Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Scots Bonnet

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE SCOTS BONNET (J8x32) 3C (4C set) RSCDS Book 10

1- 8 1s+2s dance R&L
9-16 1s lead down the middle and back
17-24 1s cast, cross RH, cast down behind 3s and lead up to Balance-in-Line with 2s (Men face down)
25-32 1s+2s Balance-in-Line across, ½ turn opposite partners LH to put 2s in centre, Balance-in-Line, 2s dance up to 1st place as 1s cross to 2nd places

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


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

The Scots Bonnet - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

A Tam O' Shanter is the most common Scottish bonnet worn by men. It was named after the character Tam O' Shanter in the Tam O' Shanter - Poem by Robert Burns.

This truth fand honest Tam o' Shanter,
As he frae Ayr ae night did canter:

The bonnet is made of wool with a toorie (pompon) in the centre, and the crown is about twice the diameter of the head.

There are also a number of other types of Scots Bonnet like the Glengarry and the Balmoral bonnet.

Tam O' Shanter Poem - Information Video

Tam O' Shanter
The Scots Bonnet - Tam O' Shanter
As Worn By The Royal Highland Fusiliers Battalion Of The Royal Regiment Of Scotland


Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Tam O' Shanter article on Wikipedia.

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