Strathalbyn Jig

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts (1st man omits polite turn).
9-12 1st couple cast off two places, turn in to face up the dance between 3rd couple, all holding inside hands.
13-16 1st and 3rd couples dance up to 1st place, drop hands then 1st couple cast into 2nd place facing down. 2nd couple step down on last two bars.
17-22 Six bar reels of three on the side. 1st couple dance in and down, 2nd couple (in 3rd place) dance out and up, 3rd couple (in 1st place) dance out and down.
23-24 1st couple cross over to the sidelines on the opposite side passing right shoulder and turn right to face their 1st corner positions.
25-32 CHAINS:
 A) 1st couple change places with 1st corners right hand (2 steps).
 B) 1st corners change places with 2nd corners left hand (2 steps).
 C) 2nd corners change places with 1st couple right hand (2 steps).
 D) 1st couple pass left shoulder to face own side back-to-back with partner (2 steps).
33-40 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles.

Repeat from second place.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Lily Davison, 1989)

Dance Information

The Rankine family from Ayrshire were the first pioneers in the area in 1869. Many Scots have since made their homes in the valley, as properties with names like "Glenbarr" testify.

Recommended Tunes: "Dennis Murphy; Port Singil Gan Ainm; John
Kelly; O'Keefe Jig" (all traditional) as played on the record "Let's Dance in Strict Tempo" by Ian Holmes and his band.

(Dance information by the deviser, Lily Davison, 1989)

Positioned along the River Angas, it lies at the southeastern edge of the Adelaide Hills and marks the beginning of the Fleurieu Peninsula. As of the 2016 census, the town had a population of about 6,500 people.

The area was originally inhabited by the Ngarrindjeri and Peramangk peoples. European settlement began in 1839 when Scottish immigrants, including the Rankine family, arrived and established a sheep station. The name 'Strathalbyn' combines 'strath', meaning a broad valley, and 'Albion', an ancient name for Britain.

The town was officially surveyed in 1841. The River Angas, which flows through Strathalbyn, was named in 1837 after George Fife Angas, a key figure in the colonisation of South Australia.

Strathalbyn was governed by the District Council of Strathalbyn from 1854 until 1997. In 1868, the Corporation of Strathalbyn was established to govern the township separately, but it was amalgamated back into the district council in 1976.

The town is known for its historic architecture, including the heritage-listed Strathalbyn Post Office, located at 37 Commercial Road, which was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004. Strathalbyn is also recognised for its antique shops and is considered the unofficial antique capital of South Australia.

Strathalbyn experiences a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

The town serves as a gateway to the Langhorne Creek wine region, situated southeast along the lower reaches of the Bremer and Angas Rivers. This region, designated as an Australian Geographical Indication in 1998, is known for producing varietals such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot.

River Angas In Strathalbyn, South Australia

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Strathalbyn Jig' page