June 9, 2006, 9:54 p.m. (Message 45495, in reply to message 45466)
Nobody has pointed out that the dance is much improved by being done as a duple minor(ie numbered one two one two one two all down the line of dancers). Everybody starts as if couples one and two, and the dance then goes on with the minimum number of people standing doing nothing. I was horified the first time I met it as a four couple dance, though I am assured that it was originally intended as such. I plead the Mairi's Wedding reel protocol!