The High Park Blacksmith
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
The High Park Blacksmith (R8x40) 3C (4C set) Lewis N Derrick 19861-8 While the 1st couple set to each other, dance down one place with nearer hands joined, cast up one place on their own sides and set again, the 2nd and 3rd couples dance rights and lefts
9-16 While the 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts, the 3rd couple set to each other, dance up one place with nearer hands joined, cast off one place on their own sides and set again
17-24 The 1st and 2nd couples dance the chain progression, at the end the 2nd couple (in first place) dance out to the sidelines as usual while the 1st couple (in second place) remain in the centre of the dance facing up with nearer hands joined
25-26 The 2nd and 1st couples join hands to form a semi-circle ('horseshoe') and set
27-28 The 1st couple set again turning towards one another to face down with nearer hands joined
29-30 The 1st and 3rd couples join hands to form a semi-circle ('horseshoe') and set
31-32 The 1st couple set again turning towards one another and retiring to the sidelines in 2nd place
33-40 The 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back
Repeat having passed a couple.
(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Lewis N Derrick 2020)
Dance Notes
For detailed instructions on the phrasing of the chain progression as devised by Eric Forbes see page 20 of the RSCDS Birmingham Book, 1973 (or, more conveniently, Chain Progression (RF)).(Dance notes by the deviser, Lewis N Derrick)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Information
This reel, The High Park Blacksmith, was dedicated to Thomas McGhie, blacksmith, of High Park Smithy, near New Galloway.Suggested tune: Midlothian Pipe Band.
Devised August 1986; first published 1987; republished electronically 2020.
Copyright 1986, 1987, 2020 Lewis N. Derrick.
(Dance information reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Lewis N Derrick)
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from iron or steel by forging the metal by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut. Blacksmiths produce things like wrought iron gates, railings, tools, agricultural implements, cooking utensils, horseshoes and weapons.
Blacksmith At Work
Published in The McGhie Scottish Country Dance Books, Volume 1, The McGhie's Fancy and Other Scottish Country Dances, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Lewis N Derrick.
Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Blacksmiths article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Moose Jaw Times Herald Creative Commons Licence 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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