Kith And Kin
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
KITH AND KIN (S4x32) 4C set Margaret Henderson Imperial 31- 8 1s and 3s dance ½ Figs of 8 round couple below, 1s+2s also 3s+4s dance ½ Ladies' Chain
9-16 1L+2L also 3L+4L dance LSh round partners (on sides) to end facing partner in diagonal lines and dance ½ reel of 4 ending (2)1(4)3 in prom hold
17-24 All in prom hold dance 6 bars of reel of 4 (2s+1s also 2s+4s pass RSh to start) ending 4s+3s+2s in middle facing up and 1s in 4th place own side
25-32 4s+3s+2s dance Allemande
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Information
The phrase "kith and kin" is an old expression used to refer to a person's friends and family."Kith" originally referred to one's acquaintances, countrymen, or community, while "kin" referred specifically to blood relatives. Over time, "kith" came to be less commonly used outside of this phrase, and "kith and kin" is now often understood to mean both family members and close associates.
The origins of the phrase can be traced back to Old English. "Kith" comes from the Old English word "cythth", meaning knowledge, acquaintance, or native land. "Kin" is derived from "cynn", meaning family, race, or kindred. The two terms were commonly paired in medieval English to emphasise all those close to a person, whether by blood or by familiarity.
Historically, the phrase was used in legal and literary contexts to describe the full circle of someone's personal connections, particularly when discussing matters of inheritance, social responsibility, or community ties. Though less common in modern everyday speech, it still appears in writing and formal contexts to evoke a sense of tradition or ancestral connection.
Today, "kith and kin" is often used to refer to someone's extended family or all those they hold dear. It can suggest not just biological ties but also emotional closeness and longstanding relationships.
The Reid Family And Relations/Friends At Bonshaw House And Farm In Ayrshire, Scotland, c. 1833
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Image from A member of the family of the Reid's of Bonshaw in Ayrshire. Circa 1833., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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