Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Mrs Hill's Delight

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

MRS HILL'S DELIGHT (R8x32) 3C (4C set) RSCDS Book 28

1- 4 1s slip step down (2 bars), drop hands nearest top and both set as 1L pulls back RSh to BtoB with partner, 1L faces 3M and 1M faces 3L (3s set and 2s step up 3-4)
5- 8 1s turn 3s (1M+3L RH, 1L+3M LH) to end 1s between 3s all facing up in line across; 1s+3s set
9-12 1s slip step up middle (2 bars), drop hands nearest bottom of set, and both set as 1L pulls back RSh to face 2L and 1M faces 2M (2s set 11-12)
13-16 1s ¾ turn 2s (1M+2M LH, 1L+2L RH), 1s end in 2nd place own side, 2s in 1st place, 2s+1s set to partners. 213
17-24 2s+1s dance ½ R&L with full LH turn on opposite sides; 2s cross RH to own sides (in top place) as 1s cross and dance RSh round 3rd corners back to 2nd place own sides facing down
25-32 2s+1s+3s dance Grand Chain

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


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

Mrs Hill's Delight - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

Mrs Hill's Delight is a Scottish Country Dance which has similarities to "Mrs. Hill's Dance" published by John Young (Playford family) in 1710, and interpreted by the RSCDS in Book 28, 1977.

John Young wrote:

Note: Each Strain is to be play'd twice over.
The first Cu. slip down the middle, and Sett a-cross to the third Cu. then first Man turn the third Wo. and the first Wo. turn the third Man -
Then Sett a-cross to the 2d Cu. then first Man turn the 2d Man half round, and the first Wo. turn the 2d Wo. at the same Time -
Then Right-hand and Left round, then turn Partners -
Then the Man slips between the 2d Cu. and cast off, the first W. at the same Time go between the third Cu. and cast up, then both turn in the 2d Couple's Place -

(Dance information copyright, reproduced here with the kind permission of George Williams)



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