Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Magic Of Merrill

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE MAGIC OF MERRILL (R8x32) 3C (4C set) Lyle Ramshaw

1- 8 1s+2s set and 1s cross down (no hands) to Double Triangle positions as 2s cast up, 2s+1s+3s set and 1s ¾ turn 1st corners RH
9-16 1s dance ½ LSh reels of 3 across (1L with 2s, 1M with 3s) into RSh half reels of 3 on own sides and 1s pass LSh to face 1st corner positions
17-24 1s dance ½ reel of 4 with corners and pass RSh to face 2nd corner positions, 1s dance ½ reel of 4 with corners and end 2nd place own sides
25-32 2s+1s+3s circle 6H round and back

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


The Magic Of Merrill 32 Bar Reel For 3 Couples In A 4-Couple Set Lyle Ramshaw

1 - 2 1s and 2s set on the sides.
3 - 4 2s cast up to first place while 1s cross down (no hands) into double - triangles position, facing the opposite side.
5 - 6 2s, 1s, and 3s set as in double triangles.
7 - 8 1s turn their first corner ¾ by the right hand, leaving first woman between the 2s and first man between the 3s.
9 - 12 Half reels of three across the set, 1s giving left shoulder to the person on their left - that is, first woman to second woman and first man to third man.
13 - 16 Right - shoulder half reels of three on the sides, 1s on their own side;
On bar 16, 1s pass left shoulder to face first - corner position. Corners connect the previous half reels to these with extra quarter - loops, as in John Drewry's dance, Bratach Bana.
17 - 24 Half a reel of four on the first - corner diagonal and then on the second - corner diagonal; 1s pass right shoulder on bar 20 between the two half reels and pass right shoulder again on bar 24 to second place, own side.
25 - 32 2s, 1s, and 3s circle six hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser Lyle Ramshaw, - copyright by Lyle Ramshaw. All rights reserved)


Dance Notes

Take care not to let the change of musical style put you off towards the end. Maybe try to count the beats in your head while you dance.

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

The Magic Of Merrill - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

This reel, The Magic Of Merrill, was devised by Lyle Ramshaw from the San Francisco Branch of the RSCDS.

The dancing hall in Asilomar Conference Center is named Merrill Hall after Mary Sroufe Merrill (1853-1924), who became Asilomar's first director in 1913.

San Francisco Branch hosts a magical dance weekend each autumn in Merrill Hall.

Merrill Hall
Merrill Hall, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, California


Image copyright licensed under the Creative Commons GNU Free Documentation license.

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'The Magic Of Merrill' page