Dance The Birkie Lads 519

Third and fourth couple start at the same time as the first and second couples.

Strathspey

1–2

First lady casts down and second man casts up round the next person

3–4

The give right hands and turn until in line with original places

5–8

First man and second lady join in to dance 4 hands across. Finish in original places

9–12

First man casts down and second lady casts up to turn with left hands

13–16

First lady and second man join in to dance four hands across. Second lady and first man return to place and turn to their right back into the centre of the set, while first lady and second man retain left hand and pass to start:-

17–24

reel of four across the dance, giving right shoulder to partner

25–32

Half chain progression (see note) . First man and second lady start by giving left hands to change places

Reel

1–32

Middle couples now dance the above 32 bars in reel time

All four couples start again with Strathspey

Note: HALF CHAIN PROGRESSION This is a new progression enabling two couples to change places. It is based on a two bar sequence called a “half chain”.

Tow couples stand in normal places. First lady and second man give right hands and do a half turn, finishing in their partner’s place (note – not in each other’s), while second lady casts up into first lady’s place, and first man casts down into second man’s place.

If this is danced four times i.e. for eight bars, each dancer turning or casting as they reach the appropriate place, everyone is back home. To progress, first man and second lady change places on bars 1–2, giving left hands, while first lady and second man stand still. Then on bars 3–8 dance three half chains.

3s+4s dance similarly to 1s+2s

Strathspey

1-4

1L cast down 1 place as 2M cast up 1 place & they turn RH until in line with original place

5-8

1s+2s dance RH across ending in original places

9-16

1M cast down 1 place as 2L cast up 1 place & 1/2 turn LH, 1s+2s dance LH across & end 2L+1M in place as 1L+2M pass LH to face partners

17-24

All dance RSh reels of 4 across ending in original places

25-32

All dance a “Half” Chain:

1L+2M turn LH into partner’s place while 2L+3M cast up/down

Repeat this figure three more times with persons in 1L & 2M positions turning LH

reel

1-32

Middle coupls repeat above figures in reel time