Birgit Röhricht’s Strathspey

A 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–4

1st couple set advancing and turn round giving both hands to finish in the of middle of the set facing down.

5–8

1st couple lead down the middle, cross below 3rd couple and cast up into second place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 7–8.

9–12

2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples advance and retire.

13–16

2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples turn partner once round giving both hands.

17–20

2nd and 1st couples dance four hands round to the left and return to the sidelines.

21–22

1st couple cross up (without hands) into first place on own sides while 2nd couple cast off to second place.

23–24

1st couple cast off while 2nd couple lead up to finish in the middle in first place facing up; on bar 24 1st and 3rd couples dance in behind them ready for promenade.

25–32

2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples promenade.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

I was preparing to teach a class and looking around for a strathspey featuring a “plain” promenade as the most difficult figure, but I couldn’t find one that I liked and hadn’t used recently. So I came up with this dance instead.–Birgit lives in Westphalia and took part in our Prelim class and examination in April, 1997.

Devised by Anselm Lingnau, Frankfurt Scottish Country Dance Club, October 1997.

Tune: Miss Birgit Röhricht of Bielefeld