Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

C.W. Pimlott

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

C.W. Pimlott
Michael Block Leaflet
Strathspey 4 x 32 bars 4 Couple Repeat 4 Couple Set Longwise Set

3s 4s cross on second chord.

  1-4   1s2s 3s4s right hands across;

  5-6   all turn by the right, finishing by retaining hold with partner;

  7-8   2s lead up to 1st place WHILE 3s lead down to 4th place on opposite sides WHILE 1s 4s change to promenade hold and cast clockwise one place, finishing 4s on the Mn's side facing in and up, 1s on the Ls' side facing in and down;

  9-16 2M4s3L 2L1s3M promenade reels of three on the sides, 2M4s 1s3L giving left shoulder to start, finishing 2M4M1L3L on the Mn's side line, 2L4L1M3M on the Ls', 2s 1s facing down, 4s 3s facing up;

17-20 2M4M 2L4L 1L3L 1M3M set facing on the sides and turn by the right, 4M1L 4L1M finishing facing on the sides;

21-24 4M1L 4L1M set facing on the sides and turn by the left, all finishing as at bar 17;

25-32 grand chain, finishing 2s4s1s3s, 1s 3s on opposite sides.

(MAXICRIB. Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle)


Dance Notes

  1-4   To avoid fumbling, ignore the RSCDS stricture over the hold for hands across; instead, take hands primarily with partners, linking fingers lightly with the other couple, finishing by releasing this link ready for the turn.

  5-8   Retain the right hand hold with partner, 1s 4s adding the left hand for the promenade hold after the turn.

    -8   1s 4s retain the promenade hold.

    -16 4M in 2M's place and 1M in 3L's finish naturally but they must guide their partners across the set to finish opposite them.

    -20 4s 1s finish facing away from the dancer just turned.

    -24 4M1L 4L1M finish facing away from each other.

25-     Unusually, this chain starts with the top two and bottom two couples exchanging places on the sides.


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Information

Michael Block dedicated this dance to C.W. Pimlott (affectionately known as "Pim") who was designated the "Convenor of Scottish Country Dancing" in the early days of the Newbury and District Caledonian Society. Pim was the prime mover in the transition of that Society from a group of ex-patriates into a group of Scottish Country Dancers.

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