Perth Assembly
An 8 person sword dance over 8 swords
Originated when Perth the capital of Scotland - a gathering is said to have taken place when chiefs of various clans assembled to swear allegiance to their kings.
showing part of 1st, 2nd, 3rd steps - in 15 seconds !
NB adapted version below
(updates following class on 14/4 are shown in green)
1st step (danced entirely outside the swords)
Pas de basque R foot, pas de basque L foot with quarter turn to face anti-clockwise (arms in 1st)
Two country dance travelling steps onto next sword (or just beyond) (arms in 3rd)
Pas de basque R foot to next sword with quarter turn (to face out), pas de basque L foot with half turn to face in (arms in 1st)
Four highcuts (raising L foot, R foot, L foot, R foot) (arms in 3rd)
Repeat 3 more times
2nd step
Pas de basque R foot travelling diagonally forward to R, pas de basque L foot over the sword
Four highcuts over sword (sword between feet) raising L foot, R foot, L foot, R foot) (arms in an adapted 3rd position - ie holding hands but raised to 3rd position)
Two pas de basques travelling back to same hilt, two more pas de basques at hilt (arms in 3rd)
repeat x1
but second time ends with
Two pas de basques travelling back to same hilt, two more pas de basques round hilt to face over sword to prepare for toe and heel step, facing your sword anticlockwise)
3rd step, toe and heel
Toe and heel twice with L foot (arms in 2nd)
Toe and heel twice with R foot (arms in 2nd)
Pas de basque R foot over sword, pas de basque L foot over next sword (arms in 1st, or joined across centre?)
Four heel beats with R foot (outside foot) (arms - ??)
repeat 3 more times - but finish out side at own hilt, facing alternate directions (ie facing a partner for quick time)
Quick time -
setting step
(facing partner)
Balance (springing onto R foot first), pas de basque R foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
Balance (springing onto L foot first), pas de basque L foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
Balance (springing onto R foot first), pas de basque R foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
Balance (springing onto L foot first), pas de basque L foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
propelled pivot turn
Turn one and a half times - with weight on R foot (inside foot) (to finish in partner's place) (arm in 2nd)
Two high cuts (arms in 3rd)
Turn one and a half times - with weight on L foot (inside foot) (to finish in partner's place) (arm in 2nd)
Two high cuts (arms in 3rd) - to finish facing clockwise
Dance clockwise (travelling steps) round the swords back to place (arms in 3rd)
setting step
(facing in)
Balance (springing onto R foot first), pas de basque R foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
Balance (springing onto L foot first), pas de basque L foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
Balance (springing onto R foot first), pas de basque R foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
Balance (springing onto L foot first), pas de basque L foot (arms 3rd, then 1st)
Circle eight hands anticlockwise back to place (hands joined)
Face out to bow to audience(!); face in to bow to dancers
Perth Assembly
Broadswords (based on Argyll Broadswords)
Dances to learn in the future
others to be added on request (email mail@hdcs.fsnet.co.uk )
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