The Ottery St Catchpole Reel

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1M+3M set advancing and turn RH back to place, 1L+3L set advancing and turn RH
9-16 1s+3s set advancing and ½ turn 2H opposite partner, 1M+3L also 1L+3M dance between 2s/4s and cast to each other's place
17-32 2s+4s repeat bars 1-16
33-40 Ladies dance RH across and dance LSh round corner person
41-48 Ladies dance LH across and RSh round partner
49-56 Men dance LH across and dance RSh round corner person
57-64 Men dance RH across and LSh round partner
65-70 1s+3s dance in (1 step) and pull back RSh, dance out (1 step) and chase clockwise ½ way
71-72 1s+3w turn partner RH to end in original places
73-80 2s+4s repeat 65-72 dancing in, pull back LSh and chase anticlockwise ½ way round and turn partner LH to original places
81-88 All circle 8H round and back

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

Dance Information

This invented settlement serves as the hometown of the Weasley family, a prominent wizarding family featured prominently throughout the narrative, along with the Fawcetts, the Diggorys and the Lovegoods. In the fictional landscape of the books, Ottery St Catchpole contributes to the rich tapestry of locations that make up the wizarding world, with each setting adding depth to the fictional universe crafted by the author.

The choice of the name "Ottery St Catchpole" reflects Rowling's penchant for whimsical and distinctive nomenclature in the Harry Potter series. The name combines the mundane with the fantastical, echoing the author's creative approach to world-building. The Weasley family's residence, known as The Burrow, is in Ottery St Catchpole, becoming a central hub for various events and character interactions throughout the series.

While Ottery St Catchpole itself is a product of Rowling's imagination, it draws inspiration from real-world locations in England, particularly the county of Devon. The author has mentioned that the picturesque town of Ottery St Mary in Devon served as a source of inspiration for the fictional village. This blending of the fantastical with elements rooted in reality is a characteristic feature of Rowling's storytelling, contributing to the immersive and relatable nature of the Harry Potter universe.

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