Stirling Castle (Laidlaw)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 All clap 2 bars (1-2-3-4), all clap partner's hand (2 bars), all turn on spot (2 bars), all clap partner's hand (2 bars)
9-16 All stamp foot 2 bars (1-2-3-4), Men dance RSh round partner (4 bars), all stamp foot (2 bars)
17-24 Repeat bars 9-16, Ladies dancing RSh round partners. End with nearer hands joined with partner facing anticlockwise
25-32 1s make arch and other couples dance under and round circle to places

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

1 - 8 All couples clap their own hands high for two bars: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
They then clap hands with their partners for two bars: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Next each person turns round on the spot for two bars: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Last they clap hands with their partners for two bars: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
9-16 All couples in the circle stamp one foot for two bars: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Then the inside partners skip round their partners passing right (not essential, any shoulder will do initially) shoulders for 8 steps back to place.
All stamp one foot for two bars: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
17-24 All couples in the circle clap hands high for two bars: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Outside partners skip round their partners passing right (not essential) shoulders for 8 steps back to place.
NB This is where it is best to have a nice wide circle to stop crowding as the outside partners dance in.
All couples in the circle clap hands high for two bars: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
All couples finish in original places facing anticlockwise (to the teacher's right) with inside hands joined, except for the top couple (the couple nearest the teacher). They make the Stirling Castle Gate by standing still so that the other couples can dance between them. If they like, they can hold their arms up high to make an arch over the heads of the other children as they pass between them. It is better if they don't try to touch hands as it makes the space that the other children are dancing through too cramped.
25-32 All couples then march or skip round in a circle passing under the gate as they do so for 12 steps and use 13, 14, 15 and 16 to turn into original places by marking time: 1, 2, 3 and 4, ready to start again from the same place.

Repeat the whole dance another three times.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Ruary Laidlaw)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

Stirling Castle (Laidlaw) - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

The shape of the set represents the castle itself.
Bars 1 to 16 show the garrison going about their duties
Bars 17 to 24 demonstrate besiegers trying to find a way into the castle.
Bars 25 to 32 shows that the only way in is through the main gate if the defenders permit it.

The four dances in the Clapyerhands 'n Stampyerfeet collection are designed for school children with no prior dance experience. The steps involve simple walking or plain skipping, and the formations are intuitive. Each dance is accompanied by music on a CD, arranged and performed by "Peter Elmes and His Band."

(Dance information by the deviser Ruary Laidlaw, copyright, All rights reserved)

Dating primarily from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the castle's principal structures exhibit the architectural grandeur of that era. While remnants from the fourteenth century remain, the outer defences facing the town trace back to the early eighteenth century. Beyond its military significance, Stirling Castle served as a distinguished royal residence prior to the union with England, witnessing the coronation of several Scottish monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542, and serving as the birthplace or final resting place for others.

Stirling Castle has endured at least eight sieges, notably during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The last siege occurred in 1746 when Bonnie Prince Charlie attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to capture the castle. Designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, Stirling Castle now functions as a popular tourist attraction, managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

Stirling Castle - Information Video

Stirling Castle

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