The Giant's Causeway

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY (S3x32) Hexagonal set Linda Harley After The Rain
6 person hexagonal set, 1st person facing down, 4th person facing up
Start:
4
3 5
2 6
1
Top

1- 8 1+4 dance Figs of 8 round 2 dancers on their right (1 and 6+5, 4 and 3+2)
9-16 3+6 dance Figs of 8 round 2 dancers on their right (3 and 2+1, 6 and 4+5). On bar 16, 2+6 dance into middle to face up while 3+5 dance into middle to face down
17-24 2+6 also 3+5 join hands to form arches. All set, 1 changes place with 2+6 by dancing under arch while 4 changes place with 3+5. All repeat back to original places facing clockwise
25-32 All chase clockwise ½ way for 4 bars, cross right foot over and chase back to finish 1 place clockwise (1 is now in position 2 etc)

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

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

The Giant's Causeway Keith Rose's Diagram

The Giant's Causeway - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Instruction Videos

The Giant's Causeway - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

The Giant's Causeway is a natural geological formation located on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland.

It is renowned for its unique hexagonal basalt columns, which were formed around 50 to 60 million years ago during a period of intense volcanic activity. As lava flowed and cooled, it contracted and fractured, creating the distinctive columnar shapes seen today.

The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been the subject of legend. According to local mythology, the causeway was built by the giant Finn McCool to cross the sea to Scotland to challenge another giant, Benandonner. In reality, similar basalt formations are found on the Scottish island of Staffa, supporting the idea that volcanic activity affected the entire region.

The Giant's Causeway covers about 40,000 columns, and the tallest ones are around 12 metres high. It is one of Northern Ireland's most popular tourist attractions, offering both historical significance and stunning coastal scenery.

The Giant's Causeway - Information Video

Columnar basalt of Giant's Causeway in Antrim, Northern Ireland

The Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

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Text from this original Giant's Causeway article on Wikipedia.
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