The Whale Print

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1st couple dance down the middle for 3 steps, dance back up the middle for three steps and cast into second place. 2nd couple move up on bars 7 and 8.
9-12 1st and 2nd couples set and link.
13-16 1st and 2nd couples four hands once round to the left.
17-24 Reels of three on the sides, taking hands where possible. 1st couple in and down, 2nd couple out and up, 3rd couple in and up to begin, At the end of the reel, 1st couple stay in the centre facing down, 2nd couple, with nearer hands joined, dance up the centre from 3rd place, to finish in the centre facing 1st couple. 3rd couple finish in 3rd place.
25-32 1st and 2nd couples dance a Rondel.

Repeat having passed a couple.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Lynne Hudson 2002)

Dance Notes

(Dance notes compiled by the deviser, Lynne Hudson 2002)

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

1- 8 represents the whale emptying its lungs, forcing a fine spray of water and oil through the vent or blowhole.
9-16 is the eddy caused by the whale's head going back under the surface of the sea.
17-24 represents the back of the whale coming out of the water,
5-32 is the fluke (tail) of the whale coming up out of the water and then sinking gracefully back into the sea.

(Dance information by the deviser, Lynne Hudson 2002)

Sperm Whale Making A Whale Print - New Zealand

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'The Whale Print' page