The Wee Cottages

by Sue McKinnell

4X32 Strathspey
4 couple set dance

Bars

1-8

3C & 4C start the dance crossed over on opposite sides.1C & 2C, 3C & 4C circle four hands round to the left, then set on the sides. 1C & 4C set advancing to pass partners LS and end back to back facing opposite sides WHILE 2C step up one place and 3C step down one place, forming lines across the dance.

9-16

1C & 2C, 4C & 3C dance reels of four across the set. 2C end in 1^st place, 3C end in 4^th place, 1C & 4C end in the center, 1C facing down in 2^nd place on opposite sides, 4C facing up in 3^rd place on own sides (opposite from where they started the dance).

17-24

1C & 4C set to each other then set advancing to pass the person opposite LS (interleaving). 4C & 1C dance right hands across once round, 1C end facing down, 4C end facing up.

25-32

1C & 4C dance figures of eight on the sides, starting by giving the person they are facing (1W to 3W, 1M to 3M, 4W to 2W, 4M to 2M) left shoulder. On the last four bars, 1W & 4M, 1M & 4W are dancing RS to RS (gypsy). End 2, 4, 1, 3 with 1C & 3C on opposite sides.

Repeat 4 times.

Suggested music is Fill the Fetters from Celebrate 50 Years with the Boston Branch.

When we visited Scotland four years ago, we stayed in at a home in Digg on Skye. Our hostess referred to the Skye Museum of Island Life at the northern tip of Skye as "the wee cottages."

07/05