Gifts (McKinnell)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s+2s dance RH across, 1s cross down to and set to 1st corners while 2s cast up
9-12 1s+1st corners change places passing LSh and corners turn RH to face 2nd corner positions while all corner persons chase anticlockwise 1 place
13-16 1s+1st corner persons change places passing LSh and 1s ½ turn RH to face 4th corner positions while all corner persons chase anticlockwise 1 place
17-20 1s+corner persons change places passing LSh and 2L+3M turn RH to face 1st corner positions while all corner persons chase anticlockwise 1 place
21-24 1s+corner persons change places passing LSh and turn RH to face 2nd corner positions while all corner persons chase anticlockwise 1 place (original places)
25-32 1s set to 2nd corners and turn RH to 2nd places own side, 1s+3s dance RH across

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

1-8 1C and 2C dance RH across once round. 1C cross down to face 1st corners WHILE 2C cast up to 1st place. 1C and 1st corners set.
9-16 1C and 1st corners change places LS without taking hands. 2M and 3W turn RH to face 2nd corner positions
WHILE 1C and 2nd corners chase CCW 1 place; end 2M facing 1W in 3M position and 3W facing 1M in 2W position. 1C and 1st corners trade places LS without taking hands. 1C turn RH ½ to face partners' 2nd corner positions
WHILE corners chase CCW 1 place.
17-24 1C and 2nd corners change places LS without taking hands. 2W and 3M turn RH to face 1st corner positions
WHILE 1C and 1st corners chase CCW 1 place; end 3M facing 1W in 2M position and 2W facing 1M in 3W position. 1C and 2nd corners change places LS without taking hands. 1C turn RH to face 2nd corner positions
WHILE corners chase CCW 1 place back to original positions.
25-32 1C and 2nd corners set. 1C turn RH to 2nd place on own sides. 1C and 3C dance LH across once round.

Repeat.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Sue McKinnell, Apr 2002)

Dance Information

The deviser devised the dance as a palindrome, with the central figure (1st diagonal, 2nd diagonal, 2nd diagonal, 1st diagonal) reminiscent of a parcel bow.

This led her to call the dance Gifts.

Suggested music: The Reel of the Gordon Highlanders from Gang on the Same Gate by Green Ginger.

(Dance information by the deviser, Sue McKinnell)

Gifts - The Ladies' Home Journal

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