Clog and Step Dances Collected in Scotland

Clog dance is taken here in the generic sense, i.e. a solo or perhaps duet or trio dance in which the dancers beat out the rhythm of the dance with their feet whilst wearing clogs.  These are best accessed by searching for “clog” the Dancers and Informants page, using the search box on the menu bar. Many published notations are available via the Newcastle Series page.  Step dance is taken to to cover not only dances in which the rhythm is beaten out when the dancer performs in hard-soled shoes (characterised as  ahrd-shoe dance in thelists below), but also solo, duet or trio dances where this beating aspect is absent.

Unlike the position in England, there is less sense of dances “belonging” to a specific geographical area.  Instead the area in which the dance was collected or performed is more often used. A subtle but important differemce.

For whatever reason, almost all Scottish clog and step dances have become known by a specific name, sometimes the name allocated by the individual dancer from whom the dance was obtained but also by the folk revival.

Named Step Sets

Aberdonian Lassie.  Step dance from the Hebrides.

Blue Bonnets.  Step dance known from the Hebrides and elsewhere in Scotland.

Calum Brougach.  taught by James Neill of Forfar.

Clog Hornpipe.  Taught by William Adamson of Kingskettle, Fife.  Clog or hard shoe dance.

Flowers of Edinburgh.  Hard shoe step dance known from the Hebrides and Aberdeenshire.  The soft shoe dance of this name is probably in fact a version of Highland Laddie.

First of August.  Hard shoe step dance from the Hebrides.

Highland Laddie.  Step dance known from the Hebrides and elsewhere in Scotland.

Irish Jig.

Liverpool Hornpipe.  Two notated versions taught by William Adamson of Kingskettle, Fife and Thomas Shanks of Wigton. Hard shoe dance.

Miss Forbes.  Step dance from the Hebrides

Miss Gayton’s Hornpipe.  Step dance for girls collected in Kilmarnock.

Over the Water to Charlie.  Step dance from the Hebrides.

Scotch Measure.  Step dance from the Hebrides and Aberdeenshire.  Arranged versions are also known from the work of D.G. MacLennan and I. Cramb.

Sailors’ Hornpipe.

Tulloch Gorm.  Step dance from the Hebrides.

Other Step Dances.

The following are known very widely in Scotland.  The versions commonly danced today are a selection from a much wider number recorded from oral tradition. Information on these steps can be found under the following links.

Highland Fling

Seann Triubhas