The Clootie Well

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s+2s set, 2s cast up and 1s cross down, turn 2nd corner LH and pass LSh to face 1st corners (2nd corners keep dancing)
9-20 Dance to Corners and Set (12 bars):
 Couple in middle change places with corners passing RSh, corners pass RSh in middle with a ¼ turn to right to face next corner while supporting corners set (2 bars). Repeat 5 more times to end with corners in diagonally opposite place and 1s end in middle facing partner
21-24 1s pass RSh and dance out through 2nd place (own side) then round 3rd corner into centre facing partner's side while 2s and 3s set advancing diagonally and dance ½ RH across to end in own places facing out
25-32 1s dance LSh reels of 3 across (Man with 2s) and 1M+2M also 1L+3L turn RH. 213

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

Dance Notes

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

The Clootie Well - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

They are wells or natural springs in small hillocks, almost always with a tree growing beside them, where strips of cloth or rags have been left, usually tied to the branches of the tree as part of a healing ritual. In Scots nomenclature, a "clootie" or "cloot" is a strip of cloth or rag.

The Clootie Well

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