Blackley, Prof

Dancing master from Lanark. (1859-1941). He was taught by a Mr Muir of Motherwell. He taught in the Lanark area for about three months of the year but also taught in Lockerbie, Annan, Dumfries and Kettlesholm at other times of the year. He also taught at smaller country villages during the summer.

Finishing balls were held at the end of a sequence of classes.

He taught the following social dances and notations for the stepping used in these was collected from his daughters, Marion Blackleyand Mrs Wilson:

Blue Bonnets
Circassian Circle
Corn Rigs
Dashing White Sergeant
Drops of Brandy
Eightsome Reel
Flowers of Edinburgh
Glasgow Highlanders
Guaracha Waltz
Haymakers
Highland Laddie
Lancers
La Russe
Linton Ploughman
Merry lads of Ayr
Nut
Petronella
Paddy O’Rafferty
Pease Strae
Quadrilles
Queen’s Welcome
Reel of Tulloch
Rock and Wee Pickle Tow
St Patrick’s Day
Soldiers Joy
Triumph

He also taught the following solo dances:

Broadswords
Dutch Dance
Gille Callum
Highland Fling – notation available from Marion Blackley
Irish Jig
Lancashire Clog Hornpipe
Liverpool Hornpipe
Sailors’ Hornpipe
Seann Triubhas
Skirt Dance

Information derived from an interview by Tom Flett with
Marion Blackley and Mrs Wilson on 4/10/1958.