strathspey@strathspey.org:40333

Martin

Reel of the 51st

Jan. 17, 2005, 7:06 p.m. (Message 40333, in reply to message 40311)

Jim wrote:

>... several things to note in this description. It was a five couple set.

But why was it?
Has anyone an explanation for the 5-cp sets that were apparently part of 
the Scottish tradition and which are still used I believe by reelers.
These dances were obviousl y notdesigned to be danced a la Black Mountain 
reel (1st & 3rd cps dancing simultaneously), nor is 1st cp expected to 
dance 3 times through, as far as I know.
So why?
Is it an echo of the old "longwise for as many as will" sets?
Or were there just 10 abled-bodied prisoners available at the outset?



Martin,
in Grenoble, France.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/scots.in.france/scd.htm