The Tournée

This Figure, The tournée interchanges the Positions of two adjacent Couples in a Longwise set and so can be used as a Progression; it is prescribed for Strathspeys, only.

The tournée requires 8 bars of the Strathspey travelling step; when danced by the first two Couples from their Original Places:

Bar 1
1st couple Advance, Giving left shoulders, to the Centre line, 1st man Pulling left shoulder back to Finish Below Partner in Promenade hold Facing Men's side WHILE 2nd couple Advance, Giving right shoulders, to the Centre line, 2nd lady Pulling right shoulder back to Finish Below Partner in Promenade hold Facing Ladies' side;

Bars 2-3
both Couples Promenade halfway, anticlockwise, to Exchange places and release Right hands, 1st man Pulling right shoulder back to Finish Facing Own side, 2nd man Pulling right shoulder back to Finish Facing Opposite side, all again on the Centre line;

Bar 4
both Couples Turn by the left halfway, 1st couple retaining Hold, 2nd couple releasing Hold, Turning on the spot halfway and Taking Right hands to Finish all on the Centre line Facing Opposite sides, 2nd couple in 1st position;

Bars 5-8
2nd couple Turn by the right one and a half times WHILE 1st couple Turn by the left one and a half times, all Finishing in their Own side lines, 2nd couple in 1st place, 1st couple in 2nd place.

This Figure combines mirror and parallel movements in what can appear, to the untutored eye, to be counter-intuitive; it requires 2nd couple to be especially alert for bar 4 where their Finishing movements are totally different from those of 1st couple.

For example, here are some Scottish Country Dances in which the term, The Tournée, is used in either the Minicrib or the Maxicrib Dance instructions or both -
Alltshellach - Alltshellach Video On YouTube (The Tournée comes in the last 8 bars)
And Happy Meet Again
Arnold House Medley
Cape Spear
From Scotia's Shores We're Noo Awa'
Lady Mcgowan's Dream
Miss Ross Of Ross
Munro Rant
Sylvan Strathspey

Dance Video For Dances Which Include The Tournee

Gypsy Dreams
Gypsy Dreams by The RSCDS Vancouver Branch Demonstration Team 2009.

Let's Celebrate
Let's Celebrate - Video produced by Iain Hale.

Complex Figures

Allemande
The Bourrel
Courage Reels
En Rond
Espagnole
Inveran Reels
Kilt Pin Reel
The Knot
La Baratte
Pass And Turn
Poussette Movements
Promenade
Rondel
Sash Pin Reel
Schiehallion Reels
Set And Link
Set And Rotate
The Spoke
The Spurtle
The Swirl
The Targe
The Tourbillon
The Tournee

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