The Excelsior Manual of Dancing

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Let Glasgow Flourish ~ Williams		J. F. Wallace 1872 George Williams 2024		Triple Minor

12 Country Dances dedicated to the Young Gentlemen of Ealing School

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Ben the Sailor		George McFarren 1808 Regency Dances		Triple Minor

14 Country Dances, 2 Cotillions and 2 Minuets

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
First of September		Thomas Kilvington ~1785 Green Ginger 2019		Triple Minor

Alexander Leaflet 24

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Butterscotch and Honey		Jean Alexander (date unknown)		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2341

The Atlanta Branch RSCDS, Celebrating 50 years

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Devil's Sinister Elbow		Craig Tovey 1995		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
The Golden Dogwood		Susan Tumlin 2024		Square
Joined at the Hip		Catherine Shaw ~2026		Triple Minor
Run for the Roses		Sarah Craighead ~2026		Square permutation: 4123
Stone Mountain Golden Gala Reel		Holly Boyd 2022		Square permutation: 4123

Autumn Collection, 1983

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Micmac Rotary		John Drewry 1983		R96 Square

Belfast Diamond Jubilee Book

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
A Diamond for Belfast		Marilyn Watson 2006		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231

Bon Accord Book of Scottish Country Dances

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Bratach Bàna		John Drewry 1964		Triple Minor

Campbell's 15th Book of New and Favorite Country Dances & Strathspey Reels

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Delvine Side		William Campbell ~1800 RSCDS 1925		Triple Minor

The Canadian Book of Scottish Country Dances

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Bees of Maggieknockater		John Drewry 1977	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways permutation: 2341
The Lantern of the North		John Drewry 1977		Triple Minor

Carnforth Collection 1

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Celtic Cross		Derek Haynes 1991		Square

Celebrating 50 Years (RSCDS Los Angeles)

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Any Which Way		Alice M. Allen ~2016		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2413
Any Which Way ~ 3 Couple		Alice M. Allen ~2016		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Catalina Express		Doris Fisher ~2016		Square
Chuck's Strathspey		Frank Wu 2013		Triple Minor
The Four Branches		Bill Hartung ~2016		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2341
Santa Monica Rag		Los Angeles Branch Demonstraion Team ~2016		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2413
Tuolumne Tournée		Shirley Saturensky 1994		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2413

A Collection of Favourite Reels and Strathspeys by the most Eminent Composers

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The College Hornpipe - RSCDS		William Boag 1797 RSCDS 1959		Triple Minor

The Complete Ball-Room Hand-Book

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Devil's Dream - Burchenal		Elias Howe 1858 Elizabeth Burchenal 1918		Duple Minor

Craigievar Book 2

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Laggan Bay		Bill Forbes 1988		Triple Minor

The Donside Book

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Dancing Master		John Drewry 1989		J4×96 Square

Dragonfly

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Redwood Arbor		Bob McMurtry 2005		Triple Minor

Dunedin Dances 5

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Dunedin Quadrille		John Bowie Dickson ~1999		R4×32 Square

Ellen Taylor's English Country Dances

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Amorous Goddess		Ellen Taylor 1977	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Delia		Ellen Taylor 1977	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231

For Friends and Family

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
On the Oregon Trail		Deanna St. Amand 1995		Triple Minor

Graded and Social Dances 1

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Ayr Promenade		Roy Goldring ~1990		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2341
The Ayr Promenade ~ Gilbert		Roy Goldring ~1990 Ilse Gilbert 2022		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Collie Law		Roy Goldring ~1990		Duple Minor
The Dancing Bees		Roy Goldring ~1990		Triple Minor

Graded and Social Dances 2

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Lady Wynd		Roy Goldring 1996		Triple Minor

Imperial Book of Scottish Country Dances, Vol. 2

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Whigmaleeries		Derek Ivory 1968		Triple Minor

An Itch to Dance

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Gypsy Dreams		Terry Glasspool 2000		Duple Minor

Ness House 2

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Tap the Barrel		Sue Burridge 2014		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231

Pinewoods Collection 2

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Legacy		Iain Goddard ~2005		Triple Minor

Revelations

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Tournée du Chat Noir		Jenna Simpson 2018		Triple Minor

Rondel Book of Scottish Country Dances

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
1314		John Drewry 1967		Square
Twa Rogueish E'en		John Drewry 1967		Triple Minor

RSCDS Book 22

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Balmoral Strathspey		John A. Charles ~1963		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2341

RSCDS Book 23

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Alltshellach		Elizabeth D Gilroy 1967		Duple Minor

RSCDS Book 31

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Autumn in Appin		John Drewry 1982		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2413

RSCDS Book 39

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Robertson Rant		Mrs. Douglas Winchester 1949		Square

RSCDS Book 40

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
EH3 7AF		Roy Goldring 1999		Triple Minor

RSCDS Book 46

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Flower of Glasgow		Ruth Taylor 2010		3 Couple Longways permutation: 312

RSCDS Book 47

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Flight to Melbourne		Shirley Campbell ~2002		Square permutation: 2341

RSCDS Book 49

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Countess of Dunmore's Reel		Deirdre MacCuish Bark 2012		Triple Minor
The Library of Birmingham		Kenneth J Reid 2015		4 Couple Longways permutation: 3142
MacDonald of Keppoch		Chris Ronald 2015		Square permutation: 4123

RSCDS Book 53

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Lochalsh Reel		Pat Burnett 2001		Triple Minor
The Luckenbooth Brooch		John Bowie Dickson 1968		Triple Minor

RSCDS Book 54

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Tea Pottery		Duncan Brown ~2020		Square
A Tribute to West Renfrewshire		Vera McKechnie ~2025		4 Couple Longways permutation: 2413

Scotia Suite of Scottish Country Dances

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Bruce's Men		Roy Goldring 2002		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231

Scottish Country Dances for Children

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Come under my Plaidie		Anonymous 1981		Duple Minor

Scottish Dance Archives

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Rovin' Robin		Alex Gray 1972		Duple Minor

Ship Ahoy!

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Ready Aye Ready		Sarah Horne and Judy Grimsey ~2020		Custom permutation: 53412

Skillern's Compleat Collection of Two Hundred & Four Reels and Country Dances

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Birks of Endermay		Thomas Skillern 1776 RSCDS 1951		Triple Minor
The Birks of Invermay		Thomas Skillern 1776 RSCDS 1951		Triple Minor

Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1781

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Dartford Camp #1 ~ 3 Couple		Thomas Skillern 1781 A. Simons 1961		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Dartford Camp #1 ~ Triple		Thomas Skillern 1781 A. Simons 1961		Triple Minor

Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1786

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Tunbridge Castle		Thompson 1786 A. Simons ~1990		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231

W.M Cahusac's Annual Collection of Twenty-four favorite Country Dances for the Year 1785

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Queen of Hearts - Cahusac/3 Couple		William Cahusac 1785 Roland Suhr ~2022		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Queen of Hearts - Cahusac/Triple		William Cahusac 1785 Roland Suhr ~2022		Triple Minor

Woodhall Book 6

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
A Non-Binary Nonet		Murrough Landon 2008		Custom
Promino Nine		Murrough Landon 2008		Custom

Twenty four Country Dances for the year 1776

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Fête Champêtre		Thompson 1776 Philippe Callens 1999		3 Couple Longways permutation: 231

Twenty four Country Dances for the year 1778

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Graces		Thompson 1778 Colin Hume ~2025	Colin Hume	Triple Minor
A School for Scandal ~ Apted		Thompson 1778 W. S. Porter, M. Heffer, A. Heffer 1931	Colin Hume	Triple Minor
A School for Scandal ~ Hume		Thompson 1778 Colin Hume ~2025	Colin Hume	Triple Minor

Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1780

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Doubtful Shepherd ~ Williams		Thompson 1780 George Williams 2023		Triple Minor

A Companion to the Ball Room

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Carl cam' ower the Croft ~ RSCDS		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS ~1977		Triple Minor
The Carle came o're the Craft ~ Williams		Thomas Wilson 1816 George Williams 2024		Triple Minor
Dumbarton Drums ~ RSCDS		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS 1929		Triple Minor
Hame Came Our Gude Man ~ RSCDS		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS 1981		Triple Minor
Hame Came Our Gude Man ~ Williams		Thomas Wilson 1816 George Williams 2024		Triple Minor
Lady Baird's Reel		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS 1955		Triple Minor
Lady Baird's Reel ~ Williams		Thomas Wilson 1816 George Williams 2024		Triple Minor
Lord Hume's Reel ~ RSCDS		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS 1951		Triple Minor
Morpeth Rant		Thomas Wilson 1816 Pat Shaw ~1965	Colin Hume	Triple Minor
Morpeth Rant ~ 3 Couple		Thomas Wilson 1816 Pat Shaw ~1965	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
My Only Jo and Dearie, O ~ RSCDS		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS 1961		Triple Minor
My Only Joe & Deary O ~ Williams		Thomas Wilson 1816 George Williams 2024		Triple Minor
Rakish Highlandman ~ RSCDS		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS 1957		Triple Minor
Woo'd & Married & A'		Thomas Wilson 1816		Triple Minor
Woo'd and Married and A'		Thomas Wilson 1816 RSCDS 1951		Triple Minor

A Pocket Companion to the French and English Country Dancing

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Sicilian		G.M.S. Chivers 1821 George Williams 2021		Triple Minor

Kate Hughes' Dancing Book

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Clutha ~ RSCDS		Kate Hughes ~1867 RSCDS 1983		Square

Dances with a Difference, Vol. 1

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Walkaway		Pat Skelton 1980	Kafoozalum	Duple Minor

Dances with a Difference, Vol. 2

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Peter's Maze		Colin Hume 1985	Wild Thyme	Square

Dances with a Difference, Vol. 3

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The New Man		Colin Hume 1987	The Rampions	3 Couple Longways

Additional Calculated Figures

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The New Wood Floor		Gary Roodman 1992		Lines of Four

Number of dances	Number of versions	Number with music
94	94	10

Warning: The figures for each dance is generated programmatically by regular expression matching and may be in error. Also, for old dances, they reflect the figures used by the interpreter which may not match those of the deviser.

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Three Couple Promenade Round

Bars: 8.

In Scottish Country dance the dancers start the figure in the center of the set, in promenade hold with partner, facing up. While in English dance you tend to start from the sidelines and quickly move into that position. Dancers move up, pivot round to face the men's line, move across, pivot to face down, move down to the bottom, pivot to face the women's line, move into the center, pivot to face up, and dance up to original places, and retire to the sidelines.

Variants

The (R)SCDS introduced both two and four couple longways promenades in Book 18. Leith Country Dance, and Longwise Eightsome Reel.

History

Sharp uses a three couple promenade in his interpretation of Adson's Saraband, Playford, 1651. But I'm not sure he is right to do so. Playford says:

First cu. lead down between the rest, come with a compass to your places, the rest following

Which sounds rather different to me.

The concept of "promenading" came over from France with Cotillions.

Thomas Hurst, in his The Cotillons Made PLAIN and EASY, 1769, (page 9), defines promenading:

TWELFTH CHANGE, The Promenade, or Walk.

Every Gentleman takes his Partner by the Left-Hand; and putting his Right-Hand round her Waist; in this Manner they follow each other all round in a great Ring, and finish in their proper Places.

Note, this is not the modern skaters' hold promenade

I think Wilson may be the first to suggest joining hands in front, in his The Quadrille and Cotillion Panorama:

6.—PROMENADE, THE GREAT

All the four couples cross hands with their partners, and move round in a circle to places.

But these are all in a square set. The first examples (that I can find) in a longways set occurred in 1776, and both Thompson and Skillern published dances which used this figure.

In the US, Saltator, 1802, specifies a three couple promenade in his dance College Hornpipe: each promenade their own partners round. While Howe, 1862, uses a 2 couple promenade in Whipple's Hornpipe.

In (R)SCDS Book 11, both the source descriptions of Glasgow Flourish (one by Anderson, and one by Wallace) contain three couple promenades, but the (R)SCDS replaced it with a lead down and up. However the next time the figure occurred (in Fidget, Book 16) it is translated unchanged.

This website is copyright © 2021-2026 by George W. Williams V
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.