Watchmaker (Downey)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1-4 First couple dances half a figure of eight around the second couple crossing down through second couple to begin, finishing in partner's place.
5-8 First woman and second man using RH, and first man and second woman LH turn 1¼ times to finish in a line of 4 across the set, in second place.
9-16 Dance a reel of four across the dance. Instead of the last left shoulder, the first couple dances a half turn with the left hand so as to finish with left hands joined between second couple (who are in original places) and facing down, ready for...
17-22 First couple cross to own sides, man crossing his partner in front, and cast up around the second couple, then turn with 2 hands to finish in original places.
23-24 Taking hands on the sidelines, all set to partners.
25-32 First and second couples dance a tourbillon.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser Rod Downey, Johnsonville SCD Club Tutor)

Dance Information

Most dances with this figure are quite complex. I wished to remedy that, with a relatively straightforward dance involving quite familiar figures, and natural transitions.

In 1801, Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the tourbillon (= whirlwind in French) as an addition to the mechanics of watch escapement to counteract the effect of gravity.

Recommended music is "Cumernad Hoose" by James Oswald, being the lead tune for "A Mile to Ride." I prefer the recording of the Scotsmen. However, the society's recording by Alan Gardener and his band is also excellent.

Failing that, choose a strong strathspey with well-defined 2 bar phrases. For example, "Dalkeith's Strathspey", or "She's Ower Young to Marry Yet."

(Dance information from The Golden Bear Collection Of Scottish Country Dances, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Rod Downey)

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