Cornish Tartan Strathspey composed by Adrienne Hesketh

Dance instructions:    On double chords cross 1^st and 3^rd couples cross over to improper sides, everyone else bows and curtseys.  Start the dance with ladies chain for 1^st and 2^nd couples, 3^rd and 4^th couples (8 bars), 2^nd couple lady up, man down, dance full reel of three across the dance, 2nd lady with 1^st couple, 2^nd man with 3^rd couple (8 bars), then, men’s chain for 1^st and 2^nd couples, 3^rd and 4^th couples (8 bars), 4^th couple dance up the centre of the set to top (1^st couple place) whilst the others step down a place (4 bars) Old 4^th couple now in top place, dance one and a half times, two handed turn, to end up, lady on man’s side, man on lady’s side (4 bars), on the last two bars of this turn, the other couples cross over, giving right hands, 1^st couple are now 2^nd couple and on their correct sides of the dance, 2^nd couple now 3^rd couple are on opposite (improper) sides of the dance and 3^rd couple now 4^th couple are on their correct sides of the dance, ready to start again.

The Tune:

 

Open pdf file with music notation and dance instructions

Note: The Cornish National Tartan

“The colouring of the Cornish National Tartan must be unique to distinguish us from our fellow Celts in Scotland and elsewhere whose tartans are mainly green and red. Hence ours is the traditional old gold and black of Cornwall – inherited from the tinctures emblazoned by their ancient kings in their bezante shields. Eminently displayed is the National Flag of Celtic Cornwall – the White Cross of St Piran, the Tinners’ Saint, the Patron Saint of Cornwall, bardic blue — representing the sea that majestically surrounds the ancient kingdom. But the crowning glory of our tartan is, surely, the woven legend of the Spirit of King Arthur—the red “Arthurian” line—the symbol of Cornwall’s ancient kingdom and nationhood.”

E.E. Morton-Nance Designer of the Cornish National Tartan 1963

Notes:

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