Poohsticks

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 4 1s cross down RH to 2nd place opposite sides as 4s cross up LH to 3rd place opposite sides (2s and 3s step down/up). 1s and 4s set to partners
5-8 1s+4s dance RH across while 2s and 3s set advancing, ½ turn 2H (pas-de-basque) to face partners raising arms to make arches
9-12 1L followed by 4L casts out and up Men's side to top and under arch made by 2s into 3rd/2nd place own sides facing down while 4M followed by 1M dance similar casting out and down Ladies' side, under arch made by 3s into 2nd/3rd place own sides (2s and 3s drop hands, remain in centre)
13-16 1L followed by 4L dance ½ tandem reel of 3 on sides with 3M+2M (pass 3M RSh) while 4M followed by 1M dance similar with 2L+3L (pass 2L RSh)
17-20 As bars 5-8 but LH across
21-24 As bars 9-12 but 1L+4L cast out and up Ladies' side, under arches made by 3s to 3rd/2nd place opposite sides, 4M+1M cast out and down Men's side, under arches made by 2s to 2nd/3rd place opposite sides
25-28 As bars 13-16 but passing LSh to start
29-32 1s+4s dance ½ RH across and set. 2413
33-40 All circle 8H round and back

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

Dance Information

It is a simple sport which may be played on any bridge over running water; each player drops a stick on the upstream side of a bridge and the one whose stick first appears on the downstream side is the winner.

Young Couple Playing Poohsticks At Fen Bridge On The River Stour

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