The Luckenbooth Brooch

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE LUCKENBOOTH BROOCH (J8x32) 3C (4C set) J Dickson Glendarroch Sh 28

1- 8 1s in prom hold (Lady on Man's left) dance reel of 3 with 2s (RSh to 2M) and end facing 3M
9-16 1s dance reel with 3s (RSh to 3M) ending with 1s dancing across to Men's side
17-24 1M casts up and 1L dn into centre and dance out Ladies side, 1M cast up and 1L dn to end 1M between 2s facing dn and 1L+3s face up as 2s+3s dance RandL
25-32 2s+1s+3s set twice, 1s turn RH 1¾ times to 2nd places

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

The Luckenbooth Brooch
John Bowie Dickson   Glendarroch Scottish Dance Sheets
Jig   8 x 32 bars   3 Couple Repeat   4 Couple Set   Lengthwise Set

1-8      1s take promenade hold (L on M's left) for reel of 3 with 2s, giving right shoulder to 2M to start;
9-16    1s repeat bars 1-8 with 3s, finishing facing out on M's side;
17-24  2s3s rights and lefts WHILE 1s lead out of M's side, cast (L down, M up), meet, lead out of Ls' side and cast, finishing L between 3s facing up, M between 2s facing down;
25-28  2M1M2L 3M1L3L set facing, twice;
29-32  1s turn by the right 1¾ times.

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

Dance Notes

1         The timing at the beginning of the reel of 3 is better if 2M and 2L cast up to start.
8-9      1s flow from the first reel of 3 straight into the second.
9         The timing at the beginning of the reel of 3 is better if 3M and 3L cast up to start.
17-24  1s dance figures of eight across (M round 2s position, 1L round 3s position), taking hands when they lead out of the sides; 1s don't cross as they lead out.

Dance Information

Luckenbooths were shops in Edinburgh, situated on the Royal Mile from St Giles' Cathedral down towards the Canongate. They were the city's first permanent shops that housed jewellery workers and other trades, dating from the 16th century.

The luckenbooth brooch is a traditional Scottish wedding brooch given to the bride by the groom on their wedding day, and subsequently pinned to the shawl of the first baby to protect it from "evil spirits".

The luckenbooth brooch has figures very similar to the Claddagh ring, and a similar purpose of being a love token. The luckenbooth charm also continues the traditional theme of heart and crown. The earliest records of heart-shaped brooches in Scotland date back to 1503. In the 18th century, these brooches were often known as 'Luckenbooth' brooches because they were sold from locked booths in the jewellery quarter of St. Giles.

Another legend of the luckenbooth is that it was a symbol of love and devotion, which Mary Queen of Scots is said to have given to Lord Darnley. It has the St. Andrew Cross, the Scottish thistles, and entwined hearts.

Claddagh Ring Very Similar To The Luckenbooth Brooch

Dance Information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence.
Text from this original Luckenbooth Brooch article on Wikipedia.
Image Copyright Royalcladdagh.

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