Up a double, Siding, Arming
Country Dances, Ancient and Modern

Early Sources of RSCDS dances

None of the dances published by the RSCDS before book 13 were devised by the RSCDS, instead they were considered "traditional" dances. Many dances published in subsequent books fall into that category as well. I have tried to track down the sources of these dances and display here the earliest published versions of the dance's figure which I've been able to find.

Note: this is often different from the earliest dance with that name. The dance's name was often the name of the tune to which it was danced, and many tunes had multiple figures attached to them, so care must be taken.
Note also: there may very well be earlier sources than "the earliest published version ... which I've been able to find". Many early sources have been lost to the ravages of time, and others have simply escaped my notice. And in other cases the publication dates are uncertain, and which is earliest may be indeterminate.

In some cases the RSCDS mentions a source. Often I have found earlier examples of the dance. Sometimes I have been unable to find the RSCDS source and will present the earliest source I have found.

When I know the deviser, I mark the name in italics. In most cases for these old dances I only know the publisher.

When a dance source is marked with "†" it means I have been unable to verify the source of the dance, when it is marked with "‡" it means I have been unable to find any Scottish dance manual containing this dance (prior to 1924).

Hovering the mouse over a dance's devisor/publisher will (often) produce a popup containing the text of the original.

By default the list below shows only traditional dances interpreted by the (R)SCDS. I believe that Book 34 (1986) was the last book to contain any traditional dances. Before Book 13 all (R)SCDS dances were traditional, but Book 13 contains The Reel of the 51st Division, the first published modern dance. No further modern dances were published until Book 22 (1963), and after that some books contained modern and some traditional dances until Books 31&34, which contains both.

At the end I have several tables of statistics.

Order by:
Include:
(R)SCDS Book Range:
Containing figure:

(R)SCDS dances originaly published in Glasgow

(R)SCDS Book 1, 1924

Flowers of Edinburgh
J. P. Boulogne, Glasgow, 1827
The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris

The earliest source I can find is Wilcock, 1868, who writes (on page 73):

  1. First lady passes behind the second and third ladies, crosses between the third and fourth ladies to the gentleman's side, passes behind the second and third gentlemen to the first gentleman's place, and set. The first gentleman follows the lady, but leads up the centre.
  2. The first gentleman repeats the above, the lady following and set.
  3. Lead down the middle and up again.
  4. Pousette

The RSCDS's choreography is the same as Wilcock's except for the standard problem that the RSCDS poussette is progressive and no one else's is (and lead down the middle and up is progressive to Wilcock but not to the RSCDS).

Also in Kate Hughes's manuscript, Dancing Book, Ireland, 1867.

1-41W cast, followed by 1M, chase halfway around set finish below 3s
5-61W cast up, while 1M dance up middle finishing in partner's place
7-81s set
9-121M cast, followed by 1W, chase halfway around set finish below 3s
13-141M cast up, while 1W dance up middle finishing in own place
15-161s set
17-241s lead down and back, ending with both hands joined (2s move in as well)
25-321s+2s poussette
Meg Merrilees ~ RSCDS
J. P. Boulogne, Glasgow, 1827†
The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris

Clementi published a dance of this name in London, but with a different figure.

In 1830 Smyth writes:

The two first couple figure partners first by the right and then by the left, all four down the middle arm in arm and up again, pousette and right and left.

The Lowes write:

First Lady swings the second Gentleman, first by the right hand, then by the left; at the same time the first Gentleman does the same with the second Lady; all four down the middle arm in arm, and up again, pousette, and right and left.
1-4M1+W2 right hand turn
5-8W1+M2 right hand turn once and a half ending between partners
9-16Line of four (near hands joined) dance down, turn alone, and dance up, on last bar 1s move ahead into poussette position
17-24Poussette
Merry Lads of Ayr
H. D. Wilcock, Glasgow, ~1868†
Ball-Room Guide; A Manual of Dancing

Longman & Broderip, and Preston both published dances with this name but their figures do not match.

Wilcock's figure appears to match, but the scan I have is missing half the dance.

In The Excelsior Manual of Dancing, Glasgow, ~1872 Wallace writes:

  1. The first couple turn with right hands and cast off, turn with left hands and cast off, (8 bars)
  2. Down the middle and up again, (8 bars)
  3. Set at corners and reel, (16 bars)

Also found in Kate Hughes's manuscript, Dancing Book, Ireland, 1867.

  1. The top couple turn with rights and cast of a couple turn with left hands (8 bars)
  2. Lead down the centre up (8)
  3. Set at corners and reell (16)
1-41s right turn and cast down as 2s move up
5-81s left turn and cast down as 3s move up
9-161s lead down, turn, lead back to face 1st corners as 3s move down on bars 11-12
17-201s+1st corners set and two hand turn, 1s end facing 2nd corners
21-241s+1st corners set and two hand turn, 1s end 2nd place opposite side
25-301s pass 1st corner left, finishing reels of three on the sides
31-321s change by right hand
The Nut
J. P. Boulogne, Glasgow, 1827
The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris

The Lowes write:

The first Gentleman turns the second Lady by the right hand, which he retains, and gives his left to the second Gentleman; the first Lady passes through below the Gentlemen's arms, and her partner following, they go down the middle, up again, and pousette.

Lady 1's path seems somewhat different in the Lowes' version than in the RSCDS's.

1-4M1+L2 right hand turn
5-8M1 retains L2's hand, joins with M2, balance in line, as L1 dances right shoulder around M1 (under his joined hands)
9-161s lead down, turn, come back, ending in middle, 2s moving in behind them
17-24Poussette

(R)SCDS Book 3, 1926

Jenny Come Down to Jock
Mozart Allan, Glasgow, ~1880
Allan's Ball-Room Guide

Walsh, 1748, 1760 and Rutherford, 1758 published a dance with this name (well, they called it Hay Jenny come down to Jock) but their figure does not match this one.

The RSCDS credits this to Allan, ~1880. My version of Allan's work dates from ~1900 and says:

  1. First and second couples advance and retire, four hands half round.
  2. The first gentleman turns the second lady fully round by the right hand.
  3. The first lady does the same with the second gentleman.
  4. Pousette.
Courtesy of National Library of Scotland, licensed under:
1-4Advance and retire
5-8Circle left half
9-12M1+L2 right turn once and a half
13-16L1+M2 right turn once and a half
17-24Poussette
Reel of Tulloch ~ RSCDS
J. F. Wallace, Glasgow, ~1900
Wallace's Ball-Room Guide

The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749 contains a dance of this name (also called The Mighty Pretty Valley, but it was a triple minor and so a very different figure.

Bride, 1770, and later Longman & Broderip also published dances with this name, again triple minors with different figures.

The Fletts say that the dance first appeared in 1819 in Edinburgh, and the first printed description was in The Ball Room Annual, London, 1844, but I can't find this.

The Tullock Hold is defined here. To me it looks like the hold in one of the old Regency Linked Arm Allemande figures.

In Wallace's Ball-Room Guide, Glasgow, ~1900, he writes:

Stand as for Reel of Four, as shown in Diagram see page 68, all use Reel step throughout.

  1. Ladies and Gentlemen put their right arm under their partner's right arm and left behind their own back, join hands in said position, use four steps round, now reverse the arms, putting left under the left and right behind your own back, turning round other way; finish by Ladies facing each other in the centre,
  2. Ladies dance to each other,
  3. Ladies put their right arm under each other's as they did with the Gentlemen, and left behind their own back. Use four steps round; now reverse direction and arms, finish facing each other's partner,
  4. All use second Reel step,
  5. All turn again as in No. 1, Gentlemen finish facing each other,
  6. Gentlemen dance to each other,
  7. Gentlemen turn each other, by locking right arms, left hand raised over own head, using four steps round, reversing direction and arms, finish opposite own partners,
  8. All use third Reel Step,
  9. Again turn as in No. 1, with hands behind the back, finish Ladies facing each other,
  10. Ladies dance to each other, and turn again, finish opposite each other's partner,
  11. All set, using fourth Reel step,
  12. All turn again, Gentlemen finish facing each other,
  13. Gentlemen dance to each other, finish facing own partners,
  14. All set again, using fifth Reel step,
  15. All finish by turning, having regained partners and places.

Note Usually there is a nice showy step used by Ladies as well as Gentlemen when dancing to their own sex in the centre.

Frequently Hullachan is substituted for the last quick part in Reel of Four.

1-8Ladies advance and set in the middle
9-12Ladies turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
13-16Ladies turn left twice in Turlock Hold, end facing opposite
17-24All set for 8 bars
25-28Opposite turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
29-32Opposite turn left twice in Turlock Hold, men ending in center facing each other
33-40Men set in the middle
41-44Men turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
45-48Men turn left twice in Turlock Hold, end facing partner
49-56All set for 8 bars
57-60Partner turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
61-64Partner turn left twice in Turlock Hold, ladies ending in center facing each other
65-72Ladies set in the middle
73-76Ladies turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
77-80Ladies turn left twice in Turlock Hold, end facing opposite
81-88All set for 8 bars
89-92Opposite turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
93-96Opposite turn left twice in Turlock Hold, men ending in center facing each other
97-104Men set in the middle
105-108Men turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
109-112Men turn left twice in Turlock Hold, end facing partner
113-120All set for 8 bars
121-124Partner turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
125-128Partner turn left in Turlock Hold, ending in original places
R128 2C
Reel of Tulloch
J. F. Wallace, Glasgow, ~1890
Wallace's Ball-Room Guide

The RSCDS credits Bremner for publishing the tune.

The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749 contains a dance of this name (also called The Mighty Pretty Valley, but it was a triple minor and had a different figure.

Bride, 1770, and later Longman & Broderip also published dances with this name, again triple minors with different figures.

The Tullock Hold is defined here.

In Wallace's Ball-Room Guide, Glasgow, ~1900, he writes:

Stand as for Reel of Four, as shown in Diagram see page 68, all use Reel step throughout.

  1. Ladies and Gentlemen put their right arm under their partner's right arm and left behind their own back, join hands in said position, use four steps round, now reverse the arms, putting left under the left and right behind your own back, turning round other way; finish by Ladies facing each other in the centre,
  2. Ladies dance to each other,
  3. Ladies put their right arm under each other's as they did with the Gentlemen, and left behind their own back. Use four steps round; now reverse direction and arms, finish facing each other's partner,
  4. All use second Reel step,
  5. All turn again as in No. 1, Gentlemen finish facing each other,
  6. Gentlemen dance to each other,
  7. Gentlemen turn each other, by locking right arms, left hand raised over own head, using four steps round, reversing direction and arms, finish opposite own partners,
  8. All use third Reel Step,
  9. Again turn as in No. 1, with hands behind the back, finish Ladies facing each other,
  10. Ladies dance to each other, and turn again, finish opposite each other's partner,
  11. All set, using fourth Reel step,
  12. All turn again, Gentlemen finish facing each other,
  13. Gentlemen dance to each other, finish facing own partners,
  14. All set again, using fifth Reel step,
  15. All finish by turning, having regained partners and places.

Note Usually there is a nice showy step used by Ladies as well as Gentlemen when dancing to their own sex in the centre.

Frequently Hullachan is substituted for the last quick part in Reel of Four.

1-8Ladies advance and set in the middle
9-12Ladies turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
13-16Ladies turn left twice in Turlock Hold
17-24All set for 8 bars
25-32Turn in Turlock Hold, men ending in center
33-40Men set in the middle
41-44Men turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
45-48Men turn left twice in Turlock Hold
49-56All set for 8 bars
57-64Turn in Turlock Hold, ladies ending in center
65-72Ladies set in the middle
73-76Ladies turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
77-80Ladies turn left twice in Turlock Hold
81-88All set for 8 bars
89-96Turn in Turlock Hold, men ending in center
97-104Men set in the middle
105-108Men turn right once and a half in Turlock Hold
109-112Men turn left twice in Turlock Hold
113-120All set for 8 bars
121-128Turn in Turlock Hold, all ending home

(R)SCDS Book 4, 1927

The Merry Dancers ~ RSCDS
J. P. Boulogne, Glasgow, 1827†
The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris

The RSCDS attributes this to J. P. Boulogne's The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris, 1827. Not having access to that work, I can't verify the claim.

It does have some resemblance to a dance of the same name in Skillern's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1788. Which begins with cast, turn, cast, turn, circle. But that is followed by rights and lefts rather than reels.

It does appear in Kate Hughes's manuscript (Dancing Book) Dundalk Ireland, ~1867, (only she calls it "Merry Dance" (not "Dancers")) where she writes:

  1. Top couple turn with right hands cast of(f) one couple turn with left hands cast of(f) a seceaond (second) couple (8 bars)
  2. Six hands round (4 bars)
  3. Lead up to places (4 bars)
  4. Set at corners and turn (8 bars)
  5. Reell of three (8 bars)
1-41s right turn and cast down as 2s move up
5-81s left turn and cast down as 3s move up
9-14Circle six once round
15-161s lead up to 1st corners as 3s move down
17-201s+1st corners set and two hand turn
21-241s+2nd corners set and two hand turn
25-301s pass 1st corners left to start finishing reels on opposite sides
31-321s change by right hands
Waltz Country Dance
J. P. Boulogne, Glasgow, 1827†
The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris

In (Glasgow, ~1868) Wilcock presents dance with a simpler but vaguely similar figure.

  1. First lady and second gentleman change places with the waltz step, passing on the right, (8 bars)
  2. First gentleman and second lady do likewise, (8 bars)
  3. Repeat Nos. 1 and 2 to places, (16 bars)
  4. First couple lead down the middle and up again. (8 bars)

Skinner in The People's Ball Room Guide, Dundee, ~1898 has a dance with this name, but it does not match this figure.

1-2Set to opposite
3-4Change with opposite passing right shoulder
5-6Set to partner
7-8Change with partner passing right shoulder
9-10Set to opposite
11-12Change with opposite passing right shoulder
13-14Set to partner
15-16Change with partner passing right shoulder
17-18Take hands in a right and balance in and out
19-20Men take two hands with lady on left and turn her under their joined arms, with her ending diagonally opposite her starting point
21-22Take hands in a right and balance in and out
23-24Men take two hands with lady on left and turn her under their joined arms, with her ending diagonally opposite her starting point
25-26Take hands in a right and balance in and out
27-28Men take two hands with lady on left and turn her under their joined arms, with her ending diagonally opposite her starting point
29-30Take hands in a right and balance in and out
31-32Men take two hands with lady on left and turn her under their joined arms, ending in ballroom position
33-40Waltz once and a half around the other couple to meet the next

(R)SCDS Book 6, 1930

Mrs. MacLeod
J. P. Boulogne, Glasgow, 1827†
The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris

The crib diagram attributes this to Boulogne's The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris,, 1827. A statement I am unable to verify.

It is present in Smyth's A Pocket Companion for Young Ladies and Gentlemen Containing Directions for the Performance of Quadrilles, Scotch, English, Irish, French, and Spanish Country Dances, Reels, &c., Edinburgh, 1830, and in the Lowes's Lowes' Ball-Conductor and Assembly Guide, Edinburgh, ~1831. Both of them call it "Mrs. McLeod" though. Smyth writes:

Four hands across and back again. Down the middle and up again, Set corners, and turn round, Set opposite corners and turn round, a reel of three on each side.
1-41s+2s right hands across...
5-8...and left hands back
9-161s dance down, turn, dance back to 1st corners
17-201s+1st corners set and two hand turn
21-241s+2nd corners set and two hand turn
25-301s pass 1st corners left to start finishing reels of three on opposite sides
31-321s cross by right hand to 2nd place own sides
Prince of Orange
Mozart Allan, Glasgow, ~1895
Allan's Reference Guide to the Ball-Room

Allan's Reference Guide to the Ball-Room, says:

The couples stand in a circle round the room, facing each other.
  1. All advance and retire twice.
  2. Clap the hands three times, and beat on the heel of the foot three times.
  3. All pass to next couple, the gentlemen passing on the outside of the ladies.
No. 3 may also be done by swinging their partners round and passing to next couple
Courtesy of National Library of Scotland, licensed under:
1-8All advance and retire twice
9-10Clap three times
11-12Stamp your heel three times
13-16Pass through to the next couple
Prince of Orange
Mozart Allan, Glasgow, ~1895
Allan's Reference Guide to the Ball-Room

Allan's Reference Guide to the Ball-Room, says:

The couples stand in a circle round the room, facing each other.
  1. All advance and retire twice.
  2. Clap the hands three times, and beat on the heel of the foot three times.
  3. All pass to next couple, the gentlemen passing on the outside of the ladies.
No. 3 may also be done by swinging their partners round and passing to next couple
Courtesy of National Library of Scotland, licensed under:
1-8All advance and retire twice
9-10Clap three times
11-12Stamp your heel three times
13-16Pass through to the next couple

(R)SCDS Book 8, 1932

Calver Lodge
J. P. Boulogne, Glasgow, 1827†
The Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris

The earliest source I can find is J. F. Wallace's The Excelsior Manual of Dancing, Glasgow, ~1872, who writes (on page 68):

  1. Half right and left by couples No. 1 and 2, and down the center four, (8 bars)
  2. Half right and left and back to places, (8)
  3. Reel of four, (8)
  4. Pousette, (8)

(R)SCDS Book 11, 1936

Glasgow Flourish ~ RSCDS
J. F. Wallace, Glasgow, 1872
The Excelsior Manual of Dancing

RSCDS Book 11 says "collected in Fife and Pebbleshire.
Let Glasgow Flourish in Allan's Reference Guide to the Ball-Room, Glasgow, c. 1900 is very similar.

Wallace in his The Excelsior Manual of Dancing, ~1872, names the dance "Let Glasgow Flourish"

  1. Four hands across at the top and back again, (8 bars)
  2. Six hands round and back (8)
  3. Top couple down the centre and up finishing in second couples place, (8)
  4. The first three couples promenade once round, (8)

Wallace gives no suggestions as to music.

RSCDS Book 34, 1986

Royal Albert Country Dance
Thomas Murphy, Glasgow, ~1890†
Thomas Murphy's Aide Memoire

Statistics

Number of dances published by city (or region)

Glasgow15

Number of dances published by semi century

1800-18497
1850-18997
1900-19491

Number of dances by early publisher/devisor

J. P. Boulogne7
J. F. Wallace3
Mozart Allan3
H. D. Wilcock1
Thomas Murphy1

References

Mozart AllanAllan's Ball-Room Guide, Glasgow, about 1880. I don't know where to find it.
"Allan's Reference Guide to the Ball-Room, Glasgow, about 1895. May be found in the British Library
J. P. BoulogneThe Ball-Room, or the Juvenile Pupil's Assistant; Containing the Most Fashionable Quadrilles, with Les Lanciers of Sixteen, As Danced in the Public & Private Assemblies in Paris, Glasgow, 1827. Found in the RSCDS Archives.
Thomas MurphyThomas Murphy's Aide Memoire, Glasgow, about 1890. Strathclyde Regional Archives, Glasgow
J. F. WallaceThe Excelsior Manual of Dancing, Glasgow, 1872
"Wallace's Ball-Room Guide, Glasgow, about 1900
H. D. WilcockBall-Room Guide; A Manual of Dancing, Glasgow, about 1868

Scans of old dance manuals are scattered about the internet. The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, International Music Score Library Project, Scott Pfitzinger's Playford site, Richard Powers' website, Library of Congress, and The Library of Dance all provide primary sources. A number of other sites provide indeces of these sources: The Regency Dance site, The Library of Dance again, and my own site have all proven useful for finding old sources. Finally there is Robert Keller's index which does not provide sources directly but lists thousands of dances, the publications containing them, dates and a brief coded description of the figures. This last has proven invaluable for tracking down dances for which I had no complete sources.

And, of course, both the Scottish Country Dance Database and the Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary provide online descriptions of all the RSCDS books and often hint at early sources.

This website is copyright © 2021-2025 by George W. Williams V
Creative Commons License My work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Most of the dances have more restrictive licensing, see my notes on copyright, the individual dance pages should mention when some rights are waived.