Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

City Of Belfast

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

CITY OF BELFAST (S3x32) 3C set Lucy Mulholland Belfast Diamond Jubilee Book and RSCDS Book 48

1- 8 1s dance ½ Fig of 8 round 2s, 1L+2M turn RH 1¼ times while 1M+2L turn LH 1¼ times and 1s end BtoB facing opposite sides
9-16 1s+2s dance reel of 4 across in 2nd place. 2s end in 1st places while 1s pass LSh to face 1st corners
17-24 1s set to 1st corner and 2nd corner ending (turning to right) between corners, all set and 1s cross RH
25-32 1s+3s dance Espagnole:
 25-26 1s+3s cross (Ladies lead across RH passing between Men) with Ladies changing places RH
 27-28 1s+3s cross back (Men lead across RH between Ladies) with Men changing places RH
 29-32 3s turn RH as 1s turn LH. 231

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


City of Belfast
Lucy Mulholland Belfast Diamond Jubilee Book and RSCDS Book 48
Strathspey 3 x 32 bars 3 Couple Repeat 3 Couple Set Longwise Set

  1-4   1s cross down into half figures of 8 around 2s;

  5-8   1L2M turn 1¼ by the right, 1M2L by the left, 1s finishing back-to-back between 2s;

  9-16 2M1L1M2L reel of 4 across, 2s finishing in 1st place, 1s facing first corner;

17-18 1s set to first corner, pulling left shoulder back to finish facing second corner;

19-20 1s set to second corner, pulling right shoulder back to finish in 2nd place on opposite sides;

21-22 2s1s3s take hands on the sides and set facing partners;

23-24 1s cross by the right;

25-32 1s3s dance espagnole, finishing 2s3s1s on own sides.

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

Dance Notes

    -8   1M 2L must pull left shoulder back to finish ready for the reel across.

    -16 2s must finish in 1st place.

17-20 These movements require care by 1s WHILE corners set normally:

17-17 1s dance a short right foot step facing first corner;

18-18 1s dance a long left foot step, pulling left shoulder back to finish back-to-back on the second corners' diagonal, facing second corner;

19-19 1s dance a normal right foot step facing second corner;

20-20 1s rotate clockwise on the left foot step and travel to finish in the opposite sideline.

29-32 1s turn once round, only, finishing on own sides in 3rd place.


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

City Of Belfast - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of RSCDS Belfast Branch in 2006, members held a dance devising competition. This dance was the winner.

Recommended music: The City Of Belfast by Marian Anderson.


Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, located on the banks of the River Lagan.

It is the largest city in Northern Ireland and the second-largest on the island of Ireland. The city has a long history, with early settlements dating back to the Iron Age. The name Belfast comes from the Irish "Béal Feirste", meaning "mouth of the sandbank ford".

Richmond Hill is one of the notable areas in Belfast, offering views over the city and surrounding landscape. The city developed significantly during the Industrial Revolution, becoming a major centre for shipbuilding, linen production, and engineering. Belfast's shipyards were responsible for constructing the famous RMS Titanic.

Belfast was granted city status in 1888 and became a key commercial and industrial hub. However, the city experienced periods of conflict, particularly during the late 20th century. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 marked a turning point, leading to increased stability and economic growth.

Today, Belfast is a thriving city with a mix of historic and modern architecture. Landmarks include Belfast Castle, Stormont, and Titanic Belfast, a museum dedicated to the city's shipbuilding heritage. The city is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, featuring theatres, music venues, and annual festivals that draw visitors from across the globe.

City Of Belfast - Information Video

City Of Belfast
City Of Belfast


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Text from this original Belfast article on Wikipedia.
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