The Migratory Duet

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 2 1st couple set while 2nd couple cross over giving right hands and face out.
3- 8 1st and 2nd couples dance three quarters of a double figure of eight. 1st couple start by crossing down as 2nd couple cast up. 1st couple end in 2nd place facing out.
9-16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance the Promenade Chain Progression:
 1- 2: 2nd and 3rd couples turn three quarters with the right hand to the centre line while 1st couple dance a quarter clockwise to the ends of the centre line.
 3- 6: 1st man with 2nd woman, also 1st woman with 3rd man, each promenade half way round clockwise to the other end of the centre line while 2nd man and 3rd woman in the centre turn one and a half times with the left hand.
 7- 8: 3rd and 2nd couples turn three quarters with the right hand while 1st couple dance a quarter clockwise to 2nd place. All end on their own sides in the order 3,1,2.
17-20 1st couple half turn their 1st corner with the right hand, then cast round their 4th corner as the 1st corners dance right shoulder round each other. All end where they started.
21-24 1st couple half turn their 2nd corner with the left hand, then cast round their 3rd corner as the 2nd corners dance left shoulder round each other. All end where they started.
Basic Version
25-32 1st and 2nd couples dance an all round strathspey Poussette. The final order is 3,1,2.

Advanced Version
25-32 All dance a three couple "Rainbow Poussette" figure:
 3rd and 2nd couples dance the pattern of an all round strathspey Poussette from 1st and 3rd places passing widely through 2nd place on the sides at the end of bars 2 and 5. They split the quarter turns on the hop between the end of those bars and the start of the next bar to align up and down with 1st couple. For bars 3-4 they should be about half a place either side of 2nd place and be fairly closely back to back at the end of bar 4.
Meanwhile 1st couple dance between and around the other two couples:
 1- 2: Set advancing to the centre line. At the end of bar 2 all three couples should be in a line across in 2nd place, all the men facing down to their partners who face up.
 3- 4: Turn three quarters with the right hand and start to cast clockwise. With long steps all three couples could be aligned along the 1st diagonal at the end of bar 4.
 5- 6: Continue casting and dance in to meet in 2nd place on the centre line with both hands joined. All three couples are now on the centre line, facing on the 2nd diagonal.
 7- 8: All three couples turn just over half way with both hands and retire to the sidelines. The final order is 3,1,2.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Murrough Landon CC BY-SA December 2025)

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

Judith has a particular preference for refined strathspeys, and the intention was that the three-couple figure, "Rainbow Poussette", would suit her taste as well as it does the deviser. The figure is derived from "Skyte Neuk" and was adapted by the Tanzbaeren for their 2025 Virtual Festival presentation, "Return of the Rainbow".

As the full version can present some difficulty, a simplified form is also provided in which two couples perform the standard all round poussette.

Music: Judith's favourite slow air tune: Down by the Salley Gardens (Traditional).

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