Set (as used to sub divide the dancers)

Group of Dancers

A set stays together throughout a particular dance. A set usually consist of 4 couples although sets of 3 or 5 couples are quite common.

Most sets are lengthways but many are circular and a very few are triangular.

Set (as used to describe a step)

Acknowledgement of a person.

Scottish Dancing is social and setting is where the dancer faces another person and effectively says hello. Setting is usually returned at the same time.

Reels, Jigs & Strathspeys

Indicates the type of music

Reels & Jigs are similar and are known as fast time, Strathspeys are more sedate and are known as slow time.

Top of the Set

Used in dance descriptions

The top of the set is usually where the band or music is placed and where the teacher or MC stands. The Men stand with their left shoulders towards the top of the set and the Ladies with their right shoulder to the top.

Numbering

Used to describe the dance.

The couple nearer the top of the set is known as the 1st couple the next down the set the 2nd and so on to the last couple in the set. With circular and triangular sets the numbering is clockwise looking down on the set.

Progression

The means of changing place.

Usually the top couple i.e. the 1st couple starts the dance, dancing with the 2nd and 3rd couples with the 4th couple standing still. During the dance they progress to 2nd place from where, at the end of the dance, they repeat the dance with the 3rd and 4th couples dancing as the 2nd and 3rd couples respectively. The 2nd couple, now at the top stand out of the dance for the repetition.

Lead down and back

A dance Figure

The Man leads his partner with right hands joined down the set, usually for 4 bars of music, and back, commonly to place.

Stepping up and down

Means of changing place.

The dancer steps diagonally, slightly into the centre of the dance, with the foot on the side of the direction they wish to travel. They then pass their other leg in front of the first. They then step diagonally back to their own side with the original foot, still moving in the same direction and finish by closing the second foot back to place.

Cast off (One, two or more)

Means of moving down the set

The dancer usually rotates to face up and then dances round the dancer or dancers below them into their place while the dancer below steps up.

Cast up

Means of moving up the set

Same as casting off but in the opposite direction.

Tea Pots

A dance Figure

The dancing couple, usually the 1st couple now in 2nd place, dancing with the couple on their right, dance right hands across right round and then repeat with the couple on their left with their left hands.

Chase

A dance Figure

Follow the person in front.

4, or more hands round

A dance Figure

Circle round, the hands in question are the number of pairs of hands that are joined as one.

6 dancers circling is therefore 6 hands round.

Rights and lefts

A dance Figure

4 dancers, dance a square figure passing first giving Right hands then Left then Right and finally Left.

Grand Chain

A dance Figure

A similar figure to Rights and Lefts but with more people dancing round in a circular formation.

Promenade

A dance Figure

The dancers, dance holding both their partners hands crossed in front of them. Several different figures are danced using this hold.

Figure of Eight

A dance Figure

Two dancers, usually a couple, describe a figure of eight round another couple and finish in original place.

Half Figure of Eight

A dance Figure

Half of a Figure of Eight, the couple finish having changed sides and position.

Double Figure of Eight

A dance Figure

The same as a Figure of Eight except that two couples are dancing at the same time and they dance round the spaces left by an imaginary couple half way between the two dancing couples’ positions.

Poussette

A progressive Figure

Two couples dance round each other in a square figure the Men holding their own partner’s hands in their own.

Petronella Turn

A dance Figure

The dancer dances diagonally to their right at the same time rotating clockwise ¾ times round.

Double Triangles

A dance Figure

A figure where a couple dance back to back, first facing their own side of the dance and holding the nearer hands of the persons facing them set. The dancing couple then rotate clockwise to face the opposite side where they repeat finally usually dancing back to their own side of the dance.

Corners

A description of other people in the set

When facing the opposite side of the dance in Double Triangles the dancers who are held with the Right Hands are the Dancing Couples 1st corners and those held with the left are the 2nd corners.

Turn Corner, Partner

A dance Figure

The Dancing Couple first turn their own 1st corners by the right hand right round. They then turn their own partner by the left hand to face their own 2nd corner who they turn with the right hand and finally their own partner by the left.

Set and Turn Corners

A dance Figure

The Dancing Couple first set to their own 1st corners then turn them with both hands right round finishing facing their own 2nd corner to whom they set to and turn with both hands.

Cauld Kail Setting or Hello Good Bye Setting

A dance Figure

The Dancing Couple first set to their own 1st corners then, at the end of the 2nd bar, rotate clockwise into their partner’s side where they set across the dance to their own partner. At the end of the 2nd bar, of that setting, they rotate clockwise finishing facing their own 2nd corner to whom they set to. At the end of the 2nd bar, of that setting, they rotate clockwise finishing facing their own partner up and down the dance, to whom they set.

Allemande

A progressive Figure

The two couples change places the men holding their partners right hand just behind and above their right shoulder. They hold the left hands in front of them.

Reels - Reels of 3 and 4

Dance Figures

The reel is an intertwining figure where 3 or 4 dancers follow a figure of eight shape on the ground or in the case of 4 dancers a figure of eight with an extra loop.

Parallel Reels

Type of Reels

In Parallel Reels the Dancers travel in the same direction as their partners at all times.

Mirror Image Reels

Type of Reels

In Mirror Image Reels a dancer sees their partner as if they are following a path which is a mirror image of their own.

Rotationally Symmetric Reels

Type of Reels

In reels with rotational symmetry the dancers are following the same path as their diagonally opposite dancer except rotated round 1800.

Gates of Edinburgh Reels

Type of Reels

These are Mirror Image Reels but with the dancing couple crossing to dance between the opposite members of the 2nd and 3rd couples.

After completing the reels own their wrong sides the dancing couples cross back to their own sides and repeat the reels on their own sides. The complete figure takes 16 bars of music.

Cadgers Reels

Type of Reels

These are similar reels to Gates of Edinburgh Reels except they are mirror image reels and the Dancing Couple give right shoulder to the opposite member of the 2nd couple to begin and follow their partners original path in the second reel. The complete figure takes 16 bars of music.

Inveran Reels

Type of Reels

These are again similar reels to Gates of Edinburgh Reels except that the dancing couple not only cross at the top of the set and also at the bottom. These reels only take 8 bars of music.

Ladies Chain

Type of Figure

This figure is dances with one couple opposite another with the Ladies on their partner’s right.

The figure starts with the Ladies changing giving right hands, turning their opposites with the left and returning to their partners in a similar manner.