Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Conventions in Figures Diagrams

See Figures Dance Terms Page

Diagram, Figures Scottish Country Dance Dictionary

The Music - Indicating the Top of The Set


Diagram, Figures Scottish Country Dance Dictionary

1st Man - Stationary, Facing Across The Set


Diagram, Figures Scottish Country Dance Dictionary

1st Man - Crossing The Set

The unshaded arrow head indicates the end of his movement and the Direction in which he finally Faces, i.e., Out of the Ladies' Side.

Diagram, Figures Scottish Country Dance Dictionary

1st Man - Crossing The Set and Then Rotating Clockwise to Face Down

The shaded arrow head indicates the end of his Travelling movement; the unshaded indicates the Direction in which he finally Faces. Note that, when a Setting step is used for Travelling, a shaded arrow head shows the Direction of Travel, not the Direction in which the Dancer is Facing.

Diagram, Figures Scottish Country Dance Dictionary

3rd Lady - Stationary, Facing Up, as in the Starting Position in a Square Set


Diagram, Figures Scottish Country Dance Dictionary

1st Lady - Turning on the Spot, Clockwise, and Then Casting on Her Own Side

The shaded arrow head indicates the Direction in which she Faces at the end of her initial rotation; the unshaded arrow head indicates the end of the travelling movement and the direction in which she finally Faces, i.e., Out on her Side. Where the initial rotation is less than 90o, the Dancer is usually shown as Starting already Facing in that Direction.
A Lady's path is often shown as a broken line in order to differentiate it from a Man's.