Bourrel

Also known as: Birl.

An online definition may be found here.

Bars: 8.

This is a progressive figure for 2 couples. Man 1 and Lady 2 set advancing to each other, and two hand turn (about 5/8ths) ending on the center line, L1 facing up, above M1, facing down. Meanwhile, their partners chase counter-clockwise about 5/8s to end facing their partners on the center line.

Everyone sets to their partner and two hand turns them three quarters to progressed places on their own sides.

History

The first use of this term comes from Robert Campbell's Campsie Glen, 1966. According to the SCDDB which has a note for this dance, he wrote that Bourrel is also known as The Birl.

The first example of a 3 couple bourrel that I can find comes from Kitty Rae Strathspey, by Sue McKinnell, 2004.

Some dances which (probably) use this figure

• Dances for which I have animations
• Dances in (R)SCDS Books

Note: This list may be incorrect or incomplete.

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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.