The Shieling

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1-4      1s set and cast;
5-8      1L cross up, 1M down into half figures of eight across WHILE 2s 3s set and cross, 2M 3L finishing facing out;
9-12    2M 3L chase clockwise halfway WHILE 2L1M 1L3M set and cross (on first corners' diagonal), 1s finishing facing out;
13-16  1s chase anticlockwise halfway WHILE 3s 2s set and cross (on second corners' diagonal), 2M 3L finishing facing out;
17-20  repeat bars 9-12 from new positions (2L 3M chasing), all finishing facing in;
21-24  all turn by the right, finishing facing up on the centre line;
25-32  2s1s3s allemande, finishing 3s1s2s.

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

Dance Notes

13-16  Mirror image repeat from new positions of bars 9-12.
21-24  Turn slowly, finishing ready to change to allemande hold in unison.

Dance Information

The name Shieling originates from the Gaelic for Shed Shieling or Sheeling, a small cottage or hut, place of shelter, away from other habitation, used during the summer months.

Although Shielings are traditionally only used in summer months, or temporarily used by shepherds or fishermen, they are usually stone-built.

The Shieling to which this dance refers was owned by Daisy and Eddie Cassie (Eddie was the Harwell Caledonian Society President), for whom this dance was written in 1984.

Shieling at Lochan Vataleois

Dance Information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence.
Text from this original Shieling article on Wikipedia.
Image Copyright Roddy MacDonald under this Creative Commons Licence.
Additional search terms; Sheiling, J Attwood.
No MINICRIB available April 2010.

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