Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Dark Mile

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE DARK MILE (S3x32) 3C set Barry Priddey Silver Rose

1- 8 1s+2s dance Tourbillon:
 1s and 2s turn partners 2H ½ way, 1M and 2L lead partners on 1 place clockwise to end 1s on Ladies' side and 2s on Men's side, 1s set to 2s
 1s and 2s ½ turn partners 2H, 1L and 2M lead partners on 1 place to end 2s in 1st place and 1s in 2nd place and 2s+1s cross RH to own sides
9-16 3s followed by 1s+2s lead down, with 2s leading, all dance up in prom hold (2s to top place)
17-24 2s go to left, 1s to right and 3s to left to dance reels of 3 across in prom hold (3s LSh to 2s to start) and end 2s separate to 1st places own sides, 1s dance down to end on Men's side (Lady on Man's right) and 3s dance down to end on Ladies' side (Lady on Man's right)
25-32 1M+3L also 1L+3M (opposite persons) ½ turn 2H and chase clockwise 1 place to 231. All set 2s+3s circle 4H round to left while 1s turn 2H 1½ times

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


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

The Dark Mile - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

The Dark Mile refers to a very old name for a stretch of road between Loch Arkaig and Loch Lochy and alludes to the gloom cast by the dense trees which used to grow there.
The Dark Mile
The Mossy Wall In The Dark Mile


Image copyright Lyn McLeod under this Creative Commons Licence 2.0.

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