The Flying Spur
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
THE FLYING SPUR (J8x32) 3C (4C set) John Drewry Canadian Book1- 8 1s cross RH, cast 1 place (2s up), 1s dance ½ Figs of 8 (1M round 2s and 1L round 3s) while 2s+3s set and cross RH
9-16 1s dance reels of 3 own sides (RSh to 4th corner positions-3L/2M) 1s end in centre (1L above 2s and 1M below 3s) while 2s+3s cast to meet on sides
17-24 1s set and petronella turn onto opposite sides while 2s+3s cross Ladies under Men's arch and cast to 1st/3rd places, 2s+1s+3s turn RH
25-32 1s dance down below 3s and cast up on opposite sides to 2nd place, 1s dance ½ Figs of 8 round 2s while 2s+3s dance R&L (RH on sides to start)
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
The Flying Spur
John Drewry Canadian Book
Jig 8 x 32 bars 3 Couple Repeat 4 Couple Set Longwise Set
1-4 1s cross and cast;
5-8 1M half figure of 8 around 2s WHILE 1L half figure of 8 around 3s WHILE 2s 3s set and cross, finishing facing out;
9-14 2L1M3L 2M1L3M reels of 3 on the sides, corners finishing facing out;
15-16 1L petronella turn (skip change) to face down on the centreline in 1st position WHILE 1M petronella turn (skip change) to face up on the centreline in 3rd position WHILE 2s cast WHILE 3s cast up, corners finishing with nearer hands joined;
17-18 1s set WHILE 2L3L cross under 2M3M's arch, finishing facing out;
19-20 1s petronella turn (pas-de-basque) to 2nd place (opposite sides) WHILE 2s cast up to 1st place WHILE 3s cast to 3rd place;
21-24 all turn partner by the right, 2s finishing facing down, 3s up;
25-32 2s3s rights and lefts starting on the sides WHILE 1s lead out (nearer hands joined) at the bottom, cast up, cross up and cast to 2nd place.
(MAXICRIB. Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Instruction Videos
The Flying Spur - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
John Drewry's dance instructions inscribed this jig to Jackie Johnstone of Dumfries.The dance's name, The Flying Spur, refers to the Johnstone Clan Crest. It features a winged spur rowel- a device on a horse rider's heel and used for urging the animal forward (spur) with a spiked revolving disc at the end (rowel) with a wing either side.
The Clan Johnstone was once one of the most powerful of the Border Reiver Scottish clans. Clan members originally settled in Annandale (pronounced "ann-an-dail") and for over six hundred years they held extensive possessions in the west of the Scottish Marches, where they kept watch against the English.
The first of the clan to be recorded was John Johnstone, whose son, Gilbert, is found in records after 1194. Sir John Johnstone was a knight of the county of Dumfries. He is found on the Ragman Rolls of 1296, swearing fealty to Edward I of England.
The clan motto is Nunquam Non Paratus ("Never unprepared").
Recommended music: Captain White by Winifred Bird Matthew.
The Flying Spur Crest Badge Suitable For Use By A Member Of Clan Johnstone
Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Clan Johnstone article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Celtus (Celtus @ english wikipedia) Creative Commons Licence 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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