Rondel for 3 couples
The Rondel for 3 couples Figure extends the Progression of the standard Rondel so that 1st Couple Finish in 3rd Place; the first five bars are exactly the same, bar 6 is the same for the 1st and 2nd Couples with 3rd Couple joining in and bars 7-8 are slightly modified:
Bar 6
1st Man and 1st Lady Dance Up, In and Down While 2nd Man and 2nd Lady Dance Down, In and Up While 3rd Man and 3rd Lady Dance In, using the left foot Travelling step, all three Couples meeeting their Partners and Taking Nearer hands on the line joining their Original Places, 1st Couple Facing Down, 2nd and 3rd Couples Facing Up;
Bars 7-8 (see Diagram 104)
1st Couple Lead down to 3rd Place under Arches made by 2nd Couple Dancing up to 1st Place and 3rd Couple Dancing up to 2nd Place.
Diagram 104: Rondel For 3 Couples: Bars 7-8
Bars 7–8 of Rondel for 3 couples in a Longwise Set, 1st couple's paths shown emboldened, ladies' broken; arrow heads show the finishing positions.
This Scottish Country Dancing Figure occurs in its own right in the 3 Couple repeat in 3 couple set Strathspey, The Mercat Cross 3, to make the Progression from the order 123 to the order 231 ready for the next Repeat though the deviser requires the 3rd Couple to Set advancing on bars 5-6 rather than as here. It should also be used in place of the two Couple Rondel at the end of the 2nd, 4th and 6th Repeats of any 3 Couple repeat in 4 couple set dance, such as The Silver Tassie, in which the 3rd Couple of the Active set (who are in 4th Place of the Full set) have to start as 3rd Couple of the new Active set in 3rd Place of the Full set on bar 1 of the next Repeat.
For example, here are some Scottish Country Dances in which the term, Rondel for 3 couples, is used in either the Minicrib or the Maxicrib Dance instructions or both -
Mercat Cross 3
Silver Tassie