Be Traist

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 Eight hands round in a circle to the left and back to the right, to finish still in the circle but facing own partner.
9-16 Double rights and lefts: first and fourth couples cross right hand, one step, and then change places up and down the set left hand, three steps; repeat back to place. At the same time, second and third couples cross right hand, two steps, and then change places on the sides with left hands, two steps; repeat back to place. Second and third couples must get well across on bars 9 and 13, to enable first and fourth to pass between them.
17-20 First couple cross over, giving right hand, and cast into second place (second couple step up on bars 19 & 20); meanwhile, fourth couple cross over, giving right hand, and cast into third place (third couple step down on bars 19 & 20).
21-24 First couple dance a half figure of eight round the couple above them, whilst fourth couple dance a half figure of eight round the couple below them.
25-32 Grand chain for four couples, one step to each hand: to commence, second and third couples cross, whilst first and fourth give right hands on the sides.
33-40 First and fourth couples dance a rondel.
41-48 Reels of four on own side of the set. Finish in the order 2, 4, 1, 3.

Repeat from new places.

Note
The phrasing for bars 9-16 is only approximate; dancers should adjust the phrasing to achieve a smooth flow with the interlocking figures.

(Dance crib reproduced from The Whetherly Book of Scottish Country Dances, revised and republished by Alison Mitchell)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Be Traist - Full Size And Key To Symbols

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