Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Sea Caves

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE SEA CAVES (R5x32) 5C set Jeff Green Southern Stars

1- 8 1s+3s turn RH and cast 1 place, cross LH and cast (Men up, Ladies down) to end facing 3rd corners
9-16 All dance RSh reels across (reel of 3 at top and bottom with reel of 4 in centre) 1s and 3s end in 2nd/4th places own sides facing out
17-24 1s+3s chase anticlockwise ½ way to 4th/2nd places opposite sides
25-32 2s+3s also 1s+5s (end couples) dance ½ R&L while 4s set and cross RH, 2s+4s+5s (middle couples) circle 6H round to left ½ way to end 35421

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


Dance Instruction Videos

The Sea Caves - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

The Southern Stars Book, where the dance was published in 1989, explains that "The Sea Caves" refers to the numerous caves found in the coastal cliffs at Wemyss.

"Wemyss" is derived from the Gaelic word "Uaimh," which means "caves." The name is associated with the coastal area of Fife in Scotland, where there are many notable caves along the shoreline.

This tall sea cave is at the northwest end of Pilgrim's Haven
Sea Cave On The Isle Of May, Fife, Scotland


Image copyright Walter Baxter under this Creative Commons Licence 2.0.

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