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The Do-si-do's and don'ts - dancing on Burns Night

As new guidelines emerge on how to be a respectful Scottish country dance partner, the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Paddy O'Connell learns how to dance the Gay Gordons from expert William Williamson.

Just in time for Burns Night, there are now some new rules – guidelines, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society calls them – on how to be a respectful dance partner.

They tell us not to just grab anyone from the line and assume they want to strip the willow, not to be judgemental with feedback, and to feel free to mix up the women and men.

It is all at that time of year when many Scots, both at home and abroad, celebrate the life and work of the bard and poet Robert Burns – when dancing tends to follow a traditional supper of haggis, neeps and tatties – often rounded off with drams of whisky.

But how to learn the steps?

In this episode of the 5 Minutes On Podcast, Paddy O’Connell learns the Gay Gordons from Scottish country dance expert William Williamson – with a little help from The Spectator's Katy Balls.

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5 minutes