The Eightsome Reel

Today this is one of Scotland’s most popular ceilidh dances. Because it is so widespread there are slightly different ways of dancing it in each area of Scotland. The modern version of the eightsome reel appeared around 1870-80. It combines features of the scotch reel and the quadrille. It is thought it was devised by the Earl of Dunmore and friends based on earlier round reels remembered from the earlier 1870’s. Start with a 40 bar reel then play 48 bar reels and finish with a 40 bar reel.

More information on the dances and examples of tunes to illustrate them can be found in “Traditional Scottish Fiddling” by Christine Martin and in the “Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers” series of four books.