Lairds' Diamond 8x32 S
THE LAIRDS' DIAMOND
32 bar Strathspey for two couples
| 1-4 | First couple turn with right hands once around; finish in place, facing down (first man curves round by the right to face down), and second couple face up |
| 5-8 | First and second women set and turn with right hands, a three-quarter turn, and finish facing each other; first and second men do the same, to make a line of four across the dance |
| 9-16 | Reel of four across the dance |
| 17-20 | First and second women, also first and second men, set, and turn with both hands, a three-quarter turn, opening out, retaining near hands, to flow into |
| 21-24 | Second and first couples circle, four hands round to the left; finish on the sidelines |
| 25-32 | Second and first couples dance a Diamond Poussette (like an all round poussette, except that partners take equal steps in to meet in the centre on the first bar, and couples are covered up and down at the end of the first and fourth bars) |
| Repeat, having passed a couple |
Tune: Mountain Mist, by A. M. Laird
Devised by Peter McClure (joptmc [at] cc.umanitoba.ca), for Rena and Adam Laird, on the occasion of their Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary, 10 April 2003. Rena and Adam were married in Glasgow in 1943, and emigrated to Winnipeg a few years later. A devoted couple - symbolised by the solo turn for the first couple - they have also been very active in their community, both Rena's hospitality and Adam's music being appreciated by many people, including visitors to Winnipeg from faraway parts of the world. The reel of four is central to Scottish country dancing, as they have been central in their community, and the Diamond Poussette salutes their Diamond Anniversary.
Peter McClure, Winnipeg, March 2003