Dunedin members like to write new dances for special events and social occasions.
This is a collection of some of the more recent compositions, and includes Dunedin Ruby,
written to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the group.
| St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh |
4 x 32J Square set |
Dance devised by Tim Bolton-Maggs in November 2008 to commemorate the restoration
of St Andrew's Square and its opening to the public.
Tune: A Tribute to Tim Bolton-Maggs, by Doreen McKerron |
| The Glasgow Reel |
8 x 32R |
Dance devised by Jen Wood for the 50th anniversary of the Glasgow University Scottish
Country Dance Club in February 2005. |
| Troublesome Threesomes |
3 x 48S |
Dance devised by Remco Knooihuizen. |
| Merchiston Castle Jig |
4 x 32J |
Dance devised by Ian Brockbank for the wedding of Katy Thompson and Andrew Gray on
2lst August 2004 and performed at the ensuing celebrations in Merchiston
Castle School
Tune: Katy and Andrew's Wedding Jig by Alastair Wood |
| The Animals Lit Up Two by Two |
4 x 40R |
Dance devised by Rachel Wignall for the wedding of Fiona Welland and Stephen
Brockbank at Carbisdale Castle, on 20th February 2010.
Fiona is a vet, and Stephen works with lighting, hence the name. |
| Triskelion |
3 x 32R +
3 x 32R Triangular set |
Dance devised by Ian Brockbank for Clare Lyddon and Peter Edwards
on the occasion of their wedding on 16th March 2002. |
| The Flight of the Teale |
8 x 32R |
Dance devised by Stewart Adam for David Teale, on his 60th birthday.
Tune: David Teale's Reel by Graeme Munro |
| The Collingwood Oaks |
8 x 32S |
Dance devised by Jen Wood in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the
death of Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood on 7th March 1810.
Collingwood was known to carry acorns to plant on country walks, in the hope
of ensuring that the navy would always have a supply of oak for building
ships. |
| Swiss Chocolate |
4 x 32R |
Dance devised by Rachel Robson. It was presented to Nicole Frey and
Adrian Buchel at their wedding in Ittinger Switzerland on 16th August 2003. |
| Deb's Christmas Cracker |
4 x 32J |
Dance devised by Kevin Lees. Both dance and tune were a Christmas present
(from a hard up student) for his mother, Deb Lees.
Tune: Deb's Christmas Cracker by Kevin Lees |
| The Badgers Dance |
5 x 48R Square Set |
Dance devised by Rachel Robson in May 2005 for Yoshimi Kuroda,
with many thanks for piping at Rachel's and Neil Wignall's wedding.
The dance is named for the badgers that Yoshimi was studying at the time. |
| Dunedin Ruby |
5 x 40R |
Dance devised by Stewart Adam, 2011.
It commemorates the 40th anniversary of Dunedin Dancers, which was created so
that members could reciprocate invitations to folk dance festivals
by organising one of their own.
Tune: Stroppy Struan by Graeme Munro |
| Culduthel Rant |
8 x 32S |
Dance devised by Helen Murray for her grandson Douglas Hector Murray MacDonald,
born on 3rd July 2009. Douglas and his parents, Lorna and Kenneth,
live on Culduthel Road, Inverness. |
| Vallay Sound |
4 x 32J |
Dance devised by Jim Gardner.
Bhalaigh is the proper spelling of this area in North Uist that
Jim and Fiona like to visit. |
| The Hot Cross Bun |
8 x 32R or 3 x 32R |
Dance devised by Remco Knooihuizen on the occasion of
Linda Garside's 30th birthday.
Tune: Leftovers by Sheena Ferguson |
| Speedy Thomas |
8 x 32H (2 couple dance) |
Dance devised by Jen Wood for Elke Muller, an enthusiast of naval history
and a great admirer of Captain Thomas Cochrane, who with his brig
Speedy captured the much larger Spanish frigate El Gamo on 6th May 1801. |
| A Jig for Jim and Joe
| 5 x 32J |
Dance devised by Stewart Adam for Jim Gardner and Joe Wake, for a
celebration to mark their 70th birthdays.
It can also be danced with 7 couples to represent their 70 years. |
| Three Score By Four |
4 x 32S |
Dance devised by Stewart Adam and Jim Gardner to celebrate the sixtieth
birthdays of four friends from Dunedin Dancers; Margaret MacArthur,
Billy McLean, Pamela Malton, and Janet Marchand.
Tune: The Windlestrae Ceilidh by J M Smith |
In memory
of John Bowie Dickson (1919 - 1998), a wonderful friend to Dunedin
Dancers. This book was prepared to celebrate John's life and the
dances he created. A donation is made to St. Columba's Hospice,
Edinburgh, from the sale of each book.
The book also includes the original tunes 'Johnny Dickson's Hornpipe'
[for the reel Edinburgh's Welcome] , 'The Dickson's Strathspey'
[for the strathspey The Kestrel ] and a slow air 'John Bowie Dickson '
written by Moira Reekie ©
| Reel
of the Puffins |
4
x 32R |
For the
wedding of Katie Fallas and Iain Roxburgh in August 1998.
Katie and Iain met while dancing and watching puffins in the
Faroes with Dunedin Dancers. Tune 'The Black Bear'. |
| The
Purple Heather Jig |
4
x 40J |
A variation
on the White Heather Jig by James B Cosh. |
| Chris
in the Kitchen |
8
x 32R |
For Chris
Adam who has spent much time in charge of catering for several
international festivals run by Dunedin Dancers. |
| The
Janeil Strathspey |
3
x 32S |
For the
wedding of Jane and Neil Duncan from Caribou, BC, in March
1995. Tune 'The Janeil' Strathspey or 'Music of the Spey'. |
| The
Three Millstones |
5
x 32R |
For demonstration
with the groups visiting the international festival run by
Dunedin Dancers in 1995. |
| Hurlygush |
4
x 32J |
Hurlygush
is the sound of a running burn. |
| The
Blainslie Fancy |
8
x 32R |
For Robert
and Marjorie Hamilton from Blainslie in the Scottish Borders. |
| The
Perfect Blend |
4
x 32R |
For the
wedding of Rosalie Wilkie and Jan Van outrive in April 1996. |
| Mince
and Tatties |
3
x 32S |
|
| The
Hoolet |
4
x 32R |
For Fiona
Gardner's 40th birthday. Fiona is very fond of owls, and has
a large collection. |
| Dunedin
Quadrille |
32
circle |
Tune
'The Danish Quadrille' and 'A Trip to Bavaria'. |
| Edinburgh's
Welcome |
4
x 32R square |
For demonstration
with the groups visiting the international festival run by
Dunedin Dancers in 1997. |
| Moira's
Majority |
8
x 32R |
For Moira
Fallas's 21st birthday. |
| Stephen's
Strathspey |
5
x 32S |
For Stephen
Gibson. |
| Auld
Acquaintance |
8
x 32R |
Tune
'Waverley Steps'. |
| The
Buchan Lass |
4
x 32J |
For the
wedding of Lori and Jay Conant from New Hampshire, in 1978.
Tune 'The Directors'. |
| Tak
Tent |
5
x 32R |
For the
10th wedding anniversary of Morag and Nigel Fairhead in 1998. |
| Katie's
Ceilidh |
8
x 32R |
For Katie
Fallas's 21st birthday. |
| The
Kestrel |
3
x 32S |
For Stewart
Adam's 50th birthday. The party was held at The Kestrel, Balerno. |
| The
Cleikum Crozier |
8
x 32R |
For Innerleithen
Scottish Country Dance Club. The Cleikum Crozier is the staff
carried in the St. Ronan's Day Pageant in Innerleithen, Tweeddale. |
| The
Highland Midge |
4
x 32J |
Culicoides
Impunctatus, 1995. Tune 'Cavehill'. |
| Late
in the Day |
8
x 40R |
For the
25th wedding anniversary of Denise and Ken Fallas in 1997.
They were mystified by the title. |
| Two
Roses |
8
x 32S |
For the
wedding of Cathy Clowes and Donald Harley in September 1994. |
| The
Odd Couple |
5
x 32R square |
For Tony
and Betty Moretti from New Hampshire. Tune 'Jean's Reel'.
|
Dunedin Dances
4 was published in 1995 and is dedicated to Donnie Muirhead who
died in March 1994 at the age of 38. He was a much loved and respected
member of Dunedin Dancers and was chairman from 1989 to 1993.
"We miss his humour and keen interest in everyone".
| The
Chairman |
8
x 32R |
By John
Bowie Dickson in fond memory of Donnie Muirhead. The tunes
'Donnie Muirhead's Reel' and 'Sarah Muirhead's Reel', by Iain
MacPhail 1994, are published here. |
| Troy's
Wedding |
4
x 48J |
By Peter
Hastings. First performed (in a slightly different form) at
a dance in March 1993 to celebrate the wedding of Cathy Hassell
and Winston Sweatman. The tunes are long-time favourites of
Peter's which he felt deserved a dance of their own. Tunes
'Troy's Wedding' and 'Scarce o' Tatties'. |
| The
Mill of Towie |
8
x 32S |
By Ian
Brockbank. The Mill of Towie is a 19th century oatmeal mill
(still in operation as a museum) beside the River Isla in
Banffshire. Tune 'The Old Road to Towie' (Speyside Book) or
'Milladen'. |
| The
Maltings Jig |
8
x 32J |
By Martin
Watson to celebrate the wedding of Elizabeth Wade and Nicholas
Royle in April 1993. |
| The
One O'Clock Canon |
160R
(5x32 music, 64 dance) |
By Ian
Brockbank after an idea by Caroline Bradshaw. The 'One O'Clock
Gun' can be heard daily at 1pm in Edinburgh, when a gun is
fired from the castle. The music 'The One O'Clock Cannon'
by Ian Brockbank 1994, was written for the cannon and is published
here. The dance is a canon. |
| New
Elgin |
4
x 32S |
By Jim
Gardner to celebrate the wedding of Alison Mills and David
Currie in June 1986. |
| Diane's
Fancy |
4
x 48J |
By Diane
Oswald, for her husband Malcolm. |
| Dunedin
Folly |
4
x 32R |
By Jim
Gardner for Dunedin's first entry at the Newcastle festival
(held annually in February). |
| Lawson's
Lady |
3
x 32S |
By Heather
Knox for Jackie Thompson, married to Lawson, as she reached
halfway towards her telegram from the Queen. The tune 'Jackie
and Lawson Thompson', by Iain MacPhail 1994, is published
here. |
| Katie's
Jig |
8
x 32J |
By Stewart
Adam to celebrate the 21st birthday of Katie Fallas. |
| The
Bookworm |
88R
triangular |
By Vicky
Sennett in memory of Donnie Muirhead - a fine man, a good
friend, an avid collector and reader of books and godfather
to Vicky and Chris's little daughter Isobel. The music, arranged
by Chris and Vicky Sennett, contains some of Donnie's favourite
classical music and is published here. |
| Mosshouse |
4
x 32S |
By Peter
Hastings for the wedding of Alison Wylie and Alastair MacGugan
in September 1991. Mosshouse was a farm at Lugar in Ayrshire
and is the oldest traceable home of the Hastings family. Tunes
'Mrs Garden of Troup' (R Petrie) and 'Look Across the Water'
(B. McNeil/Kinmor Music). |
| The
Geese in the Bog |
8
x 32J |
By Ian
Brockbank. The name of the tune seemed to fit the dance, conjuring
up images of strings of geese meandering aimlessly yet purposefully,
all the time lost. Tune 'The Geese in the Bog'. |
| The
Dunedin Festival Dance |
32H
triangular progressive |
Dance
adapted by Derek Haynes and presented to Dunedin Dancers.
It was first used as a mixing dance at the 11th Dunedin International
Folk Dance Festival, in 1991. Tune 'Chester Hornpipe' recorded
by Iain MacPhail. |
| The
Marchmont Eightsome |
96R
square |
For Dunedin
Dancers, who for over ten years met weekly in the Church of
the German-speaking congregation in Marchmont, Edinburgh.
|
| Hands
Across the Sea |
8
x 32R |
For the
wedding (in Edinburgh) in September 1990 of Juliet Adamson
(from Scotland) and Mark Davoren (from Australia), who were
moving to Canada. |
| The
Quern |
3
x 32S |
For Wallace
and Helen Lockhart, leaders of the musical group, Quern. Tune
'Katie Bairdie'. |
| The
Hole in the Wa' |
8
x 32R |
|
| The
Cornet's Chase |
4
x 40J |
For the
wedding of Cathy Elliott and Norman Walker, in Hawick, September
1991. The cornet is the principal figure at the Riding of
the Marches, celebrated each year in Hawick. |
| Indian
Peter's Reel |
8
x 32R |
Indian
Peter was a 'weel kent' face in Edinburgh in the 19th century.
|
| Stewart's
Lassie |
32S
2c progressive |
For Chris
Adam (married to Stewart). Tune 'Stewart's Lassie'. |
| Law
and Order |
4
x 32R |
For the
wedding of Sarah McRae and Donnie Muirhead (a lawyer) in May
1990.
|
| The
Highlander's Jig |
8
x 32J |
For Robert
and Barbara McOwen. Tune 'The Vermont Highlander's Jig' by
Barbara McOwen. |
| The
Cariboua Gathering |
8
x 40R |
For dancers
visiting Canada in September, 1991. The original tune 'The
Caribou', written by Kevin Clark 1991 is published here.
Alternative tune 'Bonnie Mally Lee'. |
| The
Mercat Cross |
3
x 32S |
For Harry
and Heather Knox. Tune 'The Countess of Dalkeith's Strathspey'. |
| The
Comely Lass |
8
x 32R |
For the
wedding of Susan Comely and Martin Watson, September 1992. |
| The
Dean Village Reel |
8
x 32R |
For the
70th birthday of John's wife Christina. John and Christina
were living in the Dean Village, Edinburgh. |
| The
Pigeon on the Gate |
4
x 32R |
By John
Bowie Dickson, 1985. |
| Northesk |
8
x 32S |
By John
Wilkinson. The river North Esk is a tributary of the river
Esk, which flows into the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh. John
was living in Musselburgh at the time. |
| Caley
Capers |
8
x 40R |
By Fiona
& Jim Gardner, for the wedding of Kitty Johnston and Ross
Robertson at the Caledonian (Caley) Hotel, Edinburgh, May
1989. With the tune George Darling's Reel, composed by Neil Barron 1989. |
| Louden
Woods |
3
x 32S |
By Jim
Gardner for the tune 'Louden's Bonnie Woods'. |
| Muckle
Ado |
8
x 32R |
By John
Bowie Dickson. The title was chosen to suit a lively dance.
|
| Gypsy
Glen |
3
x 32S |
By John
Bowie Dicksson. Gypsy Glen is a beauty spot near Peebles used
as a starting point for many hill walks. |
| Belgian
Folly |
4
x 40J |
By Stewart
Adam, for the wedding of Christine Archibald and Hugo Aerts
(of Belgium) in December 1988. |
| At
the Edge of the Clear Running Burn |
4
x 32J |
By Catharine
Ward, for the wedding of Claire Robertson and Brian East in
1978. The title was devised to include their initials. With the
tune of the same name composed by Kim Chambers 1978. |
| Nighean
Donn |
5
x 32R |
By Peter
Hastings, 1988. The dance, then untitled, was first performed
at the 21st birthday party of Gwendoline Margaret Watson.
The title (pronounced nee'n down and translated as
The Brown-Haired Lass) is in honour not only of Gwendy but
of brown-haired lassies everywhere. With an arrangement of the
traditional tune 'Ridhle Mo Nighean Donn' (Reel of my Brown-Haired
Lass). |
| The
Spinning Wheel Reel |
4
x 48R |
By Kim
Chambers 1976. The formations in the dance reminded Kim of
the movement of a large spinning wheel, owned by an Irish
lady. |
| The
Argee Bargee Rant |
8
x 32S |
By Stewart
Adam, for the wedding of Janet Lyddon and Kevin Marchand in
February 1989. They confirmed their mutual attraction on a
narrow boat, or barge. |
| Heather
on the Mountain |
3
x 32S |
By Catharine
Ward in 1977, for the 21st birthday of Martin Dunkerton (a
past president of New Scotland). With music of the same
name composed by Kim Chambers. |
| Forfar
Frolic |
8
x 32J |
By John
Wilkinson for the demonstration team of the Glasgow Branch
of the RSCDS, who visited Forfar every Hogmanay. |
| The
Lang Whang |
8
x 32S |
By John
Bowie Dickson. The Lang Whang is a stretch of the A70 near
Edinburgh. |
| The
Wind on Loch Fyne |
3
x 32S |
By John
Bowie Dickson for Bob Campbell. The Wind on Loch Fyne is a
poem by George Campbell Hay. |
| The
Moray House of Edinburgh |
4
x 48J |
By Philip
Ward who was studying at the Moray House College of Education
at the time. |
| Craigdarroch's
Whistle |
3
x 48R |
By Jim
Darroch Gardner, 1971. Craigdarroch's whistle was a drinking
prize described by Burns in one of his poems. With music of the same name composed by Freda Davidson, 1971. |
| Derwent
Strathspey |
4
x 32S |
By Stewart
Adam, 1983, for the 21st Anniversary of the Derwent Scottish
Country Dance Club in Cockermouth. The 2nd edition includes
music of the same name by Iain MacPhail, 1993. |
| The
Cuddy |
8
x 32J |
By John
Bowie Dickson. The Cuddy is a small stretch of Eddleston Water,
near Peebles. |
| The
Spinney Strathspey |
8
x 32S |
By Kevin
Marchand, 1983, who lived in The Spinney, Hertford at the
time. |
| Forth
Frolics |
8
x 32J |
By Bob
Grant, 1983. With the tune 'Inchkeith Island' composed by Neil Barron in
1983. Inchkeith Island is an island in the Firth
of Forth. |
| The
26th of March |
3
x 40J |
By Stewart
Adam, Jim Gardner & Bruce Wood, for the wedding of Anne
Mechie and Mike Logan in March 1977. With the tune 'Miss Anne Mechie',
by Mike Logan 1977. |
