Piper's Brae
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
PIPER'S BRAE (S4x32) 4C set Barry Priddey Jacobite Book1s and 3s start on opposite sides
1- 8 All set, 1s+2s also 3s+4s circle 4H round to left opening out in middle to 1s facing 2s and 3s facing 4s, all set
9-16 All petronella turn into lines across (Men BtoB facing other partner) and all set, all petronella turn onto sides and set. 2(1)4(3)
17-24 All dance Ladies' Chain and 1s end facing down, 4s facing up
25-32 1s+4s dance ½ R&L, all set and cross RH. (2)4(1)3
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Dance Instruction Videos
Piper's Brae - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
This refers to an old tale of a Scottish piper who entered the caves beneath Culzean Castle near Maybole, Carrick, on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland, and was never seen again.His pipes were last heard playing underground at the place near the ruined church called 'The Piper's Brae' near to the castle.
For many years, the belief persisted that spirits dwelled within the caverns beneath Culzean Castle. In an attempt to dispel the local residents' fears of haunting, the Laird's piper was dispatched into the caves.
As he entered, the haunting melody of the pipes echoed through the castle, perched high on the cliffs. Unexpectedly, the piping ceased, surprising everyone. That night, he failed to emerge from the cave, and he had vanished without a trace.
Periodically, the haunting strains of the pipes are said to resound from the caves beneath the castle, accompanied by the eerie sight of a solitary figure standing on Piper's Brae.
Culzean Castle
Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Culzean Castle article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Albring.
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