The Lochalsh Reel

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE LOCHALSH REEL (R8x40) 3C (4C set) P Burnett Skye Coll 2

1- 8 1s turn RH, cast 1 place, cross LH, cast 1 place to meet partner in prom hold facing 3M (Lady on Mans left)
9-16 1s dance LSh reel of 3 across with 3s
17-24 1s split to dance reels of 3 on opposite sides
25-32 1s dance (nearer hands joined) to top, turn 2s with other hand, cross down between 3s and cast up to 2nd place own sides
33-40 1s dance RH across (Lady with 2s and Man with 3s), pass RSh to dance LH across with other couple

(MINICRIB, Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton. Deeside Caledonian Society.)

The Lochalsh Reel
P Burnett   Skye Collection 2
Reel   8 x 40 bars   3 Couple Repeat   4 Couple Set   Lengthwise Set

1-4      1s turn by the right and cast;
5-8      1s cross by the left and cast, finishing on the centre line in promenade hold (L on M's left) facing 3M;
9-16    3M1s3L reel of three across, 1s giving left shoulder to 3M to start;
17-24  1s release hold and dance up and out into mirror reels of three on opposite sides, finishing facing up and taking nearer hands;
25-28  1s lead up, release hold and turn 2s;
29-32  1s cross down between 3s and cast up to 2nd place on own sides;
33-36  2s1L 1M3s right hands across;
37-40  2s1M 1L3s left hands across, finishing 2s1s3s.

(MAXICRIB, Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle.)

Dance Information

Loch Alsh or Lochalsh (from the Scottish Gaelic Loch Aillse, "foaming lake") is a sea inlet between the isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides and the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The name is also used to described the surrounding country and the feudal holdings around the loch.

The loch runs inland about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Kyle of Lochalsh to Ardelve. From there Loch Duich continues southeast another 10 km to Shiel Bridge while Loch Long runs deeper into the mountains to the northeast. A narrow strait from the south of Loch Alsh leads to the Sound of Sleat that separates the Isle of Skye from the mainland.

Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge Photograph
Loch Alsh and the Skye Bridge

Dance Information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence.
Text from this original Lochalsh article on Wikipedia.
Image Copyright Dirk Tintemann.

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