Ivy
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
IvyMaggie and Duncan Keppie Gaelic College SCD Book 10: Gordon Reels
32 bar Jig
2-couple dance Round The Room, women in outer circle, men in inner circle
1-8 SET TWICE, AND TURN: nearer hands joined with partner, set to opposite couple, set to partner women changing hands, and turn once round ending with women turning under arms into Gordon Hold (as in Gay Gordons) facing opposite couple;
9-16 GORDON REEL OF 3: dance a Gordon Reel of 3 passing opposite by the right shoulder, then the next couple by the left shoulder and pulling left shoulder back (as in the Gay Gordons) reel back to place, turning right at the end (as in the Gay Gordons) to end facing opposite couple;
17-24 KEPPOCH: advance and retire using modified Pas de Basque (2 bars) (Bar 1: Beat 1: advance onto right foot in 4th intermediate position, Beat 2: beat left foot in rear 3rd position, Beat 3: step onto right foot in 3rd position, Beat 4: extend left foot into 4th intermediate rear aerial position; Bar 2: retire with regular Pas de Basque), pass opposite couple by the left using Skip Change of Step ending back-to-back with them (2 bars), and dropping front hands turn partner 1¼ around: retain hands with partner and women join nearer hands in the middle to form a line;
25-32 BALANCE AND TURN TWICE: balance in line, turn men into middle who join nearer hands, balance in line, and turn ¼ round to face next couple round the room.
Repeat with next couple round the room.
(Dance crib compiled by the devisers, Maggie and Duncan Keppie)
Dance Information
The genus Hedera, commonly known as ivy, comprises 12 to 15 species of evergreen, woody plants that either climb or spread along the ground.These species belong to the Araliaceae family and are indigenous to regions including Western, Central, and Southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa, and parts of central and southern Asia extending to Japan and Taiwan.
Ivy plants are characterised by their ability to cling to surfaces using aerial rootlets, allowing them to ascend trees, walls, and cliffs. In the absence of vertical structures, they often form dense ground cover. The leaves exhibit two distinct forms: juvenile leaves are typically lobed and found on climbing or creeping stems, while mature leaves are unlobed and heart-shaped, appearing on flowering stems exposed to sunlight. Ivy produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in late autumn, which are rich in nectar and attract various pollinators. Following pollination, the plant yields black berries that serve as a food source for birds.
Among the species, Hedera helix, or English ivy, is widespread and commonly cultivated. It thrives in diverse environments, from shaded woodlands to urban areas, and is often used for ornamental purposes. However, in some regions, it is considered invasive due to its vigorous growth and ability to outcompete native vegetation. Other notable species include Hedera hibernica (Irish ivy), native to the Atlantic coast of Europe, and Hedera colchica (Persian ivy), which is found in the Middle East and is distinguished by its larger leaves.
Ivy plants are adaptable to various soil types and light conditions, although they generally prefer well-drained, fertile soils and can tolerate both sun and shade. They are also known for their longevity and resilience, with some specimens living for several centuries. In addition to their ecological roles, such as providing habitat and food for wildlife, ivies have been utilised in horticulture for ground cover, erosion control, and decorative purposes.
Ivy (Hedera Helix) Adult Leaves And Unripe Berries, Lawthorn Wood, North Ayrshire, Scotland
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Text from this original Hedera - Ivy article on Wikipedia.
Image from Rosser1954, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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