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Dance The Braes of Balquhidder 742

See also: The Braes of Balquhidder (R32, 3/4L, 18th Cent.)

Strathspey · 128 bars · 4 couples · Square   (Progression: OnceOnly)

Devised by
Unknown
Formations
Steps
  • Highland Schottische, Strathspey setting, Strathspey travel
Published in
Online Sources
Recommended Music
Extra Info
See Balquidder Strathspey for information about Balquhidder.

See Balquidder Strathspey for information about Balquhidder.

Balquhidder Strathspey

Balquhidder, a mountainous area of Perthshire on the shores of Loch Voil, inspired both of Scotland’s greatest novelists. Sir Walter Scott used Balquhidder as the setting for Rob Roy and Robert Louis Stevenson’s hero passed through Balquhidder in the course of his wanderings in Kidnapped.

It was here that Rob Roy MacGregor, whom some call the Scottish Robin Hood and others an unvarnished brigand, was at his most active. Now, he, his wife and sons lie quietly in the churchyard at Kirkton of Balquhidder, Baile-cul-tir, “village of the back-lying country”.

This was once MacLaren land, but with the ancient clan gradually eroding over the centuries, the lovely, peaceful valley contains only the memories of the vanished MacLarens, while in Loch Voil, sporting among the char and trout and salmon, dwells, we are assured, the heraldic “beast” of the MacLarens, the Mermaid with her mirror.

On the north shore of Loch Voil are the Braes of Balquhidder.

Let us go, lassie, go
  To the braes o’ Balquhither,
Where the blaeberries grow
  ‘Mang the bonnie Highland heather;
Where the deer and the rae,
  Lightly bounding together,
Sport the lang summer day
  On the braes o’ Balquhither.
– Robert Tannahill (1774–1810)

The Braes of Balquhidder 4S · S128

Part A

1-8
All set to partner, set to corner, set to partner & turn partner 2H to finish in 2 diag lines with Men BtoB facing partner (1s+4s & 2s+3s)
9-16
1s+4s also 2s+3s dance diagonal reels of 4. Men end BtoB in centre of diagonal lines again
17-24
Chorus: All set to partners HS & turn 2H twice to original places

Part B

25-32
1s lead out between 4s while 3s lead out between 2s, divide & cast to 1s facing 3s & all set HS
33-40
1s+3s (centre couples) turn person opposite 2H twice, Men lead partners out through side couples back to places
41-56
2s & 4s repeat bars 25-40
57-64
Chorus

Part C

65-80
1s dance to 4s & circle 4H round to left, pick up 3s & circle 6H round, pick up 2s & circle 8H round to end back in places
81-88
1s+4s also 2s+3s dance RH across & LH back
89-96
1s+4s also 2s+3s dance Ladies’ Chain
97-104
Chorus

Part D

105-112
All Ladies Adv+Ret (2 steps each) while Men stand (2 bars) then dance into middle to face partner; all set & turn partners back to places
113-120
All dance Grand Chain
121-128
Chorus

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Added on: 2014-08-23 (Eric Ferguson)
Quality: Demonstration quality

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Added on: 2020-05-07 (Murrough Landon)
Quality: Demonstration quality

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RSCDS Edinburgh Dancing Forth 2011

Added on: 2021-11-29 (Murrough Landon)
Quality: Demonstration quality

NameDateOwnerLast changed
Mary Isdal Macnab 2018-01-01 Dance ForFun Jan. 13, 2017, 1:41 p.m.
HHK Experienced 28 September 2021 2021-09-29 Deborah Leary Sept. 27, 2021, 2:12 a.m.
2023-November-KKN 2023-12-04 Jona Kutsche Dec. 4, 2023, 1:40 p.m.
Kuckucksnest 2023-11-22 2023-11-22 Murrough Landon Dec. 1, 2023, 12:37 p.m.

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IdSubjectDateSubmitterAssigned toPriorityDisposition
3153 Braes of Balquhidder (Dance), Extra Info June 2, 2023, 12:14 p.m. Peter Meier Viktor Lehmann Normal Fixed