Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Silver Spirtle

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE SILVER SPIRTLE (R8x32) 3C (4C set) R Wood

1- 8 1s+2s+3s set, cross RH, 1s dance ½ Fig of 8 round 2s
9-16 1s+2s change places on sides with nearer hand (1s dance between 2s), 1s+3s change places with other hand, 2s+3s+1s dance ½ reel of 3 on sides (1s in and up to start)
17-24 1s lead down, ½ turn RH (Lady under Man's arm) and dance up to end with 1M facing 3M (at top Ladies' side) with his partner behind him
25-32 1s dance diagonal Alternating Tandem ½ reel of 3 with 2nd corners and Alternating Tandem ½ reel with 3rd corners

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


Dance Information

The Spirtle (or Spurtle) is a Scots kitchen tool, dating from at least the fifteenth century. It was originally a flat, wooden, spatula-like utensil, used for flipping oatcakes on a hot girdle the Scottish equivalent to a griddle but over time, the original implement changed shape and began being used specifically for stirring oatmeal and soups. The rod-like shape is designed for constant stirring.
Spirtle
Spirtle


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Text from this original Spurtle article on Wikipedia.
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