Mr Alex Menzies

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 First couple lead down to the foot of the set, cross over to opposite side, cast up into third place and turn with the left hand to face their first corners. Meanwhile, fourth couple cross over giving right hand, cast up into second place, lead up to the top and cast off into sidelines, ending approximately between second and third place, still on opposite side. Second couple step up on bars 1& 2 and third couple step down on bars 5 & 6.
9-12 First man turns third lady with the right hand once round and first lady turns second man with the right hand once round; at the same time fourth couple turn with the right hand to face their second corners.
13-16 First couple turn with the left hand to finish on opposite side of the dance facing out; at the same time fourth man turns second lady with the left hand three quarters and fourth lady turns third man with the left hand three quarters.
17-24 First couple dance reels of three on the sides with their corners, passing second corner by the left shoulder to commence. At the same time fourth man dance a figure of eight round second couples places passing second man by the right shoulder to commence, and fourth lady dances a figure of eight round third couples places, passing third lady by the right shoulder to commence.
25-32 First couple dance a figure of eight round their corner positions, passing second corner by the left shoulder to commence. At the same time fourth man dances a reel of three across the dance with second couple, passing second man by the right shoulder to commence, and first lady dances a reel of three across the dance with third couple, passing third lady by the right shoulder to commence.
33-36 First man turns second lady with the right hand and first lady turns third man with the right hand. At the same time fourth couple turn with the right hand to face their first corners.
37-40 First couple turn with the left hand to finish back to back in the middle facing opposite side of the dance. At the same time fourth man turns third lady with the left hand to finish on the ladies' side facing first man, and fourth lady turns second man with the left hand to finish on the men's side facing first lady.
41-44 First and fourth couples dance a half a reel of four across the set.
45-48 First and fourth ladies turn three quarters with the right hand whilst first and fourth man turn one and a quarter with the right hand. Finish on own sides in the order 2, 4, 1, 3.

Repeat with new top couple. Recommended tune: Mr Alex Menzies

(Dance crib reproduced from The Whetherly Book of Scottish Country Dances, revised and republished by Alison Mitchell)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Mr Alex Menzies - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Mr Alex Menzies' page