

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:
| Cumberland Reel ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, ~1786 Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol 5 Thompson (1786) writes: Right hands across half round left hands back again Lead down the middle up again & cast off Allemande with your partner Right & Left Wilson (1809) writes:
A different version may be found in Kate Hughes's Dancing Book from Ireland in 1867
Wilcock (1868) writes:
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| Duke of Perth ~ RSCDS | William Boag, London, ~1797 A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers In 1790 Longman & Broderip published a dance named Duke of Perth's Reel, but it has a different figure. Rutherford published a dance named "Keep the Country, Bonny Lassie" in 1775, but with a different figure. Pease Straw has an even longer history with Johnson publishing a dance of that name in 1744, but again with a different figure. According to the Fletts (Traditional Dancing in Scotland, 1964, p. 247) William Boag was the first to publish this figure under the title "Keep the Country, Bonny Lassie". First Cu Swing the Right hand and cast off one Cu: Swing the Left hand round Swing the Corners and your Partner each time Set Corners and turn lead outsides. The Fletts also quote the Blantyre MS. (~1805), titled "Duke of Perth": Hook right hand with partner — turn round — throw off a couple. Hook with partner with left turn round downmost Ladies with right partner with left uppermost Lady with right partner with left twice round, Sett cross pr reels. The (R)SCDS claims this dance comes from 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, Glasgow, 1827, titled "Duke of Perth" or "Keep the Country, Bonnie Lassie".
Kate Hughes (in Ireland) recorded a slightly different version in 1867:
J. F. Wallace, in ~1872, published:
D. Anderson, 1897 published something almost word for word from Wallace:
Note that by Blantyre's time the "lead out sides" has become a reel.
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| The Triumph ~ RSCDS | Preston, London, 1793 Preston's Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793 RSCDS Book1 attributes this dance to J. P. Boulogne's The Ball-Room, 1827, but it has earlier roots. Preston published a version in 1793, and Thompson published something rather different in 1790 named La Triomphe. Preston's version has three lead up abreast, but has not yet developed the triumphal arch over the woman. The 1st. Lady set to the 2d. Gentn. & turn The 1st. Gentn. set to the 2d. Lady & turn The 1st. Lady take the 2d. Gentn. by the right hand & lead him down to the 3d. Cus. place · The 1st. Gentn. cast off & his Partr. all 3 lead up to the top together ·· the 1st. Cu lead down the middle up again & cast off ··
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| The Bob o' Dowally | Walsh, London, ~1760† Caledonian Country Dances RSCDS Book 2 says "Walsh's Caledonian Country Dances 1748-1760. The crib diagram says this comes from Walsh, 1760. Both Walsh and Jackson published collections entitled Caledonian Country Dances around this time, but I can't find anything by either from 1760. The collections I can search do not contain a dance with this name.
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| The Bumpkin | William Campbell, London, ~1799 Campbell's 14th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels The RSCDS says this dance was "Collected in the town of Lanark", and also states it is found in A Companion to the Reticule, published, London, ~1840 (for young Ladies and Gentlemen, whose birth, connexions, or society, can lay claim to any district NORTH of the TWEED. While the Companion claims this was danced all over Scotland prior to the year 1815. The SCDDB says the dance was devised by Walsh in 1754, and Book 2 says the dance was published in Walsh's Caledonian Country Dances 1748-1760. As far as I can tell Walsh did not publish a dance called "The Bumpkin", but he did publish "The Country Bumkin" in ~1750, but the figure is nothing like this one. Walsh writes: Two Cu. fall back•foot it and change over the like again cross over twice to below lead to the top•foot it and cast off• However, William Campbell did publish The Country Bumpkin in his 14th Book (~1799), and he writes: Six Ladies and 3 Gentlemen in 3 Lines — the middle Gentleman dances with his Hat on — all nine foot up the Room to the top in 3 Lines and turn and foot back again to their places — then the Gentleman in the middle sets to the Lady at the right hand corner, turn her the set to the Lady on the left hand corner and turn her and Hey:— the other two Gentlemen do the same with their corners and Hey at the same time then fall back to their places and foot up the Room as Before and then down again then the Gentleman in the middle foots to the other right hand corner turn round and Hey the other two Gentlemen do the same with their other corner and turn round and hey all at the same time then fall back to their places foot up as before and back again then the three Gentlemen foot to the three Ladies on their right hand turn then to the three Ladies on their Left turn and all Hey then foot up as before and back again then the middle line set to the bottom line turn round and set to the top line then turn round and all Hey up and down the room the Gentleman in the bottom line takes the Hat off the Gentleman of the middle line then falls into the middle line with his two Ladies repeats all the Figure over again the Gentleman of the top line then takes the Hat off the Gentleman of the middle line and with his two Ladies falls in the middle line and repeats all the figure over again — then finish with a threesom Reel across the Room. Is Campbell making a distinction between "heys" (in the first parts of the dance) and "reels" in the last line, or is he just careless? As written in the Companion to the Reticule:
D. Anderson's Ball-Room and Solo Dance Guide, Dundee, ~1900 calls it simply "The Reel of Nine":
The SCDDB says that the reels are left shoulder reels, though I can find no indication of this in RSCDS Book 2, nor in any of the original sources.
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| Greig's Pipes ~ RSCDS | William Boag, London, 1797† A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers I can't track down Boag's publication, but I have found it in Lowes' Ball-Conductor and Assembly Guide in ~1830 published by the Messrs. Lowe who write: First couple turn by the right hand, and the Gentleman passes one couple down the middle; then turn quite round by the left hand, and set, three and three, in lines across the dance; turn round with both hands; then the Lady goes between the second and third Gentlemen, and the Gentleman between the second and third Ladies; set, holding the hands; set corners, and reel. The Lowes title it Greig's Pipes, or the Cameronian Rant.
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| The Haymakers ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, ~1770 Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol II
In A Pocket Companion, for Young Ladies and Gentlemen..., Smyth, 1830 calls the dance The Haymakers and writes: The top Lady and bottom Gentleman advance to the middle, and turn by the right hand: the first Gentleman and last Lady do the same. The same couple repeat the same with the left hand, These again repeat the same by both hands. The first two advance and pass back to back, and return to their places. The other two do the same. The first Lady and bottom Gentleman advance, bow and curtsey, and return to their places; the others do the same. The whole chassé from top to bottom. the first couple half pousette with each couple till they reach the bottom of the Dance. In Ball-Room Guide: A Manual of Dancing, H. D. Willock, 1868 calls the dance Sir Roger de Coverly, or The Haymakers and writes:
In Kate Hughes's manuscript from Dundalk Ireland, 1867 it is also called "Hay Makers".
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| The Eight Men of Moidart | Neil Stewart, Edinburgh, ~1761† A Collection of the Newest and Best Reels or Country Dances The RSCDS attributes this dance to Neil Stewart's A Collection of the Newest and best Reels or Country Dances, c. 1761-1763. The only work with this name and author at the National Library of Scotland was published ~1775 and contains only tunes with no figures. The RSCDS goes on to say that the tune comes from Caledonian Country Dances ~1754 (which Book 10 says was published by Johnson). This work seems to have disappeared. In any case, the tune was published earlier, by Rutherford (in Rutherford's Choice Collection of Sixty of the most Celebrated Country Dances, 1750) and Johnson (in A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 8, 1753). (Neither of those dances matches this figure).
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| Lady MacIntosh's Rant | David Rutherford, London, 1756‡ Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford spells the dance "Lady McIntosh's Rant" and writes: Cast off one Couple Cast up Again Lead down two Couples up again, foot it foot it & cast off Right Hand and Left Rutherford's music consists of a two bar strain and a four bar strain.
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| Culloden's Fancy | Johnson, London, ~1754†‡ Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II RSCDS Book 5 attributes this to "Caledonian Country Dances, c. 1754". Both Johnson (1750) and Walsh (1748, 1751, 1755) published books called "Caledonian Country Dances" around the 1750s, but none of those books has a dance with a name like "Culloden's Fancy". There may, of course, be other publishers or publications of which I'm not aware. Note: RSCDS Book 10, for the dance The Lady's Breist Knot has a more nearly complete attribution: "Jno Johnson Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II, c. 1754" but I still can't find it. Note: RSCDS Book 28, for the dance Not I contains the comment "The source given is Caledonian Country Dances, 1754 but attempts to trace this manuscript have been unsuccessful. However in ~1756, Thomas Collett in Twenty Four New Country Dances. Published by Subscription published a dance with that name, and according Robert Keller's site, that dance has the following figures: Foot it/ Turn/ Hands across half/ Partner Change/ Lead up and Cast down. Which is a pretty got match to the RSCDS figures (the only differences being that the "hands across half" becomes a "right and left half", and the partner change becomes a two hand turn once and a half, in both cases people end in the same places).
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| Duke of Hamilton's Reel | Johnson, London, ~1754†‡ Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II The RSCDS attributes this to "Caledonian Country Dances, c. 1754". Both Johnson and Walsh published books with "Caledonian" in the title in the 1750s, but none of those books has a dance with a name like "Duke of Hamilton's Reel". There may, of course, be other publishers or publications of which I'm not aware. Note: RSCDS Book 10, for the dance The Lady's Breist Knot has a more nearly complete attribution: "Jno Johnson Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II, c. 1754" but I still can't find it. Note: RSCDS Book 28, for the dance Not I contains the comment "The source given is Caledonian Country Dances, 1754 but attempts to trace this manuscript have been unsuccessful. Rutherford (1750 & 1759), Bride (1770), and Longman & Broderip (1781) all published dances with this name, but none matches the RSCDS figure.
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| Lady Susan Stewart's Reel | Johnson, London, ~1754†‡ Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II The RSCDS attributes this to "Caledonian Country Dances, c. 1754". Both Johnson (1750) and Walsh (1748, 1751, 1755) published books called "Caledonian Country Dances" around the 1750s, but none of those books has a dance with a name like "Lady Susan Stewart's Reel". There may, of course, be other publishers or publications of which I'm not aware. Note: RSCDS Book 10, for the dance The Lady's Breist Knot has a more nearly complete attribution: "Jno Johnson Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II, c. 1754" but I still can't find it. Note: RSCDS Book 28, for the dance Not I contains the comment "The source given is Caledonian Country Dances, 1754 but attempts to trace this manuscript have been unsuccessful.
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| Scottish Ramble | Johnson, London, ~1752 Two Hundred Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 8 RSCDS Book 5 attributes this to Caledonian Country Dances, ~1754. Several people were publishing works with that title around that time, but I can't find this dance in any of them (or none that I have access to). Note: RSCDS Book 10, for the dance The Lady's Breist Knot has a more nearly complete attribution: "Jno Johnson Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II, c. 1754" but I still can't find it. Note: RSCDS Book 28, for the dance Not I contains the comment "The source given is Caledonian Country Dances, 1754 but attempts to trace this manuscript have been unsuccessful. Johnson calls the dance The Scotch Ramble and writes: First Cu. cast off two Cu. Lead up to the Top and cast off Hands 4 round with the 3d. Cu. Right hands and Left with the 2d. Cu. foot it at both Corners & turn Lead out on both sides and turn
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| The White Cockade - RSCDS | William Campbell, London, ~1788‡ Campbell's Third Collection of the newest and most favorite Country Dances & Cotillions The websites attribute this to Preston and he did publish two dances with this name, the first published in 1790 does not match this figure, the second published in Preston's Selection of the most favorite Country-Dances, Reels, 1798 does match this figure. However, Campbell published that same figure earlier, in about 1788, and Longman & Broderip did so in 1790. All of these seem to start the dance with partner changes without setting, but otherwise they match. The Lowes published a dance with this name, but the figure does not match.
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| The Bob of Fettercairn | William Campbell, London, ~1796†‡ Campbell's 11th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels According to The Regency Dance site in his book Campbell's 11th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels there is a dance "The Bob of Fattercairn". But I don't have access to the original to verify that the figures match.
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| The Edinburgh Volunteers ~ RSCDS | Bartholomew Cooke, Dublin, 1796‡ Cooke's Selection of the Present Favorite Country Dances for the Year 1796 Cooke writes: 1st. La. turn 2d Gent. 1st. Gent. do the same. fall in at top & bottom & at the sides 6 hands round back again & turn your Part.
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| I'll Mak' Ye Fain to Follow Me | William Boag, London, 1797† A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers I can't track down Boag's publication, but I have found it in Lowes' Ball-Conductor and Assembly Guide in ~1830 published by the Messrs. Lowe who write: The first Gentleman follows his partner round two couples; the first Lady goes down backs two couples, while the Gentlemaan goes down the middle; The Lady then goes up the middle; and the Gentleman up behind the back, passing in between the second and third couples; six hands round; swing corners.
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| Lord MacDonald's Reel | William Campbell, London, ~1793‡ Campbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels According to The Regency Dance site Campbell wrote: Foot it & cast off 2 Cu Foot it & cast up again lead down 2 Cu up again & cast off Sett Corners & turn lead outsides Wallace published a dance with this name, but it has a different figure.
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| Captain MacDonald's Fancy | Longman & Broderip, London, 1790‡ Longman and Broderip's Third Selection of...Country Dances, Reels &c. Longman & Broderip entitle their dance "Captn. Mc.Donald's Fancy" and its figure is lead, lead, circle, turn, turn, turn, turn. The RSCDS seems to have turned the circle into hands across, but otherwise the figures match. In about ~1792, William Campbell published "Capt. Mc. Donalds Fancy" in his Campbell's Seventh Collection of the newest & most Favorite Country Dances and Cotillions but its figure does not match this one. | |
| Hamilton House ~ RSCDS | William Campbell, London, ~1789 Campbell's Fourth Collection of the newest and most Favorite Country Dances & Cotillions | |
| The Highland Plaid | William Campbell, London, ~1788†‡ Campbell's Third Collection of the newest and most favorite Country Dances & Cotillions The Regency Dance site confirms that Campbell did publish a dance named "The Highland Plaid, or the Tartan Plaiddie" in his 3rd collection, but it does not describe the figure. In Dale's Selection of the Most Favorite Country Dances and Reels he published a figure similar to the RSCDS's one: Change sides and back again; Hands across and back again; Lead down the middle, up again; cast off and Allemand. | |
| Mid Lothian | William Campbell, London, ~1795‡ Campbell's 10th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels Campbell writes: Cast off 2 Cu. up again ·.· Lead down the middle up again Poussette quite round with the 2d. Cu. swing corners hands four half round Right & Left :: The RSCDS's interpretation is pretty accurate, except for the perennial problem that, for Campbell, "lead down the middle and up" is progressive while "poussette" is not progressive. |
| The Lass o' Livingston | M. J. C. Fraisier, Boston, MA, ~1796 The Scholars Companion: Containing A Choice Collection Of Cotillons & Country-Dances RSCDS Book 8 says this is from the Lowes' collection of 1844. But there is an earlier source. I do not claim this dance originated in the US, merely that the first source I have for it comes from the US. It is much more likely that it originated in the UK. M. J. C. Fraisier's The Scholars Companion Containing a Choice Collection of Cotillions & Country-Dances, Boston, ~1796 contains the earliest version of this dance I have found. He calls it "Lass of" rather than "Lass o'". It is not a perfect match, but there are clear similarities. The 1st gent. and lady allemande with their opposite with the right hand, ditto with your own partner with the left hand, lead down the middle, up again, cast off 1 cou. 6 hands round and chain at top. The "allemande" above sound very like a hand-turn, which is what allemande means in modern US square and contra dancing. I'm not sure if it had that meaning in 1796 but this example seems like it. The next example comes from the Lowes' Lowes' Ball-Conductor and Assembly Guide, Edinburgh, ~1831: First Gentleman turns the second Lady, fully round by the right hand; first Lady does the same with the second Gentleman; down the middle, and up again; poussette and right and left. | |
| Tulloch Gorm | William Campbell, London, ~1796†‡ Campbell's 11th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels The RSCDS attributes this to William Campbell, and he did publish a dance named Tulloch Gorum, but I can't check whether the figure matches. In 1796 Skillern published Tulloch Goram and Skillern (again), Bland and Wilson all published dances named Tulloch Gorum whose figures do not match. Smyth and the Lowes (~1830) published a dance called Tullochgorum but again the figure does not match that of the RSCDS. Allan (~1895) also published a Tullochgorum but his figure does not match that of the RSCDS. |
| Cadgers in the Canongate ~ RSCDS | Walsh, London, 1760 Country Dances Selected, Part 1 RSCDS Book 9 says that Walsh published this in Caledonian Country Dances, ~1748, but the earliest I have been able to find is ~1760. Walsh writes: First Cu. hey contrary sides then on your own sides the 1st Cu. foot it to the 2d Wo. and turn her the same to the 2d Man the 1st and 2d Cu. foot it and Right hands across Foot it and Left hands across back again cross over one Cu. and turn Right and Left at top Walsh spells "Canongate" as "Conongate". Cannongate is a major street in historic Edinburgh (gate=street), and a "cadger" is a carter who brings produce to market. | |
| The Duchess of Atholl's Slipper ~ RSCDS | Longman & Broderip, London, 1790‡ Longman and Broderip's Fourth Selection of...Country Dances, Reels &c. RSCDS Book 9 says "collected in the Border Country." Longman & Boroderip first published a dance called "The Duchess's Slipper" in 1790, and republished it in 1796 (with the same figure) in Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1796. The 1st. Lady hay with her partner and the 2d. Gent: The 1st. Gent: hay with his partner and the 2d. Lady Lead down two Cou: up again one Cou: Allemande The music consists of a four bar strain and an eight bar strain, both repeated. As always, note the lead down and back is progress in the original, while the allemande is not. The instructions say the 1s should lead down, but dancing down with nearer hands joined flows more easily from the two hand turn, and that's what the videos I've watched show, so that's what I'm doing here. | |
| Mrs. Grant's Fancy | Longman & Broderip, London, 1790‡ Longman and Broderip's Third Selection of...Country Dances, Reels &c. Longman & Boroderip this dance in 1790, and according to Robert Keller's coded notes, the RSCDS figure matches the original. |
| Lady Jean Murray's Rant ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, ~1756‡ Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford spells the title "Lady Jane Murray's Rant". Rutherford writes (in dance 139) The first Man casts off, & the 2d Woman casts up at the same time & turns The first Wo. and 2d Man does the same Hands a cross with the 2d Couple & back again Foot to your Partner & right Hands & Left The music consists of 2 four bar phrases, each presumably played at 4 counts per bar. | |
| Lady's Breist Knot | David Rutherford, London, ~1759‡ Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 2 RSCDS Book 10 attributes this to "Jno Johnson Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II, c. 1754". According to Robert Keller's site, Johnson published "A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances" Vol. 6&7 in ~1751, and Vol. 8 in ~1753. None of these has a dance called "Briest Knot" or "Breast Knot" or anything similar. Johnson did publish a "24 country dances for the year ..." series. The one for 1755 does not have a dance with this name. (I don't have access to any of the others). He also published "Caledonian Country Dances", the one published in ~1750 does not contain a dance with this name. He may have published other books but I do not have access to them. However, in ~1759, Rutherford published "Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 2" which contains a dance called "The Ladies Breast Knott" whose figure matches that of the RSCDS. Rutherford writes (in dance 79) First Cu cast off & hands across with the 3d Cu the 2d Cu does the same Hands round 6 lead down two Cu: & cast up into the 2d Cus: Places & turn your Partner Thompson also published a dance called The Breast Knott in 1771, but its figure does not match. |
| Inch of Perth | 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. Anderson published a dance called Perth Inch in 1897 but the figure is different. | |
| 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. | |
| Johnny McGill | William Boag, London, 1797†‡ A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers | |
| Miss Murray of Ochertyre | John Bowie, Perth, 1789 A Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances John Bowie calls the dance Miss Murray Ochtertyre, and writes: Four hands half round then make two Cross Jumps then go the other half: the same back again: down the middle & cast up round the third Couple: up the middle & Cast of round the 2d. Couple. William Campbell published Mrs Murray of Auchtentyre in his Campbell's 12th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels in about 1797, but his figure does not match this one. Preston's Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1798 he published a dance called Mrs Murray of Archentyres Reel but, again, the figure does not match this one. | |
| Monymusk | Preston, London, 1786 Twenty four Country-Dances for the Year 1786 Monymusk is an estate in Aberdeenshire is Scotland. Cracking Chestnuts says the tune was written by Daniel Dow and published in Thirty Seven New Reels and Strathspeys in 1776. Francis Werner set figures to the tune in his 8 Cotillions, 6 Favorite Contry Dances and two Minuets, with their proper Figures for the Harp, Harpsichord and Violin Book xvii for the year 1785. John Preston in 1786 published a different set of figures in 1786 and this version of the dance appears to be based on those. Hugh Thurston in Scotland's Dances (1954) claims: "'Monymusk' is not a traditional Scottish dance. It was resurrected in 1934 (out of a book published in England in 1786) and there is no evidence that it was ever danced in Scotland before that date." (as quoted in Cracking Chestnuts) Werner Book XVIII For the Year 1785 (London, 1785) writes: Turn your partner with the right hand; quite round, and cast off one Cu. Turn with the left quite round, Set three and three top and bottom, and turn your Partner, Set three and three sideways and turn your Partner. Hands six quite round and back again Lead out sides and turn your Partner with both hands. John Griffiths in The Gentleman & Lady's Companion (Norwich, CT, 1798) has a different figure: Six hands half way round and back, first and second gentlemen balance together and turn round, the 1st and 2nd ladies do the same, down the middle, up again, cast off, right and left In A Treatise on Dancing (Boston, 1802) Saltator writes: First couple cross over, down the out side, promenade round the gentleman, fall between the second couple, the lady between the third, six dance address, first couple promenade and fall below the second, six demicircinate, right and left atop. Wilson Treasures of Terpsichore, page 80 (London, 1809)
Howe Complete Ball-room Hand Book, page 82 (Boston, 1858) First couple join right hands and swing once and a half round, go below second couple (the first lady goes below second gentleman on the outside) (first gentleman at the same time goes below and between second and third ladies) — forward and back six, first couple swing three quarters round — first gentleman goes between second couple (on the inside) first lady goes between third couple (on the indside) forward and back six, first couple swing three quarters. Burchenal American Country-dances, page 55 (New York/Boston, 1912) Swing Once and a Half Around | |
| The Moudiewort | 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. | |
| Sleepy Maggie | 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. |
| The Black Dance | Thompson, London, 1770 Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1770 The RSCDS attributes this to David Rutherford, but it was actually published by John (Rutherford), and, in any case was published earlier with the same figure by Thompson. Rutherford writes: Turn right hands and then left lead you Partner down and bring up the third Wo. then the first and third Cu. turn right hands & then left lead the third Wo. down and your Partner up & cast off. For once the RSCDS interpretation seems to match the original closely. | |
| 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 | |
| The Machine without Horses | John Rutherford, London, 1772 Twelve Selected Country Dances for the Year 1772 Rutherford writes: The 1st. Cu. cast off one Cu. right hands across with the 3d. Cu cast up and left hands across with the 2d. Cu. lead down between the 3d. Cu. the 2d. Cu. follows cast up into your own places cross over one Cu. right & left |
| Bridge of Nairn | Robert Bremner, Edinburgh, ~1765 A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances The RSCDS attributes this to Bremner's work: A Second Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances, which they date variously to ~1757 and ~1765. In ~1765 Bremner published A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances; a work which only contains tunes with no figures. According to Hugh Thurston the second collection was published in London in 1769. As far as I can tell, what was published in London was actually titled: For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances. At any rate, that work contains this dance. Cast off two couples lead up to the Top and cast off set cross corners swing corners and swing your partner and lead outsides | |
| Miss Cahoon's Reel | Robert Bremner, London, 1769‡ For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances The RSCDS attributes this to Bremner's work: A Second Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances, which they date variously to ~1757 and ~1765. In ~1765 Bremner published A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances; a work which only contains tunes with no figures. According to Hugh Thurston the second collection was published in London in 1769. As far as I can tell, what was published in London was actually titled: For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances. At any rate, that work contains this dance. Robert Bremner writes: The 1st Cu: cast off one Cu: hands four round with the 3d. Cu: cast up and hands four round with the 2d. Cu: cross over two couples lead up to the Top, foot it and cast off turn corners with your right hands and turn Partner with your left the other corners the same Hey contrary sides then your own sides The RSCDS claims this comes from A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances and it may be in that, but I know it is in For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances (both by Bremner). | |
| The Nether Bow has Vanished | Robert Bremner, London, 1769‡ For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances The RSCDS attributes this to Bremner's work: A Second Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances, which they date variously to ~1757 and ~1765. In ~1765 Bremner published A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances; a work which only contains tunes with no figures. According to Hugh Thurston the second collection was published in London in 1769. As far as I can tell, what was published in London was actually titled: For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances. At any rate, that work contains this dance. Robert Bremner writes: The first Cu: foot it to the 2d. Wo: and hands round 3 the same to the 2d. Man lead down one Cu: up again and cast off foot it ℵ hands round 4 with the 3d. Cu: foot it and hands round 4 with the 2d Cu: lead up to the Top ℵ cast off right ℵ left at top The RSCDS claims this comes from A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances and it may be in that, but I know it is in For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances (both by Bremner). | |
| Strathglass House | Robert Bremner, London, 1769‡ For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances The RSCDS attributes this to Bremner's work: A Second Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances, which they date variously to ~1757 and ~1765. In ~1765 Bremner published A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances; a work which only contains tunes with no figures. According to Hugh Thurston the second collection was published in London in 1769. As far as I can tell, what was published in London was actually titled: For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances. At any rate, that work contains this dance. Robert Keller Bremner titled this dance Straglass House - Strathspey. Robert Bremner writes: The 1st, 2d, and 3d Cu: foot it and hands round Six the same back again cross over two Cu: lead up to the Top and cast off Turn corners with your right hands ℵ turn partner with your Left the other corners the same lead outsides and turn The RSCDS claims this comes from A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances and it may be in that, but I know it is in For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances (both by Bremner). |
| The Bonniest Lass in all the World | Thompson, London, ~1757 Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1st. Cu. Foot it and turn then Foot it sides and turn then lead down two Cu. cast up one and Foot it and Right hands and Left at top The 1st. Man hands 3 round with the 3rd. Cu. and the 1st. Wo. hands 3 round with the 2nd. Cu. then the Man hands round with the 2nd. Cu. and the Wo. with the 3rd. Cu. lead out sides and turn There seems to be some doubt as to the turns in the first 8 bars, some sources say they are right hand turns, some say both hand turns. | |
| The Crooket Horned Ewie ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, 1758 Twenty Four Country Dances of the Year 1758 Rutherford spells this dance as "The Crocked Horn'd Ewe". Rutherford writes: The first Cu. Lead thro the 2d. Cu. & cross over into ye. 3d. Cu.s Place The 2d. does the same The 3d. Cu. casts off into their own Place, then the 3 Men turns their Partners & the first Cu. cross over two Cu. Lead up to the Top foot it & cast off Lead thro ye. 3d. Cu. cast up into ye. 2d. Cu.s Place & turn your Partner | |
| The De'il Amang the Tailors | Joseph Dale, [Unknown City], ~1799 Dale's Collection of Reels and Dances RSCDS Book 14 attributes this to Dale, in 1799, but I cannot find the original. However it was published by Cahusac in Cahusac's Annual Collection of Twelve favorite Country Dances With their Basses for the Year 1801 as The Devil among the Taylors., and he writes: The 1t. & 2d. sett all four & right hands across do the same back again lead down the middle up again & allemand hands 6 round | |
| Grant's Reel ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, 1751 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 6th The RSCDS attributes this dance to David Rutherford, but John Johnson published the same figure a few years earlier. He and Rutherford used the same words, and Rutherford is online. Rutherford writes: The first Man sets to the 2d. Wo. & turn her His Partner does the same with the 2d. Man Cross over 2 Cu. Lead up to the Top foot it & cast off · Back to Back with your Partner Right Hand and Left Quite round with the 2d. Couple ·· The instructions as printed by Rutherford do not work, they end with the 1s improper. To avoid this I have changed the cast off at the end of B1 to a cross and cast. The threes are idle. And the "cross 2 couple, lead to top" seems too much to fit in four bars. The dance cries out to be a duple minor (as is done in the Scottish interpretation). | |
| Jimmy's Fancy ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, ~1757 Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1st. and 2nd. Cu. hands across Left hands back again 1st. Cu. cast off. the Man hands round with the 3rd. and the Wo. with the 2nd. the 1st. Man heys with the 3rd. Cu. and the Wo. with the 2nd. Cu. Set contrary corners and turn lead thro' Bottom & Top and turn | |
| Keep the Country, Bonnie Lassie ~ RSCDS | John Rutherford, London, 1775‡ Rutherford's Compleat Collection of 200 of the most Celebrated Country Dances, both Old and New | |
| Lamb Skinnet ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, ~1757‡ Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1st. 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 | |
| Miss Nancy Frowns ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, ~1752 Two Hundred Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 8 May be found in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library online collection: Johnson Vol. 8. Johnson writes: First and 2d. Cu. foot Partners then foot sideways Cross over 2 Cu. Lead up to the Top and cast off the Man whole figure at Bottom and Wo. the same at top at the same time Hands across at Bottom Right and Left at Top The original music consists of a 4 bar A strain and an 8 bar B strain. The A music appears to be repeated 4 times, the B twice. Johnson's book is undated, Robert Keller provides 1752 as a date. The RSCDS attributes this dance to Thompson, 1755, but Johnson probably published the figure (the same words even) earlier. The RSCDS has changed Cross over 2 Cu. Lead up to the Top and cast off (which means, 1s cross by right, go below 2s, cross by left, go below 3s, then lead up and cast down) into a weaving pattern through the other couples which catches the spirit of the movement if not the exact nature of it. They also changed the figure of eights into reels, which basically follow the same tracks for the 1s but give the others something to do. Finally they have changed Right and Left at Top to a "left hands across". The right and left would have needed to fit into four bars, instead of the normal 8, and 70% of the time Johnson follows a right hands across with a left hands back, so RSCDS may be right to consider this a misprint. | |
| Push about the Jorum ~ RSCDS | Bride, London, 1775‡ Bride's Favorite Collection of Two Hundred Select Country Dances The RSCDS attributes this dance to Skillern, but Bride published the figure first, then Skillern, Longman & Broderip, and Thompson published it as well. The only one I can find is Thompson, who writes: The 1st. Lady turns the 3d. Gent 1st. Gent. turns the 3d. 1st. Lady Allemand Right & Left with the 2d Gent. at the same time the 1st. Gent. Allemands with the 2d Lady Sett 3 & 3 top & bottom the same sideways hands six round back again lead out sides The original music consisted of 3 eight bar strains, all repeated. | |
| She's Ower Young to Marry Yet ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, ~1757 Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1st. Cu. Foot it to the 2nd Wo. hands three round Foot it to the 2nd Man hands all four round lead down two Cu. and the 2nd. and 3rd. follows cross over and turn your Partner Rutherford published an earlier version of this dance: Foot it all four & Hands across quite Round Foot it and the same back again Gallop down the Middle & up again & Cast off Right Hand & Left | |
| What a Beau My Granny Was ~ RSCDS | Longman & Broderip, London, 1790‡ Longman and Broderip's Selection of...Country Dances, Reels &c. RSCDS Book 14 attributes this to Preston, ~1800, but Longman & Broderip published it in 1790. Longman & Broderip named the dance What a Beau Your Granny Was. As did Bland & Weber in 1797, Preston in 1798 and Dale in 1800. I can't find Longman & Broderip, but in ~1800, in Dale's Selection of the Most Favorite Country Dances and Reels (dance 17), Joseph Dale writes: The three Ladies lead round the three Gent: at the same time the three Gent: set and hands three round. | |
| Willie with his Tartan Trews ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, 1750 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 5th Johnson published this in his 5th volume of Country Dances (1750), and Rutherford published essentially the same figure in 1759. Both Johnson and Rutherford spell this dance as "Willie with his tartan Trues". The RSCDS credits this dance to Rutherford Rutherford writes: Hey Contrary sides Hey on your Own sides Cross over two Couple Lead up to Top, foot it And Cast off Foot it Corners & turn Foot it the Other Corners & turn Lead out Each side & turn your Partner |
| The Camp of Pleasure | Platt, London, 1791 Six Cotillions and 12 Country Dances, for the Year 1791 RSCDS Book 15 says "from an old book of Scottish and Irish Dances (title page lost)." Longman & Broderip published Platt's Six Cotillions and 12 Country Dances, for the Year 1791 which contains a dance with this name and essentially this figure (according to Robert Keller's site. In 1792 Bland and Longman & Broderip published a different figure giving it the same name. | |
| Campbell's Frolic ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, 1751 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 6th Johnson published this in his 6th volume of Country Dances (1751), and Rutherford copied him word for word in 1756. The RSCDS credits this dance to Rutherford. Both Johnson and Rutherford spell this dance as "Campbel's Frolick". Rutherford writes: Foot it all 4 and Hands across & cast off The same with the 3d. Cu. Lead up to the Top foot it & cast off Hands round all 6 & turn your Partner | |
| The Gates of Edinburgh ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, ~1756 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford writes: Hey contrary sides Hey on your own sides Then the Man falls in at Bottom & the Wo. falls In at Top Foot it all six & turn your own Partner Then the Wo. falls in of the Man's side & the Man on the Woman's side foot it all 6 & turn yr. Partner | |
| Theeket Hoose ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, ~1757‡ Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1st. Cu. gallop down two Cu. up again and cast off the 2d. Cu. do the same the two Men lead between the two We. and turn the We. do the same between the two Men the 1st. Cu. heys with the 2d. Wo then with the 2d Man cross over half figure Right and Left |
| The Birks of Invermay | Thomas Skillern, London, 1776‡ Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances | |
| The Duke of Atholl's Reel | Thomas Skillern, London, ~1776‡ Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances | |
| Struan Robertson's Reel | John Rutherford, London, 1775‡ Rutherford's Compleat Collection of 200 of the most Celebrated Country Dances, both Old and New, Vol. 3 The dance was originally published in 1771, presumably in a "Twenty four country dances for the Year 1771", a work now lost. |
| Bob Sanders | Cahusac, London, 1758‡ Cahusac's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1758 | |
| Bonnie Kate of Aberdeen ~ RSCDS | Thompson, London, 1771 24 Country Dances for the Year 1771 Thompson writes: Hey contrary sides Hey your own sides cross over 2 Cu. Lead up the middle and cast off Hands 6 round and right and left at Top | |
| Captain MacBean's Reel | Thompson, London, 1757 Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1st. Cu. half figure down on their own sides and turn the same up again and turn Gallop down and up and cast off Right hands and Left The standard progression is a little tricky here. I have the 1s pass both 2s and 3s in the final rights and lefts. | |
| The Countess of Crawford's Reel | Johnson, London, ~1754†‡ Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II RSCDS Book 17 attributes this to "Caledonian Country Dances", 1754. Walsh published books with "Caledonian Country Dances" in their titles in about 1735, 1737, 1740, 1745, 1748, 1751 and 1755, and Johnson published one in 1750. None of these works contains a dance with anything approaching this name. Note: RSCDS Book 10, for the dance The Lady's Breist Knot has a more nearly complete attribution: "Jno Johnson Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II, c. 1754" but I still can't find it. Note: RSCDS Book 28, for the dance Not I contains the comment "The source given is Caledonian Country Dances, 1754 but attempts to trace this manuscript have been unsuccessful. | |
| Keppoch's Rant ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, 1750 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 5th Johnson published this in his 5th volume of Country Dances (1750), and Rutherford published essentially the same figure in 1756. The RSCDS credits this dance to Rutherford Rutherford writes: Hands four all round with the 2d Couple & cast off The same with the 3d Couple foot it & right Hand & left up into the 2d Couple's Place. & turn your Partner Hands round all six & turn your Partner Rutherford's music has a 4 bar A part and an 8 bar B, both repeated. | |
| The Perthshire Highlanders | William Campbell, London, ~1796†‡ Campbell's 11th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels The RSCDS attributes this to William Campbell, and he did devise and publish a dance named The Perthshire Highlanders, but I can't check whether the figure matches. | |
| A Trip to Aberdeen ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, 1759 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 2 Rutherford writes: First Man cast off and turn the 3d. Wo: First Woman cast off and turn the 3d. Man Hands round 6 that back again foot it corners and turn Lead out sides and turn The big problem I have with interpreting this dance is what to make of the strain markers ( , , and . Given the variety of the markers I would expect the tune to have three strains, each to be played twice. But Rutherford prints a rather standard jig with an A and B strain both repeated. Is one of the strains to be repeated four times? AAAABB? but if so why not use , and for the third and fourth markers? I suppose AABBAA could be intended but that doesn't seem likely to me either. AAABBB really doesn't match the markers. The RSCDS interpretation suggests that first four marks should each represent half a strain, and in other dances Rutherford seems to take a relaxed approach to what the marks mean. And it does seem likely this is a normal 32 bar jig given how the music is printed. |
| Johnny Groat's House ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, ~1756 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 The RSCDS interpretation of this dance is basically the same as the original, the only difference being that the circle six, might just have been a circle left. Rutherford writes: The first Cu. Gallop down one Cu. & up again And cast off The same with the 3d. Cu. and Cast off Hands round all six Lead up To the Top Foot it and cast off Johnson published a dance titled Johnny Grot's House in 1750, but with a different figure. | |
| Lady Auckland's Reel | William Campbell, London, ~1793†‡ Campbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels The RSCDS attributes this to William Campbell, and he did devise and publish a dance named Lady Auckland's Reel, but I can't check whether the figure matches. | |
| Lady Louisa MacDonald's Strathspey | William Boag, London, 1797†‡ A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers | |
| Prince of Wales | William Campbell, London, 1795†‡ Campbell's 10th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels Although my copy of RSCDS Book 18 gives no attribution for this dance, both the Scottish Country Dance Dictionary, and the Scottish Country Dance Database attribute this dance to William Campbell, 1795. According to the Regency Dance site's paper on Campbell's dances, Campbell never published a dance called Prince of Wales, but in 1795 he did publish (and indeed devised) a dance called The Princess of Wales's Strathspey, perhaps that is the origin of this dance. (I do not have access to Campbell's book to check the figure so I can't be sure. This is one of the few books by Campbell which can actually be dated, he took it in to the Stationer's Hall in 1795 to register the copyright. |
| The Alewife and her Barrel ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, 1750 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 5th Johnson published this in his 5th volume of Country Dances (1750), and Rutherford publishes essentially the same figure in 1756. Both Johnson and Rutherford spell "alewife" as "ale wife". Rutherford is online, so... Rutherford writes: Cast off & turn your Partner Cast up again & turn Foot it & Hands across The same Back again First Man set to the second Wo. & turn her First Woman does the same Cross over figure In & Right Hand & Left | |
| 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. | |
| Lochiel's Rant ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, ~1756 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 On page 64 Rutherford writes: The first Man sets to the 2d. Wo. & turns her with his right Hand, & his Partner with his Left First Wo. does the same Lead down between the 2d. Cou. & without Side the 3d. turn your Partner, lead up to the Top, foot it, & cast off foot it Corners & turn foot it ye other Corners & turn yr. own Partner The music consists of a four bar strain and an eight bar one. They both need to be played at four counts per bar to fit in all the movements. | |
| New Park | Bishop, London, 1788‡ Six New Minuets and Twelve Country Dances for the year 1788 | |
| A Trip to Holland | William Campbell, London, ~1793†‡ Campbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels According to the the Regency Dance site William Campbell published a dance with this name but whether its figure matches the RSCDS's, I cannot say. Straight & Skillern published a dance with this name in 1769, but its figure does not match. | |
| Two and Two | Thompson, London, 1763‡ Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1763 Thompson writes: Set to your partner and turn foot it sides and turn Hands round Back to Back all 4 Gallop down one Cu: up again and cast off |
| Captain McBride's Hornpipe ~ RSCDS | William Campbell, London, ~1795 Campbell's 10th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels Campbell writes: The 1st. Lady sets to the 2d. Gent & turn at the same time the 1st. Gent sets to the 2d. Lady & turn The 1st. Lady set to the 3d. Gent & turn Lead up to the top & foot it & cast off hands 4 round & back again Right & Left at top Campbell titles this Admiral McBride's Hornpipe, and he is said to be its devisor. The interpretation seems close to the original. | |
| The College Hornpipe - RSCDS | William Boag, London, 1797 A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers | |
| The Drummer - Rutherford ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, ~1756 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford writes: The first Cu. sets to the 2d. Wo. & Hands round all three The same to the Man Hands round all four with the 2d. Cu. Right Hand & Left into the 2d. Cu.s place Foot it Corners & turn Hey Contrary sides Foot it to your Partner and turn it out | |
| Miss Bennet's Jig | 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 (well, he spelled Jig with two "g"s). Whether the figure matches I cannot check. The Regency Site claims that Mr. Pollock was the devisor. | |
| Miss Burns's Reel | William Campbell, London, ~1788†‡ Campbell's Third Collection of the newest and most favorite Country Dances & Cotillions The RSCDS attributes this dance to William Campbell. According to the the Regency Dance site Campbell never published a dance called "Miss Burns's Reel". He did publish one called "Miss Weddenburns Reel" and perhaps that is what was intended. Whether the figure matches I cannot check. | |
| Miss Devon's Reel | D. Mackenzie, London, 1795‡ Campbell's 10th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels The RSCDS attributes this dance to William Campbell, and he did publish it, but he attributes it to "D. Mackenzie". On page 17 of book 10, Campbell writes: The 1st. & 2d. Cu Reel on the Ladys side the same on the Gents. side the 1st. Cu. lead down the middle up again to the top and Allemande. The music consists of a four bar strain and an eight bar strain. I assume it is intended to be played AABB. I think the RSCDS's interpretations of the reels is unlikely, given how crowded that would make the duple minor set. | |
| Miss Jessie Dalyrymple's Reel | T. Straight, [Unknown City], 1783 24 Favourite Dances the Year 1783 Straight writes: The 1st & 2d Cu set & change sides back again hands across quite round back again cross over 1 Cu right & left at top | |
| Miss Ogilvie's Fancy | William Campbell, London, 1795‡ Campbell's 10th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels On page 24 of book 10, Campbell writes: The 1st. & 2d. Cu Poussette quite round to their own places Lead down the middle up again hands 4 round at bottom Right & Left at top. The music consists of an eight bar strain and a sixteen bar strain. I assume it is intended to be played AAB. Campbell spells the dance "Miss Ogleves Fancy". | |
| Quiet and Snug ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, ~1756 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford writes: The first Cu. sets to the 2d Wo. and turns his own Partner Then sets to the 2d Man & turn his Own Partner Gallop down the Middle & up again And cast off Right Hand & Left Johnson and Walsh earlier published dances with this name, but a different figure. This is almost the same as the original, except that, in turning the music into a strathspey, the two hand turns have become turn twice rather than once. | |
| Up in the Air | William Boag, London, 1797†‡ A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers | |
| 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. |
| An' Thou Wert My Only Dear | Thompson, London, ~1757‡ Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson calls this dance And thou wart mine only Dear, and writes: The 1st. Cu heys with the 2d. Wo. then with the 2d. Man the 1st. Cu lead down one Cu cast up and turn then the 2d Cu. lead up and cast off and turn the 1st. Man set across and turn the Wo. do the same Gallop down and up cast off Right Hands and Left The music is a jig with two eight bar strains. From Thompson's markings I'm guessing it should be played ABABABAB. | |
| The Braes of Breadalbane | Thomas Skillern, London, 1795‡ Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1795 | |
| Marchioness of Blandford's Reel ~ RSCDS | William Campbell, London, ~1795 Campbell's 10th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels Campbell writes: 1st. Cu set & change sides Back again — Lead down the middle up again to the top then 1st. & 2d. Cu hands across half round back again — Poussette quite round with the 2d. Cu hands 6 round Allemande. Where does Campbell mean the progression to happen? set & change sides Back again is not progressive. What about Lead down the middle up again to the top? The "up again to top" does sound as if it returns the 1s to their original places. Yet if you look at Campbell's The new German Waltze (also in book 10) you will see him use those same words where that is the only move which could be progressive. So I conclude that neither Poussette quite round nor Allemande is progressive. Campbell's hands 6 round suggests a 3 couple dance, but all the other figures are either for the 1s+2s or the 1s alone, Changing the circle six to circle four easily makes for a 2 couple dance. | |
| Within a Mile o Edinburgh Toon | Cahusac, London, 1795‡ Cahusac's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1795 John Young (Playford) published a dance called 'Twas Within a Furlong of Edinborough Town in 1696, but its figure does not match this one. Cahusac published Within a Mile of Edenburgh in 1795 with a figure which does match. The RSCDS attributes this to Skillern (with the SCDDB giving a date of 1795). I am aware of two dance books published by Skillern in 1795 (For the Year 1795 Twelve Country Dances & Cotillions, and Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1795) and neither contains a dance with a name like this one. Nor can I find any dances with a name like this in any of the other works by Skillern of which I'm aware. The RSCDS may know of other works, or they may have changed the name beyond my ability to guess. |
| Balquidder Strathspey | John Rutherford, London, ~1775‡ Rutherford's Compleat Collection of 200 of the most Celebrated Country Dances, both Old and New, Vol. 3 |
| The Deacon of the Weavers | Robert Bremner, London, 1769‡ For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances Robert Bremner writes: The first and 2d. Cu: foot it and right and left half round the same back again lead down two Cu. up again ℵ cast off set corners lead outsides and turn | |
| Miss Brown's Reel | Bartholomew Cooke, Dublin, 1796‡ Cooke's Selection of the Present Favorite Country Dances for the Year 1796 The Scottish Country Dance Dictionary attributes this to "F Gilruth". In his Cooke's Selection of the Preset Favorite Country Dances for the Year 1796 (Dublin), Cooke writes: Change Sid: & Back again Down the mid: up again. Cast off & turn your Part: |
| The Frisky | Thompson, London, 1774‡ Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1774 The Scottish Country Dance Dictionary and the Scottish Country Dance Database attribute this to Bremner, but there is no dance of that name in the one book by him that I have access to. However, it does appear in Thompson's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1774: Turn Right hands & cast off 1 Cu. turn Left & cast off below 3d Cu. hands round 6 lead up to the top foot it & cast off | |
| 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 . |
| Duchess of York | Preston, London, 1797†‡ Preston's New Country Dances | |
| La Flora | Monro, [Unknown City], ~1790 Monro's Country Dances | |
| Miss Murray of Lintrose | John Bowie, Perth, 1789 A Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances John Bowie calls this dance Miss Murray Lintrose, writes: Cast back one Couple Almand half round; cast back another Couple Almand half round; Lead up the middle cast of: Lead down one Couple & cast up one Couple: first Lady Almand with 2d. Gent: first Gent. Almand with 2d. Lady: | |
| Nineteenth of December | Thomas Collett, London, 1775†‡ Twenty four New Country Dances. Published by Subscription | |
| Sally's Fancy | David Rutherford, London, ~1750‡ Rutherford's Choice Collection of Sixty of the most Celebrated Country Dances Rutherford (on page 55, dance 109) writes: Gallop down one Cu: up again & cast off down another Cu: up again & Cast off Hands round 6 back again Lead to the top & cast off Right & Left at top The music consists of three four bar strains. Playford published (and Walsh copied) a Salley's Fancy in 1718, but the figure is different. |
| Not I | Johnson, London, ~1754†‡ Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II |
| Land o' Cakes | G. Goulding, London, 1793‡ Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793 Goulding spells the title The Land of Cakes. The adaptation is rather loose. |
| The Bawk | Alexander Bowman, [Unknown City], ~1750† Bowman MS | |
| The Cadies Lady | Alexander Bowman, [Unknown City], ~1750† Bowman MS | |
| Collichur | Alexander Bowman, [Unknown City], ~1750† Bowman MS | |
| Short and Sweet | John Rutherford, London, 1775‡ Rutherford's Compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances, both old and new, Vol. 3 Thomas Bray published a dance with this name in 1699, but its figure is very different. Walsh published a different figure in 1745. John Rutherford published a figure which seems to match the RSCDS version in 1775. |
| Over the Water to Charlie (New Way) | John Wilson, [Unknown City], ~1750† John Wilson's Aide Memoire The Castle Menzies Register of Dances also contains a dance called O'er the Watter to Charly but it's figure does not match this one. Thomas Wilson also published dances with this name, but again, none matches this figure. Elias Howe, in Boston, also published a dance with this name. |
| Downie's Humour | Johnson, London, ~1752‡ Two Hundred Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 8 Johnson writes: Hands 4 across quite round the same back again 1st. Man foot it to the 2d. Wo and turn 1st. Wo do the same 1st. Cu. lead down two Cu. and cast up one lead thro' the 2d. Cu. and cast off hands 4 round at Bottom Right and Left at top Johnson's music consists of two 8 bar strains Thompson also published this figure in 1757 | |
| The Duke of Roxburgh's Reel | Thomas Skillern, London, ~1776‡ Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances | |
| Espie McNabb ~ RSCDS | David Rutherford, London, 1759 Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 2 Rutherford calls this dance Epie McNabb, and writes: All the Company foot it & change sides Foot it & change sides back again First Cou. cast off & turn Hands round all Six | |
| The Fife Hunt | Longman and Broderip, London, ~1790‡ Longman and Broderip's Selection of Country Dances, Reels &c. Many figures were set to this tune, but this one appears to have been first published by either Longman and Broderip or William Campbell, both in about 1790. In 1793 Preston published the same figure: Cast off 2 Cu: up again. Lead down the middle up again & cast off. turn corners & lead out sides | |
| Gramachie | Straight & Skillern, London, ~1775 204 Favourite Country Dances Straight & Skillernhttps://imslp.org/wiki/204_Favourite_Country_Dances_(Various) calls this dance Gramachree, and writes: 1st. and 2d. Cu. set & change sides the same back again lead down the middle up again & cast off lead out each side | |
| Kiss under the Stairs | David Rutherford, London, 1756‡ Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford writes: The first Cu. cast off & Hands round with the 3d. Cu: Cast up Again & Hands round with the 2d. Cu: Gallop down two Cu. Up again cast off & turn Lead thro' the 3d. Cu. cast up into the 2d. Couple's Place & turn your Partner | |
| Newington Assembly | Wilkie, London, 1794‡ The Ladies' Pocket-Book for the Year 1794 According to Robert Keller's site the original description for this dance is "hands across, lead down and up, poussette". | |
| Odd Thoughts | T. Straight, [Unknown City], 1783 24 Favourite Dances the Year 1783 Straight writes: Change sides & back again lead down the middle up again & cast off allemand with the right & left hand hands 6 quite round |
| The Blithest Lass that ever was Seen | Thompson, London, ~1757‡ Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I Thompson writes: The 1st. Cu. foot it cast off one Cu the Man cast off the 3d. Cu. and the Wo. cast up meet in the Middle and turn hands the 1st. Cu. fall in at top and bottom and foot it all six fall in Sides and foot it all six and turn set contrary Corners and turn lead thro' sides and turn The original music consisted of two eight bar strains in jig time. | |
| Bonnie Geordie's Wig | G. Goulding, London, 1793‡ Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793 | |
| Bonnie Kitty | Thompson, London, 1762‡ Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1762 Thompson writes: Foot it 4 change sides and clap Hands 3 times same back again cross over two Cu: lead to the top cast off and clap Hands 3 times Hands round four at bottom right & left at top clap hands 3 times The original music consisted of a four bar strain and an eight bar strain in 2/4 time. | |
| The Countess of Sutherland's Reel | Preston, London, 1797‡ Preston's Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1797 | |
| Edinburgh Jigs | David Rutherford, London, ~1756‡ Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 Rutherford writes: the first Man cast off & turn the 3d. Wo. and stand in the 2d. Man place The first Wo. does the same to the 3d. Man & stand in the 2d. Wos. place Hand round all six Right Hand and Left at Top Rutherford spells the title "Edinburgh Jigg" rather than "Jigs". | |
| Happy Returns | Anonymous, 1794 The Ladies' Pocket-Book for the Year 1794 The RSCDS gives no source for this dance, but Robert Keller's site says The Ladies' Pocket-Book for the Year 1794 contained a dance which consisted of two reels, lead down the middle, back and cast off, and then rights and lefts. | |
| Hooper's Jig ~ RSCDS | Johnson, London, 1751 A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 6th Rutherford published the same figure a few years later, and used the same words. His work is online. Rutherford writes: The first Couple Clap & cast off & Hands across with the 3d. Cu. Clap & cast up & Hands across with the 2d. Cu. Cross over figure in Right Hand & Left Both of them spell the name "Hooper's Jigg" (with two "g"s). | |
| The Lads of Saltcoats | David Rutherford, London, ~1759‡ Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 2 Rutherford spells this dance "Lads of Saltcots" and writes: The first Cu. Hey with the 2d. Man Then with the 2d Wo. Gallop down the middle up again & cast off Right & Left at Top | |
| Lord Eglinton's Reel | Longman & Broderip, London, 1791‡ Eighteen of the newest and most Favorite Country Dances for the year 1791 The Thompsons published a dance with this name in ~1757, but it's figure does not match. Cooke republished it in 1797. Longman & Broderip in 1791 published a figure which mostly matches. Goulding, in 1801 published yet another figure. According to Robert Keller's site Longman & Broderip's figure is "cast, cast, lead down and up, cast circle, rights and lefts", which is the same as the RSCDS figure except for the last 8 bars. | |
| McLachlan's Reel | Thomas Skillern, London, ~1776‡ Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances Skillern spells the title "Mc. Lachlan's Reel" | |
| The New Highland Laddie | David Rutherford, London, ~1756‡ Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1 | |
| The New Town of Edinburgh | Robert Bremner, London, 1769‡ For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances Miss Milligan's Miscellany 2 says the tune for this dance comes from Bremner, but it doesn't mention that the figure also does. Robert Bremner writes: The first and Second Couple foot it and change sides the same back again foot it all four Right hands across foot it Left hands back again lead down two couple foot it to your partner lead up to the Top foot it and cast off hands Round four with the third Couple Right and Left at Top | |
| Sandy o'er the Lea | Thomas Skillern, London, ~1776‡ Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances | |
| What You Please - Skillern ~ RSCDS | Thomas Skillern, London, 1780‡ Skillern's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1780 The RSCDS attributes this to Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1781 but according to Robert Keller the 1781 publication contains on such dance, however, the 1780 publication did. So I presume someone miscopied the date. Playford published a dance with this name in 1657, but it has a completely different figure. Skillern writes: First and 2d. Cu Set change & Right hands across The same back again & Left hands across lead down the middle up again and cast off Hands 4 at bottom Right and Left at top The music consists of two 8 bar strains of a jig. |
| London | 113 |
| [Unknown] | 9 |
| Scotland | 4 |
| Dublin | 2 |
| Edinburgh | 2 |
| Perth | 2 |
| Boston, MA | 1 |
| 1750-1799 | 133 |
| Bishop | Six New Minuets and Twelve Country Dances for the year 1788, London, 1788. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the British Library. |
| William Boag | A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers, London, about 1797. I don't know where to find it. |
| John Bowie | A Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances, Perth, 1789. May be found in the British Library |
| Alexander Bowman | Bowman MS, about 1750. May be found in the Laing Collection of the University of Edinburgh |
| Robert Bremner | A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances, Edinburgh, about 1765. May be found at Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen |
| " | For the Year 1769. A Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances, London, 1769. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh |
| Bride | Bride's Favorite Collection of Two Hundred Select Country Dances, London, 1775. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Dundee Public Library. |
| Longman and Broderip | Longman and Broderip's Selection of Country Dances, Reels &c. , London, about 1790. I don't know where to find it. |
| Cahusac | Cahusac's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1758, London, 1758. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. |
| " | Cahusac's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1795, London, 1795. I don't know where to find it. |
| William Campbell | Campbell's Third Collection of the newest and most favorite Country Dances & Cotillions, London, about 1788. May be found at the Cardiff University Library |
| " | Campbell's Fourth Collection of the newest and most Favorite Country Dances & Cotillions, London, about 1789. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, NY, Vault M. |
| " | Campbell's Eighth Collection of the newest & most favorite Country Dances and Reels, London, about 1793. I don't know where to find it. |
| " | Campbell's 10th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels, London, about 1795 |
| " | Campbell's 11th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels, London, about 1796. May be found in the Havard University Library |
| " | Campbell's 14th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels, London, about 1799 |
| Thomas Collett | Twenty four New Country Dances. Published by Subscription, London, 1775. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the British Library. |
| Bartholomew Cooke | Cooke's Selection of the Present Favorite Country Dances for the Year 1796, Dublin, 1796 |
| Joseph Dale | Dale's Collection of Reels and Dances, about 1799. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, NY, Vault MD. |
| M. J. C. Fraisier | The Scholars Companion: Containing A Choice Collection Of Cotillons & Country-Dances, Boston, MA, about 1796 |
| 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. 5th, London, 1750. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Library of Congress. |
| " | A Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 6th, London, 1751. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, Harding Mus. |
| " | Two Hundred Favourite Country Dances, Vol. 8, London, about 1752. Found in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (EFDSS, Cecil Sharp House). |
| " | Caledonian Country Dances Vol. II, London, about 1754. I don't know where to find it. |
| Longman & Broderip | Longman and Broderip's Third Selection of...Country Dances, Reels &c., London, 1790. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Sandeman Public Libraery, Perth. |
| " | Longman and Broderip's Selection of...Country Dances, Reels &c., London, 1790. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. |
| " | Longman and Broderip's Fourth Selection of...Country Dances, Reels &c., London, 1790. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, Mus. |
| " | Eighteen of the newest and most Favorite Country Dances for the year 1791, London, 1791. May be found in the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library |
| Monro | Monro's Country Dances, about 1790. I don't know where to find it. |
| Platt | Six Cotillions and 12 Country Dances, for the Year 1791, London, 1791. I don't know where to find it. |
| Preston | Twenty four Country-Dances for the Year 1786, London, 1786. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the British Library |
| " | Preston's Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1793, London, 1793. Found in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (EFDSS, Cecil Sharp House). |
| " | Preston's New Country Dances, London, 1797. I don't know where to find it. |
| " | Preston's Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1797, London, 1797. Found in the European Register of Microform and Digital Masters in Germany. |
| David Rutherford | Rutherford's Choice Collection of Sixty of the most Celebrated Country Dances, London, about 1750. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the National Library of Ireland, Dublin |
| " | Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 1, London, 1756 |
| " | Twenty Four Country Dances of the Year 1758, London, 1758. May be found in the Library of Congress, and the Havard University Library |
| " | Rutherford's compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances both Old and New, Vol. 2, London, about 1759. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the National Library of Ireland, Dublin |
| John Rutherford | Twelve Selected Country Dances for the Year 1772, London, 1772 |
| " | Rutherford's Compleat Collection of 200 of the most Celebrated Country Dances, both Old and New, Vol. 3, London, 1775. May be found in Bibliothèque nationale de France, or Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Stuttgart |
| " | Rutherford's Compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances, both old and new, Vol. 3, London, 1775. I don't know where to find it. |
| " | Rutherford's Compleat Collection of 200 of the most Celebrated Country Dances, both Old and New, London, 1775. I don't know where to find it. |
| 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. |
| " | Skillern's Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1780, London, 1780 |
| " | Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1795, London, 1795. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Dundee Public Library. |
| Neil Stewart | A Collection of the Newest and Best Reels or Country Dances, Edinburgh, about 1761. May be found in the British Library |
| T. Straight | 24 Favourite Dances the Year 1783, 1783 |
| Straight & Skillern | 204 Favourite Country Dances, London, about 1775. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, Mus. |
| Thompson | Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol I, London, about 1757 |
| " | Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1762, London, 1762 |
| " | Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1763, London, 1763. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the British Library |
| " | Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1770, London, 1770. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. |
| " | Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol II, London, about 1770. Found in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (EFDSS, Cecil Sharp House). |
| " | 24 Country Dances for the Year 1771, London, 1771. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, Mus. |
| " | Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1774, London, 1774. Found in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (EFDSS, Cecil Sharp House). |
| " | Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, Vol 5, London, about 1786 |
| Walsh | Caledonian Country Dances, London, about 1760 |
| " | Country Dances Selected, Part 1, London, 1760. I don't know where to find it. |
| 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. |
| Wilkie | The Ladies' Pocket-Book for the Year 1794, London, 1794. Robert Keller's site says this may be found in the Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University |
| John Wilson | John Wilson's Aide Memoire, about 1750. RSCDS Archives |
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.