Donald's Midden
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
Donald's MiddenMaggie and Duncan Keppie Gaelic College SCD Book 2: Six And Half A Dozen
Strathspey 8 x 32 bars 2 Couple Repeat 4 Couple Set Longwise Set
1-4 1ST COUPLE PETRONELLA: 1st couple petronella into centre and set;
5-8 1ST COUPLE TURN AND CAST UP: 1st couple turn ¾ around with both hands opening to face down, then cast up to 1st place on opposite sides;
9-12 SET AND LINK: 1st and 2nd couples with nearer hands joined on the side, set and link;
13-16 ½ MEN'S CHAIN: 1st and 2nd couples dance a half men's chain (start with men crossing over giving left hands and turning partner once around: end in promenade hold with partner, 1st couple facing down and 2nd couple facing up in a line of 4 across the middle of the set - men are left shoulder to left shoulder);
17-20 ½ PROMENADE: 1st and 2nd couples promenade halfway round each other to end on the side, 1st couple on women's side, 2nd couple on men's side;
21-24 ½ LADIES' CHAIN: 1st and 2nd couples dance ½ ladies' chain, end 1st man facing out:
25-26 1ST COUPLE JOIN: 1st lady dances across to the left-hand side of her partner, AS 1st man casts around a small loop to his right, ending with 1st couple facing out and up with nearer hands joined:
27-32 CAST UP AND DANCE TO 2ND PLACE: 1st couple cast up around 2nd woman and dance down between 2nd couple to 2nd place on own side.
Repeat having passed a couple.
(Dance crib compiled by the devisers, Maggie and Duncan Keppie)
Dance Notes
As with all dances having the format, 2-Couple Repeat in a 4-Couple Set, if dancer numbers so dictate it can be performed in a 3-Couple or 5-Couple Set and with the number of repeats adjusted appropriately.Dance Information
"Donald's Midden" is Scots for "Donald's rubbish heap".Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Donald's Midden' page