The Red Squirrel (Collin)
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
The Red Squirrel (Collin)Gaye Collin 2018
Strathspey 8 x 32 bars 3 Couple Repeat 4 Couple Set Longwise Set
1-8 Mirror reels of 3 on the sides, 1s dancing down with nearer hands joined to start;
9-16 1s lead down and back, finishing facing out;
17-20 1s cast to 2nd place;
21-24 2s1s3s dos-à-dos;
25-32 2s1s3s 6 hands round and back.
(MAXICRIB. Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle)
Dance Notes
1-2 In the 3rd, 5th and 7th repeats, the former 1s step down WHILE 3s (in 4th place of the full set and with nearer hands joined) dance up quickly into the mirror reels of 3.
1-8 All take nearer hands at every opportunity in the mirror reels of 3.
19-20 2s step up.
32-32 In the 2nd, 4th and 6th repeats, 3s retain nearer hands joined on the centre line.
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Instruction Videos
The Red Squirrel (Collin) - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
Also see the dance Red Squirrel (Johnston) by John A Johnston.Also see the dance Red Squirrel (Spägele-Föhrenbach) by Sybille Spägele.
Gaye Collin devised this dance to introduce some basic figures to Beginners in the Wellington area of New Zealand.
The red squirrel, scientifically known as Sciurus vulgaris, is a tree-dwelling rodent indigenous to various regions of Europe and Asia.
Characterized by its reddish-brown fur, the red squirrel typically exhibits a white underbelly and distinct ear tufts during specific seasons. Adapted to arboreal habitats, it is commonly found in both coniferous and deciduous forests.
As a herbivorous species, the red squirrel's diet includes nuts, seeds, berries, and fungi. Its adept tree-climbing abilities contribute to its survival and ecological role in seed dispersal within forests. Despite generally being a solitary animal, the red squirrel displays social behaviors, particularly during the breeding season.
In recent years, a significant decline in numbers has been observed in Great Britain, Ireland, and Italy. This reduction is linked to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) from North America by humans. Despite this trend, the population in Scotland is showing signs of stabilization. Conservation efforts, increased awareness, and the growing population of the pine marten, a European predator with a selective impact on grey squirrels, contribute to this stabilizing trend.
Red Squirrel
Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Red Squirrel article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Tomi Tapio www.flickr.com.
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