Yet Close In Spirit

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 4 1st couple cross, giving right hands, and cast off one place as 2nd couple step up.
5- 8 1st couple each dance half a figure of eight, 1st man up between 2nd couple and 1st woman down between 3rd couple ending in 2nd place own sides facing in. Meanwhile 2nd and 3rd couples set, cross over giving right hands and face out.
9-16 All dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple start right shoulder to their 4th corner position and end back to back on the 2nd diagonal facing their 4th corner again.
17-24 1st couple turn their 4th corner right hand, their partner three quarters left hand to face their 3rd corner position who they turn right hand and finally half turn their partner left hand to end on the centre line, 1st man facing down below 1st woman who faces up.
25-28 1st couple dance right shoulder around their 4th corner position to end on the centre line, right shoulder to their partner, 1st man above 1st woman, facing opposite sides. Meanwhile 2nd and 3rd couples set and cross over giving left hands.
29-32 2nd couple with 1st man, also 1st woman with 3rd couple, each dance left hands across ending in order 2,1,3.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Murrough Landon, CC BY-SA January 2023)

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

Hopefully one day our countries will rediscover the benefits of peaceful cooperation with our neighbours and we will be able to dance again in person with our Scottish Country Dance friends from far away.

Meanwhile I hope we remain close in spirit. For most of this dance each couple is on the "wrong" side (of a border?) compared to more traditional dances.

Recommended music: Suggested tune Clay Braes by Lindsay Ross; suitable recording Dancing Spirit (Scott Band and his SDB: Book 50).

(Dance information by the deviser, Murrough Landon, CC BY-SA January 2023)

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Yet Close In Spirit' page