The Ropemaker's Reel

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 2 In 2 couple groups Ladies set rotating and dance to next place clockwise as 1M/3M ¾ turn 2M/4M with 2H into 1L/3L places (1M/3M pivoting and 2M/4M turning past and rotating)
3- 4 All dance a little more than ½ RH across to end with 1s+3s in line up/down middle (Men facing up)
5- 8 1s+3s dance ½ reel of 4 with 1s and 3s ending in line up/down middle (Men face Ladies' side, Ladies face Men's side)
9-12 3s+1s Balance-in-Line as 2L and 4M set, 3L+1M (middle couple) ¾ turn LH as 2L/4M (pivoting) turn 3M/1L 2H (passing and rotating) to end in lines across
13-16 3s+1s Balance-in-Line and 3L+1M (middle couple) ¾ turn LH as 2M/4L (rotating) turn 1L/3M 2H (passing and rotating) in lines up/down
17-24 Repeat bars 9-16
25-32 3s and 1s ¾ turn RH moving down to 2nd/4th places then 2s+3s also 4s+1s dance RH across and all set. 2341

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

Ropemaker, c. 1538

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