strathspey@strathspey.org:37507

Richard Goss

Re: historical vs traditional dances

Jan. 10, 2004, 8:16 p.m. (Message 37507, in reply to message 37505)

The word "collect" in Scotland is a handy catchall which can suggest
research in the field with out saying so.
 
One also collects ...
rubbish,
one´s date,
baseball cards
things to put in one´s collection (Barbie Dolls, Lladro, crystal, baseball cards, etc.).
 
Actually the expression "collected in ...shire" is a bit of an insult
as any professional field collector would list some very precise
stats. The entire provenance problem of RSCDS dances is very poor.
Even when our books give a source, this is questionable. The caveat
listed in some books "footnote  is oldest known reference" does not
specify music, choreography, or name.