Dovecot Park

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s cross RH, cast 1 place, turn RH into prom hold facing out between 2s and 3s on Ladies' side
9-16 1s cast round 3L, dance up, out between 2s and 3s on Men's side and cast up round 2M to end in centre (2nd place) facing down as 2s+3s change places on sides (Ladies LH and Men RH)
17-24 3s+1s+2s dance reel of 3 on sides with 1s dancing out and down to start, 1s end in 2nd place own sides
25-32 1M casts up 1 place as 1L casts down 1 place, 1s dance ½ reels of 3 across (Man with 3s and Lady with 2s) and 1s turn LH to face 1st corner (position)
33-40 1s dance ½ reels of 4 with 1st corners, pass LSh and dance ½ reel of 4 with 2nd corners 1s ending in 2nd place

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

Dance Information

In the middle ages and beyond, the dovecot, or doo-cot, was an essential part of castle or tower house life in Scotland. Although young doves or pigeons were taken for food, the real point of the dovecot was the bird lime. This was used for the building and maintenance of stone structures.

A good example of such a cot is Boath at Auldearn (now owned by the National Trust for Scotland). It is a 17th century building on the site of a much earlier motte (castle fortification).

The Dove Cot Auldearn, Scotland

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