Mairi's Wedding (3-Couple Version)
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
Mairi's Wedding (3-Couple Version)James B. Cosh 22 Scottish Country Dances (and 2 more)
Reel 3 x 40 bars 3 Couple Repeat 3 Couple Set Longwise Set
1-2 1s turn by the right WHILE (except in the first repeat) the former 3s step up and the former 1s cast to 3rd place;
3-4 1s cast;
5-8 1s turn by the left to face 1st corners;
9-12 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with first corners;
13-16 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with second corners;
17-20 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with first corners (in partner's corner's position);
21-24 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with second corners (in partner's corner's position);
25-32 2s1L 1M3s reels of 3 across, 1s giving left shoulder to first corners to start;
33-40 2s1s3s 6 hands round and back, 1s finishing ready to cast (except in the final repeat).
(MAXICRIB. Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle)
Dance Notes
This is a simple adaptation of the 4-couple dance for 3 couples. 1-2 1s make a quick turn (RSCDS style) or elbow grip.
The following is the modification for 3 couples at the beginning of the second and third repeats: the former 3s step up to become the new 2s WHILE the former 1s cast to 3rd place.
3-4 2s step up by going diagonally inward and then outward.
5-8 A slow, long arm turn, not elbow grip.
9-24 1s officially pass giving left shoulder between the half reels but right shoulder is more usual.
33-40 This is the modification for 3 couples at the end of the first and second repeats: 1s finish ready to cast.
If this is the final repeat in a display, or just for fun, socially, keep the hands round going to the left on the last repeat and finish with a "hooch".
Mairi's Wedding (alternative 3-couple version)
James B. Cosh 22 Scottish Country Dances (and 2 more)
Reel 3 x 40 bars 3 Couple Repeat 3 Couple Set Longwise Set
1-2 1s turn by the right;
3-4 1s cast;
5-8 1s turn by the left to face 1st corners;
9-12 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with first corners;
13-16 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with second corners;
17-20 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with first corners (in partner's corner's position);
21-24 1s half diagonal reel of 4 with second corners (in partner's corner's position);
25-30 2s1L 1M3s reels of 3 across, 1s giving left shoulder to first corners to start, 2s finishing in 1st place, 3s in 3rd place facing out, 1s on the centre line, 1L above 1M;
30-32 3s cast up to 2nd place WHILE 1s turn by the left to finish facing up, nearer hands joined, in the centre in 3rd place;
33-40 2s3s1s 6 hands round and back.
(MAXICRIB. Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle)
Dance Notes
This is a more elegant adaptation of the 4-couple dance for 3 couples.1-2 1s make a quick turn (RSCDS style) or elbow grip.
3-4 2s step up by going diagonally inward and then outward.
5-8 A slow, long arm turn, not elbow grip.
9-24 1s officially pass giving left shoulder between the half reels but right shoulder is more usual.
25-32 This is the modification for 3 couples; the reels are completed in 6 bars leaving 2 bars for the progression to interchange 3s and 1s before the hands round and back.
33-40 If this is the final repeat in a display, or just for fun, socially, keep the hands round going to the left on the last repeat and finish with a "hooch".
Dance Information
Also see the original dance Mairi's Wedding by James B. Cosh.The title of this dance, Mairi's Wedding, comes from Mairi's Wedding - Song, a very catchy, popular song with an interesting story.
The song "Mairi's Wedding" was originally written in Gaelic by Johnny Bannerman in 1935 to celebrate Mary MacNiven's achievement of winning the gold medal at the National Mòd, the premier festival of Scottish Gaelic literature, song, arts, and culture.
Bannerman's composition drew inspiration from an older Gaelic love song by Scots poet Duncan Ban MacIntyre (1724–1812), dedicated to his wife, Mairi. MacIntyre, known for his simplicity and illiteracy, relied on the Rev. Donald MacNicol to record his many works. His wife, Mairi, was not only an exemplary partner but also a skilled whisky distiller.
In 1936, Sir Hugh Stevenson Roberton collaborated with Bannerman on other songs and wrote English lyrics for "Mairi's Wedding". These lyrics differed significantly from the original Gaelic version. Roberton presented a signed copy of his arrangement to Mary MacNiven, though she didn't marry her husband, John Campbell, until 1941, six years after the song was written.
The accompanying dance, however, was created much later in 1959 by James B. Cosh from Glasgow, a prolific choreographer with over 40 dances to his name.
Mary Connel MacNiven (1905–1997) was born in Portnahaven on the Isle of Islay in the Inner Hebrides. She later moved to Glasgow, where she sang with the St Columba Gaelic Church choir and became a member of the Glasgow Musical Association. In 1934, she won the gold medal at the National Mòd in Oban. Mary married John Campbell, a sea captain from Glendale on the Isle of Skye, in 1940. After John's retirement, the couple returned to live in Portnahaven.
Mary MacNiven Singing In The Portnahaven Hotel - Information Video
Mairi's Wedding Song - Information Video
Portnahaven Bay, Islay
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Additional search terms: Mairis, mhairis, maris, marie's.