What is Strip the Willow?

Strip the Willow is the ceilidh dance that gets everyone on the floor at a Scottish wedding. It's fast, joyful, and a bit chaotic in the best possible way. The good news is that it's simpler than it looks. You don't need any prior dance experience. You just need to know where to stand, when to turn, and how to keep the set moving. This guide will walk you through it, step by step, so you can enjoy the dance rather than worry about the steps.

The Basic Formation

Strip the Willow is danced in a longways set. That means two lines facing each other: one line of men (or those dancing the man's part) and one line of women (or those dancing the woman's part). You stand opposite your partner. The couple at the top of the set (nearest the band or the top of the room) is the first couple to dance. The rest of the couples wait in their places.

If there are many couples, the set can be very long. Don't worry about the size; the dance works the same whether you have four couples or fourteen. The key is to keep the lines straight and leave enough space between you and the next person so that turns don't become collisions.

Step by Step: The Dance

Here is what happens when it's your turn. The first couple starts at the top.

• The opening turn: The first man and first woman join right hands (or link right elbows) and spin around once, back to where they started.
• Down the line: The man moves to the second woman in the women's line and turns her with a right-hand spin. At the same time, the woman moves to the second man in the men's line and turns him. Then the man moves to the third woman, and the woman moves to the third man. They continue down the set, turning each person in the opposite line, one after another.
• At the bottom: When they reach the last person in the line, they turn them, and then the first man and first woman meet in the middle. They join right hands and spin around once.
• Back up: Now they work their way back up the set. In many wedding ceilidhs, they simply walk back up the middle to the top. In the fuller version, they turn each person again on the way up — but that's optional. If you're dancing the fuller version, just repeat the down-the-line turns in reverse order.
• Next couple: Once the first couple is back at the top, the second couple starts. The dance repeats until every couple has had a go.

Timing and Rhythm

The music for Strip the Willow is usually a fast 6/8 jig or march. The beat is driving and clear. The secret to staying in time is to make each turn quick and crisp. Think of a turn as taking two beats of the music — no longer. If you hold on for four beats, you'll fall behind and the set will bunch up.

Listen for the phrase of the tune. The dancing couple should move smoothly down the line, not in a stop-start fashion. As soon as you've turned one person, let go and move straight to the next. Your feet should be moving constantly. The waiting dancers can help by keeping the beat with a gentle bounce or a clap, which also helps the dancing couple stay in time.

Keeping the Set Moving Smoothly

The biggest cause of chaos in Strip the Willow is hesitation. Here are the practical tips that make the difference.

• Be ready: If you're next in line, have your right hand (or elbow) out and ready before the dancing couple reaches you. Don't wait for them to grab you.
• Stay opposite your partner: If you're part of the dancing couple, keep pace with each other. You should be turning the same number of people at the same time. If one of you races ahead, the set gets tangled.
• Don't crowd: Leave a comfortable arm's length between you and the person next to you in the line. This gives the dancing couple room to spin.
• Keep the lines straight: A wavy line makes it harder for the dancing couple to find the next person. Stand tall and face your partner.
• Don't stop to chat: It's tempting, especially after a spin, but keep moving. A quick smile is fine; a conversation is not.
• Watch the top couple: If you're waiting, watch how the first couple does it. You'll learn the pattern quickly, and you'll be ready when it's your turn.

What If You're Not the Dancing Couple?

Your role is just as important. You are the set. When the dancing couple arrives, you turn them once and then let go. That's it. You don't need to move from your place. Keep your right hand free, stay on the beat, and enjoy the spectacle. If you're at the bottom of the set, you'll turn the dancing couple and then they'll turn each other. After that, they'll either walk back up or turn everyone again. Either way, you just keep doing what you've been doing.

One last thing: smile. Strip the Willow is meant to be fun. It's fast, it's a bit silly, and it's a brilliant way to share a dance with everyone at the wedding. If you make a mistake, laugh it off and keep going. The set will forgive you.