Skara Brae

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

Strathspey
1- 4 First couple dance a half figure of eight round second couple crossing down between second couple to commence. Meanwhile third couple dance a similar half figure of eight round fourth couple, crossing down between fourth couple to commence. Second and third couples finish facing up and down on the sides.
5- 8 All four couples dance a half grand chain, to finish in square formation with fourth couple at the top facing down and first couple at the foot facing up.
9-12 Second and third couples dance a half ladies' chain to finish second couple on the ladies' side and third couple on the men's side.
13-16 First and fourth couples face partner to dance petronella turn and set to finish in a line facing up and down the centre of the set, the ladies back to back facing own partner.
17-20 First and fourth couples dance a half a reel of four.
21-24 All dance petronella turn and set; first couple finish at the top and fourth couple at the foot, ladies on their partner's left; second and third couples finish in a line across the set, the ladies back to back facing their partners.
25-28 Second and third couples dance a half reel of four.
29-32 All dance petronella turn and set; first and fourth couples finish in a straight line facing up and down the set, men back to back in the middle facing their partners; third couple finish on the ladies' side and second couple on the men's side, ladies on their partner's left.
33-36 First and fourth couples dance half a reel of four.
37-40 Second and third couples dance petronella turn and set. Finish in a grand cross with the four men all back to back in the centre facing their own partners.

Jig
41-48 Half a star grand chain, all commence by passing own partner giving right hand for two steps, men face in, ladies moving round one position anticlockwise to face the next man; all change with next person left hand for two steps, ladies turning to face in whilst men progress one place clockwise; repeat to meet own partner on opposite side of the square.
49-52 All collect partners in a promenade hold and promenade anticlockwise half way round the set to finish back in a square formation, each man with his partner on his right: fourth couple at the top, third couple on the ladies' side, second couple on the men's side and first couple at the foot.
53-56 Second and third couples dance a half ladies' chain, finish in two lines up and down the set, second couple in second place on own side facing fourth couple at the top and third couple in third place on the opposite side facing first couple at the foot.
57-64 All four couples dance reels of four on the sides of the set, passing person facing by the right shoulder to commence.
65-68 Fourth couple set and cast off into second place, second couple step up on bars 67 & 68.
69-72 Fourth and third couples dance half rights and lefts to return to own side of the set. Order now is 2, 3, 4, 1, all on own sides.
73-80 Eight hands round in a circle to the left and back to the right.

Repeat with a new top couple.

(Dance crib reproduced from The Whetherly Book of Scottish Country Dances, revised and republished by Alison Mitchell)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

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