Rights and Lefts

The Figure Rights and lefts is a Grand chain for 4 Scottish Country Dancers; most commonly these are Corners or adjacent Couples in a Longwise set who start by Crossing By the right, Across The set, unless otherwise specified.

Diagram 33 shows the paths followed in bars 25-32 of many dances, including The White Cockade, The Sailor and Hooper's Jig.

Diagram 33 - Rights and Lefts - Full Size

This Figure takes 8 bars in all, 2 for each Crossing movement. There is ample Time and so no excuse not to follow, as closely as possible, the rectangular shape formed by the Places in which the dancers started the Figure, with sharp rotations at each corner. Unless a following Figure requires otherwise, this Figure should be completed with a Polite turn; in Diagram 33, 1st Lady and 2nd Man are on the Inside of The set on the final Cross By the left and so they should continue their natural rotation anticlockwise to Finish Facing Inwards. The Polite turn movement is shown for 1st Lady in Diagram 33 as also is the more normal Finishing rotation for 1st Man; the Finishing rotation is not shown for 2nd Man or for 2nd Lady.

In a 4-Couple Square set, the 2nd and 4th Place Dancers also usually start Across The set whereas the 1st and 3rd Place Dancers usually start Up and down.

For example, here are some Scottish Country Dances in which the term, Rights and lefts, is used in either the Minicrib or the Maxicrib Dance instructions or both -
Bridge Of Sighs
Celtic Crossing
Clansman.
King's Causeway
Machine Without Horses.
Palace Of Atholl
Phantom Piper.
Wandering Piper
Westminster Reel
White Cockade

Figures

Chains

Corners Chain
Grand Chain
Grand Chain Halfway
Ladies' Chain
Ladies' Chain Halfway
Men's Chain
Men's Chain Halfway
Progressive Chain
Rights and Lefts
Rights And Lefts Diagonally
Rights And Lefts For 3 Couples
Rights And Lefts For 5 Couples
Rights And Lefts Halfway
Rights And Lefts Halfway Diagonally
Snowball Chain