Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Wolf's Return To Badenoch

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE WOLF'S RETURN TO BADENOCH (R4x32) 4C set John Drewry Canadian Book
3s and 4s start on opposite sides

1- 8 All set, cross RH, set cross back RH
9-16 1s+2s also 3s+4s dance double Fig of 8 (1s and 4s crossing down/up to start)
17-24 1s and 4s ½ turn RH moving down/up and face up/down while 2s and 3s dance to ends and face 1s/2s, all set, 1s+2s and 3s+4s dance RH across
25-32 1s and 4s dance ½ Fig of 8 round 2s/3s, 1s+4s dance ½ R&L. 24(1)(3)

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


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Information

Alexander Stewart, Alasdair Mòr mac an Rígh, and called the Wolf of Badenoch (1343 - 20 June 1405), was the fourth son of King Robert II of Scotland and also the youngest by his first wife, Elizabeth Mure of Rowallan.

He was the first Earl of Buchan from 1382 until his death and his nickname was earned due to his notorious cruelty.

Alexander married the widowed Euphemia, Countess of Ross but they had no children although he did have a large family by his mistress, Mairead nighean Eachann.

Buchan deserted his wife and lived with Mairead nighean Eachann with whom he had a number of children, including Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar. Marital law was the prerogative of the Church and so on 2 November 1389, Bishop Alexander Bur of Moray and Bishop Alexander Kylquhous of Ross, ordered his return to his wife, Euphemia.

Buchan agreed to this, but didn't live up to his promise and so the Earl of Fife encouraged Euphemia of Ross during her divorce proceedings against Buchan and in 1392 Euphemia was successful in her appeal to the Avignon papal court and his marriage was annulled. Following the annulment, Buchan lost all claim to Euphemia's lands which returned to her and to her son Alexander Leslie who was also contracted to marry Fife's daughter.

The Wolf's Return To Badenoch
The "Wolf's Lair": Lochindorb Castle At Lochindorb In Badenoch, Stronghold Of Alexander


Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Earl of Buchan, the Wolf of Badenoch article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Billreid.

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