Sea Dog Bamse

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

SEA DOG BAMSE (M-(S48+R/H48)) Sq.Set Elizabeth Neill RSCDS East Angus 2015

Strathspey
1- 8 All face partners to dance Interlocking Reels of 4, all change places RH with partner bars 7 and 8
9-12 All set and link, Men finish facing out
13-16 Ladies dance LH across while Men dance clockwise ½ way round. Ladies dance out while Men dance in, passing LSh
17-24 Men dance RH across while Ladies dance anticlockwise ½ way round. Finish facing partners opposite original places, Men with backs to the centre. All turn partners LH
25-32 All dance Double LSh Reels of 4 (RH across ½ way in middle), finish Men retaining RH across in the centre joining nearer hands with partners, all facing clockwise
33-36 All dance ½ way round, Men bringing partners round to face in original positions, with partner on the left
37-40 All set to partners and change places RH. (All dancers in original places)
41-48 Circle 8H round and back

Reel or Hornpipe
49-96 Repeat bars 1-48 in Reel or Hornpipe time

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

Dance Instruction Videos

Sea Dog Bamse - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

Bamse (Norwegian for "teddy bear") (1937-1944) was a St. Bernard dog that became the heroic mascot of the Free Norwegian Forces during the Second World War. He became a symbol of Norwegian freedom during the war.

Bamse was bought in Oslo, Norway by Captain Erling Hafto, the master of the Norwegian whale-catcher Thorodd, and he was taken to sea from an early age. In her childhood memories of pre-war Honningsvåg, Captain Hafto's daughter Vigdis remembers Bamse as a very kind dog that would look after the children while they were playing.

Bamse played a vital role in maintaining the morale of his ship's crew and became a well-loved figure among the local community. During battles, he would position himself on the front gun turret, proudly standing watch. The crew even crafted a custom metal helmet for him. His bravery extended beyond the battlefield - on one occasion, he saved a young lieutenant commander from an armed attacker by knocking the assailant into the water. Another time, he pulled a sailor to safety after the man had fallen overboard.

Bamse also acted as a peacemaker among his crewmates, stepping in to break up fights. He would place his paws on their shoulders to defuse the situation, gently guiding them back to the ship. One of his daily responsibilities in Scotland was ensuring that his crew returned in time for duty or curfew. To accomplish this, he would travel alone on local buses, making use of a specially issued bus pass attached to his collar. He regularly caught the bus from Broughty Ferry Road to Dundee, heading straight to the Bodega Bar, a favourite meeting place for his crew. If he found them, he would escort them back to the ship. If not, he would simply take the bus back on his own.

Sea Dog Bamse

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