Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Dancing Dhonnachaidh

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

The Dancing Dhonnachaidh
Maggie and Duncan Keppie Gaelic College SCD Book 12: Corrie Dances
6/8x32 Strathspey
2-couple dance in 3- or 4.-couple longways set

  1-8   SET AND LEFT HAND TURN: 1st couple sets with the Glasgow Highlanders setting step, and turn each other 1½ times with left hands (2nd couple steps up on Bars 7- 8) to end in a line of 4 across the dance (1st man facing 2nd woman, 1st woman facing 2nd man);

  9-16 SPIN REEL OF 4: 1st and 2nd couples dances a Reel of 4 (each person spins individually around to their left on the spot as they pass each other by the left shoulder in the middle of the reel of 4 (spin can be omitted if preferred), end with 1st couple facing each other in the middle between 2nd couple;

17-24 SET, DOWN MIDDLE, SET, UP MIDDLE: 1st and 2nd couples set, then 1st couple followed by 2nd couple dance down the middle nearer hands joined, set to partner, and dance up the middle nearer hands joined;

25-32 1ST COUPLE CAST AND ½ FIG.8: 1st couple dance up the middle between 2nd couple, divide and cast off one place, and dance ½ figure of 8 around 2nd couple to end in 2nd place.

Repeat with couple below.

(Dance crib compiled by the devisers, Maggie and Duncan Keppie)


Dance Information

This strathspey, The Dancing Dhonnachaidh, was devised for Dorothy Robertson of the Haliburton Scottish Country Dancers (Ontario), whose hospitality we enjoyed for many years while teaching at the Haliburton School of the Arts.

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