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The Mercat Cross - and John Bowie Dickson
Chris1Ronald
May 1, 2006, 3:21 p.m. (Message 45136)
Alan wrote: According to Dunedin Dances Book 3, the dance was devised for Harry and Heather Knox, but there is no indication beyond that as to the location. Perhaps someone on the list knows this couple and can supply additional information for you. ... unfortunately, not yet. But thanks to the Strathspey list, I now have the full instructions to John Bowie Dickson's The Mercat Cross. (Someone pointed out that there are four Mercat Crosses listed in Napier's Index, but it's the John Bowie Dickson dance that I was enquiring about.) Some of you may be interested to know that John Bowie Dickson seems to have produced two slightly different versions of the dance. There is a leaflet, which may be the original version, and it states that the dance may be done either as a three couple dance in a four couple set, or as a "once to the bottom" dance in a three couple set. The leaflet states: "When danced in a 3 Couple Set the 1st couple dance down to 3rd place on bars 31-32 as 3rd couple step up." The leaflet doesn't mention a tune or a dedication. On the other hand, in the Dunedin book 3 version, the dance is described as a three couple set dance (i.e once to the bottom) only. The alternative of a three couple dance in a four couple set isn't mentioned. In Boston, there will be 4 couple sets, so there should be no confusion! Thanks again to everyone for the information. Chris, New York. By the way, I see from the notes at the back of The Lothian Collection that John Bowie Dickson lived in Montreal for many years: from 1954 to 1957, and again from 1962 until 1978 or later. I wonder if there are people on the list who could tell what he did after that. I have a feeling he moved to Scotland at some point.
I'm really happy to see the information below, as I was taught this as a 3 couple dance in a 4 couple set, then later read it in Dunedin Book 3 and felt I'd been doing it wrong for years! Nice to know there is precedent for the alternate version. Becky Becky Sager Marietta GA USA >>>Some of you may be interested to know that John Bowie Dickson seems to have produced two slightly different versions of the dance. There is a leaflet, which may be the original version, and it states that the dance may be done either as a three couple dance in a four couple set, or as a "once to the bottom" dance in a three couple set. The leaflet states: "When danced in a 3 Couple Set the 1st couple dance down to 3rd place on bars 31-32 as 3rd couple step up." The leaflet doesn't mention a tune or a dedication. On the other hand, in the Dunedin book 3 version, the dance is described as a three couple set dance (i.e once to the bottom) only. The alternative of a three couple dance in a four couple set isn't mentioned. In Boston, there will be 4 couple sets, so there should be no confusion! Thanks again to everyone for the information. Chris, New York. By the way, I see from the notes at the back of The Lothian Collection that John Bowie Dickson lived in Montreal for many years: from 1954 to 1957, and again from 1962 until 1978 or later. I wonder if there are people on the list who could tell what he did after that. I have a feeling he moved to Scotland at some point.
In a message dated 5/1/2006 9:23:19 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx writes: By the way, I see from the notes at the back of The Lothian Collection that John Bowie Dickson lived in Montreal for many years: from 1954 to 1957, and again from 1962 until 1978 or later. I knew the Dicksons in Montreal. John was from Edinburgh (or had at least lived there a long time). Also haling from Edinburgh, I have always assumed, therefore, that 'The Mercat Cross' referred to that one. _http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst7856.html_ (http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst7856.html) Moira Turner Chesterfield VA