00
last_modified: 2023-03-21 09:11:32.406126+00
name: Wind's Twelve Quarters, The
ucname: WINDS TWELVE QUARTERS
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  The title comes from A. E. Housman’s poem “A Shropshire Lad.” Each dancer goes to all the points of the compass in the course of the dance.


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-19 13:46:10.554792+00
name: Fiona's Wedding
ucname: FIONAS WEDDING
notes:
  The publication states: "Recommended tune: Fiona's Wedding (...) This dance was devised to fit the recording of Fiona's Wedding which has a four bar introduction, 72 bars of vocal and a two bar coda."


created: 1997-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-20 19:39:47.254711+00
name: Green Mountain Jig, The
ucname: GREEN MOUNTAIN JIG
notes:
  The dance, like Vermont's Green Mountains, is interesting without being particularly rugged.  The only occasionally troublesome point is that second man and second lady must remember to step up on bars 3-4 and 7-8 respectively.


created: 1997-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-20 12:15:29.39502+00
name: Hamish McThistle
ucname: HAMISH MACTHISTLE
notes:
  According to the notes "Hamish McThistle is the name given to the figure of a dancing thistle, which is the emblem of the Colleges Club in Newcastle."


created: 2005-05-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-20 22:15:56.132549+00
name: La Salle Causeway, The
ucname: SALLE CAUSEWAY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8282/8888/8888
devised: 2005-04-01
notes:
  Devised by Evalyn Eder in April 2005 and first published in The Seventh Martello Tower Book of Dances. Modified in March 2007 ("Madoma" version). The Madoma version reflected here is 4x48; the Martello version supposedly had 4x40 bars. Hence this dance is linked to different recordings for these two versions.  
  The Madoma version states: "May be danced to: Solway Reel." The editors think this refers to the recording, not a tune.

  The La Salle Causeway is the main crossing from Kingston across the Cataraqui River towards the previous Pittsburgh Township and Gananoque.


created: 2023-01-20 23:25:09.70253+00
last_modified: 2023-01-20 23:25:09.70253+00
name: King of Hearts
ucname: KING OF HEARTS
notes:
  Source youtube video: <<https://youtu.be/vc0134ml4Vw>>.

  Although this can be a standard 3 couple dance in a 4 couple set, the video also shows alternative versions with the 4th couple also active, either in 4th place or 1st place (for the dancing couple's repeat). These variations are referred to as "King of Hearts (with Jokers)".


created: 2023-01-23 16:53:48.320455+00
last_modified: 2023-01-23 18:22:42.949007+00
name: Finding Jo
ucname: FINDING JO
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/880
devised: 2022-10-01
notes:
  “When I was a little girl living in England, my parents adopted a black and white kitten from a local farm. My mother named her Josephine, after her favorite aunt, and we all called her Jo. From her earliest days, Jo had an uncanny ability to secrete herself in all manner of hidden places. Whenever my father couldn’t locate Jo, he would organize family search parties to help him find her.  

  “In the dance, my father and I set off to look for Jo. He searches the upstairs (2nd couples’ position) and I search the basement (3rd couple’s position). When we still can’t find her—and since each of us privately thinks that the other simply didn’t look in the right spot—we switch places. At last Jo is discovered—but by whom, I cannot say. My entire family celebrates by dancing the final figure.”


created: 2018-06-03 14:54:33.947535+00
last_modified: 2023-01-25 12:52:49.925626+00
name: Pat Houghton's Reel
ucname: PAT HOUGHTONS REEL
notes:
  Dance was devised by David Carter (CSCDS Inc.) for Pat Houghton who was David’s Demonstration teacher at Summer School.


created: 2023-01-25 13:39:31.447967+00
last_modified: 2024-06-01 07:11:07.943295+00
name: Jordanhill
ucname: JORDANHILL
intensity_bars: 888/888/822/844
notes:
  Jordanhill College was one of the teacher training establishments in Scotland. Miss Milligan
  taught there for a number of years, retiring in 1948. Some of the students she instructed in
  Physical Education became known as ‘Miss Milligan’s Boys’


created: 2023-01-25 13:14:23.873078+00
last_modified: 2024-09-10 10:34:22.069541+00
name: Glasgow City Strathspey
ucname: GLASGOW CITY STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/888
notes:
  Deviser's note: "Written for the vibrant city, which for more than 50 years of my life, has never been far from my home”.


created: 2023-01-25 12:40:18.329239+00
last_modified: 2023-01-25 15:11:56.460067+00
name: Seeing Stars
ucname: SEEING STARS
intensity_bars: 80800/08080/80800/82842/80800
notes:
  Eilidh was helping candidates prepare for their Unit 2 examination in Glasgow and could see
  the Advanced Class, on the other side of the hall, working on setting steps, which made her
  think of star formations.


created: 2002-03-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-09 11:55:19.711209+00
name: Far Cuillins, The
ucname: FAR CUILLINS
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For The Clan MacLeod Dancers of California."

  Note on bars 17-24.

  This is what we called the ``angel setting''. First you make sure you are dancing with someone you like!

  The men are behind their partners taking both hands, with both hands joined both beginning facing corners, hands about shoulder height.

  The men should be pretty close to their partners. You then dance hello-goodbye setting, remaining in this position throughout.  The men must go further each time, with more drive, else it it does not work. Staying close together helps a lot.


created: 2023-01-25 13:56:52.253931+00
last_modified: 2023-01-26 09:43:09.959811+00
name: Change of Pace, A
ucname: CHANGE OF PACE
intensity_bars: 8888/6666/4844/4488
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  Deviser’s note: "This dance was devised in the autumn of 2021 when my twin sister, Judith, and I retired from work, thus offering us the opportunity to have a change of pace! We are inspired by our parents, who still lead an active lifestyle."


created: 2023-01-25 14:58:32.085675+00
last_modified: 2023-01-28 11:15:51.102959+00
name: In Celebration of Glasgow Branch
ucname: IN CELEBRATION OF GLASGOW BRANCH
intensity_bars: 880/844/844/888
notes:
  This dance was devised to convey the joy, pleasure and teamwork that dancing brings. The last 10
  bars depict ‘100’, a fantastic milestone for Glasgow Branch.


created: 1997-09-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-12 16:22:44.643522+00
name: Dandies' Reel, The
ucname: DANDIES REEL
notes:
  The dance was originally published in RSCDS Leeds 10th Anniversary Book.

  Dandies is a crofter’s cottage in Uyeasound, Unst, Shetland, where part of the Peter’s family lived. Kirkstall Road (the name of the principle tune) is where the original Leeds Branch classes started in 1962.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-01-29 19:42:54.043397+00
name: Neaps an' Haggis
ucname: NEAPS AN HAGGIS
intensity_bars: 84/78/88/48
devised: 1967-01-01
notes:
  Incribed to Miss M. Lilly, of Whitehaven.

  Drewry writes in a footnote to bars 15-16 (representing the haggis): "Obviously the common right-handed Haggis (Haggis Normalis), which lives mainly on Lilly leaves and neaps. It is quite distinct from the rare left-handed Haggis (Haggis Widdershinsia), which was last seen on the Witches' Step in Arran."


created: 2012-05-08 21:11:08.604637+00
last_modified: 2023-02-02 20:37:13.788864+00
name: Surrey Medley
ucname: SURREY MEDLEY
intensity_bars: 8008/8888/8888/8008
devised: 2001-10-01
notes:
  Twice through in Strathspey time, then twice in Jig time.

  Devised for students at Surrey University while lecturing and examining the MSc postgraduate course in Bridge Engineering.

  Description:
  Bars	Description

  1-8	  1s and 4s cross right hand and cast one place towards the middle (2s step up and 3s step down on bars 3 and 4) and dance a half figure of eight through the end couples. (2143)

  9-16	  With 1s facing 2s and 4s facing 3s all dance a right shoulder reel of four on the sides. (2143)

  17-24	  2s with 1s and 4s with 3s dance four hands round to the left and back again. (2143)

  25-32	  1s and 4s (middle couples) dance half rights and lefts across.  1s and 4s set and cross right hand back to own side. (2413)

  Repeat once more in Strathspey time from new positions.

  All four couples clap and repeat twice more in Jig time.


created: 2023-01-29 20:00:22.69409+00
last_modified: 2024-10-02 15:29:31.643204+00
name: D and D Side Caledonians, The
ucname: D AND D SIDE CALEDONIANS
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2022-12-01
notes:
  The "D and D Side" are the MiniCrib team consisting of David Haynes and Diana Dainton. Since 2013 they have continued the work originally started in the 1990s by Charles Upton of the Deeside Caledonian Society. Together they have provided thousands of new cribs for the benefit of the SCD community and have also been diligently revising older ones. Thank you!


created: 2023-01-25 12:25:43.312787+00
last_modified: 2024-06-11 19:35:25.789468+00
name: Centenary Jig
ucname: CENTENARY JIG
intensity_bars: 800/844/822/888
notes:
  Written for the centenary of Glasgow Branch of the RSCDS – the first Branch that Anne joined –
  and dedicated to two Glasgow Branch teachers, Johan MacLean, who tutored her for her
  preliminary certificate at Jordanhill and George Lawson who tutored her for the SCD teaching
  certificates in the 1980s.


created: 2023-01-25 13:47:17.204585+00
last_modified: 2025-05-14 07:36:41.9673+00
name: Manual Memories
ucname: MANUAL MEMORIES
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
notes:
  Deviser’s note: “During a very busy time dancing in Glasgow, with competitions and examination preparation for multiple units – I guess I had a lot of dancing on my mind because this dance just came to me in my sleep.”


created: 2001-06-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-03 13:30:43.819206+00
name: Tyneside Tribute to Ian Thow, A
ucname: TYNESIDE TRIBUTE TO IAN THOW
devised: 1993-03-25
notes:
  Inscribed "to Ian Thow with thanks for his many years of music making for the Branch; the first figure and the 'cauld kail' setting are references to his Aberdeen connections."


created: 1997-09-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-04 16:08:34.830701+00
name: Miss Russell's Rant
ucname: MISS RUSSELLS RANT
intensity_bars: 800/844/884/840
devised: 1992-01-01
notes:
  Dedicated to the late Miss Edna Russell, Chairman of the Scottish Dance Branch of the ISTD for most of the 20 years to 1986.


created: 1998-07-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-11 19:25:42.908355+00
name: Ashcroft
ucname: ASHCROFT
intensity_bars: 6446/6446/8888/8448
notes:
  Inscribed "This dance was written for Cynthia Wardley who lived at 'Ashcroft 'and In whose garden many 'last classes' In June have been enJoyed."


created: 1997-09-01 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-10 14:35:26.573074+00
name: Dornie Strathspey
ucname: DORNIE STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888 404 888 888
notes:
  The notes say that "Dornie lies at the point where three lochs meet, Loch Long, Loch Aish and Loch Duich. The dance represents the meeting of the waters, the middle 16 bars Eilean Donan Castle and the last 8 bars the water moving under the bridges up to the castle."


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-10 14:43:17.8943+00
name: Donna's Diamonds
ucname: DONNAS DIAMONDS
notes:
  From the notes: "Dedicated to Donna Wilson who dances 'Petronella Diamonds' with such obvious enjoyment.

  Most dances containing Petronella Diamonds either contain poussettes which require good pas-de-bas from both partners or more difficult formations, hence my reason for composing this little dance."


created: 1997-09-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-10 15:04:30.01541+00
name: Dr. Sally Hayes
ucname: DR SALLY HAYES
notes:
  The notes say that the dance "was written to acknowledge the kindness, gentleness, competence and unfailing good humour of the staff of Dixon Ward, St. Richards Hospital and named after the young doctor who was in charge of my case under the surgeon who operated.


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-10 15:18:23.236891+00
name: Devil's Point, The
ucname: DEVILS POINT
devised: 1981-01-01
notes:
  The notes say that "The Devil's Point (3303 ft.) is a conical peak formed of large, overlapping slabs of rock, which give it an inaccessible appearance when viewed from Glen Dee."


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-12 20:48:59.37669+00
name: Starkers Fell
ucname: STARKERS FELL
devised: 1994-06-01
notes:
  Inscribed "to all who walk alone".

  Drewry writes in the notes that "when two of the dancers at the Morland Week were walking near Ullswater, they met a solitary hiker. He wore a straw hat, a rucksack, climbing boots and nothing else! This dance is a light-hearted depiction of this incident and is not to be taken too seriously!"


created: 1997-08-28 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-07 17:33:28.076652+00
name: Beadbonny Ash, The
ucname: BEADBONNY ASH
devised: 1991-09-01
notes:
  The notes say "the title is from June's favourite poem 'Inversnaid' by Gerard Manley Hopkins"  
  'Wiry heathpacks. flitches of fern.  
  And the beadbonny ash that sits over the burn'.  
  The beadbonny ash is an ash tree which has bead-like fruit hanging from it.


created: 2001-11-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:29.495599+00
name: Swiss Lassie
ucname: SWISS LASSIE
intensity_bars: 840 880 884 484
notes:
  In memory of Judith Binder


  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  2nd man & 1st woman need to be beginning to dance out at end of reel

  17-20  2nd woman and 1st man should dance to end of reel before following partners


created: 2022-12-02 22:12:53.082933+00
last_modified: 2023-02-13 23:15:22.725881+00
name: 8 - 8
ucname: 8 8
intensity_bars: 8888/8800/0044/8888
devised: 2022-08-20
notes:
  "Dance written for our gentle Scottish Dancing friend Bruce McLaren. It features, for obvious [birthday] reasons, two Double Figures of Eight."

  Originally conceived as a strathspey the devisers suggest it may also be danced in different rhythms using  recordings as follows:  

    - Medley (64S+64J): Johnnie Walker (Iain MacPhail)
    - Jig: Waratah Weaver (Luke Brady)
    - Reel: The Shetland Fiddler  (Chris and Julie Dewhurst)
    - Playford: Daniel's Reel (The Assembly Players)


created: 2022-05-13 17:46:55.634491+00
last_modified: 2023-02-17 09:17:27.957445+00
name: Wee Bairnie Strathspey, The
ucname: WEE BAIRNIE STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 666/666/888/888
devised: 2012-08-23
notes:
  Devised "to mark the birth of Madison Inglis".

  The dance was originally intended as a strathspey. However when the deviser needed a jig for a demonstration involving 3 couples it was tried in that rhythm (see <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/34028/|dance list 34028>>). In that incarnation it is called The Wee Bairnie Jig which is added as an alias. It may be danced in either rhythm.


created: 2023-06-20 20:23:01.318521+00
last_modified: 2023-09-14 22:40:40.986833+00
name: All Eyes on Us
ucname: ALL EYES ON US
notes:
  Notes from the deviser: This dance was devised to celebrate all the fun times I have had dancing with Thomas Rintoul. For the majority of the dance, only the first couple are moving, while everyone else watches them, hence “All eyes on us”. This is an elegant strathspey to show off the dancer’s best steps and chemistry between 1st man and 1st lady.


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-17 13:10:44.440572+00
name: Clootie Well, The
ucname: CLOOTIE WELL
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry noted in the original description:

  *The Clootie Well is near Culloden (although others occur in other parts of the country). By tradition, it is visited on the first Sunday in May; the visitor throws a coin in the well and ties a cloot to one of the trees to symbolise the leaving of all cares behind.*

  *May 1st 1977 was a Sunday. I visited the well with Simon Fraser about a week later and the lower branches of the trees surrounding the well were festooned with hundreds of bits of rag.*

  *It would appear that this is the survival of a pre-Christian Celtic custom.*

  In later editions of the book, John Drewry added:

  *This version issued in September 1977, has an improved figure
  for Bars 1-8 and this should replace the earlier version (May 1977).*

  and 

  *The spelling "Clootie" (rather than "Cloutie") is probably preferable
  in that it gives a better indication of the pronunciation. Both spellings
  are given in Chambers Scots Dictionary.*


created: 1997-08-31 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-21 19:26:55.706358+00
name: Bras d'Or
ucname: BRAS DOR
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  This dance has been revised in February 1992.  Originally, in the Summer Collection 1988, it had 32 bars.  John Drewry revised and republished it in Bankhead Book 1 with the comment: "The original dance was 32 bars long ...  There was always a problem with entering the repeats of the dance.  I have added the extra bars to make it possible to repeat the dance without difficulty".

  Inscribed "for the Scottish Country Dancers of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia".


created: 2023-02-20 12:01:36.854955+00
last_modified: 2023-02-22 17:54:54.338264+00
name: Lightbulb Reel, The
ucname: LIGHTBULB REEL
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Source: youtube videos <<https://youtu.be/Vsq4clq3m5M>> (dance) and <<https://youtu.be/mPnCjxBzf6I>> (walk through). The deviser (Marian) starts as first woman in both videos.

  The deviser's instructions:  
  1-4 – 1’s lead down the middle; 2’s step up on 3 and 4  
  5-8 – 1’s turn in place; cast up behind the 3’s into 2nd place  
  9-16 – 1’s and 3’s Right hands Across; Left hands back  
  17-24 – 1’s, 2’s and 3’s, right shoulder reel along own lines  
  25-28 – 1’s and 2’s Right hands across  
  29-32 – Everyone (including the 4’s) turn their partner with their right  

  Background story: None of these characters are brightest bulbs in the drawer. 
   
  2’s need the 1’s help to change a lightbulb.  
  1’s are eager but in confusion end up helping the 3’s instead.  It isn’t until they screw in the 3’s lightbulb (right hands across) that they realize they were supposed to help the 2’s.  Therefore, they must unscrew the 3’s lightbulb (left hands back).  
  2’s and 1’s are now looking for each other and the 3’s, not having any idea of what is going on, follow the others (reel).  
  Finally, the 1’s get it right and help the 2’s screw in their lightbulb (right hands across).  Everyone celebrates getting right (including the 4’s)!

  Music:  Anything fun and lively.


created: 2026-07-16 11:18:50.751373+00
last_modified: 2026-07-16 11:30:34.897777+00
name: Noel's 80th
ucname: NOELS 80TH
intensity_bars: 880/808/888/888
devised: 2026-07-01
notes:
  This dance was written to honor Noel Chávez, a stalwart of the Chicago Branch who is proud to have reached this milestone and still be dancing and teaching.


created: 2023-01-05 12:45:16.462336+00
last_modified: 2026-08-03 17:38:54.682964+00
name: Towie Ball, The
ucname: TOWIE BALL
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  > Inspired by the neolithic carved stone balls on display at the Kelvingrove
  > Art Gallery and Museum and National Museum of Scotland.
  > The Towie Ball is the most well-known of these and was found
  > near Towie in Aberdeenshire in the 19th century.


created: 1998-01-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-28 19:25:16.982229+00
name: Deanstone House
ucname: DEANSTONE HOUSE
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/880
devised: 1996-04-30
notes:
  It seems the instructions for bars 5-8 of this dance were updated or corrected at some point.

  One version has:  
  1-8: First couple cross with the right hand and cast off one place. (Second couple step up on bars 3 & 4). First couple turn each other _1 1/2 times with the right hand_.

  Another, perhaps the corrected version, has:  
  1-8: First couple cross with the right hand and cast off one place. (Second couple step up on bars 3 & 4). First couple turn each other _1 3/4 times with the left hand_.


created: 2019-04-02 20:32:27.373788+00
last_modified: 2023-03-02 10:37:52.49845+00
name: Titanic, The
ucname: TITANIC
notes:
  Crib found on a dance programme.  Dance originally added using that information.

  This was originally entered as a reel, but is changed to a jig thanks to information from Patrick Brunskill of Belfast Branch: "I think I saw it on the website listed as a reel. It's definitely a Jig."


created: 2002-08-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-02-25 14:47:10.154844+00
name: Ring of Friendship, A
ucname: RING OF FRIENDSHIP
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
devised: 1982-01-01
notes:
  One original copy of the instructions carries the following handwritten note by Betty Grant:

  A Ring of Friendship

  The idea behind this dance is the ring of dancers around the world who start to dance in a small group, then intermingle with the neighbouring groups, and giving hands across borders, continents and seas move on in a never-ending Ring of Friendship.

  Best wishes,

  Betty Grant


created: 2023-02-27 17:33:50.012569+00
last_modified: 2023-02-27 17:33:50.012569+00
name: Catherine
ucname: CATHERINE
intensity_bars: 840/844/844/888
notes:
  Written for Catherine Packwood-Bluett who, together with Aileen Napper, took over the running of the Isle of Wight Weekend School which was started in the 1980s by their mothers. The dance includes some of Catherine’s favoured formations.


created: 2023-03-20 18:06:29.49613+00
last_modified: 2023-03-20 18:06:29.49613+00
name: Off to Arden
ucname: OFF TO ARDEN
intensity_bars: 800/880/844/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Jill and piper husband Dan Emery are renovating a house in the community of Arden (near Wilmington, DE), which is gathering a large number of dancers. The choreography loosely represents house-hunting, negotiations, and celebration. The first figure is a nod to the beginning of Jill’s dance Couples Meet, published in Delaware Valley Silver. The strathspey tempo echoes the lengthy moving process!


created: 2018-03-21 15:59:26.067326+00
last_modified: 2023-02-28 10:40:52.202033+00
name: Borrower, The
ucname: BORROWER
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888
devised: 2017-11-01
notes:
  For Aileen Napper who lives on the Isle of Wight.  Due to Aleen's and Craig's height difference Craig always commented when dancing with Aleen that it was like dancing with a *borrower*!  Bars 19-24 suit the height difference very well.

  _Useful information about borrowers:_  
  *"The Borrowers" is a children's fantasy novel by the English author Mary Norton, published in 1952. It features a family of tiny people who live secretly in the walls and floors of an English house and "borrow" from the big people in order to survive. The Borrowers also refers to the series of five novels including The Borrowers and four sequels that feature the same family after they leave "their" house.* (borrowed from <<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Borrowers|Wikipedia>>.)

  The online source link (<<https://craigellachie-band.co.uk/teacher-resources/new-dances-resource-the-borrower/>>) has the instructions, the score for the tune and a recording by Ian and Judith Muir.


created: 2023-03-19 12:32:49.467716+00
last_modified: 2023-03-21 22:16:31.231358+00
name: Absurd Number of Cucumber Sandwiches, An
ucname: ABSURD NUMBER OF CUCUMBER SANDWICHES
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/888
devised: 2016-01-01
notes:
  As president of the Swarthmore College Folk Dance Club, Darbus announced that the members would have to make “an absurd number of cucumber sandwiches” for the 2016 English-Scottish Ball, and another student joked that the phrase sounded like a good name for a dance. The figures represent 1) toasting the bread, 2) buttering the bread, 3) adding cucumbers, and 4) slicing the tea sandwiches into triangles.


created: 2023-02-23 11:16:51.982632+00
last_modified: 2023-03-08 10:46:26.540823+00
name: Yec'hed Mat
ucname: YECHED MAT
intensity_bars: 8888/0880/8008/8888
devised: 2012-05-01
notes:
  Good health! in Breton  
  Devised to celebrate the visit to Arradon as part of the twinning celebrations between Upton, Chester and Arradon.

  From <<https://forvo.com/word/yec%27hed_mat/>> the pronciation is roughly as English speakers would say Yeah-Head-Mart.


created: 2023-03-19 09:55:03.712213+00
last_modified: 2023-03-19 10:30:50.800035+00
name: Road to California
ucname: ROAD TO CALIFORNIA
intensity_bars: 800/822/888/888
notes:
  Devised by Joan Hellmann to honor Ruth Scodel.

  Source <<https://youtu.be/orMa8f-71qQ|youtube video>> which gives the complete instructions in the comments.


created: 2003-01-16 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-03 09:44:14.397222+00
name: Oompah, Oompah, Shove it Up your Joompah!
ucname: OOMPAH OOMPAH SHOVE IT UP YOUR JOOMPAH
intensity_bars: 84/88/88/44
devised: 2002-05-01
notes:
  1. This is a very energetic dance and so it would probably be better to dance it in three-couple sets, but, if it should ever reach the heights of demonstration, a four-couple set would provide a more interesting spectacle.  
  Bars 9-12 are similar to bars 9-12 of Anna Holden's Strathspey.  
  2. The title comes from a chance remark which Joe Murphy made during a telephone conversation. He was referring to the way some bands play Country Dance Music.


created: 2002-07-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-04 02:29:50.656427+00
name: Slopes of Hlidarendi, The
ucname: SLOPES OF HLIDARENDI
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/884
devised: 2002-01-01
notes:
  I have given the figure in the first 4 bars the name "Ha," which is Icelandic for "what?"  

  A dance for Elizabeth and John of the Stanford Class, California. Elizabeth suggested the title from the *Njal's Saga*, when the hero Gunnar says, "Never have the slopes of Hlidarendi seemed so fair to me. I shall stay and not go into exile, come what may." Hlidarendi is pronounced Hleether-endee.


created: 1997-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-05 09:22:30.211929+00
name: Gary Morris
ucname: GARY MORRIS
devised: 1968-01-01
notes:
  This was originally entered in SCDDB as "Gary Morris' Jig" (which is the name in the book's index) the title on the dance page is actually just "Gary Morris". The longer name is added as an alias.

  This seems to be the first dance which has the inverting double triangles figure.


created: 2026-07-27 07:29:26.080011+00
last_modified: 2026-08-08 09:18:14.73409+00
name: 25 Years Retired
ucname: 25 YEARS RETIRED
intensity_bars: 800/822/844/822
devised: 2026-07-01
notes:
  Friday, July 13, 2001, I took an early retirement buyout from Lucent Technologies (Bell Labs). This July I was reminded that was 25 years ago and I wrote this dance to capture the moment.


created: 2023-03-05 17:24:04.916557+00
last_modified: 2023-03-05 17:24:04.916557+00
name: Ducking the Wind
ucname: DUCKING THE WIND
devised: 2022-04-10
notes:
  Joe Dolson of Minneapolis won the dance and tune in an auction to raise funds for the Teachers’ Association of Canada at its virtual summer school in 2021. Joe explains the title of the dance and tune as follows: “The title ‘Ducking the Wind’ comes from a behavior our cat exhibits when she is offered the opportunity to go outside in the winter - she begs piteously to go out, then when the blast of cold air comes in, she'll try to duck away from it. It's very cute. This dance contains a lot of variations on swirling - in the set and link, reels, and the chase, and the casting is somewhat an effect of ducking away from each other.”


created: 1998-04-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-05 17:58:46.633168+00
name: Botany Bay
ucname: BOTANY BAY
devised: 1994-12-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for the dancers in Australia, who have invited me to visit them in 1995."

  The notes add that "the title is obviously appropriate for the dancers in Sydney and also reflects my own life-long interest in plants."


created: 2023-02-27 16:12:59.77487+00
last_modified: 2023-12-11 23:33:10.995295+00
name: Golden Hill Fort
ucname: GOLDEN HILL FORT
intensity_bars: 888/888/888/888/844
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Devised on the occasion of the Isle of Wight Caledonian Society’s Platinum Anniversary, 2022.

  The online source link (<<https://craigellachie-band.co.uk/teacher-resources/golden-hill-fort/>>) has the instructions, the score for the tune and a recording.


created: 1998-03-22 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-01-04 12:37:04.547085+00
name: Borders Welcome, A
ucname: BORDERS WELCOME
devised: 1992-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this "represents the meetings and friendships made by the Scottish dancers of Berks, Hants and Surrey."


created: 2023-04-14 13:33:16.743039+00
last_modified: 2025-01-04 11:34:11.429467+00
name: Sarah's Stamp Party
ucname: SARAHS STAMP PARTY
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8088
devised: 2022-06-01
notes:
  From the notes:

  > The 2 couple movements within the dance symbolise the shapes of the stamps being trimmed for the Scottish Air Ambulance.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-05 18:13:45.001766+00
name: Border Reel
ucname: BORDER REEL
notes:
  The SC Dancer April 2009, page 7, gives the following information:
  In the original versions of Book 12 (1st. edition in 1938) this dance was published as follows:
  1-8   	First and second men dance the figure of eight round their partners
  9-16  	First and second women do the same
  17-18	First man sets to second woman while first woman sets to second man 
  19-20	First man and second woman change places while first woman and second man set again
  21-22	First woman and second man change places
  23-24	Second couple giving right hands cross over to own side at the top of the dance while first couple giving right hand lead down and turn into third place ready for poussette.  Third couple move up and join for poussette
  25-32	First and third couples poussette.


created: 2018-10-06 19:46:00.938949+00
last_modified: 2023-03-05 23:05:27.041324+00
name: Helen Brown
ucname: HELEN BROWN
intensity_bars: 8008/8448/8888/8448
devised: 2018-07-01
notes:
  Presented at "Downey Day of Dance, 2018". Given to Helen Brown for all her work for the York Branch and her (and Malcolm's) hospitality to Kristin and me. Recommended music is "The Bob O' Dowally", and either of the recordings for Book 2 by Bobby Crowe would be good. Lacking this a strong strathspey should be used (not an air).


created: 2005-02-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-11 19:44:12.370406+00
name: Lesley's Medley
ucname: LESLEYS MEDLEY
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  Being a mathematician Gordon Thomson enjoyed composing complicated dances - this Medley became also known as Lesley’s Mudlley because it was so complicated.  
  (Information by Lesley Thomson, see extra info for <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/person/3345/|Gordon Thomson>>)


created: 2015-02-03 17:57:40.240451+00
last_modified: 2023-03-15 11:28:15.225758+00
name: She's a Fine Wee Lass
ucname: SHES A FINE WEE LASS
intensity_bars: 880/808/822/888
notes:
  Devised "as a tribute to Irene Dickson who for many years taught the Monday class at the Boggs."

  There is correction to the originally published instructions:  
  29-32 2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples set, and cross, giving a right hand, to own sides.  
  (The original missed the "set" and mentioned "left hand").


created: 1998-11-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-11 11:30:44.204323+00
name: Balmoral Terrace
ucname: BALMORAL TERRACE
intensity_bars: 840/800/888/888
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this was devised in January 1990 for a Birthday Party for the deviser's wife, Marjory. Number 5 Balmoral Terrace was Marjory's birthplace. Bars 1 - 16 represent the numbers 6 and 5. The numbers 8 and 0 of the last two figures are to be ignored for now.


created: 2003-01-30 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:34.666518+00
name: Barmkin, The
ucname: BARMKIN
intensity_bars: 8080 8080 0808 0808 8080 8080 0808 0808 6666 6666 8888
notes:
  <<imgt:smailholm.jpg|Smailholm Tower|200x200:right>>
  A »barmkin« is a part of a castle or fortified manor, commonly behind
  an outer wall, used, e.g., to protect cattle from reivers. The
  photograph shows Smailholm Tower near Kelso in the Borders; the
  barmkin's wall can be seen in the foreground.

  The online *Dictionary of the Scots Language* places the earliest
  known appearance of the word »barmkin« in 1460; it is apparently
  derived from »barbican«.


created: 1998-07-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-11 11:41:07.687048+00
name: Ballynaree
ucname: BALLYNAREE
devised: 1992-05-01
notes:
  Inscribed "for Alex Stewart of Kingston-on-Thames formerly of Perth".

  The notes also explain that "Ballynaree (Baile na righ) means the town of the king and has a double connection with Alex in that early English Kings were crowned at Kinqston-on-Thames while Scottish Kings were crowned at Scone near Perth".


created: 1999-08-06 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-11 18:51:53.668154+00
name: Australian Ladies, The
ucname: AUSTRALIAN LADIES
intensity_bars: 804 840 888 888
devised: 1967-05-01
notes:
  Devised in May 1967 in New Zealand by Bob Campbell of Canada for Jean Conway, Elma See, Lorraine Dyall, and Margaret Gray of the Newcastle (Australia) Colleges Strathspey and Reel Club.


created: 2006-10-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-19 08:23:22.43792+00
name: Young Moira's Real (& alive)
ucname: YOUNG MOIRAS REAL AND ALIVE
intensity_bars: 800/888/880/888
devised: 2004-01-01
notes:
  The dance "Lads & Lasses" (see dance 1.04), acknowledges the group of individual dancers making up a dance team of that name. Young Moira was the "baby" of the team and has recently (some forty years on) been spotted, living and dancing in Perthshire.


created: 2023-03-19 20:45:01.404024+00
last_modified: 2023-03-19 20:45:01.404024+00
name: Fearsome Fivesome, The
ucname: FEARSOME FIVESOME
intensity_bars: 80008/88888/80008/88484
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  The devisors were born to Branch dancers between 1994 and 1997. They grew up seeing one another at socials, balls, and non-dancing events like birthday parties and sleepovers, and became known as the “Fearless Five.” Now in their 20s, they get together a few times a year at pool parties, Inverarity social dances, Pinewoods Camp, and the Hogmanay Ball. They wrote this dance together via Facebook Messenger from Glasgow, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York City.


created: 2023-03-19 21:26:53.987563+00
last_modified: 2023-03-19 21:26:53.987563+00
name: Golden Jubilee Quadrille
ucname: GOLDEN JUBILEE QUADRILLE
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  A Golden Jubilee is a gala birthday celebration of 50 years. This dance features one figure for each decade since the founding of the Delaware Valley Branch.


created: 2023-03-19 23:25:07.439208+00
last_modified: 2023-03-19 23:25:07.439208+00
name: Lansdowne Strathspey
ucname: LANSDOWNE STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/84
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  Devised with Bree Humphries’ Lansdowne, PA, social class, when Bree needed a strathspey that had a ladies' chain.


created: 2023-03-19 23:58:07.342272+00
last_modified: 2023-03-19 23:58:07.342272+00
name: Morstein Hornpipe, The
ucname: MORSTEIN HORNPIPE
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8000/6222
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  In return for an annual outdoor work day of weeding, vine pulling, and brush burning, the Branch used to hold special dance events and a Labor Day picnic in and around the old barn of the Morstein country estate near West Chester, PA.


created: 2023-03-19 21:39:38.579486+00
last_modified: 2023-03-20 09:04:15.66703+00
name: Jane's Flying Cello
ucname: JANES FLYING CELLO
intensity_bars: 844/888/844/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  When Jane Roberts, Branch music coordinator, began attending the St. Andrews Summer School musicians’ course, her cello flew with her on the plane, double-cased for safety from baggage handlers. After a particularly dramatic flight, Jane now hires a cello locally when in Scotland.


created: 2023-03-17 20:58:06.565257+00
last_modified: 2023-03-20 17:13:56.286429+00
name: Twisted Tree, The
ucname: TWISTED TREE
intensity_bars: 84844/80800/88888/88888
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  The Twisted Tree is the tree at Woolsthorpe Manor in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England  under which Isaac Newton sat when an apple falling from the tree caused him to conceive the idea of Universal Gravity. The tree was blown down in 1820, but the fallen trunk re-rooted itself. It still flourishes, but is somewhat twisted.


created: 2023-03-19 21:04:09.913462+00
last_modified: 2023-03-20 17:19:01.173262+00
name: Garden Party Social, The
ucname: GARDEN PARTY SOCIAL
intensity_bars: 888/880/888/844
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  This dance was written in honor of the Delaware Valley Branch Garden Party, a May afternoon social dance followed by a potluck supper in Geoffrey and Cecily Selling’s lovingly cultivated English garden in full spring bloom.


created: 2023-03-11 15:04:46.629373+00
last_modified: 2023-09-02 12:32:49.982414+00
name: High on the Hundred
ucname: HIGH ON THE HUNDRED
intensity_bars: 800/866/844/844
devised: 2023-01-01
notes:
  High – for Highlands - but more especially the high you can enjoy on SCD
  and Hundred – for the RSCDS Centenary 2023


created: 2023-03-19 14:08:20.92595+00
last_modified: 2023-11-28 12:23:17.270095+00
name: Carrie's Flight
ucname: CARRIES FLIGHT
intensity_bars: 4884/4884/8888/8888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Scott's partner, Carrie Rose, a recent convert to Scottish country dancing. They both take delight in the exhilarating sense of flying through a dance.


created: 2023-03-19 14:17:41.829151+00
last_modified: 2024-10-02 21:44:59.623106+00
name: Crum Creek Hornpipe
ucname: CRUM CREEK HORNPIPE
intensity_bars: 804/480/844/888
devised: 2009-01-01
notes:
  Crum Creek, named by early 18th century settlers, runs through Chester and Delaware Counties, including the woods on the Swarthmore College campus, and eventually reaches the Delaware River. “Crum” (from Dutch "krom") means “crooked.”


created: 2023-03-28 20:59:14.721246+00
last_modified: 2025-07-15 17:35:31.510487+00
name: Keith Rose of Felmersham
ucname: KEITH ROSE OF FELMERSHAM
intensity_bars: 844/802/884/888
devised: 2023-03-23
notes:
  Devised by Wouter Joubert, 23 March 2023, in honour of Keith Rose.  
  A 3x32 recording played by <<ddp:Joubert, Wouter#3179>> is available at <<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Th2eW1AyrgMgpZAqU7kpHGGJtcaVjpk4/view>>.


created: 2023-03-20 23:18:28.997211+00
last_modified: 2023-03-20 23:18:28.997211+00
name: Pittsburgh Rake, The
ucname: PITTSBURGH RAKE
intensity_bars: 880/808/088/800
devised: 2013-01-01
notes:
  Volunteers at a Pinewoods Camp Spring Work Weekend had to spread an imposing pile of wood chips on the paths. Seth (The Pittsburgh Rake) had the landscape rake. First, he raked about half of the wood chips out of the Ez-Go cart. After the Ez-Go moved slightly forward, he raked the second half out. He then got a rest while the Ez-Go went to fetch more wood chips.


created: 2023-03-21 00:04:48.87457+00
last_modified: 2023-03-21 00:04:48.87457+00
name: Tarble-in-Clothier
ucname: TARBLEINCLOTHIER
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  Tarble All-Campus Space inside Clothier Hall is a long hall with wood timbering and tall windows on the second floor of a neo-Gothic gray stone building. Swarthmore College's main indoor public space, it has been the venue for dozens of Spring Balls and Hogmanay Balls over the decades, as well as the Swarthmore Folk Dance Club’s annual English-Scottish Ball. The college has been threatening to gut and renovate the building for several years, but as of this publication date has not.


created: 2023-03-21 00:17:51.748857+00
last_modified: 2023-03-21 00:17:51.748857+00
name: Trip to Tarble
ucname: TRIP TO TARBLE
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  This dance commemorates many years of dancing in Tarble-in-Clothier on the campus of Swarthmore College. The figures represent 1) the journey to the dance hall, 2) meeting old and new friends, and 3) all of us who love Scottish dance coming together to dance and celebrate!


created: 2015-09-03 21:03:42.835346+00
last_modified: 2023-04-21 18:18:54.223316+00
name: Mrs. Ruth Housden
ucname: MRS RUTH HOUSDEN
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  Ruth Housden has been the teacher at the Aboyne Scottish Country Dance Group on Royal Deeside since 2001.


created: 2023-03-19 12:46:47.569203+00
last_modified: 2023-03-21 22:17:43.768611+00
name: Aflooga
ucname: AFLOOGA
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/6666/4883
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  Aflooga is an acronym for “A Figure Lifted Out Of Glasgow Assembly.” Glasgow Assembly is a four-couple set dance medley devised by Robert Campbell and published in 1973. Vallorie learned Glasgow Assembly as a novice dancer and this setting figure made an indelible impression.


created: 2001-05-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-22 21:42:44.810105+00
name: Brandywine
ucname: BRANDYWINE
intensity_bars: 884/884/888/888
notes:
  The Brandywine is a scenic river that runs through Wilmington, Delaware and is important
  to the area's history and commerce. It is a tributary of the Delaware River, from which the
  Delaware Valley gets its name.


created: 2002-03-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-03-22 22:19:08.607677+00
name: Kumite
ucname: KUMITE
notes:
  Kumite (pronounced kii' -me-ti) is a Japanese word which, roughly translated, means a group or set of people working together.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-09 18:26:04.13866+00
name: Clavie, The
ucname: CLAVIE
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888/84
notes:
  "Burning the Clavie is a fire festival held annually at Burghead on January 11th. The Clavie, made from half a tar barrel and fixed to a six foot spike, is lit then carried through the streets of the town before being taken to a nearby hilltop from which the burning embers are scattered."


created: 2018-07-13 10:10:03.281419+00
last_modified: 2023-04-12 23:42:31.446386+00
name: Knight in Flowing Tartan, The
ucname: KNIGHT IN FLOWING TARTAN
notes:
  "This dance is dedicated to a person known locally as St Anton (actually our dear friend Dr Anton Korobeinikov from St Petersburg, who had never missed an opportunity to make us happier) - and an idea of a diamond poussette for four couples. It was first danced on the floor of the bedroom by the collection of brooches (the usual silent victims!) and then in class by our patient friends (they were too polite to complain). Try it at your own peril, but it feels less complicated and more flowing than it seems."

  The video used the recording <<ddrec:Aye Afloat#7084>>.


created: 2006-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-13 03:22:46.303983+00
name: Tae the Beggin'
ucname: TAE THE BEGGIN
intensity_bars: 800/800/866/844
devised: 2006-01-01
notes:
  In 1606 begging became so widespread in Scotland that King James VI passed a law to control the begging. Beggars were issued badges with their name and the king's initials. They were also regarded as bringers of luck at weddings and carriers of useful news. There was a special place by the fire in many houses for the "Gaberlunzie Man." Good luck or not, my cats insist on a treat before I go to bed. I have not been able to break them of this begging rituaL


created: 2002-03-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-15 11:29:36.415459+00
name: Child's Play
ucname: CHILDS PLAY
intensity_bars: 800/880/888/888/888
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  "Children's games are very simple, but often if an adult plays with a child, the child wins. This dance was written with this thought in mind. The figures are all simple individually, but trickier combined, leaving many adult dancers breathless enough to wish they were children again."


created: 2023-03-21 09:19:31.79295+00
last_modified: 2023-09-26 01:21:48.325518+00
name: Written Examination, The
ucname: WRITTEN EXAMINATION
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  The dance commemorates a mistake Jenny made in the Unit 1 examination about rights and lefts for three couples. In quick time, this formation requires performance team skill to execute successfully — this strathspey version gives dancers more time to enjoy the pattern, and to get it right. Set & rotate was also on the exam, as was a question about William Marshall.


created: 2001-05-21 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-05-22 09:39:28.738501+00
name: Gentle Annie
ucname: GENTLE ANNIE
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Dr. William Gatens in honor of his long history of providing live music for our branch, including his own compositions.


created: 2015-01-22 13:08:59.865036+00
last_modified: 2026-02-18 13:46:01.766636+00
name: Poplar Brides, The
ucname: POPLAR BRIDES
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2007-04-01
notes:
  On a trip to the Riberac area of France in April 2007 I was told the following story by a resident New Zealander.  
  When a girl child was born the parents planted a poplar tree which grew quickly enough so that when she was due to marry it could be chopped down and the wood sold to provide her with a dowry.


created: 2023-04-04 21:47:45.661723+00
last_modified: 2023-04-04 21:47:45.661723+00
name: Argyll Arcade, The
ucname: ARGYLL ARCADE
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  "The Argyll Arcade, Glasgow, built by John Baird in 1827, was Scotland’s first custom-built shopping arcade and as the centre of the Scottish diamond trade is quite literally a jewel in the city’s retail crown."


created: 2023-04-04 22:02:58.388688+00
last_modified: 2023-04-04 22:02:58.388688+00
name: Sir James Irvine's Jig
ucname: SIR JAMES IRVINES JIG
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  "Commemorating the organic chemist Sir James Colquhoun Irvine (1877–1952), Principle and Vice Chancellor of St Andrews University (1921–1952), who was considered by some to be no less than the institution’s ‘second founder’. His wife, Lady Mabel Irvine, was the first Chairman of the St Andrews Branch of the RSCDS (see Lady Irvine’s Jig, RSCDS St Andrews Branch, 75 Years of Dancing in St Andrews, 2013)."


created: 2023-04-04 22:05:51.927769+00
last_modified: 2023-04-04 22:05:51.927769+00
name: Robert Fergusson's Rant
ucname: ROBERT FERGUSSONS RANT
devised: 1991-01-01
notes:
  "Commemorating the Scottish enlightenment poet Robert Fergusson (1750–1774) from Edinburgh, whose work inspired Robert Burns."


created: 2023-04-04 21:35:13.915394+00
last_modified: 2023-04-04 22:15:14.478042+00
name: St Andrews to Loches
ucname: SAINT ANDREWS TO LOCHES
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  This is intended as a ceilidh dance since it is meant for people who dance little or not at all, contains no setting and could be done with travelling step, running step or just by fast walking if necessary.

  It is expected the dance will have its own tune (by Luke Brady).


created: 2016-09-06 23:32:37.1966+00
last_modified: 2023-04-08 12:19:12.230087+00
name: Wake the Piper
ucname: WAKE THE PIPER
intensity_bars: 800/844/800/888
devised: 1994-10-01
notes:
  The dance is dedicated to all the wake-up pipers at Scottish country dance weeks and weekends, but especially to piper Dan Emery when he plays at Pinewoods Camp as the sun's rays break through the morning mist.

  Originally devised in October 1994, there were revisions to the description in August 1996, August 1997 and April 2002.


created: 2016-09-06 23:29:59.910848+00
last_modified: 2023-04-08 11:17:42.22054+00
name: Piglet's Jig
ucname: PIGLETS JIG
intensity_bars: 800/800/888/844
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  “Twirl around Piglet, Step lightly Pooh, This silly ol' dance is perfect for two.” - A.A. Milne
  (Bars 3-4, 5-8, 13, 24, and 28 are opportunities for Piglet to twirl.)

  For Ivy and Chris, remembering Pinewoods.


created: 1997-12-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-08 14:40:42.08762+00
name: Further Expectations
ucname: FURTHER EXPECTATIONS
intensity_bars: 404/404/800/888
notes:
  High Expectations and Further Expectations are variations of "Great Expectations" from *Let's All Dance.*


created: 2002-03-02 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-09 11:13:40.112338+00
name: Fairy Bridge, The
ucname: FAIRY BRIDGE
devised: 1988-01-01
notes:
  Incribed "For Dorothy Arton, who gave me the idea for the dance."

  The notes also say that "According to legend, it was at the Fairy Bridge, near Dunvegan, that a 14th century chief of the MacLeods was given the Fairy Flag as a parting gift from his fairy wife."


created: 2023-04-07 10:25:52.734425+00
last_modified: 2023-07-11 14:44:55.481406+00
name: Never Forgotten
ucname: NEVER FORGOTTEN
intensity_bars: 880/880/820/888
devised: 2023-01-01
notes:
  The deviser writes that "Since 2019 we have lost at least 6 members of our extended dance community. This dance was written to honor them and because we will never forget them."


created: 2023-03-21 12:17:18.431335+00
last_modified: 2024-11-11 10:52:47.723158+00
name: Our Berber Blessing
ucname: OUR BERBER BLESSING
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2022-12-01
notes:
  For Nayma Genin who wanted a dance with lots of energy and an allemande. Nayma grew up in the
  Berber speaking region of Morocco where her name means "blessing".


created: 2001-04-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-03-16 09:26:56.241588+00
name: Squirrel on the Bough
ucname: SQUIRREL ON THE BOUGH
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this was "inspired by the morning activities of a squirrel family outside the bedroom window."


created: 2014-07-14 09:40:35.715404+00
last_modified: 2025-03-16 11:32:58.925659+00
name: Santa Barbara Strathspey
ucname: SANTA BARBARA STRATHSPEY
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  Devised "in honor of the wedding of Barbara Burns and Frank Mills in Santa Barbara, California, March 20, 1999."

  May be danced by 3, 4 or 5 couples (with appropriate adjustment of figures).


created: 2002-09-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-18 00:13:18.946697+00
name: New Fowlis Hall, The
ucname: NEW FOWLIS HALL
intensity_bars: 8448/8888/8228/8888
devised: 2002-01-01
notes:
  Description, submitted by the deviser herself:

  The New Fowlis Hall: 4x32 bar jig

  Bars

  1-4  1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance right hands across.
  2nd and 3rd couples finish on sidelines, 1st and 4th couple stay facing clockwise.

  5-8  1st couple and 4th couple chase CW round outside of set half way to finish with 1st
  couple at bottom on opposite sides facing 3rd couple and 4th couple at top on opposite
  sides facing 2nd couple.

  9-16  Right shoulder reels of four on the side. All finish facing up/down on sides.

  17-24  All turn facing person right hand half-way (4L turns 2M; 4M turns 2L; 1L turns 3M;
  1M turns 3L); 1st couple and 4th couple dance left hands across in the middle; 4th couple
  and 1st couple retain hold of partner’s left hand on bar 22, cross left hand to own side
  of the set to finish 2413.

  25-32  Eight hands round and back.

  Dance devised by Mary Cant to celebrate the opening of the new Fowlis Easter Village Hall in southwest Angus on June 22nd 2002.

  The hall was designed by Iain Dunsire of Battledown Studio, Forgandenny, Perthshire, taking inspiration from paintings of Angus stackyards by the eminent landscape artist James McIntosh Patrick.

  The formations in the dance reflect the architecture of the building. The wheels represent the round stacks of corn; the chase represents the passageways outside the main hall; the reel of four represents weaving in and out of the various rooms; and the dance finishes with a celebratory circle representing the main hall, comprised of the two largest stacks.


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-20 09:25:21.155502+00
name: Holden Lane
ucname: HOLDEN LANE
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/844
notes:
  Anna has been a frequent and always popular guest teacher at Brock Summer School and we are
  pleased that one of her dances is in this collection.


created: 2001-11-21 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:33.696759+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: 1997-09-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-21 11:13:37.420063+00
name: John Sinton's Strathspey
ucname: JOHN SINTONS STRATHSPEY
devised: 1977-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote in the original description: *A dance for John Sinton, who plays the bass
  in Jim Macleod's band at Dunblane Hydro. A large dance for a large instrument!*

  Furthermore, he writes:

  *There are three basic positions in the dance, because 6th couple dance
  similar figures to 1st couple (but from the opposite end of the set),
  5th couple dance similar figures to 2nd couple, and 4th couple to 3rd couple.*

  and

  *Two repeats are probably sufficient, then
  each couple will have danced from 1st or 6th position, from 2nd or 5th
  position and from 3rd or 4th position.*


created: 2023-04-24 12:15:21.194302+00
last_modified: 2023-04-24 12:15:21.194302+00
name: Master of Linden
ucname: MASTER OF LINDEN
notes:
  The notes say this is a "Tribute to <<ddd:Simmonds, Ian#349>> who establish the Linden Club in Wellington, and taught there for 40 years."


created: 1998-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-25 16:00:52.806844+00
name: Salut Angers
ucname: SALUT ANGERS
devised: 1988-09-10
notes:
  The notes say this "was devised for the occasion of the twinning ceremony of the towns ofWigan and Angers, France, on 10th September 1988."


created: 2023-04-24 11:48:31.172448+00
last_modified: 2023-07-02 10:20:54.506717+00
name: Aileen Logie
ucname: AILEEN LOGIE
devised: 2022-10-06
notes:
  From the notes: "Aileen Logie is one of our local musicians and who plays monthly with the
  Johnsonville Club."


created: 2023-04-23 19:00:50.171466+00
last_modified: 2025-01-04 11:38:39.06837+00
name: Yacht Arion
ucname: YACHT ARION
intensity_bars: 880/882/888/888
devised: 2019-01-24
notes:
  The deviser writes: “Arion, a Greek poet and musician, was the name of Rodney’s ketch, which he sailed to/from and round the Mediterranean for many years. Rodney, a member of the Harrogate SCDC, was a musician which is one of the reasons for the name of his yacht."


created: 2018-09-18 16:25:42.451769+00
last_modified: 2023-04-27 02:52:35.241185+00
name: Banks of Boone
ucname: BANKS OF BOONE
intensity_bars: 440/800/844/844
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  To Scottish Country Dancers in Boone, Iowa, and Boone, North Carolina.

  Note 1: The turns on bars 1-8 are similar to the turns of the corners in Pass & Turn, except that 1M on bars 3-4, and 1W on bars 7-8, takes smaller steps to finish in 2nd place own side.

  Note 2: At the end of every second repetition of the dance, 1C finish in 3rd place and step out and down on bars 1-2 of new active couple’s turn. This requires 3W to begin the next repetition by dancing up from 4th place to turn the new 1M. 3W finishes the turn in 3rd place.


created: 2022-10-01 07:49:14.476135+00
last_modified: 2023-04-30 09:45:49.923334+00
name: 5000
ucname: 5000
intensity_bars: 84840/88888/84866/88862
devised: 2020-03-27
notes:
  Devised by Keith Rose, 27 March 2020, to mark the occasion of drawing his 5000th dance diagram since he started at the end of 1991.

  The diagram symbol for a reel of 4 is three circles, which looks like three zeros, and this dance contains five (half) reels of four.


created: 2018-09-18 20:12:43.979956+00
last_modified: 2023-04-27 05:30:36.481334+00
name: Gang Tither Gate
ucname: GANG TITHER GATE
intensity_bars: 800/888/800/888
devised: 2013-01-01
notes:
  Earlier version written in 2012  

  Notes:  
  On bars 9-16 and 25-32, 2C and 3C dance complete 8-bar R3 on own sides. To begin each reel, 2C dance in and down, 3C dance in and up.  
  At the end of bar 24, 1C are in the same position as at the end of bar 8; but on bar 25 they “go the other way” (to the left) to begin the reel.


created: 2023-03-19 13:58:30.632771+00
last_modified: 2023-04-28 16:52:42.0561+00
name: Before the Storm
ucname: BEFORE THE STORM
intensity_bars: 800/844/800/888
devised: 2002-01-01
notes:
  The choreography came to Steven early one morning as he lay in bed contemplating the moment that can be considered the calm before the ‘storm’ of the day. Ironically, a snowstorm started a few hours later. The dance was first tried by the brave souls who came out to that evening’s Inverarity party (the long-running dance party in the Nealleys’ home in Ardmore, Pennsylvania).


created: 1998-01-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-04-30 10:24:12.100968+00
name: Cork Hornpipe
ucname: CORK HORNPIPE
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88/88
notes:
  The “Border style” poussette in this dance seems to refer to "A Complete Guide to Scottish Country Dancing” by Allie Anderson and John Duthie (McDougall’s Educational Co. Ltd), where it is called “Poussette Second Form” (pages 30-31). In contrast to the standard form, in this poussette the men begin with the right foot. Apparently, at the time of writing (circa 1960), this method of dancing the poussette was danced in the South-East Borders Counties.


created: 2016-08-22 07:54:39.912535+00
last_modified: 2023-04-30 21:57:06.862202+00
name: Long John Diamond
ucname: LONG JOHN DIAMOND
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this was written "for John Ferguson, by his daughter, on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday".


created: 2002-04-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:34.024373+00
name: Minister on the Loch, The
ucname: MINISTER ON THE LOCH
intensity_bars: 880 800 808 844
devised: 2008-01-01
notes:
  The title refers to the portrait by <<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Raeburn|Sir Henry Raeburn>>
  of “Reverend Robert Walker skating on Duddingston Loch”
  (or “The Skating Minister”, for short)
  which now hangs in the
  <<https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/5327|National Gallery of Scotland>>.
  Art and artists were among <<ddp:Goldring, Roy>>’s other great passions.


created: 2026-08-23 16:47:15.369203+00
last_modified: 2026-08-26 21:27:51.54186+00
name: Babette's Bling
ucname: BABETTES BLING
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2026-04-01
notes:
  This dance is written for Babette Smith who has just celebrated her 29th birthday.  Where did that decade go?  Keep on being you Babette and keep on dancing.


created: 2002-04-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-27 16:48:29.164687+00
name: Father Connelly's Jig
ucname: FATHER CONNELLYS JIG
intensity_bars: 8800/8880/8880/8880/8000/8088/8088/8088
devised: 1990-01-01
notes:
  (Author's notes)

  NOTE The dance is really two dances each of 32 bars. Bars 9-24 of each dance are similar. 1st couple dance the first part with 2nd and 3rd couples and the second part with 3rd and 4th couples. Either part could be danced separately as a normal  8 X 32 bar dance. The reason for this unusual structure is that the tune contains 64 bars and it was thought that this arrangement would make it less tiring for the dancers than an 8 X 64 bar dance.

  In the half right and left on the diagonal it is essential for the dancers to be in the side lines before changing places with the left hand to leave the centre of the set free for the other dancers.


created: 2011-08-24 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-03-03 09:58:10.657295+00
name: Nethy Bridge
ucname: NETHY BRIDGE
intensity_bars: 8888/8448/8448/8668
devised: 2006-07-01
notes:
  "Presented to Alison Lamb and Colin Brown on the occasion of their wedding in Edinburgh on 22nd July 2006, by members of New Scotland and Dunedin Dancers."


created: 2023-04-28 10:49:18.553126+00
last_modified: 2024-12-10 21:50:22.144623+00
name: Just Footprints
ucname: JUST FOOTPRINTS
notes:
  My wife Olga McIntosh found a dance with a connection to our new local area: <<ddd:Leasowe Castle#9682>>. Leasowe Castle is at the coast end of the Wirral. IT HAS GLIDE SYMMETRY! This is the transformation that maps a right footprint onto a left footprint and is much less common in SCD than parallel, mirror or anti-parallel reels.

  This has inspired me to write a dance featuring reels with this symmetry. It's based on <<ddd:Catch the Wind#1087>> and is named for our local zero-waste shop (which unfortunately closed down after its move to the new fancier market building - be careful when naming dances after things in case it’s bad luck!).

  Note about role terms: if you and your partner face up toward the band, the Lark is on the Left and the Raven is on the Right.


created: 2023-02-22 00:35:42.298954+00
last_modified: 2024-04-28 21:28:30.811364+00
name: Spring School 2022
ucname: SPRING SCHOOL 2022
intensity_bars: 880/888/888/888/888
notes:
  Original source: <<https://youtu.be/ebQ1LZGNo_M|youtube video>>. Subsequently published in the <<ddp:Che-book vol 1#1792|Che-book>>.

  In the diagram for this dance, briefly seen in the video (<<https://youtu.be/ebQ1LZGNo_M?t=20>>) the figure of bars 29-32 is referred to as "Paragraph" and also shows the symbol § which is sometimes used to denote a paragraph or section and here matches the choreography.


created: 2011-05-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-07-19 16:00:13.873996+00
name: Live Long and Prosper
ucname: LIVE LONG AND PROSPER
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  For Matthias Lang, long-standing member of the FSCDC and among all his other accomplishments a moderate Trekkie, who didn't receive a proper dance from me when he should have. The Helix (in strathspey time) is taken from <<ddd:Hana>> by Alex Gray.

  Note: At the start of this dance, a Vulcan salute (:vulcan_salute:) may be substituted for the customary bow and curtsey.


created: 2002-11-13 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-01 22:27:51.81057+00
name: 75th Anniversary Reel
ucname: 75TH ANNIVERSARY REEL
intensity_bars: 4444/4444/8888/8000
notes:
  MiniCrib gives the title as "75th Anniversary Reel". The original book as "Federation 75th. Anniversary Reel" which is added as an alias.


created: 2023-05-01 22:37:56.192364+00
last_modified: 2023-05-06 17:12:26.469065+00
name: Marquis of Huntly's Reel
ucname: MARQUIS OF HUNTLYS REEL
notes:
  The notes say this dance is "named for the Chieftain of the Clan Gordon" and that "the tune was the march past of the Gordon Highlanders".

  The introduction to the book says all the dances it contains are reels and the title has "reel". However the tune given is a jig, though that seems unlikely to be used as a march.


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-06 20:48:26.898198+00
name: Glenfeshie
ucname: GLENFESHIE
notes:
  Glen Feshie is a wild remote valley deep in the Scottish Highlands along the lower reaches of the northward-flowing River Feshie, a tributary of the River Spey.  The River Feshie rises from the ridgeline of the north watershed of the thousand-meter  (about 3,300 feet) Grampian Mountains.  The river first flows down through  the dense Glenfeshie Forest and eventually enters the more open glen in  question.  About 1½ miles below the tiny village of Feshiebridge it flows  into the River Spey at a point considerably above the broad valley called Strathspey.
   
  While the river itself is somewhat longer, the  glen with the magnificent 4,000-foot Cairngorm Mountains towering to its east is  only about ten miles long.  One stretch of the  river are particularly "braided," i.e. divided into multiple interlocking  channels.

  (Robb Quint)


created: 2023-05-07 10:53:03.307448+00
last_modified: 2023-07-10 15:09:21.826676+00
name: Fairy Lights
ucname: FAIRY LIGHTS
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8888/8888/0880/8888
devised: 2022-12-01
notes:
  Devised by Wiebke E. Luedtke in December of 2022, trying to reflect the process of disentangling the
  Christmas lights which you could swear you’ve put away neatly but have somehow ended up in one big
  knotted ball again. At the start I always feel quite confident in my de-knotting abilities only to realise at
  some point that I’ve inevitably made it worse and need to retrace my steps to return to the beginning!


created: 2023-05-04 12:04:42.622443+00
last_modified: 2023-12-20 23:50:50.977514+00
name: Daisy, Daisy
ucname: DAISY DAISY
devised: 2012-10-31
notes:
  The dance was devised to introduce the formation Petronella in Tandem to a class. It is designed to be done as a jig, reel or strathspey.

  Title: As in 'Daisy Bell - Bicycle Built for Two'.


created: 2023-05-02 16:22:02.465262+00
last_modified: 2024-05-03 20:12:24.750776+00
name: Fog on the Fell
ucname: FOG ON THE FELL
notes:
  The notes say this was "suggested by the mists on Waddington Fell after a dance class".

  The <<ddpub:#1681|publication>> attributes this dance to "Isobel Briscoe" but in fact her surname is "Bristow".


created: 2023-05-03 14:05:24.170838+00
last_modified: 2024-07-31 20:59:36.966547+00
name: Click Go the Shears
ucname: CLICK GO THE SHEARS
devised: 2021-01-01
notes:
  The deviser suggests recording 6380 (Glengarry Homestead by Marion Anderson on The Kangaroo Paw) as alternative. Could also use other Australian folk songs such as Botany Bay and The Wild Colonial Boy as the non-name tunes.


created: 2023-05-03 22:39:54.358931+00
last_modified: 2025-01-04 12:47:25.97796+00
name: Lillian's Century
ucname: LILLIANS CENTURY
intensity_bars: 88888/88880/08088/88888
devised: 2008-09-11
notes:
  Devised "to celebrate Lillian Kirk’s 100th birthday, 11th September 2008, incorporating the number 100 and her initials."


created: 1998-11-25 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-07 20:36:39.884848+00
name: Tinker's Reel, The
ucname: TINKERS REEL
intensity_bars: 8888 8888 8888 8888 8000 8000
notes:
  The Ormskirk Memorial Edition, edited by Bob Donald, has a final page of "Notes for teachers".  On this dance it says:

  In THE TINKER'S REEL, the tune is given as "Rosin the Beau". This is a JIG but the dance is given as a REEL. I have no explanation for this error, which is quite uncharacteristic of Roy. I do not feel qualified to make an alternative choice of recommended tune. Teachers should therefore make their own choice, informed by competant musicians where possible.    Bob Donald


created: 2003-10-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 10:30:07.647338+00
name: Love Spoon, The
ucname: LOVE SPOON
intensity_bars: 888/888/800/888
devised: 2002-04-01
notes:
  Inscribed "In celebration of the marriage in North Wales of Margaret McQueen-Jones and Francis Devine on 6 July 2002."

  The notes also say that the custom of young men carving and giving "love spoons" to their sweethearts originated in Wales hundreds of years ago.


created: 2023-05-08 09:36:54.905685+00
last_modified: 2024-03-13 16:07:01.087431+00
name: Reindeer's Jubilee, A
ucname: REINDEERS JUBILEE
intensity_bars: 8080/0808/5454/7474/2424/6666
devised: 2022-11-01
notes:
  Devised for Rudolf Goerlich-Hansen, the founder of the SCD Lueneburg group, on the occasion of the group’s 10 year anniversary. The name of the dance pays tribute to me repeatedly misspelling his name as ‘Rudolph’ when I first joined the group, until he finally corrected me and exclaimed exasperatedly: “I’m not a reindeer, you know”. We will miss you, Rudolf!


created: 2005-03-15 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 12:55:55.873899+00
name: Gold and Silver Strathspey
ucname: GOLD AND SILVER STRATHSPEY
notes:
  <<scddb-not-identical:13569>>

  MiniCrib notes that this was "devised for 75th anniv of RSCDS Kirkcaldy".


created: 1997-09-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 20:46:40.757209+00
name: Thanksgiving Reel
ucname: THANKSGIVING REEL
notes:
  In the online publication (<<http://www.dancescottish.ca/books_files/Centennial%20Collection.pdf>>) this danced is unnamed and just referred to as "Jig (Lively)". It is not clear how the name "Thanksgiving Reel" was assigned to the dance in SCDDB. As MiniCrib use "Jig (Lively)" that is now added as an alias.

  This was originally entered in SCDDB as a 3 couple dance in a 4 couple set with progression 213. In the online source link it is actually a 4C set dance with progression 2341.


created: 2023-06-20 20:25:56.697633+00
last_modified: 2023-09-14 22:41:29.47668+00
name: London Fog
ucname: LONDON FOG
notes:
  Notes from the deviser: The inspiration for this dance came whilst sat in the main library drinking a (to be honest, not very good) London fog. I’d gone for the comforting mix of earl grey, vanilla, and oat milk to try and alleviate some dissertation stress. Sadly, the caffeine only added to my jitteriness, but from it this lively dance was born.


created: 2011-12-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 12:55:55.946494+00
name: Ladebraes
ucname: LADEBRAES
devised: 2009-01-01
notes:
  <<scddb-not-identical:3572>>

  Notes: Ladebraes in St Andrews, Scotland is a short cut between South Street and the Boys Brigade Hall used by dancers 'in the know' on the long walk to the hall. Ladebraes was one of the possible titles of The Chequered Court when I wrote it in 2001. However, I decided that Ladebraes sounded like a strathspey rather than a quick time dance, so here is the dance to go with the title!


created: 2004-09-16 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 12:55:55.96648+00
name: September 1st
ucname: SEPTEMBER 1ST
intensity_bars: 844/633/633/888
notes:
  <<scddb-not-identical:1533>>

  Originally entered in SCDDB with unknown deviser and name "First of September" this dance was later identified as "September 1st" by Fiona Miller.

  The notes say it was "devised in honour of the 40th wedding anniversary of my parents, Netta and Alan Brown, September 1, 1991."


created: 2021-04-05 09:13:45.706865+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 15:11:09.9618+00
name: Westward Bound
ucname: WESTWARD BOUND
intensity_bars: 800/844/866/866
notes:
  This dance is written for Alice Cuneo who is heading west to Perth to be closer to her family.

  This was originally entered in SCDDB as a 9/8 Jig, but the recommended recording, The Greenbelt Jig, sounds like a standard jig so the dance entry is changed to that.


created: 2018-08-27 23:02:49.558803+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 17:13:31.087632+00
name: 100 years behind us!, A
ucname: 100 YEARS BEHIND US
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/888
devised: 2018-01-01
notes:
  Dance devised by Jennie Hartley with input from members to commemorate the Centenary of Watford and West Herts Scottish Society.  

  Bars 25-28 represent the 1, bars 5-8 represent 00 - making the 100.


created: 2020-04-24 23:43:36.046559+00
last_modified: 2024-12-04 11:37:16.117035+00
name: All Shall Be Well
ucname: ALL SHALL BE WELL
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888
devised: 2020-03-01
notes:
  “All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well” was the motto of Julian of Norwich, a 14th century woman who survived the Black Death and later became an anchoress, walling herself up in the tower of St Julian’s church after a series of religious visions. She described her views of a benevolent loving deity to those visiting her cell and also in a book, the earliest surviving work by a woman writing in English. This was suppressed by the church, but copies were preserved by an order of nuns until its popular rediscovery in the 20th century. In these times of mass self-isolation even atheist dance devisers may take comfort from her optimism.

  As a woman known by a male name, she is represented here by both members of 1st couple who are isolated in the centre for bars 17-24. The last 8 bars depict the ringing of church bells. Although hands would normally be taken here, this phrase may also be danced hands free. The dancers should align in geometric cross shapes at the end of bars 13, 15 and 19.


created: 2017-11-10 16:35:37.510322+00
last_modified: 2025-12-21 11:26:36.308627+00
name: Flower Lady, The
ucname: FLOWER LADY
intensity_bars: 808/880/800/804
devised: 2016-11-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Marie-Noëlle Dubey whose beauty of character was reflected in the floral arrangements she made each year for the Geneva Spring Dance.


created: 1998-01-05 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 18:48:14.524903+00
name: Mr & Mrs Richard McLaughlin of San Diego
ucname: MR AND MRS RICHARD MACLAUGHLIN OF SAN DIEGO
devised: 1992-01-19
notes:
  Inscribed to "Marjorie Easton and Richard McLaughlin, who were married in San Diego, on January 18, 1992."


created: 2001-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 18:59:23.539383+00
name: Well Done, Bernard!!
ucname: WELL DONE BERNARD
intensity_bars: 800 866 844 888
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  To Dr. Bernard Kaiman on receiving the RSCDS Scroll of Honour in july 1999, and presented at English Mountain Weekend 1999

  The elements of this dance have the following symbolic associations:
  1-8      the pattern danced on the floor is a mirrored "B" for Bernard
  9-16    _crown_ triangles for the _Royal_ Scottish Country Dance Society
  17-24  depicts the fellowship and fun of SCD, which Bernard always epitomized
  25-32  symbolizes the worldwide family of dancers to which we all belong


created: 1998-01-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-08 22:10:16.533911+00
name: Drunken Parson, The
ucname: DRUNKEN PARSON
intensity_bars: 88/88/88/88
notes:
  This dance was originally labeled as “Reel”. As the recommended tune is a jig, and hence all recordings are also in Jig time, the editors of "The Whetherly Books" felt it appropriate to change the dance type to “Jig” as well (2023-05-08).  
  The “Border style” poussette in this dance seems to refer to "A Complete Guide to Scottish Country Dancing” by Allie Anderson and John Duthie (McDougall’s Educational Co. Ltd), where it is called “Poussette Second Form” (pages 30-31). In contrast to the standard form, in this poussette the men begin with the right foot. Apparently, at the time of writing (circa 1960), this method of dancing the poussette was danced in the South-East Borders Counties.


created: 2006-09-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 07:57:09.655313+00
name: Accordion Player, The
ucname: ACCORDION PLAYER
intensity_bars: 844 844 888 844
notes:
  Dedicated to Liz Donaldson, great musician and piano player, who impressed us al whenshe took up the accordion!


created: 2024-04-22 10:40:31.991993+00
last_modified: 2024-06-03 00:36:27.387624+00
name: Warm as Toast
ucname: WARM AS TOAST
intensity_bars: 880/888/880/844
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  The notes for the dances say it was "devised in 2010 as another warm up dance for the beginning of club or any session." Also that "second couple finish facing out for most of this dance, flowing into each formation (hopefully with ease)."

  Note by the deviser, Colin Gaye:  In the original instructions for this dance it was just 1+2C's cross RH etc, but the phrasing was a little slow for the 8bars so I changed it to set first then cross RH etc.  Sorry for the confusion.

  Gaye Collin


created: 1998-09-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:28.719785+00
name: Highland Lass, The
ucname: HIGHLAND LASS
intensity_bars: 844 844 880 844
devised: 1728-01-01
notes:
  In Book 30 the RSCDS says this dance was adapted from a 1728 edition of the Playford dances. A version of the dance was also published in an earlier edition of Playford dating from 1718. The latter is available online at <<https://playforddances.com/dances-2-3/highland-lass-2/>>. Some discussion of this can be found in <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/issue/2967/|issue 2967>>.


created: 2011-03-09 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:30.983423+00
name: Round and Roundabout
ucname: ROUND AND ROUNDABOUT
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2010-01-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Beatrix "Bexi" Wepner to celebrate her birthday in November 2010. The title, in either English or Austrian, fits a number of formations in the dance.

  Note: The 'circulating knot' was introduced independently by Sue McKinnell (in the USA) and Heiko Schmidt (in Austria) at the same time.


created: 1998-09-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2026-07-05 11:06:35.861297+00
name: Munro Rant, The
ucname: MUNRO RANT
intensity_bars: 80 88 88 88
notes:
  This was originally published as a 3c dance; 1c then cross below 3c on [5].  It would be useful to look up in which editions of the RDCDS books and Pocket Books this change was made.


created: 2014-02-15 07:24:02.078683+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 08:03:39.598701+00
name: Ann of Scotia
ucname: ANN OF SCOTIA
intensity_bars: 800/822/844/888
devised: 2013-11-01
notes:
  Devised by Chris and Sue Ronald, November 2013, to honor Ann Hankins’ extraordinary contribution to Scotia Dancers in New York.

  Original text:

  Bars	

  1-4	(Cuddle cast) 1st couple dance towards partner, face up, touch nearer hands and cast to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4. 

  5-8	1st couple set advancing, turn ½ way with both hands and pivot pulling right shoulder back on the last bar to face first corners. 

  9-16	(Set and flirt) 1st couple set to first corners, and dance around each other by right shoulder (gypsy) to face second corners; repeat with second corners, and finish on own side in second place, facing out.

  17-20	1st couple dance a loop (by right shoulder) around third corners and pass each other by right shoulder up and down the centre of the set while third corners ½ turn with right hand, face each other, and dance into each other’s place on a curve, pulling right shoulder back (½ turn and twirl).

  21-24	Repeat bars 17-20 with fourth corners. On the last two bars, 1st couple pass right shoulder to finish in second place on opposite side.

  25-32	All chase clockwise half way (4 bars) then all turn partner once round with both hands.  
  Repeat having passed a couple.


created: 2002-11-18 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 08:08:47.352411+00
name: Banks of the Limmat, The
ucname: BANKS OF THE LIMMAT
intensity_bars: 804/840/800/888
notes:
  Inscribed to Prue Brunner, who was president of the Zurich Scottish Country Dancing Club for 20 years.


created: 2009-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 08:34:15.497327+00
name: Courting Couples
ucname: COURTING COUPLES
intensity_bars: 80800 83863 83863 84888
notes:
  Written for the many couples who have met and courted most elegantly while dancing in the Kuckucksnest over the past 20 years.  It replaces the 3C/4L dance "The Courting Couple", which Carola wants to discontinue.


created: 2021-08-20 15:06:02.062957+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 08:35:20.154606+00
name: Dance for Donna, A
ucname: DANCE FOR DONNA
intensity_bars: 888/800/888/888
devised: 2016-02-26
notes:
  Devised on February 26, 2016, for Donna Campbell, long time friend and fellow member of St Andrew’s of Brampton.


created: 2011-08-22 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-07-15 09:58:50.611715+00
name: 35 Years and Counting
ucname: 35 YEARS AND COUNTING
intensity_bars: 800/844/866/888
devised: 2007-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Terry Lynne Harris, Pretoria 2007.

  Written for the 35th anniversary of the Pretoria Branch of the RSCDS


created: 2001-06-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-05-03 13:51:08.349466+00
name: Tribute to Jimmy Strachan
ucname: TRIBUTE TO JIMMY STRACHAN
notes:
  SCDDB has listed the tune Lily Davison for this dance.

  However the instructions mention three different tunes: Tribute to J. Shand (not known to the database); Orange and Blue; The Fiddlers Joy.


created: 2015-03-29 23:31:46.920022+00
last_modified: 2024-06-03 12:07:23.427665+00
name: 40 Years Together
ucname: 40 YEARS TOGETHER
intensity_bars: 8228/8888/8888/8448/8888
devised: 2005-08-07
notes:
  Dance devised by Helen Beaney to celebrate the Ruby Wedding Anniversary on 7th August 2005 of her parents, Jill Down and Frank Bonar, who first met through Scottish Country Dancing.
  Music composed by John Barnes of the Dublin Scottish Country Dance Club.


created: 2012-06-12 13:18:40.688418+00
last_modified: 2025-12-13 09:06:04.941768+00
name: Berkhamsted Castle
ucname: BERKHAMSTED CASTLE
intensity_bars: 822/888/800/888
devised: 2010-10-01
notes:
  Berkhamsted was where in 1066 Saxon leaders offered the crown of England to William of Normandy. The castle’s construction was begun that year. The dance was devised to celebrate 60 years of friendship at Berkhamsted Strathspey & Reel Club and depicts the castle motte and bailey whilst echoing the club’s Diamond Jubilee through it’s patterns.


created: 2011-07-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 08:53:06.546733+00
name: Grand Central Station
ucname: GRAND CENTRAL STATION
intensity_bars: 804/888/888/888
notes:
  Devised in December 2008. 

  As this is quite a busy dance, particularly bars 17-24, it brought an image of Grand Central Station to mind.

  Music
  Any busy jig. A suitable recording is ‘The Alder Burn‘, Dancing Forth, Gordon Shand and his Scottish Dance Band, track 4.


created: 2023-01-05 12:44:28.299121+00
last_modified: 2026-08-03 21:43:50.07648+00
name: Sunrise at Birsay
ucname: SUNRISE AT BIRSAY
intensity_bars: 08080/08080/28482/08080/88808
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  > The Brough of Birsay is a small tidal island off the northwest coast of the Orkney mainland.
  > This dance commemorates an early morning trip to catch low tide in order to be able to
  > walk across the causeway and explore the island.


created: 2006-10-19 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 09:01:09.612972+00
name: Heart of Midlothian F.C., The
ucname: HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN FC
intensity_bars: 804/844/866/888
devised: 2004-04-01
notes:
  A freely downloadable recording of music for this dance is available via <<http://www.fiddletree-music.com/johnturner/scdrecordings.html>>  

  Devised by Moira Turner, SCD-Richmond VA, April 2004, for my dad, James Randall Duffy, born on The Pleasance, Edinburgh, in 1915.  Despite growing up in the Irish-Scots immigrant community of the Cowgate, he was one of The Heart of Midlothian FC’s staunchest supporters ever and a member of the Edina HSC.  ‘Forever and Ever’ was a spirit song popular with Hearts’ fans in the mid-1950s.  The title was borrowed for the dance’s signature tune.


created: 2019-02-21 09:12:17.958618+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 09:06:20.444262+00
name: Ian's Delight
ucname: IANS DELIGHT
intensity_bars: 804/844/888/888
devised: 2018-02-01
notes:
  Dedicated to the memory of Ian Ross, a dear friend and fellow-dancer who, together with his devoted partner, Marmie Smith, epitomised the joyfulness of Scottish country dancing.


created: 2019-05-25 21:55:10.613181+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 09:13:53.869658+00
name: John of Dumbarton
ucname: JOHN OF DUMBARTON
intensity_bars: 800/844/844/844/888
devised: 2019-01-01
notes:
  In bars 33-36, for the touch nearer hands, the deviser Isabel Neves wants people to touch palms with fingers pointing upwards and maintaining contact for as long as possible, roughly two bars.

  The dance was devised in memory of John Corcoran who died in 2018. He was one of the directors of St Andrews College Summer School, in Bearsden.

  The deviser writes that he was "a great man, very active in his community. And very nice and kind. He would take me on trips and almost make me feel I was Scottish, not a tourist. The closest I had to a Scottish father.  I felt like a real Scot on a weekend trip the few times he took me somewhere. My first fish and chips, in Callander, ice cream in beautiful Luss come to mind. And he took a day to take me to Loch Katrine, to do the tour on the steamship I've been dreaming of since I was eighteen."


created: 2003-12-04 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 09:15:14.400614+00
name: Kristin MacDonald's Strathspey
ucname: KRISTIN MACDONALDS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 888/808/888/888
devised: 1992-01-01
notes:
  From the deviser's notes:

  Devised in Ithaca,  New York,  USA in September,  1992 and modified in June 1997.
  Kristin is my wife.  This was the first dance I ever wrote.

  Note that the preferred recording (Ms Gillian McMullen Of Cambridge) is played four times through although this is a three couple set dance.


created: 2022-08-05 22:47:46.819114+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 09:32:52.627517+00
name: Matt's Wedding
ucname: MATTS WEDDING
intensity_bars: 8008/8008/4044/8000/8088
devised: 2022-01-01
notes:
  Devised for the wedding of Emmy Wilkinson to Matt Dunn at Fingask Castle on 9th August 2022.
  This is a strathspey version of Emmy's Wedding


created: 2023-05-09 09:54:59.657678+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 10:52:06.611571+00
name: Scotched-In
ucname: SCOTCHEDIN
devised: 2022-04-01
notes:
  The notes say that "This dance was devised for a Tartan/Burns Dinner which was first held in April 2022, where all who were gathered were scotched in".


created: 2017-08-02 14:35:47.74232+00
last_modified: 2024-03-23 16:10:22.799198+00
name: Glenoe
ucname: GLENOE
intensity_bars: 880/808/844/888
devised: 2017-03-23
notes:
  Devised by Daphne Jones, 23rd March 2017, for Elma McCausland MBE, who lives at Glenoe, Bangor, Co. Down


created: 2014-05-19 14:57:00.620248+00
last_modified: 2025-11-17 15:12:23.181696+00
name: Janice
ucname: JANICE
intensity_bars: 888/800/866/844
devised: 2013-06-01
notes:
  Devised in June 2013 by Lara Friedman-Shedlov (lfriedmanshedlov [at] gmail.com) for Janice Lacock, now of Madison, Wisconsin.

  Music:   "I would prefer a traditional-style Strathspey (not an air); there is no designated tune as of yet."


created: 2016-03-06 11:51:36.029243+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 10:33:52.996786+00
name: Mrs Carmichael of Okataina
ucname: MRS CARMICHAEL OF OKATAINA
intensity_bars: 822/844/844/888
devised: 2005-01-01
notes:
  Devised by George Roberts to celebrate Joan Carmichael's birthday which coincided with the Saltash
  Scottish Country Dance Club's Annual Christmas Social held on Saturday 10th December 2005.  

  "Heagy" and Joan Carmichael used to run the Saltash Scottish Country Dance Club for many years.
  "Okataina" is the name of their house. They were instrumental in encouraging Scottish country dancing in Cornwall.  

  George Roberts plays the accordion and is lead of the Scottish Country dance Band, "Celtic Capers" and was playing for the dance that evening. When George plays this "live" he likes to use as the first tune "Peter Sanderson's Strathspey" which is the first tune played by Hugh Ferguson on Reflections of Dalriada, track 2 for the strathspey "The Red Rose of Dunoon" which is a 4 x 32 bar strathspey.


created: 2020-03-09 22:27:19.243275+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 10:41:35.782479+00
name: Nur gucken, nicht anfassen
ucname: NUR GUCKEN NICHT ANFASSEN
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/822
notes:
  Source used : Dance List for SF Hildesheim - <<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/23114/|Mitbringsel Hannover 2019-06-18a>>


created: 2009-08-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2024-06-03 05:22:51.025306+00
name: Yet Another Birthday
ucname: YET ANOTHER BIRTHDAY
intensity_bars: 880/888/800/808
devised: 2007-05-01
notes:
  Written for the author's husband, Don Nemiroff, on his birthday.

  Author's Note: »The first 8 bars I call ›The Maurice Progression‹, inspired by the dance <<ddd:Maurice>> written by Gary Thomas and published in *Dunsmuir Dances* in memory of Maurice Whitby. Maurice was very active in the earlier days of the Montréal Branch (dancing, teaching, and working on the Committee of Management) until he moved to Ontario.«


created: 2005-01-20 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 10:50:32.462458+00
name: Pittencrieff Panic
ucname: PITTENCRIEFF PANIC
intensity_bars: 800/888/888/888
devised: 2004-05-08
notes:
  Seonaid Gent provided the instructions for this dance and commented :

  "Pittencrieff Panic was a group of my friends (calling themselves the Town  House Posse) to celebrate my wedding to David on 8 May 2004.  The reception was held in the Glen Pavillion in Pittencrief Park in Dunfermline.  The Panic bit comes from the fact that it was only when they were having tea in between attending the wedding ceremony and coming to the evening reception that they realised no-one had written a dance for us."

  Strathspey mailing group, Jan. 22, 2005, Message 40364, 
  <<https://www.strathspey.org/lists/strathspey%40strathspey.org/t/40359/#m40364>>


created: 2021-05-03 16:16:32.003656+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 10:56:00.676951+00
name: Seal of Approval, The
ucname: SEAL OF APPROVAL
intensity_bars: 800/888/880/088
devised: 2021-05-01
notes:
  Devised on May 1, 2021, after the Friday night Zoom class when Deirdre Bark taught her new dance, Selkie Fowk (Seal People in English, from an old Scottish legend) and Arlene Koteff gave it her seal of approval.


created: 2018-12-03 15:56:48.395555+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 11:02:23.143687+00
name: Skeely Skipper, The
ucname: SKEELY SKIPPER
intensity_bars: 840/880/888/888/668
devised: 2016-01-18
notes:
  The dance takes its title from the opening lines of the ballad Sir Patrick Spens  
  The King sits in Dunfermline toun,  
  Drinkin the blude-reid wine  
  'O whaur will I get a skeely skipper  
  Tae sail this new ship o mine?'


created: 2021-09-07 20:28:52.386649+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 11:22:23.138397+00
name: Twenty-five Glorious Years
ucname: TWENTYFIVE GLORIOUS YEARS
intensity_bars: 800/844/888/888
devised: 2010-05-01
notes:
  Devised in May 2010 for Paul Maloney to celebrate his 25th anniversary as the revered teacher of St Andrew’s of Brampton. This dance was premiered on September 22, 25 years and 4 days after Paul began teaching the group.


created: 2001-09-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 11:38:30.242403+00
name: Bespoke Taylors
ucname: BESPOKE TAYLORS
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/844
devised: 1999-01-01
notes:
  John Drewry wrote this dance for the Taylors of Dargaville, New Zealand. 

  Note: During Bars 25-32, 1st man dances up both times, while 1st woman dances down both times, to enter the half reels of four.


created: 1997-08-28 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 11:51:25.187673+00
name: Cabrach, The
ucname: CABRACH
intensity_bars: 440 888 888 888
notes:
  "This dance can be used to introduce the 3-couple allemande in reel time and as an introduction to dancing a medley - 32 bar strathspey -  32 bar reel, each couple dancing once through in strathspey time and  then in reel time for their second turn."  Also danced as medley; as S for 1c and 2c, as Reel for 3c and 4c.


created: 2002-04-30 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 12:39:30.401217+00
name: Castle Campbell
ucname: CASTLE CAMPBELL
intensity_bars: 8000/8220/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  The notes say "This strathspey was written for Ellen and Lynnette Campbell who visited me in 1995 for a delightful tour of Scotland. "


created: 1998-11-14 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 12:56:22.473046+00
name: Duchess Tree, The
ucname: DUCHESS TREE
intensity_bars: 888 888 880 880
devised: 1971-01-01
notes:
  Drewry writes" The Duchess Tree was a lime tree in the grounds of Gordon Castle at Fochabers. It spread to vast proportions and, when measured in 1911, had a girth of 17 feet 5 inches and a circumference of
  144 yards. Sadly the tree is no more but was famous in its time and marked on ordnance survey maps. (I am indebted to Margaret Cooke of Forres for this information.)


created: 2002-11-03 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 13:09:21.791462+00
name: Laird of the Dance, The
ucname: LAIRD OF THE DANCE
devised: 1998-07-01
notes:
  This dance is dedicated to Bob Blackie. The title comes from the description of Bob in the "Globe and Mail" from Toronto, Friday, July 10, 1998. Bob died May 25, 1998, age 62.


created: 2016-09-05 23:19:27.395769+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 13:21:45.685964+00
name: Muckle Muddle, The
ucname: MUCKLE MUDDLE
devised: 2013-05-02
notes:
  Objective: Fun and novelty

  Music: A Strathspey set under four minutes works best

  Suggest: “Leaving Benbecula” by Nicol McLaren on the Craigievar Dances album.


created: 2002-04-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 13:24:44.858564+00
name: No Mean Feet
ucname: NO MEAN FEET
notes:
  "Dedicated to Maureen Vivino, longtime renegade and leader of the Ithaca Scottish Country Dancers; an all round good dancer, great friend, and noted vegetarian. The name of the dance came up during an after-dance get together and, to me, is suggestive of the ability and the attitude that she brings to her own dancing and the spirit she inspires in others. The dance was inspired by her cast off in tandem modification, for a demo, to a Strathspey That Shall Remain Nameless."


created: 2020-12-20 22:55:10.41011+00
last_modified: 2023-05-09 13:54:56.200186+00
name: Virtual Happiness
ucname: VIRTUAL HAPPINESS
intensity_bars: 844/888/888/888
devised: 2020-12-01
notes:
  This dance is written to thank all the scd dance groups, musicians, tech wizards and teachers who are putting a great deal of time and effort into keeping Scottish Country dancing alive and well during this pandemic.  From the RSCDS weekly Wednesday classes to the smallest online groups (like mine), we are keeping dancers connected and, hopefully, in shape until we can return to normal.


created: 2018-10-09 10:40:56.109385+00
last_modified: 2023-05-15 06:24:39.979285+00
name: There and Back Again
ucname: THERE AND BACK AGAIN
intensity_bars: 840/880/844/888
devised: 2014-12-01
notes:
  Written for a geek night celebrating the release of the hobbit movie.  
  The dance was originally labeled as a jig (as per online source). With the suggested music being a reel though, the deviser being asked stated: "The music is always the defining tempo. So this dance is a reel."


created: 2015-07-20 12:25:53.310694+00
last_modified: 2023-05-10 11:17:05.628523+00
name: Apple for the Teacher, An
ucname: APPLE FOR THE TEACHER
devised: 2001-11-07
notes:
  SCDDB lists two tunes though the instructions only mention Val Mitchell's Reel (which is a jig). Possibly the other tune "An Apple for the Teacher" is a mistaken duplicate based on the dance name? To be checked.


created: 2020-11-26 18:33:16.495042+00
last_modified: 2023-05-12 07:26:03.050069+00
name: Amelia Frances Charlotte Wood
ucname: AMELIA FRANCES CHARLOTTE WOOD
intensity_bars: 880/880/808/808
devised: 2020-09-01
notes:
  Written to celebrate Katie and Alistair’s new baby.

  The figures in 1-8 and 17-24 are a variation on the <<ddd:Seann Triubhas Willichan#5982>> variation that Dale and Polly Birdsall devised and put into the dance <<ddd:One More Time#20062>>.

  Originally intended as a strathspey but later changed to a jig.


created: 2000-04-18 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-14 17:29:52.188837+00
name: Tweedsmuir Tangle
ucname: TWEEDSMUIR TANGLE
devised: 1994-01-01
notes:
  The description calls this a 4 couple reel in a longwise set, but only the first three couples dance, and the progression is (213), so it is obviously a 3C/4L dance.


created: 2023-05-14 20:56:23.38633+00
last_modified: 2023-05-14 21:35:03.601473+00
name: Dymkovo Patterns
ucname: DYMKOVO PATTERNS
notes:
  Source: youtube videos.

  Dymkovo toys are traditionally hand made by women from the Kirov region in Russia.


created: 1998-04-12 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-15 09:15:47.999214+00
name: Haggis Hunters, The
ucname: HAGGIS HUNTERS
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8080/0808/8888/8888/8888/8888
devised: 1986-01-01
notes:
  The original instructions for Figure 2 just have "All dance eight hands round to the left" without specifying how far. In practise half way round, as shown in the videos, seems to fit well.


created: 2019-05-12 08:56:01.984326+00
last_modified: 2023-05-18 12:34:40.598689+00
name: Maxwell's Waves
ucname: MAXWELLS WAVES
devised: 2012-01-01
notes:
  The dance was commissioned by the Orkney International Science Festival in 2012 to celebrate the life of physicist James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) who is best known for unifying the theories of electricity and magnetism and showing that light is an electromagnetic wave.

  The comments on the <<https://youtu.be/WvhYB1Fmr80|youtube video>> give a lot more detail about him.

  This is also <<https://www.scottishcountrydanceoftheday.com/daysoftheyear/maxwell's-waves|Scottish Country Dance of the Day>> for 13 June which was Maxwell's birthday.


created: 2000-11-12 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-16 07:36:54.328902+00
name: Here's a Hand
ucname: HERES A HAND
intensity_bars: 8800/8880/8888/8444
notes:
  Medley, first 2 times in Strathspey time, 3rd and 4th in Reel  
  Suitable recordings: *Schiehallion* or *1314*


created: 2014-05-26 20:51:01.891985+00
last_modified: 2023-08-24 22:07:43.674086+00
name: Fifty-two Summers
ucname: FIFTYTWO SUMMERS
intensity_bars: 8080/0808/8888/8888/8888
devised: 2013-07-19
notes:
  SCDDB originally linked the tune <<ddt:Six-Twenty Two Step>> but this is not mentioned in the instructions in the <<ddpub:Riverside Dances>> book so it has now been removed and replaced by the two tunes which are listed there.


created: 2005-02-20 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-15 13:49:30.950849+00
name: Raising The Anchor
ucname: RAISING THE ANCHOR
intensity_bars: 88800/80888/80008/80004
devised: 2001-01-01
notes:
  No specific tune recommended for this dance by its author. Iain Boyd stated in an e-mail: "However, my original comments are: Any suitable reel with a hornpipe 'flavour' played AABB."


created: 2019-11-01 08:02:34.542881+00
last_modified: 2023-05-15 16:53:55.131172+00
name: Owen Sutherland's Reel
ucname: OWEN SUTHERLANDS REEL
intensity_bars: 844/888/800/822/844
notes:
  Devised in memory of Owen Sutherland, a much loved and appreciated member of Javea SCD who also enthusiastically attended the Iberian Gatherings for many years.

  The preferred tune is <<ddt:Sutherland's Reel>> (as recorded by <<ddp:#3018>> on <<dda:#115>>) but there is no connection to Owen Sutherland other than the surname.


created: 2022-06-25 15:10:28.731905+00
last_modified: 2023-05-18 08:39:44.461364+00
name: Bird Man, The
ucname: BIRD MAN
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888
notes:
  Dance written in memory of Peter Hawkey who died in 2006. Peter was Warden on the Farne Islands for many years and it was extremely interesting to listen to him talking about the bird life, especially the Puffins. Peter and his wife Joyce rarely missed local dances and travelled great distances to go to dances in other areas and abroad.


created: 2002-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-09-02 12:30:15.499675+00
name: King's Croft
ucname: KINGS CROFT
devised: 1994-01-01
notes:
  3 X 32 Reel for 3 two-couple sets in spokes of wheel formation, evenly spaced.  Devised for the RSCDS London Branch Demonstration Class. On their video the dance is referred to as The Bousfield Reel.


created: 1997-09-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-16 21:06:42.360518+00
name: Silver Strand, The
ucname: SILVER STRAND
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/844
notes:
  Alexander Dances, Book 8 instructs 1st corners to turn 1 1/2 times with the right hand on bars 19-20 .  The finishing order would be 2 1 3 with 2C and 3C on opposite sides.  If they turn once only the progression becomes 3 1 2 with all on own sides which is a valid progression in a 3 couple set.


created: 2017-06-18 15:07:35.173256+00
last_modified: 2023-05-18 17:24:51.83776+00
name: SandBJ
ucname: SANDBJ
devised: 2014-01-01
notes:
  The deviser has changed bars 9-16 from the printed original.  The original instructions had all dancing just 6 bars of a 3 couple Knot in 8 bars, omitting the last half LH turn. 

  This has now been changed to add an extra half LH turn. All still end on opposite sides. This version is shown in video 1 (<<https://my.strathspey.org/dd/dancevideo/9620/>>).


created: 2022-10-01 08:00:10.485439+00
last_modified: 2023-05-17 22:27:38.979861+00
name: Bonsoir Roland
ucname: BONSOIR ROLAND
intensity_bars: 880/888/800/844
devised: 2021-01-29
notes:
  Devised by Wouter Joubert, 29 January 2021, for Roland Telle of the E-cribs team.  
  As l lay awake in the early hours of the morning, stressing about my upcoming 12 hour online exam, this dance finally came together. The early morning inspiration and the fact that Roland and l usually correspond late at night via email inspired the title of the dance.


created: 2023-05-16 21:56:13.666791+00
last_modified: 2025-07-15 17:36:29.018229+00
name: Creator of Intricacies, The
ucname: CREATOR OF INTRICACIES
intensity_bars: 660/828/888/888
devised: 2023-03-28
notes:
  Inscribed "in honour of Murrough Landon, who delights in devising intricate dances."

  A 3x32 recording played by <<ddp:Joubert, Wouter#3179>> is available at <<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KuPpyBhvb-XbvqQ2zURK-XmuM7gymzn7/view>>.


created: 2023-05-13 10:56:05.718596+00
last_modified: 2023-05-20 08:27:01.599082+00
name: San Siro Reel, The
ucname: SAN SIRO REEL
notes:
  Planned to be in the embryonic Milan Scottish Country Dancers Collection. 

  Original music by Michael Philip.


created: 2023-05-20 09:02:23.884113+00
last_modified: 2023-05-20 09:02:23.884113+00
name: Too Much
ucname: TOO MUCH
notes:
  Devised by dancers in Tomsk. A 32 bar demonstration called "Too Much" repeated in jig, strathspey and reel. The names of the devisers are not yet known to the database editors.


created: 2023-05-22 14:07:01.366687+00
last_modified: 2023-05-22 14:07:01.366687+00
name: Summertown Circulation
ucname: SUMMERTOWN CIRCULATION
notes:
  The notes say this was "written for RSCDS Oxfordshire who dance in Summertown, Oxford on Thursday nights."


created: 2023-04-04 10:41:28.808927+00
last_modified: 2023-05-24 13:44:36.326471+00
name: George Taylor's Strathspey
ucname: GEORGE TAYLORS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 800/880/888/808
devised: 2015-01-01
notes:
  The dance was written for one of the members of the Lisbon Lapa group, called Jorge Alfaiate (the Portuguese word alfaiate means tailor in English).

  The dance was originally mistakenly entered in the database as "Jorge Taylor's Strathspey" which is kept as a spelling alias.


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-26 19:50:54.344338+00
name: Firth Jig, The
ucname: FIRTH JIG
intensity_bars: 000088/080888/444488/808088/080888/808088
notes:
  The notes suggest that dancing this 3 times is sufficient. For all to return to original places needs 12 times.


created: 1997-09-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-26 20:04:33.906743+00
name: Flower of Yarrow, The
ucname: FLOWER OF YARROW
intensity_bars: 800/822/877/837
notes:
  According to the notes "The Flower of Yarrow was the name given to Mary Scott of Dryhope in the Border Ballads."


created: 2023-04-24 12:02:35.536896+00
last_modified: 2023-05-26 22:40:15.289281+00
name: Two Roses, The
ucname: TWO ROSES
devised: 2023-01-16
notes:
  The notes in the book say that "the half turn and cast reels resemble the rose progression, and here the idea is that these celebrate the two roses, Lancaster and York, to form the Tudor rose, which is represented by the espagnole."


created: 2023-05-20 22:36:10.343279+00
last_modified: 2026-07-23 12:38:15.822854+00
name: Rowan's Welcome
ucname: ROWANS WELCOME
devised: 2023-05-19
notes:
  Devised to mark the visit to Frankfurt by Rowan the sheep, the RSCDS Young Dancers' mascot, in May, 2023.


created: 1997-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-27 17:30:29.52471+00
name: Irene's Rant
ucname: IRENES RANT
devised: 1975-03-01
notes:
  Inscribed "For Irene Lodge of Paisley".

  The notes say the dance was originally devised in March 1975, but bars 29-32 were revised in December 1986.


created: 1997-09-04 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-27 17:37:22.339128+00
name: Jacobite Ladies Of Murrayshall, The
ucname: JACOBITE LADIES OF MURRAYSHALL
notes:
  Murrayshall, near Stirling, the home of William Wilson, an Edinburgh lawyer and his three daughters, was a centre of Jacobite intrigue. The daughters became known locally a "the three Jacobite ladies of Murrayshall".


created: 2002-04-28 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-02 11:56:56.437212+00
name: Sutton Strathspey, The
ucname: SUTTON STRATHSPEY
notes:
  The notes say that "The Sutton Strathspey was devised for the Sutton Coldfield Scottish Country Dance Society. It has no particular music associated with it, but it was intended for dancing to any suitable 4x32 bar strathspey record."

  The dance consists of four different 32 bar figures.


created: 2021-11-21 21:53:13.562904+00
last_modified: 2023-05-30 15:28:45.362818+00
name: St Mark's Strathspey
ucname: SAINT MARKS STRATHSPEY
intensity_bars: 822/888/844/822
devised: 2020-10-01
notes:
  Devised during  Covid-19. The dance name was chosen from a list of ten entries of which this name was suggested by Jamie Wilson and Evelyn Norman.


created: 1998-11-07 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-30 15:39:04.943048+00
name: Butterscotch and Honey
ucname: BUTTERSCOTCH AND HONEY
intensity_bars: 8400/8044/8888/8888
devised: 1984-01-01
notes:
  In 2003, in response to a query regarding bars 17-24, Mrs. Attwood wrote:

  I wrote this dance in 1984 and have had one or two queries like yours over the years.  As the dancers reach the top of the set, 1st couple leading, they cross to their own side, each couple in turn passing his, or her, partner by the left shoulder.  As you say the dancers "interleave", or as I always put it, they "criss-cross".


created: 1997-09-08 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-30 21:25:28.206352+00
name: May Morning Jig
ucname: MAY MORNING JIG
devised: 1993-05-01
notes:
  "A lively jig to welcome the May mornings" by Mary Garvie (aged 11) of the RSCDS Leeds Branch Children's class.


created: 1997-09-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-30 21:44:27.938957+00
name: Merry-Go-Round, The
ucname: MERRYGOROUND
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  Devised by Ann-Marie Bunyan and Ruth Leeson (both aged 11) of the RSCDS Leeds Branch Childrens class of 1993.


created: 1997-08-25 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-05-31 10:59:31.975891+00
name: King's Chapel
ucname: KINGS CHAPEL
intensity_bars: 800 866 866 888
devised: 1993-01-01
notes:
  The notes say this was devised for a dance programme in Cambridge consisting entirely of John Drewry dances.


created: 1997-09-09 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-01 12:08:42.016271+00
name: Michealmas
ucname: MICHEALMAS
notes:
  This dance is named "Michealmas", which deviates from the standard English spelling "Michaelmas".  It may well be a typo, but that still remains the name.  The standard spelling is added as an alias. 
  The editors of the 2019 combined edition of Imperial Books 4, 5 and More have opted to use the spelling "Michaelmas"


created: 2023-06-02 08:48:06.82547+00
last_modified: 2023-06-09 08:37:09.265754+00
name: Adelaide Platinum Strathspey, The
ucname: ADELAIDE PLATINUM STRATHSPEY
devised: 2022-08-01
notes:
  The deviser notes: “The first 8 bars represent the number 7 and 0 as seen from above. The 70th anniversary is known as Platinum. Adelaide Branch was formed in 1952 so this is our Platinum Anniversary.”


created: 1997-04-03 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-01 12:45:34.290306+00
name: Miss Elizabeth McGillivray
ucname: MISS ELIZABETH MACGILLIVRAY
notes:
  This is inscribed "For Elizabeth McGillivray, a founder member of the Adelaide Branch of the R.S.C.D.S."


created: 1997-09-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-01 13:53:02.812323+00
name: Neptune's Staircase
ucname: NEPTUNES STAIRCASE
notes:
  According to the notes "Neptune's Staircase is the name given to the flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal at Banavie."


created: 1997-09-17 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-02 20:41:07.838512+00
name: Wee Barra
ucname: WEE BARRA
notes:
  According to the notes "Barra was a lovely friendly little dog who chased flies on the beach. Sadly he died of cancer aged 20 months and this dance has been devised in his memory by his owner and members of the PONTELAND CLASS Teacher Mrs M Barlow."


created: 2002-11-26 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-03 21:32:12.792255+00
name: At the Studio
ucname: AT THE STUDIO
notes:
  The notes say this was devised "for classes held at The Studio in Glasgow, Kentucky. Barren River State Park, near Glasgow is the site of the annual Glasgow Highland Games."


created: 1997-09-10 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-04 09:55:45.485587+00
name: North Country Lass, A
ucname: NORTH COUNTRY LASS
notes:
  The notes say this is "dedicated to Maids Wilson - a North Country Lass - who enjoys giving others pleasure through Scottish Country Dancing. Mavis and her husband Dick were stalwarts of the Scottish dancing group at Great Blakenham, and unfailingly made newcomers welcome. For many years Roy and his wife Lilian ‘kilted’ out hundreds of Scottish dancers from around the world in their Stowmarket shop."


created: 2023-06-04 15:30:21.574727+00
last_modified: 2023-06-04 15:30:21.574727+00
name: Seven Mountains Reel, The
ucname: SEVEN MOUNTAINS REEL
devised: 2023-04-01
notes:
  This dance – an obvious relative of <<ddd:Black Mountain Reel>> – was devised for the 30th Bonn Ball, “The Mountain Calls!”. The *Siebengebirge* (Seven Mountains Range) is a famous landmark and popular excursion spot on the river Rhine near Bonn.


created: 2003-02-09 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-06 21:21:31.524381+00
name: I Don't Want to be One
ucname: I DONT WANT TO BE ONE
intensity_bars: 0048 0608 8808 8448
notes:
  Written by a Scottish Country Dance Band player who kept hearing dancers say 'I don't want to be one. Will you go first?' So he devised a dance where the 4C start as the dancing couple and progress to 1st place.


created: 1997-09-29 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-08 13:07:36.907785+00
name: Five Penny Ness
ucname: FIVE PENNY NESS
intensity_bars: 88088/88888/08080/80000
notes:
  The notes say that "Five Penny Nese is on the north-east ooast of the Isle ot Lewis, near the Butt of Lewis."


created: 2011-12-17 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-08 19:45:38.236687+00
name: Ginger Sharks
ucname: GINGER SHARKS
devised: 2011-09-21
notes:
  Suggested music: "Kiss Me Quick, My Mither's Coming" - 7 Favourite Scottish Dances Vol. 4, George Stirrat's Band or "Mrs Leslye Buchanan" - Dancing Fingers 2, Muriel Johnstone

  Devised 21 September 2011 by Peter M Price (peter.price1672 [at] gmail.com) and dedicated to Rudi and Bugs, ginger cats who, at the opening of the front door, my sitting in the living room rocker, or the sound of a can being opened, come circling. When sitting in the rocker often only the tip of their tails are visible.


created: 2001-06-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-11 18:49:51.686078+00
name: Edinburgh's Welcome
ucname: EDINBURGHS WELCOME
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  For demonstration with the groups visiting the international festival run by Dunedin Dancers in 1997.


created: 2019-08-16 16:55:16.112741+00
last_modified: 2024-07-03 15:01:52.544491+00
name: Felicity's Frolic
ucname: FELICITYS FROLIC
intensity_bars: 800/888/844/888
devised: 2013-07-01
notes:
  Notes: 
  If first couple dance polite turns on bar 24, it helps them to move forwards and to their right on bar 25. 
  Felicity's Frolic may be danced as a reel,  jig or strathspey.


created: 1998-11-26 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2025-04-22 15:07:55.65853+00
name: Kuckucksnest Special
ucname: KUCKUCKSNEST SPECIAL
devised: 1998-06-01
notes:
  This dance was devised in Summer 1998 by Carola Fischer (once Tress) to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Kuckucksnest (Cuckoo's Nest - <<http://www.kuckucksnest.com/engl/>>).

  In this dance couples 2 and 4 are the dancing couples. The dance 'changes sides' every second time through. That means, the 2nd and 4th time through top and bottom changes, people start from the opposite side and performing every movement with the left shoulder, left hand, etc. Just the 5-couple poussette is danced the same way, changing the (original) top couple to the bottom. 

  The 5-couple poussette is described as follows:
  Couples 2 to 5 dance the 2nd couple's part of a poussette, 1st couple dance out and turn on bar 1, dance down on bars 2-4, down and turn on 5, then all turn half way round on bar 6. On bars 7 + 8 pass right shoulders and dance out to opposite sides with two skip-change. (Except in the 5th time through, where couples dance a 'normal' fall back.)

  As music the deviser suggests recordings of The Plantation Reel.


created: 2014-03-17 22:58:05.38455+00
last_modified: 2023-06-20 22:15:36.146036+00
name: Alley Cat, The
ucname: ALLEY CAT
intensity_bars: 8080/8888/8888/8888
notes:
  **Erratum:** According to the original instructions for bars 25–32, “3rd/1st couples Allemande while 2nd/4th Poussette”. This should read “3rd/4th couples Allemande while 2nd/1st Poussette”, i.e., the end couples dance the allemande movement while the middle couples dance the poussette movement. This leads to a formation which is centrally symmetric with respect to the whole set.  (The deviser concurs with this.)


created: 2023-06-18 14:57:12.722904+00
last_modified: 2023-06-19 08:21:02.048615+00
name: Rainbow Dress for Anne, A
ucname: RAINBOW DRESS FOR ANNE
intensity_bars: 8888/8888/8448/8888
devised: 2023-01-01
notes:
  This dance was created in response to a promise I made to Anne Dejean, a SCD teacher, who unfortunatelly left us far too soon in July 2022, following a diagnosis of cancer. Anne was a bubbly and sparkling person, luminous, always smiling. She had the most incredible rainbow coloured dresses and would always tell me where she had bought them. So, enjoy the reels, her favourite formation


created: 2006-07-02 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-15 16:36:51.827608+00
name: New Dixon Quadrille
ucname: NEW DIXON QUADRILLE
notes:
  Devised by Frances Richardson and dedicated to her friends, Peter and Wendy Dixon, who produced quadruplets on 1st April - all girls, no joke! The dance is designed to provide opportunities for four identical girls to confuse their male partners, particularly as the men progress round the square rather than the ladies.


created: 2006-11-10 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-15 16:42:14.569107+00
name: One of a Kind
ucname: ONE OF A KIND
devised: 2002-01-01
notes:
  This is a demonstration dance - presented to Ken Sumby by members of the Western Australia Branch Demonstration Team on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

  The three medley sections are all different and are mostly described in four bar phrases with detailed hints on transitions between them. 

  For demo dances making a crib or adding detailed formation information serves no purpose.


created: 2011-08-05 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-15 17:54:56.776457+00
name: Reel To Hopalots, A
ucname: REEL TO HOPALOTS
devised: 2011-02-14
notes:
  The dance can be danced with five couples or with three couples in a three- or four-couple longwise set.


created: 2020-04-27 22:10:48.881718+00
last_modified: 2023-06-24 08:05:59.832505+00
name: Happy Birthday, Kennocha!
ucname: HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENNOCHA
intensity_bars: 888/888/844/888
devised: 2019-04-01
notes:
  This may be danced as a reel.  

  This dance was devised for my daughter’s birthday. She was disappointed that I was not going to be with her in the morning of the very day of her ninth birthday since I was going to be teaching in Méaudre scd May week-end while she was busy somewhere else. So I decided to write a dance that we could dance with my husband and her to celebrate together in the evening.


created: 2005-04-14 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-24 08:00:56.017743+00
name: Double Nickels
ucname: DOUBLE NICKELS
devised: 2004-08-01
notes:
  I wrote this dance for all of us who have passed a certain milestone (double nickel originally referred to the 55 mile-per-hour speed limit in the U.S.) and to prove we could still dance. The reel version proved a bit speedy (although a tweak to bars 23 and 24 helped), so we tried it as a strathspey and it works quite well.


created: 2023-06-20 18:43:48.983669+00
last_modified: 2023-09-14 22:28:37.374656+00
name: Muddy Puddles
ucname: MUDDY PUDDLES
notes:
  2nd couple start back to back ready for double triangles.

  Notes from the deviser: The dance is an attempt to capture the childish joy of jumping in puddles through the setting in the dance.


created: 2023-06-20 18:46:19.316103+00
last_modified: 2023-09-14 22:29:27.282472+00
name: Spin Cycle
ucname: SPIN CYCLE
notes:
  Notes from the deviser: This dance was devised while trying to find an easy dance to use for a class that had yet to learn to set. The washing machine happened to have started its Spin Cycle at the time and I thought, “why not get them really good at turning right?”


created: 2023-06-20 20:03:21.117377+00
last_modified: 2023-09-14 22:37:08.064408+00
name: Dunkeld Larch Strathspey, The
ucname: DUNKELD LARCH STRATHSPEY
notes:
  Notes from the deviser: This dance was named for ‘The Parent Larch’ found in Dunkeld that is the last remaining of 5 seedlings brought from Europe in 1738. It is considered to be the source of over 14 million other Larch trees planted after it.


created: 1998-10-20 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-21 09:14:07.206818+00
name: Lord McDonald's Quadrille
ucname: LORD MACDONALDS QUADRILLE
devised: 1997-01-01
notes:
  This demo dance has four 32-bar figures; the first has no name, the second is called "Advance and Retire", the third is called "Schiehallion", the fourth "Ladies' Figure".

  The dance was adapted from "<<ddd:Corsair Field#8778>>" when not enough dancers were available.


created: 2023-06-22 08:16:16.712415+00
last_modified: 2023-06-22 08:16:16.712415+00
name: Uncle Jim
ucname: UNCLE JIM
notes:
  In the notes the deviser says that "This dance arose from my misunderstanding of the dance <<ddd:Cousin Jim#1375>> by Hugh Foss. I thought Cousin Jim had a right shoulder petronella at the end of Hello-G’bye flowing into a left shoulder cast, resulting in a complete reversal of direction and a hefty kilt/skirt flip and exceptional eye contact with partner. When I discovered my error, many years later, I decided the dance had to exist and it became my task."


created: 2022-05-09 17:35:23.257629+00
last_modified: 2023-06-21 17:10:26.198218+00
name: Re-jig for Covid
ucname: REJIG FOR COVID
intensity_bars: 8888/0880/8888/0888/8888
devised: 2021-07-01
notes:
  Inspired by the way that Covid turned the world upside-down, preventing us from making contact with other people. The "moorland progression" is a modified version of the defining sequence in Muirland Willie and reminds us of the fact that we could only take our exercise "in nature". The 40 bars are a reference to quarantine.


created: 2017-06-22 11:05:02.270063+00
last_modified: 2023-06-22 10:42:27.72386+00
name: St. Philip's Rant
ucname: SAINT PHILIPS RANT
devised: 2006-07-01
notes:
  The notes say this was "presented to the members of the St Philip's Scottish Country Dance Club (nee Bayside) on the occasion of the Club's 28th anniversary."


created: 2022-12-02 09:15:22.220954+00
last_modified: 2023-06-23 07:56:16.713071+00
name: Summer's Day, A
ucname: SUMMERS DAY
notes:
  The notes say this is "In memory of my dear friend Brigitte Leitner whose favorite poem was Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18".

  For a 3 or 4 couple set.


created: 2022-03-20 12:48:55.922591+00
last_modified: 2023-06-23 15:07:40.876569+00
name: Take the Amigos' Clothes
ucname: TAKE THE AMIGOS CLOTHES
devised: 2018-03-01
notes:
  There is also a 5 couple version of this dance (<<http://www.rscds-swws.org/news/stories/TakeAmigosClothesTenPesoVersion.pdf>>).


created: 2006-12-11 23:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-23 21:07:51.258675+00
name: Bubble Sort
ucname: BUBBLE SORT
intensity_bars: 6666/8888/8888/7887
devised: 2005-08-01
notes:
  My original goal was to create a dance named Chaos Reigns that seemed to be complicated, but from which order formed at bar 32 with everyone changing partners, ala Caddam Wood; however in this dance people are back with partners after the second time through and, thus, don’t dance with everyone else. When this dance occurred to me, the ending figure seemed so much like a computer bubble sort that I renamed the dance. It isn’t clear to me whether the figure in bars 17-24 can be danced in reel time; if it can, this dance is actually a better reel than a strathspey. If the figure doesn’t work in reel time, then Fill the Fetters is strong strathspey music that easily carries the dance.


created: 2000-10-13 22:00:00+00
last_modified: 2023-06-23 21:12:19.634509+00
name: Crieff Jig, The
ucname: CRIEFF JIG
notes:
  Suited for Jig as well as Strathspey time (stated explicitly in the description of the dance).

  In the table of contents of the publication, the dance is erroneously spelled with one 'f' only.


created: 2023-06-22 08:10:32.625403+00
last_modified: 2023-06-25 16:26:36.193132+00
name: Gillian's Gavotte
ucname: GILLIANS GAVOTTE
notes:
  The notes say this is "for my cousin Gillian Bagwell" and that "Gillian pronounces her name with a hard G, so I hope this helps remind people of that."


created: 2023-06-29 18:42:32.924705+00
last_modified: 2023-09-16 11:09:44.289936+00
name: 60103
ucname: 60103
notes:
  Source: MiniCrib.

  This dance commemorates the famous British LNER locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and named after the train it hauled, the Flying Scotsman service.  The locomotive was originally a Class A1 design but after upgrades became Class A3.  The locomotive bore various numbers including 4472, but was finally numbered 60103 in the era of British Railways. 

  The dance illustrates the locomotive’s “Pacific” (4-6-2) wheel pattern. Bars 1-­4 represent the four wheels of the front bogie, and the loops of the 2s in Bars 5-8 represent the buffers.  Bars 9-20 represent the six driving wheels and Bars 21-24 the two trailing wheels of the locomotive. Bars 25-32 allude to the tender, although from early on, the locomotive used tenders with 8 wheels rather than 6, especially corrridor tenders which allowed crew changes on the non-stop runs between London and Edinburgh.


