Lord Huntly's Cave

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s and 4s set, turn RH, cast in 1 place and ½ turn RH into prom hold (Lady on left) to face 2L/3L
9-16 1s+4s dance pass and turn with 2L+3L and pass and turn with 2M+3M ending 1s between 2s facing down and 4s between 3s facing up
17-24 All set in lines of 4 and 1s+4s change places LH with opposite partner, 4s and 1s lead out ends crossing RH and cast back to 2nd/3rd places
25-32 1s+4s change place LH on sides dancing into centre, 1s and 4s lead out ends cross and cast (1s own sides, 4s opposite sides) and dance ½ RH across. 24(1)(3)

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

Dance Information

It is named after George Gordon, 2nd Marquis of Huntly, who is said to have hidden in the cave after his Royalist force was defeated in the early 1640s. This cave holds historical significance due to its association with Gordon and the English Civil War period.

Additionally, Lord Huntly's Cave is part of a popular rock-climbing crag known as Huntly's Cave. The crag features several climbing routes, making it a favorite spot for rock climbing enthusiasts.

Geologically, the cave is situated in a deep ravine with the Allt an Fhithich (Raven's Burn) running through it.

"Lord Huntly's Cave" is also the name of a traditional Scottish tune composed by James Scott Skinner. The tune, which first appeared in Skinner's 1900 book "The Scottish Violinist", is a march in D Major and typically played in 4/4 time. Skinner, often referred to as "The Strathspey King", was a famous Scottish fiddler and composer, and his work continues to be celebrated in the world of Scottish traditional music.

Huntly's Cave

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