Scottish Cane Dancing

**Riverkilt** · 17th May 10, 09:43 PM

Youngsters have the Sword Dance and there are all the Scottish Country Dances.

But haven't seen any pics of the ancient tradition of olde geezers doing the Scottish Cane Dance.

You wouldn't have either save some kilted paparazzi snuck up on me when I was practicing in private.

The Traditional Scottish Cane Dance is traditionally done by olde geezers a courting an available lass to show the lovely lady he's still "got it." But being olde and frail the cane is used for support - to prevent injury to the olde geezer as he gets friskier and friskier with his dance steps.

An advanced Scottish Cane Dancer will dance over to a low forked limb of a tree, slip his cane across the forked branch and do a few pullups from the cane if he can.

If an olde gent gets a full head of steam going he may even toss the cane aside and jig without it...or toss it down like half a sword dance and dance around the cane on the ground.

Hopefully, he'll save a wee bit of energy for the lady if she's impressed.

**Bugbear** · 17th May 10, 11:23 PM

I have no idea what you're talking about , Ron.

Why would a lady be impressed by any of this?

Or is this just another one of those things I don't quite understand about the whole subject...?

**londonpiper** · 18th May 10, 12:58 AM

Nice one Ron. I can see how the cane hampers the use of the extended arm!

**cessna152towser** · 18th May 10, 04:08 AM

Great idea Ron.

So that's what the cromach is used for

**BEEDEE** · 18th May 10, 06:05 AM

Danced, of course, to a slow reel, or is it real slow?

Brian

**thescot** · 18th May 10, 06:56 AM

Ron, it appears that subtlety and nuance are not always appreciated . . . or understood. Especially by the young.

I keep a cane/walking stick/cromnach close at hand most of the time so that I, too, can join in the fun should a dance break out. I even have one of those fold up canes for travel.

I find that it is all about style and grace. If one practices a bit--as you obviously do--in private and works one's personal technique to the point of finess, then one can certainly draw the ladies' eyes even if one is not the best dancer on the floor. It's all in the moves and the handling of the cane.

It appears that you are emulating your own variation of the "Sutherland spin," sometimes called the "Highland turn" by the unknowing. Am I correct?

**dfmacliam** · 18th May 10, 07:17 AM

One must be careful of their ethusiasm on the Cane Dance, for their efforts might be done in vain... dancing and twirling and impressing the young lady, only to find out you haven't the energy left to show her the select dance you have taken a lifetime to master... and being refered to by the older ladies of the area as the man with all show and no go!....lol

**Riverkilt** · 18th May 10, 07:34 AM

A slow jig is best....a very slow jig.

And yes, energy management is a key factor.

If one chooses to use a cromnach you MUST be sure not to be tempted to try any moves you may have seen done by ladies who make their living pole dancing. The cromnack is not secured firmly as a dance pole is.

And, if while doing the traditional Scottish Cane Dance an aging gent should toss his cromnach to the ground to dance about it as if it were a sword, extra care should be taken to avoid the curly part that could easily trip up a gent and spoil the effect he seeks as he tumbles to the ground with his kilt flying.

'tis a risky business - which also may impress the lass....

toadinakilt · 18th May 10, 08:28 AM

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Riverkilt. I say throw the cane down, dance around it! If you fail, you fail with style. If you are successful, well then, if nothing else I'll buy you a beer.

As a matter of fact, here, have a beer.

**thescot** · 18th May 10, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

A slow jig is best....a very slow jig.

And yes, energy management is a key factor.

...

Agreed. Absolutely. A rumba is a fast as I dare attempt. A foxtrot is more to my liking.

I think that if Victoria were to be present on one of our gatherings, she would find herself quite happy to be squired to said tea room for some sparkling repartee with a gentleman of refinement.

If some of us were to dance more than one jig, or--dare I?--try to dance a very fast number, we would be very glad to have the cane close at hand so as to assist us in getting to the tea room.