Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Inveran Reels

The Figure, Inveran Reels, occurs in Quick tempo in Scottish Country Dances and in Strathspeys using the Travelling step appropriate to the Tempo throughout.

It consists of two, Mirror Half reels of three on the Sides of a Longwise set, with the Dancing couple on Opposite Sides for the first Half reel and on their Own sides for the second; from the Supporting Couples point of view, they are performing normal Mirror reels of three.

Diagram, Inveran Reels, Scottish Country Dance Dictionary

The whole Inveran reels Figure requires 8 bars; it is named from the Reel, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran, where it appears in bars 1-8.

When, as in this example, it is performed by the first 3 Couples Starting from their Original Places, 1st couple Cross down to Start, 1st Lady Giving left shoulder to 3rd man and 1st man Giving right shoulder to 3rd lady; at the end of the first Half reel of three, 1st couple Cross up to Start the second Half reel of three, 1st lady Giving left shoulder to 3rd lady (in 1st lady's Place) and 1st man Giving right shoulder to 3rd man (in 1st man's Place), all Finishing in their Original Places. The Supporting Couples perform normal Mirror reels of three with one of the Dancing couple for the first Half reel and the other for the second; 2nd couple Cast up to Start, 3rd couple Dance In and Up and both can Take Nearer hands as in normal Mirror reels of three.

Note that the Dancing couple's paths in the above diagram show the asymmetry (cf. the following diagram for Figures of eight across halfway - lady and man down, albeit with 1st Couple Crossing down from Opposite sides), which is necessary in order to achieve Precedence and avoid a staccato pace when Crossing down or Up. In Inveran reels, the Dancing couple, Starting from Own sides, should Take Right hands when Crossing down and when Crossing up so that the Dancing man can help his Partner to take Precedence and he does not have to mark time in order to let her Pass in front of him.

Diagram, Figures Of Eight Across Halfway - Lady And Man Down, Scottish Country Dance Dictionary


There is a derivative form of Inveran reels, as for example in the Scottish Country Dance Queen's View, in which the Dancing couple are already on Opposite Sides at the start and so they Cross down to their Own sides for the first Half reel and Cross up to Opposite Sides for the second.

Note that, because of the asymmetry in the top diagram, the paths have to be reflected about the Centre line; the Dancing couple do not simply follow their Partner's path of the standard form.


Here are examples of those Scottish Country Dances for which we have instructions on this site and in which the term, Inveran Reels, either appears explicitly or is implied; note that for a common term these will be a small selection; for a rare term, these may be all that exist:

Glen Alva
Jennifer's Jig
Lady Hamilton's Strathspey
Marischal College
Moray Rant
Quaich (Drewry)
Ramadan-ce
Tibbie's Jig
Trip To Aphrodisia
Up And Doon The Gallowgate


Dance Video Clip Which Demonstrates Inveran Reels

Inveran Reels Video Clip

Links To Pages Related To 'Inveran Reels'

Complex Figures

Additional search terms: Invoran.

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