Highland and Scottish Step Dance instructions

I am collecting instructions and sources for Highland and Scottish step dances so they can be more widely available. If you know of a dance I've missed, please let me know, whether you can provide a source or instructions or not. Also, if you can provide more detail about any of the dances below, I'd love to hear (and best of all would be if you can provide instructions...without breaking copyright, of course).

Thanks to all those who have provided information, in particular Mats Melin who checked the whole list and provided a list of the complete set of SOHDA leaflets.

At the moment I have:

• Aberdonian Lassie. A Hebridean version can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• Bargenny Twasome, a duet Step Dance devised by Pat MacPherson and Robert McOwen.
• Barracks Johnnie. This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books. It is also published in SOHDA leaflet no. 11 as "Wilt thou go to the Barracks, Johnnie?".
• Blue Bonnets. A couple of regional variants can be found in Flett. A Hebridean version can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• Blue Bonnets Over the Border. This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books.
• The Broadswords. Step dance for four people dancing round/over a cross formed from their four swords. Written instruction for Argyll and Lochaber Broadswords from S.N.D.C. The Broadswords is SOHDA leaflet no. 2.
• Caisteal Chiosamul (Kismul Castle). This can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• The Cakewalk. This can be found in the SDTA Scottish National books.
• Cath nan Coileach. This can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• Cockney Jocks. Written by Colin Robertson in 1975 for the pipe tune composed in 1965 by Pipe Sergeant Johnny Haynes of the Pride of Murray Pipe Band.
• Come Ashore Jolly Tar. By Derek A. Haynes. Information on my source's photocopy is as follows: Copyright 1975 Scottish Dance Archives. Edited by S.R. Clowes and R.A. Donald.
• Dancing Fingers, 4x32 Reel Step Dance for two couples, devised by Robert McOwen.
• Dannsa nan Sgoiltean Beaga. (Dance of the young schoolchildren?) A modern reel. This can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• The Deeside Lilt. Written instructions for an arrangement of this dance from S.N.D.C.
• Douglas Reel. For four dancers. By Hope Little. Notes published by Ron Wallace.
• The Dusty Miller. This can be found in the SDTA National book. It is also SOHDA leaflet no. 8.
• Earl of Errol. This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books.
• Fligmagearie. For two men and four ladies. Written by Robert McOwen
• The Fling. See The Highland Fling.
• Flora MacDonald. This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books and published by RSCDS.
• Flower of Benbecula. This was devised by Mary Isdale MacNab and taught to Mrs West of Elgin in 1954. Not published.
• The Flowers of Edinburgh. An 18th Century dance. This is SOHDA leaflet no. 7. A Hebridean version can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• The Highland Fling. This can be found in SOBHD textbook Highland Dancing. It can also be found in Flett, and is SOHDA leaflet no. 4.
• Highland Laddie. This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books, and in the SOHDA leaflet No. 1. A couple of regional variants can also be found in Flett. A Hebridean version can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• The Highland Reel. This can be found in SOBHD textbook Highland Dancing.
• The Jacobite Sword Dance. Collected by Mary Isdale MacNab in Ontario in 1917.
• The "Irish" Jig. This can be found in the SOBHD Hornpipe/Irish Jig book.
• Jo's Delight. By Margaret Zadworny, 1977. Notes published by Ron Wallace.
• King of Sweden. An 18th Century dance. From Frederick Hill's book of Quadrilles and Country Dances.
• Kismul Castle. See Caisteal Chiosamul.
• The Lilt. 9/8 step dance to "The Battle of the Somme". This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books. It is also published as SOHDA leaflet no. 10.
• The Lochaber Broadsword, instructions provided by Shiobhan O'Donnell.
• Marquis of Huntly's Highland Fling, from a typewritten sheet headed "Highland Fling from Hill manuscript, Aberdeen 1841. Marquis of Huntly's." Provided by Alan Paterson. Also known as Ladies Ancient Fling. The Marquis of Huntly's Highland Fling is SOHDA leaflet no. 6.
• Merry Leaves. For two dancers. Written by Mary Lies.
• Merry Meghan. A simple dance for beginners. This dance was devised by Cheryl MacDonald from Stave Falls, British Columbia, Canada.
• Miss Alison Little. Written by Hope Little.
• Miss Forbes. A Hebridean version can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• Miss Gayton's Hornpipe. This dance was collected by the Fletts in 1959 and published in their book Traditional Step Dancing in Scotland, published in 1996.

  Snippet from Moira Barton, May 2008:

  I learned it from Tom Flett in 1967. I've been teaching it just recently to a few people in our local dance group.

• New Claret. This dance was devised by Margaret Zadworny. It can be found in Scottish Step Dances 1 prepared by Ron Wallace.

  Snippet from Barbara Campbell:

  It was written in the late 1970's for a show that toured Western Canada plus Spoken and Seattle, Wa called "A Scottish Fancy". I was in this show and staying with Margaret at the time.

• O'er the Water to Charlie, a Hebridean solo step dance. Over the Water to Charlie is SOHDA leaflet no. 3.
• Over the Waters. This can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• Para Handy. For four dancers. This dance was devised by Margaret Zadworny.
• Peaceful Maiden. This dance was devised by Ron Wallace and published by him in Scottish Step Dances 1.
• The Reel of Tulloch or "Hullachan". This can be found in SOBHD textbook Highland Dancing.
• Ruidle nan Coileach Dhubha (Reel of the Black Cocks). This can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• The Sailor's Hornpipe. 4/4 step dance. This can be found in the SOBHD Hornpipe/Irish Jig book.
• Scottish Lilt. See The Lilt.
• Scottish/Scotch Measure. This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books. A Hebridean version can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• Seann Truibhas. This can be found in SOBHD textbook Highland Dancing. It is also published (as "Shean Truibhas") in is SOHDA leaflet no. 9.
• The Shepherd's Crook. This is a combination SCD/Highland dance - a 72-bar Strathspey for a man and two ladies, incorporating steps from the Highland Fling.
• A Sprig of Heather. This can be found in Ladies Step Dances by Irene Fidler, published by the Newcastle-upon-Tyne and District Branch of the RSCDS.
• The Strathspey. This can be found in SOBHD textbook Highland Dancing.
• The Sword Dance (Gillie Chalium). This can be found in SOBHD textbook Highland Dancing. It is also SOHDA leaflet no. 5.
• Take Five, a Scottish solo or duet dance, in Highland style, devised by Robert McOwen.
• The Thistle. This can be found in Ladies Step Dances by Irene Fidler, published by the Newcastle-upon-Tyne and District Branch of the RSCDS.
• The Thistle and the Rose. This can be found in Ladies Step Dances by Irene Fidler, published by the Newcastle-upon-Tyne and District Branch of the RSCDS.
• Tribute to J. L. McKenzie. This can be found in the SDTA National book.
• Tulloch Gorm. A Hebridean version can be found in Dannsa nan Eileanach.
• The Twasome. This can be found in the SDTA National book (?as the Scottish Measure?).
• Village Maid. This can be found in the BATD, SDTA, and UKAPTD Scottish National books.
• Wilt Thou Go to the Barracks, Johnnie. See Barracks Johnnie.

The Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing can be reached at S.O.B.H.D., Heritage House, 32 Grange Loan, Edinburgh EH9 2NR. Their Textbook, Highland Dancing, is published by Lindsay Publications, PO Box 812, Glasgow G14 9NP, Scotland, UK. ISBN 1 8981 6901 2. It contains Basic Positions, Basic Movements and Basic Steps, followed by descriptions of the following dances: The Highland Fling, The Sword Dance (Gillie Chalium), Seann Truibhas, Strathspey, Highland Reel, Basic Reel Steps and Reel of Tulloch or "Hullachan".

The Scottish Official Highland Dancing Association have published a selection of leaflets, listed here.

Dannsa Nan Eileanach (Hebridean Dances) can be obtained from Amazon, ISBN 0861529138, or from Acair Ltd., 7 James St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

I have other pages for Scottish dance in general, Scottish country dance, Ceilidh dance and Scottish music.

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This page is maintained by Ian Brockbank
ian@scottishdance.net
Edinburgh, Scotland