Tobermory Jig

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 2s+3s turn partner ¾ RH, dance ½ reel of 4 up/down middle, turn partner ¾ RH to end on sides facing out. 1324
9-16 Alternating Tandem reels of 3 on sides 2L followed by 3L RSh to 4L to start, 3M followed by 2M RSh to 1M to start. 1324
17-24 3s+2s dance RH across; 1s+3s also 2s+4s dance LH across
25-30 3s+2s ½ turn partner LH, 3M and 2L face out, 3M followed by 3L casts up to 1st place while 2L followed by 2M casts down to 4th place (1s and 4s step down/up 29-30). 3142
31-32 All set

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

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Tobermory Jig - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

Tobermory, known in Gaelic as Tobar Mhoire meaning "Mary's well", lies on the east coast of Mishnish at the northern entrance to the Sound of Mull. Its design was influenced by the engineer Thomas Telford. The town had a population of just over 1,000 in 2022. Archaeological work at Baliscate near Tobermory has revealed evidence of continuous occupation for more than a millennium before the town's foundation, including a sixth-century farming community, a seventh-century Christian chapel and cemetery, and later medieval structures.

Local tradition tells of a Spanish Armada vessel that exploded and sank in Tobermory Bay in 1588. Accounts differ over whether the ship was the Florencia or the San Juan de Sicilia, and whether it carried treasure or troops. Salvage attempts were made from the seventeenth century onwards, but no gold has ever been recovered. The wreck site remains a subject of interest, with later searches in the twentieth century contributing to the development of underwater exploration techniques.

During the Second World War, Tobermory was the base for HMS Western Isles, a Royal Navy training establishment commanded by Vice Admiral Sir Gilbert Stephenson, remembered as the "Terror of Tobermory". His strict methods became well known, and his biography was later published by Richard Baker.

The town is recognised for its colourful Main Street, which has featured in television programmes including the BBC children's series Balamory. Tobermory is home to the Mull Museum, a whisky distillery, and Mull Aquarium, which was the first catch-and-release aquarium in Europe. The harbour clock tower is a notable landmark, and the arts centre An Tobar, combined with Mull Theatre under the organisation Comar, provides a venue for drama, dance, and music. Boat tours operate from Tobermory to the Treshnish Isles and Fingal's Cave on Staffa.

The town has cultural associations with figures such as Isabella Bird, who frequently stayed there in the nineteenth century and funded the clock tower in memory of her sister. Other notable residents include broadcaster Kenny Macintyre and singer-songwriter Colin MacIntyre. Annual events include the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival, commemorating the composer's visit in 1829, a traditional music festival each April, the local Mòd in September, the Mull Fiddler's Rally, and the Mull Highland Games.

Tobermory has also appeared in literature and film. It inspired Alistair MacLean's novel When Eight Bells Toll, was used in the 1945 film I Know Where I'm Going!, and gave its name to a character in Saki's short story "Tobermory". The town's name was also adopted for one of the Wombles in Elisabeth Beresford's children's books.

Transport links include ferries to Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, with the main access to Mull via the Oban to Craignure route. Craignure lies about 22 miles from Tobermory, and additional ferries connect Lochaline with Fishnish.

There is also another place called Tobermory, located in Ontario, Canada. It is a small community at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, known as the gateway to Fathom Five National Marine Park and for its clear waters, coincidently shipwreck sites, and natural attractions such as Flowerpot Island.

A Trip To Tobermory - Information Video

Tobermory Waterfront, Isle of Mull, Scotland

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