

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.
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:
| Corn Rigs | Anonymous, date unknown† The RSCDS attributes this dance to Wilson, but I have my doubts. In 1816 Wilson in A Companion to the Ball Room, London, gives three figures to this tune, in 1830 Smyth in A Pocket Companion... gives a figure, as do Anderson (1897) and Allan (~1900). But none of those figures seems to match the RSCDS figure.
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| Oxton Reel | Anonymous, Oxton, Berwickshire, date unknown† RSCDS Book 6 claims this was "collected in Oxton, Berwickshire."
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| The Bleu Ribbon ~ RSCDS | Castle Menzies, Scotland, 1749 The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies Quoted from The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies (as transcribed by Jim Healy): 1st man goes figure eight round the 2d man & the 3d woman the 1st woman does the same round the 2d woman & 3d man then the 1st pair leads forward to the 2d pair then leads up & casts off, then does the same below and casts up; then the 1st woman goes round the 2d man & turns her partner, who was doing the same round the 3rd woman then she goes round the 2d woman then the 1st pair leads out att the sides | |
| Jessie's Hornpipe | Anonymous, date unknown† | |
| Lassie Wi' the Yellow Coatie | Johnson, London, 1742 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 2nd The RSCDS attributes this dance to David Rutherford, but John Johnson published the same figure a few years earlier. Rutherford writes: The first Couple casts of two Couple cast up again Cross over & half figure right hand and Left quite round with the second Couple foot it Corners and turn foot it the other Corners and turn Lead through the Mens side and turn your Partner Lead through the Womens side and turn it out | |
| The Lovers' Knot | Anonymous, Galloway, date unknown† RSCDS Book 8 says this was "collected in Galloway." |
| Cauld Kail | Anonymous, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, ~1730 Holmain MS From the Holmain MS (dated sometime between 1710 and 1750):
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| Dainty Davie ~ RSCDS | Henry Playford, London, 1701 The Dancing Master, 11th ed. The RSCDS attributes this figure to Walsh (who did print it in The Compleat Country Dancing Master in 1718, but Playford published it considerably earlier. Playford (and Walsh) spell the title "Dainty Davy" rather than "Davie". Playford's music is a 32 bar reel rather than a 16 bar strathspey. Playford writes: The 1. cu. clap hands and cross over below the 2. cu. and turn to your own sides The 2. cu. do the same The 1. cu. cross over below the 2. cu. and Figure through the 3d. cu then Figure through the 1. cu. and turn in the 2. cu. place Each Strain twice. Clearly having the 1s figure eight through the 1. cu. is a misprint, presumably the 2s are meant (or perhaps the couple now standing in the 1s place - which is the 2s) | |
| Invercauld's Reel | Bowman, Scotland, ~1761† The RSCDS attributes this dance to Alexander Bowman. Hugh Thurston's Scotland's Dances, 1954 refers to something called the Bowman MS (held in the Laing Collection at the University of Edinburgh) dated somewhere between 1750 and 1800. |
| Grant's Rant ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, 1770 Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1770 The RSCDS attributes this dance to Rutherford (1775), but the figure is nothing like Rutherford's figure. Thompson (1770) published the same figure as Rutherford, and Bride (1775) published yet another figure (none matching the RSCDS figure). Rutherford writes: Hands four quite round back again cross over two Cu. lead up to the top and cast off hands four at bottom right and left at top | |
| Kiss Me Quick, My Mither's Coming | Walsh, London, 1740 The Compleat Country Dancing-Master Book 2, 3rd Ed. RSCDS Book 12 attributes this to Johnson's Caledonian Country Dances of 1748 but it appears earlier. Walsh published Kiss Quick Mother's A'Comeing (sic) in his The Compleat Country Dancing-Master Book 2, 3rd Ed. ~1740 Given that this is the third edition, the dance may well have appeared earlier but I don't have access to the earlier editions. Johnson republished it a few years later in his Caledonian Country Dances of ~1748. In 1735 Walsh a different figure named Kiss me fast my Mother's coming. The Merry Medley, 1749 published yet another figure named Kiss me quick my Mother's coming. Anyway in 1740 Walsh writes:
Music consists of two 8 bar strains both repeated. Note the kiss has been replaced by a bow |
| Lamb Skinnet ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, ~1757‡ Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1d. Cu. cast off half Figure with the 2nd. Cu. cast off half Figure with the 3rd. Cu. lead up to the Top Foot it cast off Right and Left |
| My Mother's Coming In | Thomas Wilson, London, ~1814†‡ No. 26 of Button & Whitaker's Selection of Dances, Reels and Waltzes |
| The Birks of Invermay | Thomas Skillern, London, 1776‡ Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances | |
| Ca' the Ewes ~ RSCDS | Thomas Wilson, London, 1816 A Companion to the Ball Room Wilson writes (page 113): SINGLE FIGURE (Each strain repeated) Wilson usually gives multiple figures for each tune, I am following the second DOUBLE FIGURE. The music is two 4 bar strains, each repeated, and then the whole tune repeated. Wilson defines most of his figures in his An Analysis of Country Dancing. | |
| The Caledonian Rant ~ RSCDS | Thomas Wilson, London, 1816 A Companion to the Ball Room Wilson, on page 101, writes: SINGLE FIGURE Each strain repeated This is an interpretation of the DOUBLE FIGURE. The music is two 4 bar strains. The strain marks suggest to me that the music should be played ABABABAB, while the text suggests AABBAABB. The figures suggest that each bar has two beats, not four. Wilson defines foot corners on page 75 of An Analysis of Country Dancing as the four dancers move to the center and foot together. He does not say so but presumably they must return to places. | |
| The Duke of Atholl's Reel | Thomas Skillern, London, ~1776‡ Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances |
| The Lassies of Dunse ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, 1742 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 2nd The RSCDS interpretation seems basically the same as the original. RSCDS attributes this dance to David Rutherford, but Johnson published the same figure earlier. Unfortunately I can't find his work online so I provide a link to Rutherford. Both Johnson and Rutherford spell the title as "The Lasses of Dunce". Rutherford writes: The first Man Cast of and the second Woman Casts up at the same time, and turns The second Man and first Woman does the same Lead Down two Couple foot it and half Figure with the third Couple Lead up to the top foot it and half Figure with the second Couple Some sources say the 1s "lead" down (and up) while others say they "dance". This animation follows the ones which say "dance". | |
| The Sutters of Selkirk | Walsh, London, ~1735 Caledonian Country Dances, 2d Edition The RSCDS attributes this dance to Johnson, and he did publish it in at least two books, but Walsh got there first and he published it in at least three books. Both of them spelt the dance Sulters of Selkerke. According to Robert Keller's site these dances match the figure of the RSCDS interpretation. |
| The Deuks Dang ower my Daddie | David Rutherford, London, 1756 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford calls this dance Just as I am in the Morning. Rutherford writes: The 1st Cu. casts of one Cu. cast up again cross over and turn · the 2d Cu. does the same the 1st Man Leads his Partner off and Leaves her in the 2d Mans Place then turns the 2d Wo then Leads her thro the Mens side and turns her then the 1st Cu. half figures Round the 2d Cu. and turns The Lowes published a dance called "The Deuks dang o'er my Daddie" in ~1831 but it has a different figure. | |
| The Sandal | Thomas Wilson, London, 1813†‡ No. 21 of Button & Whitaker's Selection of Dances, Reels and Waltzes According to the the Regency Dance site Wilson devised, and Button & Whitaker published, a dance with this name but whether its figure matches the RSCDS's, I cannot say. Since the dance contains double triangles, it seems likely Wilson was its deviser. |
| Village Reel | William Campbell, London, ~1793†‡ Campbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels According to the the Regency Dance site Campbell did publish a dance with this name. Whether the figure matches I cannot check. |
| The Last of the Lairds | Hugh A Thurston, Bristol, 1963 RSCDS Book 22 | |
| Neidpath Castle | Derek Haynes, Liverpool, 1963 RSCDS Book 22 |
| Let's Meet Again - Dewar | Catherine M Dewar, [Unknown City], 1967 RSCDS Book 23 | |
| The Reivers | Roland Morton Smith, Toronto, Ca, 1967 RSCDS Book 23 |
| The Braes of Mellinish | Anonymous, date unknown† | |
| The Bramble Bush | Anonymous, date unknown† |
| The Ladies of Dunse | Anonymous, date unknown† | |
| Old Nick's Lumber Room | Thompson, London, 1759‡ Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1759 Thompson writes: Swing right hands & cast off one Cu the same again lead to the top & cast off lead to the bottom & cast up one whole figure at top & bottom then the same on your own sides 4 hnds round at bottom right and left at top . Also published in The London Magazine: Swing right hands and cast off one couple , the same again , lead to the top and cast off , lead to the bottom and cast up one , whole figure at the top and bottom , then the same on your own sides , four hands round at bottom , right and left at top . |
| Euan's Jig | Anonymous, date unknown† |
| Lord Kilmory's Delight ~ RSCDS | Walsh, London, 1710 Twenty Four New Country Dances for the year 1710 I don't have access to the 1710 publication, but the same figure occurs in John Young's Dancing Master and in later publications by Walsh. In 1729, John Young wrote:
The music consists of a 16 bar strain and a 20 bar strain to be played AAB. Walsh (and Young) spell the title Lord Killmurry's Delight. | |
| Ross Meor ~ RSCDS | Walsh, London, 1735 Caledonian Country Dances, 2d Edition First published by Walsh in 1735, later by Johnson, and Wright in 1740, with more publications later.
The music is in cut time and consists of an 8 bar strain (repeated) and a 12 bar strain |
| The Clansman | Derek Haynes, Carnforth, 1981 RSCDS Book 32 | |
| Johnnie's Welcome Hame | Neil M Grant, Forres, 1982 RSCDS Book 32 |
| It's just for Fun | Roy Fiddler, Stowmarket, 1984 RSCDS Book 33 | |
| John of Bon Accord | Roy Goldring, Leeds, 1986 RSCDS Book 33 | |
| MacLeod's Fancy | John Drewry, Aberdeen, 1985 RSCDS Book 33 |
| Couteraller's Rant ~ RSCDS | Castle Menzies, Scotland, 1749 The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies Quoted from The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies (as transcribed by Jim Healy): 1st pair joins cross right hands & 1st woman turns under her own right arm, then they join cross left hands & the 1st man turns under his own left arm, then the 1st pair leads down & up between the 2d pair & casts off, then leads down between the 3d pair & casts up, then goes the figure of eight, the man on the womans side & the woman on the man's side, (setting en passant to each other) & then foots it into their own places The full title is "Couteraller's Rant a Strathspey Reel". |
| The Gentleman | Roz Scott Huxley, [Unknown City], 1986 RSCDS Book 35 | |
| Inverneill House | John Drewry, Aberdeen, 1986 RSCDS Book 35 | |
| The Summer Assembly | Roy Goldring, Leeds, 1985 RSCDS Book 35 |
| Anniversary Reel - Muir | Sheila Muir, [Unknown City], 1987 RSCDS Book 36 | |
| Portnacraig | Linda Gaul, [Unknown City], 1988 RSCDS Book 36 | |
| Quarries' Jig | Kent W. Smith, [Unknown City], ~1990 RSCDS Book 36 |
| The Reverend John MacFarlane | Gary W Morris, [Unknown City], 1990 RSCDS Book 37 | |
| Wisp of Thistle | Pat Kent, [Unknown City], ~1992 RSCDS Book 37 |
| Back to the Fireside | Roy Goldring, Leeds, ~1994 RSCDS Book 38 |
| Nice to See You | Elsie Craig, [Unknown City], 1995 RSCDS Book 40 |
| The Music will tell you | Peter Avery, [Unknown City], 1996 RSCDS Book 41 |
| James Gray | Ronella Burrows, [Unknown City], ~2002 RSCDS Book 42 | |
| James Senior of St. Andrews | Jenny Bradley, [Unknown City], ~2022 RSCDS Book 42 | |
| May Yarker's Strathspey | Roy Goldring, Leeds, 1995 RSCDS Book 42 | |
| Ways in New Hall | Richard Adams, [Unknown City], ~2002 RSCDS Book 42 |
| A Castle in the Air | Minnie Bänninger, [Unknown City], 2002 RSCDS Book 43 | |
| The Corian Strathspey | Maurice Whitby, [Unknown City], 1995 RSCDS Book 43 | |
| Fifty Years On | John Drewry, Aberdeen, 2000 RSCDS Book 43 | |
| Noah's Ark | Irene van Maarseveen, [Unknown City], 2002 RSCDS Book 43 |
| Crathes Castle | Ted Willitt, [Unknown City], 1999 RSCDS Book 44 | |
| Silver Thistle | Reg Dyson, [Unknown City], 1986 RSCDS Book 44 |
| Catch the Wind | Romaine Butterfield, [Unknown City], 2005 RSCDS Book 45 | |
| Preston Mill | Margaret Martin, [Unknown City], 2002 RSCDS Book 45 | |
| Sands of Morar | Barry Priddey, [Unknown City], ~2005 RSCDS Book 45 |
| Barbara's Strathspey | Sue McKinnell, [Unknown City], 2006 RSCDS Book 46 | |
| The Flower of Glasgow | Ruth Taylor, [Unknown City], 2010 RSCDS Book 46 | |
| The Gardeners' Fantasia | Pamela Cook, [Unknown City], ~2010 RSCDS Book 46 | |
| High Society | John Brenchley, [Unknown City], ~2010 RSCDS Book 46 | |
| The Missing Turn | Craig Williams, [Unknown City], ~2010 RSCDS Book 46 | |
| Scott Meikle | Alice McLean, [Unknown City], ~2004 RSCDS Book 46 |
| Flight to Melbourne | Shirley Campbell, [Unknown City], ~2002 RSCDS Book 47 | |
| It Wasnae Me | Marjorie MacRae, [Unknown City], 2006 RSCDS Book 47 | |
| Welcome to Ayr | Jill Henricksen and Kathy Stewart, [Unknown City], ~2013 RSCDS Book 47 |
| City of Belfast | Lucy Mulholland, [Unknown City], 2007 RSCDS Book 48 | |
| The Fireworks Reel | Anselm Lingnau, [Unknown City], 2009 RSCDS Book 48 | |
| Monica's Way | Gail Sibley, [Unknown City], 2007 RSCDS Book 48 | |
| Rougemont Castle | Duncan Brown, [Unknown City], ~2009 RSCDS Book 48 | |
| The Rutland Reel | Robert Senior, [Unknown City], 2010 RSCDS Book 48 |
| The First Rain of Spring | Wouter Joubert, [Unknown City], 2015 RSCDS Book 49 | |
| Neil M Grant | Christine Grant, [Unknown City], 2012 RSCDS Book 49 |
| Double Trouble Triangles | Judith Kowalczik, [Unknown City], 2016 RSCDS Book 50 | |
| Les Remparts de Séville | Aliénor Latour, [Unknown City], 2014 RSCDS Book 50 |
| The Edinburgh Toy Shop | Ethan Bailey, [Unknown City], 2016 RSCDS Book 51 | |
| Fair Enough | Liza Halpenny, [Unknown City], 2014 RSCDS Book 51 | |
| New Year Jig | Maureen Robson, [Unknown City], 2017 RSCDS Book 51 | |
| The Somerset Children's Reel | Elizabeth Beckinsale, [Unknown City], 2015 RSCDS Book 51 |
| Triple Happiness | Yoshiki Oyama, [Unknown City], 2016 RSCDS Book 52 | |
| The Ullapool Ferry | Pat Houghton, [Unknown City], 2015 RSCDS Book 52 |
| City of Stirling Reel | Roy Goldring, Leeds, 2005 RSCDS Book 53 | |
| Jennifer's Jig | John Drewry, Aberdeen, 1968 RSCDS Book 53 | |
| The Lochalsh Reel | Pat Burnett, [Unknown City], 2001 RSCDS Book 53 | |
| The Meeting of the Waters | Iain Boyd, [Unknown City], 1969 RSCDS Book 53 | |
| Pinewoods Reel | John Bowie Dickson, [Unknown City], 1970 RSCDS Book 53 | |
| Something in the Air | Pam Stephens, [Unknown City], 2019 RSCDS Book 53 | S8×32 2C/4C |
| The Darlington Dancer | John Brenchley, [Unknown City], 2020 RSCDS Book 54 | |
| A Hundred Years Since | Peter Knapman, [Unknown City], 2023 RSCDS Book 54 | |
| A Tribute to West Renfrewshire | Vera McKechnie, [Unknown City], ~2025 RSCDS Book 54 | |
| Tullynessle and Forbes Hall | Edna Ewen, [Unknown City], 2008 RSCDS Book 54 | |
| The Waternish Tangle | Andrea Barfoot, [Unknown City], 2001 RSCDS Book 54 |
| Anderson's Rant | Anonymous, date unknown† | |
| Inveraray | Anonymous, date unknown† | |
| Lady C Bruce's Reel | Anonymous, 1801† Ladies' Companion |
| Bonnie Geordie's Wig | G. Goulding, London, 1793‡ Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793 |
| [Unknown] | 62 |
| London | 19 |
| Leeds | 5 |
| Aberdeen | 4 |
| Castle Menzies | 2 |
| Bristol | 1 |
| Carnforth | 1 |
| Dumfriesshire, Scotland | 1 |
| Forres | 1 |
| Galloway | 1 |
| Liverpool | 1 |
| Oxton, Berwickshire | 1 |
| Scotland | 1 |
| Stowmarket | 1 |
| Toronto, Ca | 1 |
| Unknown | 10 |
| 1700-1749 | 10 |
| 1750-1799 | 9 |
| 1800-1849 | 5 |
| 1950-1999 | 27 |
| 2000-2049 | 41 |
| Anonymous | Holmain MS, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, about 1730 |
| " | Ladies' Companion, 1801. I don't know where to find it. |
| William Campbell | Campbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels, London, about 1793. I don't know where to find it. |
| Castle Menzies | The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, Scotland, 1749. Found at the A K Bell Library, Perth |
| G. Goulding | Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793, London, 1793. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the British Library |
| Johnson | A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 2nd, London, 1742. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. |
| Henry Playford | The Dancing Master, 11th ed., London, 1701 |
| David Rutherford | Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1, London, 1756 |
| Thomas Skillern | Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances, London, 1776. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. |
| Thompson | Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I, London, about 1757 |
| " | Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1770, London, 1770. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. |
| Walsh | Twenty Four New Country Dances for the year 1710, London, 1710. I don't know where to find it. |
| " | Caledonian Country Dances, 2d Edition, London, about 1735. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh |
| " | The Compleat Country Dancing-Master Book 2, 3rd Ed., London, 1740. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Birmingham University Library |
| Thompson | Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1759, London, 1759. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. |
| Thomas Wilson | No. 21 of Button & Whitaker's Selection of Dances, Reels and Waltzes, London, 1813. I don't know where to find it. |
| " | No. 26 of Button & Whitaker's Selection of Dances, Reels and Waltzes, London, about 1814. I don't know where to find it. |
| " | A Companion to the Ball Room, London, 1816. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the British Library |
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 © 2021-2026 by George W. Williams V 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.