What Is the Gay Gordons?

The Gay Gordons is one of the first dances you'll meet at any Edinburgh ceilidh. It's a couple dance, so you stay with your partner throughout, and it's danced in a big circle around the room. The name might sound grand, but the steps are wonderfully simple: walk forward, walk back, turn, repeat. Because it uses a steady marching rhythm rather than complex footwork, it's the ideal dance for absolute beginners. You'll often hear it early in the evening, when the caller is still teaching the basics, and it's a great way to settle your nerves and get your feet moving.

The Music and the Basic Rhythm

The Gay Gordons is danced to a 2/4 march. Think of a relaxed military band or a pipe tune: strong, steady, and with a clear pulse. You can count it as 1-2, 1-2, or simply left-right, left-right. Each step lands on a beat, so there's no rushing. The music comes in eight-bar phrases, and the change of phrase is your cue to move from the walking section into the turn. If you're not sure, listen for the moment the tune lifts or repeats. The band will set a comfortable tempo, so resist the urge to gallop. Small, neat steps are far easier to control than big ones, especially on a crowded floor.

Starting Position and Posture

Stand side by side with your partner. The man is on the left, the lady on the right. Join your inside hands – the man's right hand holds the lady's left – in front of you at about waist height. Your outside hands can rest relaxed at your side or lightly on your hip. Stand tall, with your shoulders back and down, and your chin level. Try to look ahead over your partner's shoulder rather than down at your feet. Your grip should be firm enough to guide, but not a death grip: think of holding a small, wriggly creature that you don't want to drop or crush. Smile, make eye contact when you can, and remember that everyone around you is concentrating just as hard as you are.

Step-by-Step: The Basic Figures

Here's the whole dance in three simple parts.

• Forward and back: Starting with your left foot, walk forward four steps – left, right, left, right. Then walk backward four steps – left, right, left, right. Keep your steps small and springy, and stay side by side with your partner. Don't turn to face each other; you're moving as a pair.
• The double turn: The man raises his right arm (the one holding the lady's left hand) to about shoulder height. The lady turns under it, taking four small steps. Then the man raises his left arm, and the lady turns back under that one. You finish exactly where you started, facing the same direction. The man marks time in place while the lady does the turning. Keep the raised arm straight but relaxed – it's a guide, not a crane.
• Repeat: Go straight back into the forward and back section, then the double turn again. You'll keep cycling through these two figures until the music ends.

Turns and Transitions

The turn is where most beginners come unstuck, so here are a few practical tips. First, the lady should turn herself; the man's arm is simply there to show the way. If he pulls, she'll lose balance and you'll both wobble. Second, keep the turn on the spot. Don't drift across the room while spinning, or you'll collide with the couple next to you. Third, try to spot your partner's eyes or a fixed point on the wall as you turn – it helps you stay upright and ready for the next step. Finally, make the transition smooth. On the last backward step, prepare to turn by opening your shoulders slightly. Don't stop dead, then start again; let the momentum carry you. If you do get lost, just keep walking in time and rejoin on the next forward section. The dance is forgiving.

Moving Around the Room and Edinburgh Tips

Gay Gordons is a round-the-room dance. All couples face anticlockwise around the hall, with the man on the inside (left) and the lady on the outside (right). Leave a gap of about two steps between you and the couple in front. If you find yourself catching up, take smaller steps rather than overtaking. On a busy Edinburgh dance floor, the forward and back sections should be compact; you don't need to travel far. The double turn can be done in a very small space. Wear soft-soled shoes that let you pivot – trainers with deep grips can make turning difficult and jar your knees. Many Edinburgh halls have beautiful wooden floors, which are perfect for sliding and spinning, but they can be slippery, so take care until you find your balance.

Most Edinburgh ceilidhs begin with a walkthrough, and the caller will talk you through the Gay Gordons before the band starts. Arrive early so you can hear it. The dance is usually one of the first of the night, so you'll get plenty of practice. Don't worry about making mistakes – the whole point is to enjoy yourself. If you're in a group, swap partners between dances; it's the quickest way to learn. Keep a bottle of water nearby, and don't be afraid to sit out a dance if you need a breather. You can practise the footwork at home in your kitchen: left-right-left-right forward, left-right-left-right back, then a slow turn. Once the music starts, let the caller guide you and trust your feet. Before long, you'll be marching around the room with a grin on your face, wondering why you ever worried.