Peter Elmes' Strathspey

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1-8 First and second couples change places with a new progression: Set, Chase and ½ Tourbillon. To wit:
 1-4 Taking hands on the sides, 1C, 2C set, and 2M and 1L pull back RS, 2M casts into 1M's place followed by his partner who dances into his place (no cast), and similarly 1L casts into 2L place with 1M dancing into her place.
 5-8 ½ tourbillon. That is, second couple dances a 2H turn (1 bar) 2M releasing right hand (i.e. 2L "goes around" 2M) to finish 2C facing down with nearer hands joined. Similarly 1M goes around 1L and 1C finish with nearer hands joined facing up. 1C and 2C set across the dances on bars 7 and 8.
9-14 2C, 1C and 3C dances a RS 6 bar reel on the sides.
15-16 All 3 couples take hands on the sides and set.
17-24 1C and 3C dances the rose progression.
25-32 6 hands round and back.

Repeat with a new top couple.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser Rod Downey, Johnsonville SCD Club Tutor)

Dance Notes

1-2 First man and second woman set to each other while first woman and second man change places with right hands to finish facing out.
3-4 First man and second woman half turn with both hands to finish facing each other on the diagonal with hands joined while first woman dances up to first man's place and second man dances down to second woman's place.
5-6 First man and second woman cast to the right and dance out to the side-lines to finish in each other's place while first woman and second man half turn with both hands to finish facing each other on the diagonal with hands joined.
7-8 First man dances across to second man's place while second woman dances across to first woman's place while first woman and second man cast to the right and dance out to the sidelines to finish with first woman in second woman's place and second man in first man's place.

The movements should be danced is as round a shape as possible. I prefer to think of the movement on the diagonal as half turn, hesitation and cast, so there is a moment when all the dancers are aligned.

(Dance notes by the deviser, Rod Downey)

Dance Information

This dance is dedicated to my many happy memories of Peter Elmes who sadly for us all, passed away in 2020. A lovely man with a passion for Scottish Country Dance music, and a unique ability to devise lovely sets. He encouraged many musicians in New Zealand, and was always a joy to work with.

The recommended tune is "The Anzac Strathspey" by Peter Elmes which is included at the end of this leaflet.

For recorded music, I recommend "Rakes of Glasgow" (Preston (18C)) and I used the 3x32 recording of Adam Rennie and his SCD Band from "Village Hall to Royal Ball". If neither these, nor a musician, is available, I would suggest either "Set of Strathspeys" (Track 3-Lassie I'll Come Near Yow) from Terpsichore or any reasonable recoding of "Scotch Mist" (trad), the lead for "Wind on Loch Fyne". I recommend the one by the Lothian SCD.

The music for this dance should be a strong traditional Strathspey, but flowing. I don't think Peter would have approved of an air or a pastoral.

(Dance information from The Piwakawaka Collection Of Scottish Country Dances, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Rod Downey)

The Anzac Strathspey By Peter Elmes

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