The Kestrel

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE KESTREL (S3x32) 3C set John Bowie Dickson Dunedin Dances Book 5

1- 8 All set then 1s+2s dance RH across ½ way while 3s cross RH, all set then 2s and 3s cross RH while 1s ¾ turn RH into prom hold facing 3L
9-16 1s dance ½ reel of 3 with 1st corners, ½ reel of 3 with 2nd corners ending each facing own 1st corner position
17-24 1s dance ½ reel of 4 with 1st corners, ½ reel with 2nd corners ending 2nd place own sides
25-32 2s+1s+3s dance the Knot

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

Dance Information

This dance, The Kestrel, is actually named only indirectly after the bird of prey.

It was actually devised by John Bowie Dickson for Stewart Adam whose 50^th birthday was celebrated at The Kestrel Hotel, Balerno, Edinburgh. The Kestrel Hotel also hosted the Balerno Burns Club annual suppers from 1978 to 2001.

Stewart Adam is also a deviser of dances.

The name kestrel is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco.

Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around 10-20 metres (33-66 ft) over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects. In addition, kestrels are notable for usually having much more brown in their plumage than other falcons.

Adult Male Common Kestrel

Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Kestrel article on Wikipedia and from Fiona Newton.
Image copyright Sannse.

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