Brig O' Doon

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

Part A
1- 8 1L crosses to 3M, 1L+3M set Highland Schottische and 1L returns to place
9-16 1M repeats with 3L
17-24 1s dance Figs of 8 on own sides dancing between 2s to start
25-32 2s dance DoSiDo and all set Highland Schottische

Part B
33-48 All dance full Petronella
49-56 3s followed by 2s+1s dance down 1 step and cast up on own sides to form lines of 6 across facing down with 3s in middle
57-64 All cross hands and advance 4 steps, all dance backwards 4 steps, end by dropping hands and turning left to place RH on shoulder of person in front
65-72 1L turns right about and dances in and out under the arms to the other end of the line
73-80 1M turns left about and dances in and out under the arm to other end of the line
81-88 1s followed by 2s+3s cast down room and lead up the centre with 1s crossing to own sides
89-96 1s followed by 2s cast on own sides and lead up under arch made by 3s to places

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

The Brig O' Doon is used as the setting for the final verse of the Robert Burns's Tam O' Shanter - Poem. In this scene Tam is on horseback and is being chased by Nannie the witch.

He is just able to escape her by crossing the bridge, (it was believed that witches could not cross over a running stream) narrowly avoiding her attack as she is only able to grab the horse's tail which comes away in her hands.

The line of the cobbles in the Brig O' Doon roadway is cranked, due to the belief that this pattern would stop witches from crossing.

Tam O' Shanter Poem - Information Video

Brig O' Doon

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Brig O' Doon' page