Move · Videos · Dance · 6 min

Gay Gordons: Learn the Scottish Ceilidh Dance

Gay Gordons: Learn the Scottish Ceilidh Dance — video by USCN Play · 5:43

Video by USCN on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Ruth and her daughter Emily, with live music from the Alastair Scott Ceilidh Band, teach the Gay Gordons, a favourite Scottish ceilidh dance for couples: the hold, walks forward and back with turns, the twirl and the polka, then dance it through. Made for the Ulster-Scots Community Network.

  • 6 min
  • Beginner
  • Moderate impact
  • No equipment

Good forDancing for funFun workouts

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Step by step 6

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  1. The hold: taller partner on the left, right hands joined over the shoulder, left hands in front. 0:28
  2. Walk forward three steps, turn on four, walk backwards four, then repeat the other way. 1:01
  3. Easier option: if the hands get twisted, simply hold hands side by side. 1:56
  4. Twirl your partner under the arm, then take ballroom hold and polka round in a small circle. 2:16
  5. Walk through the whole dance slowly. 3:13
  6. Dance it through to the band's music. 3:41

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Taller partner on the left, right hands joined over the shoulder, left hands in front
  • Forward three steps, turn on four, then four steps backwards; repeat the other way
  • If the hands get tangled, simply hold hands side by side

What it works

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Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Shoulders movesraised hand hold, twirling partner under arm
  • Hips moveswalking forward and back, polka
  • Knees moveswalks with turns, polka pivots and turns
  • Ankles & feet movespolka steps, walking backwards

Easier option from the coach: Hold hands side by side if the raised hold gets tangled

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by USCN; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety