Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Wild Hedda Reel

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

Wild Hedda Reel A 40 bar Reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set, devised by Judith Kowalczik, 2018.

1 - 4 1st couple, giving right hands, turn one and a half times (or dance a pivot turn !), moving down to second place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 1-2.
5 - 12 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance set and rotate for three couples. 3rd woman finish in 1st place facing out. 2nd man finish in 3rd place facing out.
13 - 16 1st man joins right hands with 3rd woman and nearer hands with 2nd woman. 1st man sets, turning on the spot as 3rd and 2nd women dance once round clockwise.
 At the same time, 1st woman joins nearer hands with 3rd man and right hands with 2nd man. 1st woman sets, turning on the spot as 3rd and 2nd men dance once round clockwise.
17 - 20 1st couple dance a half diagonal reel of four with the dancers in third corner positions. 1st couple start by passing partner by the left. On bar 20, 1st couple pass partner by the right to face fourth corner positions.
21 - 24 1st couple dance a half diagonal reel of four with the dancers in fourth corner positions to finish in second place on own sides. 2nd man finish in first place on opposite side facing out. 3rd woman finish in 3rd place on opposite side facing out.
25 - 28 1st woman joins right hands with 2nd man and nearer hands with 3rd man. 1st woman sets, turning on the spot as 2nd and 3rd men dance once round clockwise.
 At the same time, 1st man joins nearer hands with 2nd woman and right hands with 3rd woman. 1st man sets, turning on the spot as 2nd and 3rd women dance once round clockwise.Again, 2nd man and 3rd woman finish facing out.
29 - 36 2nd man casts down behind 1st woman while 2nd woman dances down the middle. 2nd woman followed by her partner casts up one place and dances across the set to her own side. 2nd couple finish in first place.
 At the same time 3rd woman casts up behind 1st man while 3rd man dances up the middle. 3rd man followed by his partner casts down one place and dances across the set to his own side. 3rd couple finish in 3rd place. 2nd,1st and 3rd couples set.
37 - 40 2nd,1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round (or dance a pivot turn !).
 If 1st couple choose to dance a pivot turn, they may keep hands to start again from second place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Judith Kowalczik, under the CCA NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, 2018)


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Information

Devised by Judith Kowalczik in 2018 for Hedda Hein on the occasion of her 50th birthday. Hedda is a passionate dancer and a faithful member of the Potter's Pairs.

Recommended music: "Lydia's Dance" from the album "Music for Scottish Country Dancing" by "Les Joueurs de Bon Accord".

(Dance information by the deviser, Judith Kowalczik, under the CCA NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, 2018)


Published in Wild Hedda Reel, reproduced here under this Creative Commons Attribution - NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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