The Scots Brigade

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1-4 1st couple set and cast off two places (2nd couple move up on bars 3-4).
5-6 1st couple, joining right hands, change sides (1st lady dances below her partner and under his right arm).
7-8 1st couple, retaining right hands, lead up to 2nd place on opposite sides of the dance (1st man remains facing out).
9-16 2nd and 1st couple dance a ladies' chain; 1st couple finish facing down.
17-24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance a grand chain (2nd couple across over right hand at the top and 1st and 3rd couples change places giving right hand to begin the chain), 1st couple finish dancing in, to face their 1st corners.
25-32 1st couple set to 1st corners, set to each other across the dance, set to 2nd corners and dance a petronella turn into 2nd place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Mary-Jane Gould, 1989)

Dance Information

Music composed by Alastair Hunter.

Throughout this extended period, the brigade played a role in various military engagements and campaigns within the Dutch Republic and for many of those years part of the Brigade was stationed in Delft.

The presence of the Scots Brigade in Holland was a significant element in the broader historical context of alliances and conflicts that characterized the region during this time. The service of the Scots Brigade in Holland over more than two centuries reflects their involvement in the military affairs of the Dutch Republic.