William Elphinstone
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
WILLIAM ELPHINSTONE (S5x32) 5C set John Drewry Quincentenary SCDs1- 8 1s+2s also 3s+4s set and link, 2s+1s and 4s+3s circle 4H left
9-16 1s and 3s turn 1st corners RH, 1M dances LH across with 2s as 3L dances LH across with 5s ending with 1M and 3L in centre facing opposite side while 1L and 3M dance LH across with 4s for 2 steps, 1L and 3M continue to turn as 4s dance out of wheel turning right and dance to opposite side
17-24 End trios dance 6 bar snake:
1M leads 2M+2L out and down to bottom 1M ends in 4M place while 3L leads 5L+5M out and up to top 3L ends in 2L place while 1L+3M+4s dance ½ reel of across set in 3rd place and 1L dances to 4L place, 4L to 3L place, 3M to 2M place and 4M to 3M place, all join hands in circle and set. 53412
25-32 All circle 10H round and back
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Instruction Videos
William Elphinstone - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
This dance was devised by John Drewry to celebrate 500 years since the foundation of the University of Aberdeen in 1495 by William Elphinstone (1431-1514), a Scottish statesman and (since 1483) Bishop of Aberdeen.William Elphinstone, born in 1431, was a prominent Scottish figure whose influence extended across both the ecclesiastical and political spheres during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Notably, Elphinstone held the position of Bishop of Aberdeen, a role he assumed in 1483, leaving an indelible mark on Scottish history.
Elphinstone's contributions were multifaceted. As a statesman, he served as an advisor to King James III of Scotland and later played a crucial role in the establishment of the University of Aberdeen. In 1495, he obtained a papal bull from Pope Alexander VI, formally founding King's College in Aberdeen, now an integral part of the University of Aberdeen. His dedication to education marked him as a visionary leader, fostering intellectual and cultural growth in Scotland.
A man of learning and letters, Elphinstone was not only a statesman but also a scholar. His commitment to education extended beyond the university, influencing the broader cultural landscape. As a bishop, he demonstrated a deep concern for the welfare of the Church and the spiritual well-being of the people under his jurisdiction.
William Elphinstone's legacy endures through the educational institutions he helped establish and his contributions to Scottish governance and ecclesiastical affairs. His life exemplifies the intersection of scholarship and statesmanship during a pivotal period in Scotland's history, leaving an enduring impact on the nation's cultural and educational heritage. William Elphinstone passed away in 1514, but his influence remains an integral part of Scotland's historical narrative.
Bishop William Elphinstone Of St Andrews, Oil On Wood Portrait, c. 1431-1514
Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original William Elphinstone article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Benhard Strigel, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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