The Dougal Craiter

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 2 First and fourth couples turn half way with the right hand, first man and fourth lady finish facing out.
3- 6 First man followed by first lady casts off behind second lady and crosses to own side, whilst fourth lady followed by fourth man casts up behind third man and crosses to own side; on bars 5 & 6 second couple step up and third couple step down.
7- 8 First and second couples dance right hands across in a wheel half way, third and fourth couples do the same.
9-16 Reels of four on the sides of the set.
17-20 First man followed by his partner casts off behind second man and crosses to own side in third place, whilst fourth lady followed by her partner casts up behind third lady and crosses to own side in second place; on bars 19 & 20 second couple step up and third couple step down.
21-22 First and fourth couples dance right hands across in a wheel half way.
23-24 All four couples turn with right hand half way, second couple finish in first place on own side; the other three couples retain the right hand hold.
25-32 First, fourth and third couples dance a knot:
25-26 first, fourth and third couples continue to turn with right hand, to finish facing down in an allemande hold (effectively they dance a four bar turn on bars 23-26);
27-29 third couple followed by fourth and first couples cast up on the ladies' side of the set;
30-32 releasing right hands, the men swing the ladies across in front of them and turn with the left hands to own side of the set.

Repeat with new top couple. Recommended tune: The Dougal Craiter

(Dance crib reproduced from The Whetherly Book Of Scottish Country Dances, revised and republished by Alison Mitchell)

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