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 Book 4, 1927

Corn Rigs
Anonymous, date unknown†

(R)SCDS Book 6, 1930

Oxton Reel
Anonymous, Oxton, Berwickshire, date unknown†

(R)SCDS Book 8, 1932

The Bleu Ribbon ~ RSCDS
Castle Menzies, Scotland, 1749
The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies
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 Lovers' Knot
Anonymous, Galloway, date unknown†

(R)SCDS Book 9, 1934

Cauld Kail
Anonymous, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, ~1730
Holmain MS

(R)SCDS Book 11, 1936

Dainty Davie ~ RSCDS
Henry Playford, London, 1701
The Dancing Master, 11th ed.
Invercauld's Reel
Bowman, Scotland, ~1761†

(R)SCDS Book 12, 1938

Grant's Rant ~ RSCDS
Thompson, London, 1770
Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1770
Kiss Me Quick, My Mither's Coming
Walsh, London, 1740
The Compleat Country Dancing-Master Book 2, 3rd Ed.

(R)SCDS Book 14, 1947

Lamb Skinnet ~ RSCDS
Thompson, London, ~1757‡
Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I

(R)SCDS Book 15, 1949

My Mother's Coming In
Thomas Wilson, London, ~1814†‡
No. 26 of Button & Whitaker's Selection of Dances, Reels and Waltzes

RSCDS Book 16, 1951

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
The Caledonian Rant ~ RSCDS
Thomas Wilson, London, 1816
A Companion to the Ball Room
The Duke of Atholl's Reel
Thomas Skillern, London, ~1776‡
Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances

RSCDS Book 18, 1955

The Lassies of Dunse ~ RSCDS
Johnson, London, 1742
A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 2nd
The Sutters of Selkirk
Walsh, London, ~1735
Caledonian Country Dances, 2d Edition

RSCDS Book 19, 1957

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
The Sandal
Thomas Wilson, London, 1813†‡
No. 21 of Button & Whitaker's Selection of Dances, Reels and Waltzes

RSCDS Book 20, 1959

Village Reel
William Campbell, London, ~1793†‡
Campbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels

RSCDS Book 22, 1963

The Last of the Lairds
Hugh A Thurston, Bristol, 1963
RSCDS Book 22
Neidpath Castle
Derek Haynes, Liverpool, 1963
RSCDS Book 22

RSCDS Book 23, 1967

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

RSCDS Book 25, 1970

The Braes of Mellinish
Anonymous, date unknown†
The Bramble Bush
Anonymous, date unknown†

RSCDS Book 26, 1972

The Ladies of Dunse
Anonymous, date unknown†
Old Nick's Lumber Room
Thompson, London, 1759‡
Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1759

RSCDS Book 28, 1977

Euan's Jig
Anonymous, date unknown†

RSCDS Book 29, 1979

Lord Kilmory's Delight ~ RSCDS
Walsh, London, 1710
Twenty Four New Country Dances for the year 1710
Ross Meor ~ RSCDS
Walsh, London, 1735
Caledonian Country Dances, 2d Edition

RSCDS Book 32, 1984

The Clansman
Derek Haynes, Carnforth, 1981
RSCDS Book 32
Johnnie's Welcome Hame
Neil M Grant, Forres, 1982
RSCDS Book 32

RSCDS Book 33, 1985

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

RSCDS Book 34, 1986

Couteraller's Rant ~ RSCDS
Castle Menzies, Scotland, 1749
The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies

RSCDS Book 35, 1988

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

RSCDS Book 36, 1990 (Frae A' The Airts, Vol. 1)

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

RSCDS Book 37, 1992 (Frae A' The Airts, Vol. 2)

The Reverend John MacFarlane
Gary W Morris, [Unknown City], 1990
RSCDS Book 37
Wisp of Thistle
Pat Kent, [Unknown City], ~1992
RSCDS Book 37

RSCDS Book 38, 1994

Back to the Fireside
Roy Goldring, Leeds, ~1994
RSCDS Book 38

RSCDS Book 40, 1999

Nice to See You
Elsie Craig, [Unknown City], 1995
RSCDS Book 40

RSCDS Book 41, 2000

The Music will tell you
Peter Avery, [Unknown City], 1996
RSCDS Book 41

RSCDS Book 42, 2002

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

RSCDS Book 43, 2003 (Golden Jubilee Dances)

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

RSCDS Book 44, 2004

Crathes Castle
Ted Willitt, [Unknown City], 1999
RSCDS Book 44
Silver Thistle
Reg Dyson, [Unknown City], 1986
RSCDS Book 44

RSCDS Book 45, 2005

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

RSCDS Book 46, 2010

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

RSCDS Book 47, 2013 (90th Aniversary)

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

RSCDS Book 48, 2014

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

RSCDS Book 49, 2015

The First Rain of Spring
Wouter Joubert, [Unknown City], 2015
RSCDS Book 49
Neil M Grant
Christine Grant, [Unknown City], 2012
RSCDS Book 49

RSCDS Book 50, 2016

Double Trouble Triangles
Judith Kowalczik, [Unknown City], 2016
RSCDS Book 50
Les Remparts de Séville
Aliénor Latour, [Unknown City], 2014
RSCDS Book 50

RSCDS Book 51, 2017

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

RSCDS Book 52, 2018

Triple Happiness
Yoshiki Oyama, [Unknown City], 2016
RSCDS Book 52
The Ullapool Ferry
Pat Houghton, [Unknown City], 2015
RSCDS Book 52

RSCDS Book 53, 2023

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

RSCDS Book 54, 2025

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

Miss Milligan's Miscellany 1, ~1977

Anderson's Rant
Anonymous, date unknown†
Inveraray
Anonymous, date unknown†
Lady C Bruce's Reel
Anonymous, 1801†
Ladies' Companion

Miss Milligan's Miscellany 2, ~1977

Bonnie Geordie's Wig
G. Goulding, London, 1793‡
Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793

Statistics

Number of dances published by city (or region)

[Unknown]62
London19
Leeds5
Aberdeen4
Castle Menzies2
Bristol1
Carnforth1
Dumfriesshire, Scotland1
Forres1
Galloway1
Liverpool1
Oxton, Berwickshire1
Scotland1
Stowmarket1
Toronto, Ca1

Number of dances published by semi century

Unknown10
1700-174910
1750-17999
1800-18495
1950-199927
2000-204941

Number of dances by early publisher/devisor

Anonymous12
Roy Goldring5
Walsh4
Thomas Wilson4
John Drewry4
Thompson3
Johnson2
Castle Menzies2
Thomas Skillern2
John Brenchley2
Derek Haynes2
Alice McLean1
Peter Knapman1
Peter Avery1
Pat Burnett1
Pat Kent1
Pat Houghton1
Richard Adams1
Pamela Cook1
Pam Stephens1
Neil M Grant1
Reg Dyson1
Roy Fiddler1
Robert Senior1
Roland Morton Smith1
Romaine Butterfield1
Ronella Burrows1
Maurice Whitby1
Roz Scott Huxley1
Ruth Taylor1
Sheila Muir1
Shirley Campbell1
Sue McKinnell1
Ted Willitt1
Vera McKechnie1
William Campbell1
Wouter Joubert1
Minnie Bänninger1
Lucy Mulholland1
Maureen Robson1
G. Goulding1
Andrea Barfoot1
Anselm Lingnau1
Barry Priddey1
Bowman1
Catherine M Dewar1
Christine Grant1
Craig Williams1
David Rutherford1
Duncan Brown1
Edna Ewen1
Elizabeth Beckinsale1
Elsie Craig1
Ethan Bailey1
Gail Sibley1
Marjorie MacRae1
Gary W Morris1
Henry Playford1
Hugh A Thurston1
Iain Boyd1
Irene van Maarseveen1
Jenny Bradley1
Jill Henricksen and Kathy Stewart1
John Bowie Dickson1
Judith Kowalczik1
Kent W. Smith1
Linda Gaul1
Liza Halpenny1
Aliénor Latour1
Margaret Martin1
Yoshiki Oyama1

References

AnonymousHolmain MS, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, about 1730
"Ladies' Companion, 1801. I don't know where to find it.
William CampbellCampbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels, London, about 1793. I don't know where to find it.
Castle MenziesThe Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, Scotland, 1749. Found at the A K Bell Library, Perth
G. GouldingTwenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793, London, 1793. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the British Library
JohnsonA 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 PlayfordThe Dancing Master, 11th ed., London, 1701
David RutherfordRutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1, London, 1756
Thomas SkillernSkillern'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.
ThompsonThompson'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.
WalshTwenty 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
ThompsonTwenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1759, London, 1759. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow.
Thomas WilsonNo. 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
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.