The Clachan
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
THE CLACHAN (J8x32) 3C (4C set) Hugh Foss Kendoon Dances1- 8 1s set, cast 1 place and turn RH 1½ times
9-16 1s cross up to dance reels of 3 on own sides
17-24 1s advance and retire, 2s+1s+3s dance DoSiDo
25-32 1s dance Double Triangles with 2s+3s
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Instruction Videos
The Clachan - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
A clachan is a type of small traditional settlement common in Ireland and Scotland up until the middle of the 20th century.It is usually defined as a small village lacking a church, post office, or other formal building. Their origin is unknown, but it is likely that they are of a very ancient root, most likely dating to medieval times.
The Scots word derives directly from the Gaelic "Clachan" which means "Village" (or "Hamlet"); it should be pronounced as "Klachan" in English, with the stress on the first syllable and where "ch" is pronounced as in "loch".
With the same spelling, albeit with the subtly different pronunciation, "Klach~n" (where "~" represents the very short, indeterminate, vowel sound), "Clachan" also means "Stones"; the etymological association is obvious.
See Gaelic Dance Names for more information on Gaelic spelling and pronunciation.
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