The Cadger's Roadie
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
The Cadger's Roadie (J8x32) 2C (4C set) 32 bar Jig for 2 Couples in a 4 Couple Set, devised by Margaret Zadworny (2007), Published in Aye Afloat - Portknockie Collection.1- 4 1st couple casts down and dances a ½ figure of eight around 2nd couple, ending facing out (1)2
5-12 1st couple dance down behind opposite sides
then cast up to original places
13-16 1st couple begin by crossing down and dancing a ½ figure of eight around 2nd couple. 1 2
17-20 1st and 2nd couples dance Petronella turn
1st lady and 2nd man finish facing up and down, 1st man and 2nd lady face across, all set
21-24 1st and 2nd couples dance a ½ reel of four across
1st lady and 2nd man pass right shoulder to begin
they return to where they began while 1st man and 2nd lady have changed sides
25-28 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across, finish facing clockwise
29-32 1st and 2nd couples chase clockwise to own sides and set. 2 1
(WEECRIB)
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The Cadger's Roadie - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
In the past, the term "cadger" referred to itinerant traders or hawkers, particularly those who carried goods for sale across the countryside.In coastal regions of Scotland, cadgers often dealt in fish, transporting it from fishing villages to inland communities. One traditional method involved the use of donkeys, which were well suited to travelling long distances on footpaths and uneven roads.
The donkeys carried fish in large wicker baskets known as creels. These creels were slung over the animals' backs, hanging on either side to balance the load. This method allowed fish to be moved efficiently from the coast to more remote settlements before the widespread use of carts and roads suitable for wheeled transport.
The route commonly taken by these fish-carrying cadgers became known in some places as the "Cadger's Road" or "Cadger's Roadie". This term was used in areas of Scotland where such trading routes had become well established over time. The road itself would have been a key link between coastal and inland areas, reflecting a long-standing tradition of local trade.
Over generations, these cadger routes gained historical significance and are remembered as part of Scotland's rural and fishing heritage. While the use of donkeys and creels has largely disappeared, the names of some of these old paths and roads remain in use today.
Cadger's Roadie Beside The West Woods Of Ethie, Arbroath And St Vigeans, Angus, Scotland
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