Cairn Of The Claise

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 4 1M+2L also 3M+4L cross RH as partners set and 1s+2s dance on 1 place clockwise as 3s+4s dance similarly
5- 8 1L+2M also 3L+4M cross RH as partners set and 1s+2s dance on 1 place clockwise as 3s+4s dance similarly. 1234
9-16 1s dance reels of 3 on sides then 2s dance to top as 3s+4s change places LH and 1s face 1st corners. 2143
17-24 1s dance 'Hello-Goodbye' setting and end with a petronella turn 2nd place own sides
25-32 1s+4s+3s dance the Knot. 2341

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

Dance Information

Its name is derived from the Gaelic for "hill of the hollow".

The word cairn comes from the Scottish Gaelic: càrn.

In modern times, cairns are often erected as landmarks, a use they have had since ancient times. However, since prehistory, they have also been built and used as burial monuments; for defense and hunting; for ceremonial purposes, sometimes relating to astronomy; to locate buried items, such as caches of food or objects; and to mark trails, among other purposes.

In Scotland, it is traditional to carry a stone up from the bottom of a hill to place on a cairn at its top. In such a fashion, cairns would grow ever larger.

An old Scottish Gaelic blessing is Cuiridh mi clach air do chàrn, "I'll put a stone on your stone". In Highland folklore it is recounted that before Highland clans fought in a battle, each man would place a stone in a pile. Those who survived the battle returned and removed a stone from the pile. The stones that remained were built into a cairn to honour the dead.

Northern Slopes Of Cairn Of Claise
Cairngorms In Sun On The Horizon

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