Dances for April 27, 2026

8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: The Calm Before The Storm

The Calm Before The Storm
Ian Boyd, THE KILMARNOCK ALBUM
A three couple, 32 bar reel.

1 – 8 First couple dance a chase round second and third men. First woman dances down across the set, round third man passing by the left shoulders, up behind second man and across to own side while first man dances into the middle then follows his partner back to his original place.

9 – 16 First and second couples dance right hands across and back with the left.

17 – 24 First couple dance a chase round second and third women.First man dances down across the set, round third woman passing by right shoulders, up behind second woman and across to own side while first woman dances into the middle then follows her partner back to her original place. First and second couples finish facing the diagonally opposite dancer.

25 – 32 First and second couples dance set and rotate.

25-26 First and second couples set once to the diagonally opposite dancer and begin to turn right about on the spot on bar 26.
27-28 First and second couples cast to the right and dance on one place clockwise to finish facing partner – first couple on the women’s side and second couple on the men’s side.
29-30 First and second couples change places with partner with right hands.
31-32 First and second couples dance on one place clockwise to finish back on own sides having changed places.

Video: The Falkirk Lass

The Falkirk Lass
THREE COUPLES 8 x 32 STRATHSPEY
The Merse Collection [Elaine Brunken]

1 – 4 1st couple turn by the right hand, and cast off one place. (2nd couple step up on 3 and 4).

5 – 8 1st couple cross by the left hand, 1st lady cast down around 3rd man, to finish between 3rd couple as 1st man casts up around 2nd woman, to finish between 2nd couple (all face up or down).

9 – 12 All advance for one step, retire for one step and change places by the right hand, up and down the dance.

13 – 16 All advance for one step, retire for one step, 2nd and 3rd couples change places by the right hand, up and down the dance while the 1st couple turns ¾ by the right hand to face 1st corners.

17 – 20 1st corners pass and turn: 1st couple dance around 1st corners by the right shoulder, dance in through the ends and pass each other by the right shoulder, up and down the dance to face 2nd corners, while corners dance in (1 bar), turn with two hands (1 bar), and dance out to place (2 bars).

21 – 24 2nd corners pass and turn, 1st couple pass right shoulders to finish to finish in 2nd place on their own sides.

25 – 32 All three couples circle round to the left and back to the right.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Dances for April 20, 2026

3x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: The March Hare

The March Hare
3/3L · R32
Michael Ross Bentley

1-8 1s cross RH, cast down 1 place 2s+1s+3s set & 1s turn LH to face 1st corners

9-16 1s dance ‘Hello-Goodbye’ setting & end turning RH to 2nd place own sides facing out

17-24 1s dance out & chase clockwise to 2nd place opposite sides while 2M+3L change places RH then 2L+3M change places RH; 1s dance 1/2 reels of 3 on sides, LSh to 1st cnr pstn to start

25-32 1s dance 1/2 LSh reels of 3 across (LSh to 3rd cnr pstn to start) ending in 2nd place own sides; 1s turn RH & cast to 3rd place 2 3 1

Video: Sugar Candie

Sugar Candie
RSCDS Book 26
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st couple, passing each other by the left, dance round first corners by the right. On bar 8, 1st couple pull back by the right to finish back to back in the middle, woman facing up, man facing down.

9 – 12 1st woman and 2nd couple, 1st man and 3rd couple dance three hands round to the left. 1st couple pull back by the right to finish facing each other up and down the set.

13 – 16 1st couple set and, giving both hands, turn to face first corners. On bar 16, 1st couple open out as 1st man releases his partner’s right hand.

17 – 24 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand, partner with the left hand, second corners with the right hand and, giving left hand to partner, turn to face first corners.

25 – 30 1st couple dance reels of three on the sides passing first corners by the left to begin.

31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Original tune: The Earl of Angus and Arran (William Marshall, A Collection of Scottish Melodies, Volume 4, 1844).

Dances for April 13, 2026

8x32 Jigs, 96 Strathspey, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Best Set in the Hall

Best Set in the Hall
RSCDS Book 46
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and 1st woman, followed by her partner, casts off two places, crosses over below 3rd couple, casts up and dances in to face first corner. 1st man dances up the middle of the set to face his first corner. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners set and, 1st couple, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in partner’s first corner position. At the same time, first corners dance in towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing own places. (Fig.)

13 – 16 1st couple and first corners set and first corners, pulling back by the right, dance around each other and out to finish in opposite corner’s position. At the same time, 1st couple dance towards each other and, pulling back by the right, finish back to back in the middle facing second corners.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat bars 9-16 with second corners and pass each other by the right to finish in second place on opposite sides. 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples face clockwise.

25 – 28 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance clockwise halfway round the set.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Helen Greenwood, Auckland, New Zealand.
Note: the movement in bars 9-24 was devised by the late Alec Hay.

Notes Compiled by teachers, Summer School , St Andrews 2010
15-16 1st couple turn on the spot.

TACNotes:1-8 1st woman dances straight in on bar 8 to face 1st corner.

Video: The Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher
RSCDS, Book 45
(96-bar Strathspey for four couples in a square set)

Part 1
1 – 8 All dance eight hands round and back.

9 – 16 The swirl

9 – 10 1st and 3rd couples turn partners with the right hand once round to finish in allemande hold facing across the set.

11 – 12 1st and 3rd couples dance round each other half way, men passing left shoulders, to finish in the middle of the set. On bar 12, 1st and 3rd couples release right hands and retain left hands.

13 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across. On bar 16 they dance in and, pulling back left shoulder, dance on to finish back to back with partner facing the side couples. 1st woman and 3rd man face 2nd couple, 3rd woman and 1st man face 4th couple. [Fig.]

17 – 24 All dance reels of four across the dance, passing right shoulders to begin.

25 – 26 All set.

27 – 32 1st man with 3rd woman, 3rd man with 1st woman, retaining nearer hands, dance out between the 4th and 2nd couples respectively, cross and cast to places then, giving right hands, change places with partners.

Part 2
1 – 4 All four couples, joining nearer hands with partners, set then advance to join hands in a circle in the middle.

5 – 8 Releasing partners’ hands and retaining nearer hands with corners, all retire on the diagonal and set.

9 – 16 1st woman and 4th man, 2nd man and 3rd woman dance rights and lefts. To begin, 1st woman gives right hand to 2nd man and 4th man gives right hands to 3rd woman.

17 – 24 1st man and 2nd woman, 4th woman and 3rd man dance rights and lefts. To begin, 1st man gives right hand to 4th woman and 2nd woman gives right hand to 3rd man.

25 – 28 All four couples, joining nearer hands with corners, set then advance to join hands in a circle in the middle.

29 – 32 Releasing corners’ hands and retaining nearer hands with partners, all retire to original places and set.

Part 3
1 – 8 2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 9-16 of Part 1.

9 – 16 All dance reels of four up and down the dance, passing right shoulders to begin.

17 – 18 All set.

19 – 24 2nd man with 4th woman, 4th man with 2nd woman, retaining nearer hands, dance out between the 1st and 3rd couples respectively, cross and cast to places then, giving right hands, change places with partners.

25 – 32 All dance eight hands round and back.

Devised by Eileen Orr, RSCDS Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch and first published by that branch in the Silver Anniversary Book of Dances (2001). The swirl was devised by Alex Gray of South Wales Branch and first introduced in two dances published by Edinburgh Branch in Edinburgh Diamond Jubilee Dances 1984.

Shows position at end of bar 15 of Part 1 and track of 1st woman and 3rd man on bar 16. 3rd woman and 1st man dance similarly.

The dream catcher is like a spider’s web, decorated with beads, semi-precious stones, feathers and strips of leather. Native North Americans believe that good and bad dreams come from the night sky and that bad dreams are trapped in the web, allowing only good dreams to get through. The bad dreams then evaporate in the rays of the early morning sun.

Note:
The RSCDS Technique Committee has provided the following additional information:

Bars 9-10 1st & 3rd couples dance a complete turn RH, finishing in allemande hold, facing into the set.

Bars 11-12 1st & 3rd couples dance half way round each other, men passing left shoulder, to finish in the middle of the set, facing towards their original places (1st couple facing 1st couple’s place), – during bar 12 all release RH and join up LH in the middle.

Bars 13-15 1st & 3rd couples dance LH across, nearly once round (more than ¾).

Bar 16 1st & 3rd couples release LH and all pull back L Sh to turn completely round, moving slightly forward, (a “pirouette” movement), to finish ready for the reels of 4 across, 1st & 3rd couples are back to back with partner, 1M facing 4L, 1L facing 2M.

In practice the LH across is virtually all the way round and the pirouette is then almost on the spot.

Note: Although we have referred to it as a “pirouette”, a small travelling step is used to turn round.

Dances for March 30, 2026

8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, 96 Jig, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Jones Falls Hornpipe

Jones Falls Hornpipe
32 Bar Hornpipe
3 Couples

1 – 4 First couple set and cast off to second place. Second couple step up on bars 3 and 4.

5 – 8 First lady dances three hands across right hand with second couple. First man dances three hands across right hand with third couple. First couple finish in the middle of the dance, first lady facing up and first man facing down the dance.

9 – 10 First couple set as in double triangles. First lady with second couple. First man with third couple.

11 – 14 First lady dances up the dance, casts off round second lady and, passing right shoulders with her partner and finishes in the middle of the dance facing down the dance. First man dances down the dance, casts up round third man and, passing right shoulders with his partner and finishes in the middle of the dance facing up the dance.

15 – 16 First couple set as in double triangles, first man with second couple, first lady with third couple.

17 – 20 First man dances up the dance and casts up round first lady’s position to finish in second lady’s position facing down the dance. First lady dances down the dance and casts off round third man’s position to finish in second man’s position facing up the dance. Meanwhile second and third couples dance half rights and lefts starting by dancing up and down the dance and finish facing out on the opposite side of the dance.

21 – 24 First lady dances left shoulder half reel of three with second and third ladies giving left shoulder to third lady to start. First man dances left shoulder half reel of three with second and third men giving left shoulder to second man to start. Second and third couples finish the half reel facing up and down the dance.

25 – 28 First couple dance a quick turn left hands 3/4 turn. First man dances down the dance and cast off round third man’s position to finish in second man’s position facing up the dance. First lady dances up the dance and cast up round first lady’s position to finish in second lady’s position facing down the dance. Meanwhile second and third couples dance half rights and lefts starting by dancing up and down the dance and finish facing out on their own side of the dance.

29 – 32 First lady dances left shoulder half reel of three with second and third lady giving left shoulder to second lady to start. First man dances left shoulder half reel of three with second and third men giving left shoulder to third man to start.

Written by Charlie Inglis to recognise the tremendous amount of work undertaken by Eileen Black in organizing the Jones Falls Weekend Workshop for twenty-five years on behalf of the RSCDS Ottawa Branch

Video: The Jubilee Greeting

The Jubilee Greeting
John Drewry, Bankheand Book, Part 5
April 1990
A dance for the Silver Jubilee of the Ottawa Branch in 1991

Strathspey – 3 couples – 32 bars
Tune – “The Homecoming” by Moira Reekie ;
The tune was printed in the leaflet produced by the Ottawa Branch.

1 – 4 1st couple turn with both hands halfway round and, staying in the middle (close enough the join hands), set to each other.

5 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross back to own sides and cast off to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 10 1st couple turn their first corners with both hands three quarters round and open out to face diagonally across the dance with nearer hands still joined. (The corners are on the left of 1st couple)

11 – 12 1st couple and their first corners set.

13 – 16 1st couple and their first corners advance diagonally, pass the opposite person by the left and then, staying in the middle, dance left hands across part way round. The corners return to place while 1st couple finish in the middle facing 2nd corners. N.B. The dancers should retain hold of nearer hands during bar 13.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat bars 9-16 with second corners. At the end, 1st couple finish facing partner’s first corner.

25 – 32 1st man dances a reel of three across the dance with 2nd couple. He begins by giving right shoulder to 2nd man. 1st woman, similarly, dances a reel of three across the dance with 3rd couple. She begins by giving right shoulder to 3rd woman. At the end, 1st couple dance to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

NOTE This dance was published with music in a leaflet by the Ottawa Branch of the RSCDS.

The leaflet does not seem to have been distributed widely and so, because I am rather fond of the dance, I have decided to print it here.

Video: Juniper Island Square

Juniper Island Square
Patrick Mackenzie, Ottawa 60th Anniversary Book
A 96 bar jig for 4 couples in a square set

1 – 8 Women weave clw around set, dancing in front of their ptnr to begin.
9 – 16 Men repeat, weaving cclw and dancing front of ptr to begin.

17 – 24 1C dance down as 3C dance up (1C making an arch for 3C to pass under ) and, turning toward their partner, dance back to places, 3C making an arch for 1C to pass under.

25 – 32 2C and 4C repeat bars 17-24, with 2C making the arch first time and 4C making the arch on the return.

33 – 40 All turn crnr LH (4), turn ptnr RH (4) into allemande hold facing cclw

41 – 48 In allemande hold, dance cclw around the set back to place.

49 – 57 1C and 3C advance for 2, retire for 2, turn person opposite RH once round

58 – 64 2C and 4C repeat bars 49-57

65 – 72 All dance back to back with corner, then back to back with partner, finish facing partners.

72 – 88 All pass partner giving right, pass next person giving left hand, and so on, around the set and back to place, 2 bars per person passed.

88 – 96 Circle 8 hands round and back.

Instructions taken from the Ottawa Branch Ball program 2026

Dances for March 23, 2026

3x32 Strathspeys, 5x32 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026, Reels, Strathspeys
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Seeing Stars

Seeing Stars
Eilidh Hart, Glasgow Branch 100th anniversary Dances
40-bar reel for five couples in a five-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 3rd couples set advancing into the middle of the set and dance right hands across halfway, 3rd man and 1st woman remain facing out.

5 – 8 3rd man, followed by his partner, dances down behind 2nd woman and across the set, while 1st woman, followed by her partner, dances up behind 2nd man and across the set. 1st and 3rd couples finish in original places.

9 – 12 2nd and 4th couples set advancing into the middle of the set and dance left hands across halfway. 2nd man and 4th woman remain facing out.

13 – 16 2nd man, followed by his partner, dances up behind 3rd woman and across the set, while 4th woman, followed by her partner, dances down behind 3rd man and across the set. 2nd and 4th couples finish in original places.

17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples lead down the middle and up to face first corners. 2nd and 4th step up on bars 23-24.

25 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance set to corners and partner [hello-goodbye setting], with a petronella turn to finish, 1st couple in second place and 3rd couple in fourth place, all on own sides.

33 – 36 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place.

37 – 40 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn one and a half times to their own sides,

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Eilidh Hart.

Eilidh was helping candidates prepare for their Unit 2 examination in Glasgow and could see the Advanced Class, on the other side of the hall, working on setting steps, which made her think of star formations.

Deviser’s note:
“As there is little time for the dancing couples to rest in this dance, I feel that they may also be seeing stars before the end!”

Video: Langholm Fair

Langholm Fair
The Alexander Dances, Book 3 by Jean Attwood
Strathspey – 3 Couples – 32 Bars.
Tune – Mr. Michie (Skinner)

1 – 4 The boys looking for a partner – 1st man, followed by 2nd and 3rd men, dance across the top of the set and down behind the ladies.
5 – 6 1st man crosses to 3rd place below 3rd lady, 2nd man to 2nd place below partner and 3rd man to 1 st place below 1st lady.
7 – 8 All join hands on the side and set once.

9 – 16 General movement of the Fair – 2nd lady with 1st lady and 3rd man. 2nd man with 1st man and 3rd lady dance right hands across, 2nd couple passing each other by the right to dance left hands across with other “couple”.

17 – 20 Girls choose their partners – 1st lady, followed by 2nd and 3rd ladies, dance across the top of the set and down behind the men, to end side by side with original partner, the men having turned the longways round on bar 20.
21 – 24 1st couple, followed by 2nd and 3rd couples, dance half promenade to original places, 1st couple finishing side by side in the middle of the set facing up.

25 – 26 The handfasting – 1st couple cast off one place on own side while 2nd couple continue dancing up on the side.
27 – 28 1st couple turn once round with both hands.
29 – 30 The marriage – 1st couple cast off another place on own side, 3rd couple moving up.
31 – 32 1st couple turn once round with both hands.

Repeat with a new top couple.

Handfasting was a form of trial marriage which took place in Scotland during the 16th to 18th centuries. Annual Handfasting Fairs were held (one such being near Langholm, in the Borders) where young couples, joining hands before witnesses, would undertake to live together as man and wife for the following twelve months. They would then return to the Fair the next year where, if the handfasting had proved satisfactory, they would be married by a travelling priest.

Dances for March 16, 2026

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Miss Milligan’s Strathspey

Miss Milligan’s Strathspey
RSCDS Leaflets
(Strathspey)

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands round to finish, 1st couple facing down, 2nd couple facing up, nearer hands joined.

5 – 6 1st and 2nd couples set. On the second step, 1st couple turn towards each other to face up.

7 – 8 1st couple cast off to second place, while 2nd couple dance up to first place and face out.

9 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides, all joining nearer hands with partner where possible. (Fig. 1). 2nd and 3rd couples turn the long way round to places.

17 – 18 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set.

19 – 20 2nd and 1st couples turn partners by the left hand halfway round, to finish facing down the dance.

21 – 24 1st couple, followed by 2nd couple, lead down, cross over below 3rd couple (Fig. 2) and cast up to original place.

Progression: “The Knot”
25 – 26 1st and 2nd couples turn partners halfway round by right hand to finish in the centre, facing down, the woman turning clockwise under her partner’s arm to allemande position. (Fig. 3).

27 – 28 2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, dance up the woman’s side of the dance to positions as in Fig. 4.

29 – 32 2nd and 1st couples turn partners by the left hand to own sides.

No Video

Churchill Hall
Craig Williams, Ardbrae Celebrates 60 Years
A 32 bar jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple set

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and up and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 7–8

9 – 12 1st man ½ figure of 8 around 2nd couple, 1st woman ½ figure of 8 around 3rd couple.

13 – 16 1st couple turn right hand to finish facing 1st corners

17 – 20 1st couple set to corners, finishing between corners

21 – 24 1st set and turn right hand 3/4

25 – 32 1st couple, passing 2nd corner right shoulder, dance a reel of 3 across the set. 1st couple finish in 2nd place.

Repeat having passed a couple

Dances for March 9, 2026

8x32 Reels, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026, Reels, Strathspeys
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: The Irish Rover

The Irish Rover
RSCDS 30 Popular Dances, Vol. 2
A 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple, cast up one place on own side; 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple while 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 2nd couple step up on bars 1 — 2.

9 – 12 1st couple dance half reels of four with first corners, then;

13 – 16 1st couple dance half reels of four with second corners. On bar 16, 1st couple turn left hand in centre ready to;

17 – 24 Pass left shoulders with person in first corner’s position for two reels of three across the dance. 1st couple finish in second place on own side.

25 – 32 1st couple dance diagonal rights and lefts:

25 – 26 1st couple change places with person in their first corner’s position (i.e. 1st woman right hand to 3rd woman and 1st man right hand to 2nd man).

27 – 28 Change left hand on sides; 1st woman with 2nd man, 1st man with 3rd.woman. (First corners now back in original places).

29 – 30 1st woman changes places giving right hand ‘to 3rd man (in 2nd woman’s position), while 1st man changes places giving right hand to 2nd woman (in 3rd man’s position).

31 – 32 1st and 2nd women and 1st and 3rd men change places, giving left hands on own side of the dance.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by James B. Cosh.
Original tune: The Irish Rover – Traditional.
Source: Twenty -Two Scottish Country Dances by James B. Cosh and Two Others.

On the fourth of July eighteen hundred and six
We set sail from the sweet cove of Cork
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
For the grand city hall in New York
‘Twas a wonderful craft, she was rigged fore-and-aft
And oh, how the wild winds drove her
She’d stood several blasts, she had twenty-seven masts
And we called her the Irish Rover.

The Irish Rover tune is from a traditional Irish folk song about a magnificent but improbable sailing ship that after seven years at sea eventually sinks, leaving a sole survivor: the song narrator!

No Video

Test Dance
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a four couple set
Craig Williams, July 2025

1 – 2 1st couple turn with the right hand, moving down the set one place, Finish back to back between 2nd couple, 1st man facing 2nd man, 1st woman facing 2nd woman
3 – 4 1st & 2nd couple set
5 – 8 1st couple dance right shoulder around 2nd couple, 1st man around 2nd man, 1st woman around 2nd woman, and pass each other left shoulder to finish 1st man facing 2nd woman, 1st woman facing 2nd man

9 – 16 1st & 2nd couple dance a reel of four across the set.

17 – 18 1st man & 2nd woman, also 1st woman & 2nd man, turn once round with the right hand
19 – 20 1st couple turn once round with the left hand and finish facing up.
21 – 24 1st couple dance up, cross and cast to second place. 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 – 24

25 – 32 1st & 2nd couples dance a poussette

Dances for March 2, 2026

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Strathspeys, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

Video: Midsummer Common

Midsummer Common
RSCDS Book 49
Devised by Tom and Lindsey Ibbotson, Cambridge Branch.
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and, giving right hands, turn halfway; lead down, crossing over below 3rd couple and cast up to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.

9 – 12 1st couple and first corners set, 1st couple advancing to finish back to back. 1st couple and first corners, giving both hands, turn to finish 1st woman between 2nd couple and 1st man between 3rd couple.

13 – 16 1st couple and second corners set, 1st couple advancing to finish back to back. 1st couple and second corners, giving both hands, turn.

17 – 20 1st couple lead second corners into three hands once round to the left, 1st woman with 3rd couple and 1st man with 2nd couple. 1st couple pull back by the right to finish facing each other up and down the set.

21 – 24 1st couple set and dance a petronella turn to second place on own sides.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Note: On bar 16, 1st couple, with right hands, retain hold of second corners’ left hands.

No Video

Churchill Hall
Craig Williams, Ardbrae Celebrates 60 Years
A 32 bar jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple set

1 – 8 1st couple lead down the middle and up and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 7–8

9 – 12 1st man ½ figure of 8 around 2nd couple, 1st woman ½ figure of 8 around 3rd couple.

13 – 16 1st couple turn right hand to finish facing 1st corners

17 – 20 1st couple set to corners, finishing between corners

21 – 24 1st set and turn right hand 3/4

25 – 32 1st couple, passing 2nd corner right shoulder, dance a reel of 3 across the set. 1st couple finish in 2nd place.

Repeat having passed a couple

Dances for February 23, 2026

8x32 Jigs, 8x32 Reels, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

No Video

Through the Looking Glass
Matt Billmers , Northampton 20th Anniversary Book
32 Bar Jig for 3 Couples

1 – 16 First couple dance crossover mirror reels of three on the sides of the dance with the second and third couples.

17 – 24 First couple with nearer hands joined, dance down the middle for 3 bars. On bar 20, retaining nearer hands, rotate as a couple (man backing up, woman dancing forward) half way around to face up. Dance up the middle in 4 bars to end above the second couple on partners’ side of the dance facing out.

25 – 28 First couple turn second couple 1-1/2 times, first man and second woman with the right hand, first woman and second man with the left hand.

20 – 32 First couple dance a half figure of eight around third couple.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Note: — Through the Looking Glass was written in 2003, after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The dance is entirely symmetrical, although in each 8-bar phrase the first couple crosses over through the line of the mirror.

Devised by Matt Billmers (With apologies to Lewis Carroll) .

2003 Northampton 20th Anniversary Book

No Video

Test Dance
32 bar reel for 3C in a 4C set

1 – 8 1st couple dance down the middle for 4 bars with nearer hands joined, on bars 5-6 1st woman dances under their raised arms and in front of her partner (as he dances below her) to switch places and face up, on bars 7-8 they dance up to 2nd place on opposite sides.(2nd couple step up on 3-4)

9 – 20 2nd, 1st & 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.

21 – 24 1st couple dance half a figure eight, 1st woman around 3rd couple, 1st man around 2nd couple to second place own side.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st & 3rd couples dance six hands round and back

Dances for February 9, 2026

3x32 Strathspeys, 8x32 Jigs, Ardbrae, Ardbrae Spring 2026
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Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa

No Video

The Bridge City Strathspey
A 32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3 couple triangular set

1-8 All couples set and link twice. Finish facing partner.

9 – 12 All set to partner, turn by the right hand 3/4, bringing the women into the centre, retaining right hands joined with partner.
13 – 16 All balance in line with partners with Highland Schottische setting step, as follows: setting to the right, releasing right hands, passing partners face to face and joining left hands, setting to the left, releasing left hands, passing partners face to face. All women join left hands in the centre at the end of bar 16.

17 – 24 All dance a targe for 3 couples as follows:
17 – 18 All women, dance left hands across two positions around, while men dance one position clockwise around the outside of the set, to meet partner.
19 – 20 All turn partner with the right hand once round.
21 – 24 Repeat the previous 4 bars finishing one position to the right of original places, facing partner with women in the centre and men on the sides of the set.

25-26 All set advancing to pass partner by the left shoulder, pull back right shoulder to face partner.
27-28 All turn partner 3/4 with 2 hands out to places.
29-30 All dance passing partner by the right shoulder to meet a new partner and take promenade hold. The women will be on the right of their new partner, facing counter clockwise. The dancers will be between positions in the set.
31-32 All dance counter clockwise to finish in new places.

Repeat twice more to meet your original partner.

The strathspey part of a set of dances for the Saskatchewan Centennial
Originally published in A Collection of Scottish Country Dances for Saskatchewan’s Centennial Year by the RSCDS Saskatchewan Branch in 2005

The city Saskatoon is known as The Bridge City. The South Saskatchewan River runs through the city and there are many bridges crossing the river.

Craig Williams
February, 2004

Video: Bannocks and Brose

Bannocks and Brose
TWELVE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES devised by Members of the Birmingham Branch, R.S.C.D.S., 1973
Devised by Anna Holden
(Jig)

1 – 4 First couple dance half figure of eight round the second couple.
5 – 8 First and second couples half Rights and Lefts.

9 – 12 First and third couples half Rights and Lefts.Second, third and first couples are now on their wrong side of the dance.

13 – 16 All three couples turn partners one and a half times with right hands. Second couple finish on own side lines, third and first couples finish in the middle facing the top, as in Fig.

17 – 24 Third and first couples Allemande.

25 – 32 Six hands round and back.