Lady Mary Hay's Reel

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1-4 First man and fourth lady facing on the diagonal advance and retire.
5-8 First man and fourth lady set to each other, first man casts off into second place, and fourth lady casts up into third place. Second man steps up and third lady down.
meanwhile First lady and fourth man facing on the diagonal advance and retire.
9-12 First man and fourth lady turn slightly over once round with the right hand. First man finishes ready to cut a right reel across with the second couple above beginning by giving right shoulder to second woman, and similarly the fourth woman with the third couple below.
meanwhile First lady sets to fourth man and casts off into second place and fourth man sets to first lady and casts up into third place. Second lady steps up and third man steps down.
13-16 First man dances a half reel of three across with the second couple giving right shoulder to second woman to begin. Similarly fourth lady with the third couple, beginning by giving right shoulder to third man.
meanwhile First lady and fourth man turn slightly over once round with the LEFT hand. First finishes behind her partner ready to continue the reel in tandem (no swapping) with the second couple, and similarly the fourth man, his partner and the third couple below.
17-24 In tandem (no swapping) first couple dances a reel with the second couple and similarly the fourth couple with the third couple. (This will continue the reel begun by their partners.)
25-28 First man and fourth lady turn one and a quarter times (approximately) with the left hands to finish with first man in third place, and fourth lady in second place.
meanwhile First lady and fourth man continue the reel.
29-32 First lady and fourth man turn right hand to finish opposite their partners.

Repeat from new positions.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser Rod Downey, Johnsonville SCD Club Tutor)

Dance Notes

(Dance notes by the deviser, Rod Downey)

Dance Information

This is a less mind-bending version of an idea used in Lady Mary Hay's Scot's Measure.

Recommended music is "Lady Mary Hay's Scot's Measure" played AABB or ABAB at reel tempo. This tune is by Nathaniel Gow. It can be found in tune 2 of "The Mantua Makers" in the recording of "Scottish Dance Masters" by Ron Gonella and George MacIlwham.

Otherwise, use a reel with strong four bar phrases, and preferably a measure. This dance was inspired by this tune used in a medley set on track 5 of the CD "Glenelg" by Elke Baker.

(Dance information from They Stole My Wife From Me Last Night Collection Of Scottish Country Dances, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Rod Downey)

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