OOT DANCING
4x32 reel for 4 couples in a 4 couple longwise set
1-4 Joining hands on the sidelines, all advance and retire.
5-6 All turn partners half way with right hands, finishing
in the middle of the set, facing partners.
7-8 Dropping hands, all cast to the opposite sidelines.
9-12 All chase clockwise half way round the set.
13-16 All dance back to back with partners.
17-24 4s and 1s cross, 3s and 2s change places on the side to
start a grand chain all round the set.
25-32 1s join nearer hands and dance to the top of the set. They
then make an arch and dance down to the bottom of the set
over the 4s, 3s and 2s. 4s, 3s and 2s dance up underneath
the arch; when they reach the top of the set they form their
own arch and start dancing down the set over the remaining
couples.
Finish in the order 2, 3, 4, 1, ready to start again.
Note: Bars 25-32 are deliberately not broken down. 4+4 doesn't work well
- the lead up is too slow and the arches too frantic. I suspect 2+6 may
be the opposite and 3+5 be about right, but play around and see what works
for you in your set - and don't worry if it varies!
Tune: The Clumsy Lover, by Neil Dickie
(cc) Ian Brockbank, March 2005 ( ian [at] scottishdance.net )
The definitive version of this dance will eventually be available on Grand Chain, Ian Brockbank's Scottish country dance web site.
Notes from Ian:
When my son Stuart was first born, his sister Lorna called him "Oot". This
then progressed to "'Ua't" and then "S'ua't". This dance was written just
before Stuart's first birthday, and is dedicated to him.
We were taught this dance by Fiona Grant, Bristol Branch at the RSCDS South Wales Branch residential week-end in October. We enjoyed it and thank you for posting it on the net. We can continue to dance it now we have the full instructions.
Best wishes,
Irene Williams, South Wales Branch Secretary