The Eightsome Reel


The longest of the common reels (and so usually only danced once per evening), the Eightsome has requires groups of four couples and comprises three distinct sections, with sections 1 and 3 identical to one another.

Steps

Part 1

  • Circle
  • Cartwheel 2x (Ladies in centre first then men)
  • Set with partner 2x
  • Grand Chain
  • Tulloch Turn (with partner)

Part 2

  • Circle, Lady 1 in centre
  • Lady 1 sets with partner, her partner’s opposite, all 3 fig of 8
  • Circle
  • Lady 1 sets with man next to her partner and then the man opposite him, then all 3 fig of 8
  • Lady 2 replaces lady 1 in centre and does the same; followed by lady 3 and lady 4 in the same way
  • Man 1 then repeats followed by man 2, man 3 & man 4

Part 3

  • Circle
  • Cartwheel 2x (Ladies in centre first then men)
  • Set with partner 2x
  • Grand Chain
  • Tulloch Turn (with partner)