The Capercaillie (Priddey)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s and 4s set and cast 1 place, turn LH 1½ times to end facing Lady's corner (1M behind partner facing 2M and 4M behind 4L facing 3M)
9-16 1s and 4s dance ½ Alternating Tandem RSh reel of 4 with 2M+3M; dancing couples pass LSh and dance ½ Alternating Tandem RSh ½ reel of 4 with 2nd corners
17-24 1s and 4s repeat ½ Alternating Tandem reels with 3rd and 4th corners and end in 2nd/3rd places opposite sides. 2(1)4(3)
25-32 1s and 4s ½ turn partners RH into RH across ½ way; 2s+4s also 1s+3s LH across once round. 24(1)(3)

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

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

The Capercaillie (Priddey) - Full Size And Key To Symbols

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Dance Information

The Capercaillie is the national bird of Scotland.

Also known as the Wood Grouse or Heather Cock, The Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is the largest of the grouse family and was exterminated in Scotland between 1770-1785. It was reintroduced during the nineteenth century but it is still at great risk.

In Scotland, the population has declined greatly since the 1960s because of deer fencing, predation and lack of suitable habitat (Caledonian Forest). The population plummeted from a high of 10,000 pairs in the 1960s to less than 1000 birds in 1999. It was even named as the bird most likely to become extinct in the UK by 2015. However, due to the hard work of the RSPB and other organisations it may now be making a modest recovery.

Also spelt Capercailzie, this species' name is derived from the Gaelic "capull coille", meaning "horse of the woods". Understandably so, as males can weigh in at 7.2 kg. (15 lbs), up to 1.2 m (46 inches) in length with a similar wingspan.

Capercaillie Singing And Dancing - Information Video

Capercaillie

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