Muckle Ado
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
MUCKLE ADO (R8x32) 3C (4C set) John Bowie Dickson Dunedin Dances Book 21- 8 1s cross RH, cast 1 place and dance ½ Fig of 8 round 3s
9-16 2s+1s+3s set, set advancing, turn to right to end BtoB with partner in centre and set, 2s and 3s return to own side while 1s dance round each other to right to face 1st corners
17-24 1s dance ½ reel with 1st corners and ½ reel with 2nd corners to end in 2nd place opposite sides
25-32 3s+1s+2s turn RH and chase back to own sides
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Dance Information
"Muckle Ado" is Scots for "big commotion or fuss". The title was chosen to suit a lively dance.The word "muckle" is a Scots and Northern English dialect term meaning "large" or "a large amount".
It is often used in phrases such as "muckle hoose" (big house) or "muckle amount" (a large quantity).
The term is not still commonly used in standard English but remains prevalent in certain regional dialects.
The phrase "Muckle Ado" combines two words from Scots or Northern English dialect:
"Ado" means "fuss" or "trouble" (similar to the word "ado" in standard English, as in the phrase "much ado about nothing").
Therefore, "Muckle Ado" translates to "a lot of fuss" or "a great deal of trouble". It describes a situation involving significant commotion, effort, or bother.
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