The Bonnie Wee Well

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 4 All set (common schottische) to partner and turn with both hands to finish with 2nd and 4th couples facing across the dance, whilst 1st and 3rd couples, after executing polite turns, end up back-to-back facing the sides of the dance.
(Fig. 1)
5- 8 1st man and 3rd lady, also 1st lady and 3rd man, dance around outside the set to change places, giving right hands in passing, whilst 2nd and 4th couples dance half rights and lefts (omitting the polite turns). All finish in line formation (Fig. 2), ready for reels of four up and down the dance (2nd and 4th couples start back-to-back).
9-16 Right shoulder reels of four, finishing with 1st and 3rd couples facing their partners across the dance, and 2nd and 4th couples facing their partners up and down the dance (Fig. 3).
17-20 All couples set, using Highland schottische step.
21-24 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with both hands 1½ times, whilst 2nd and 4th couples turn twice with both hands. All finish back in square formation, with ladies on their partners' right (Fig. 4).
25-26 All couples join nearer hands and set (common schottische)
27-30 Men dance in for left hands across in a wheel, whilst ladies cast out (taking a wide loop) and dance on one place in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5).
31-32 All meet partner and turn with the right hand for a wide ¾ turn, finishing back in square formation, having advanced one place anticlockwise from their original positions (this being the progression).
33-34 All join hands in a circle and set (common schottische), beginning to travel to the left on the second part of this setting step.
35-40 All continue circling to the left, to finish back in the new positions reached at the end of Bar 32.

Repeat three times from new positions.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Wilf Astley, 1989)

The Bonnie Wee Well Figures 1-4

The Bonnie Wee Well Figure 5

Dance Notes

(Dance notes by the deviser, Wilf Astley, 1989)

Dance Information

(Dance information by the deviser, Wilf Astley, 1989)

The well is located on the Gleniffer Braes above Paisley and was built to commemorate the writer and journalist Hugh MacDonald, who was born in the town in 1817. A decorative medallion at the top includes a verse from one of his poems, and the well itself is known for its clear spring water, which continues to flow.

People walking on the Braes often stop at the well, and it has been used as a drinking place for many years. In the past, there was an iron cup attached to a chain beside the stonework, allowing visitors to drink directly from the spring. The cup has since been removed.

The structure functions both as a working well and a memorial, marking MacDonald's association with Paisley. The site remains accessible to the public and is visited regularly by walkers and residents.

The Bonnie Wee Well, Memorial To The Poet Hugh Macdonald

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