This dance is a traditional schottische pattern, converted here to a straight rhythm. Instead of walking, the original used schottische footwork, which is
1-2-3-hop, 1-2-3-hop, 1-hop-2-hop-3-hop-4-hop
The couples are placed in groups of 4 facing line of dance. It doesn't really matter if men are on the inside, but I would suggest that they are set up diagonal. Everybody holds hands! The front couple hold hands in the center, and they also hold hands with the back couple by passing their left hand over their left shoulder (outside person right hand over their right shoulder)
The steps are written traditionally with the man's steps leading
1-4
Walk forward right, left, right, left (outside couple lead with left foot)
The front couple let go of their joined middle hands (but not the back couple)
5-8
Walk forward right, left, right, left (outside couple lead with left foot)
While walking forward the front couple peel off to the left and to the right accordingly walking around the back couple as they walk forward. Join hands again. The couple that were at the back are now leading
The next 8 counts are a repeat of steps 1-8 but with the back couple leading
9-12
Walk forward right, left, right, left (outside couple lead with left foot)
The front couple let go of their joined middle hands (but not the back couple)
13-16
Walk forward right, left, right, left (outside couple lead with left foot)
While walking forward the front couple peel off to the left and to the right accordingly walking around the back couple as they walk forward. Join hands again. Everybody is back in his or her original places
It is important that during this next section of the dance everybody keeps his or her hands held! The couple at the back raise their middle hands to form an arch to allow the front couple to pass under
17-20
Front couple only walks backwards (under the arch) right, left right, left (the back pair walk on the spot)
The back couple are now in front with their left arm wrapped around their body (right arm for outside couple)
21-24
Front couple only unwinds 1 full turn turning to the right for the inside person - to the left for the outside person, stepping right, left, right, left (the back pair walk on the spot)
The next 8 counts are a repeat of steps 25-32 but with the back couple leading. The couple at the back raise their middle hands to form an arch to allow the front couple to pass under
25-28
Front couple only walks backwards (under the arch) right, left, right, left (the back pair walk on the spot)
The back couple are now in front with their left arm wrapped around their body (right arm for outside couple)
29-32
Front couple only unwinds 1 full turn turning to the right for the inside person - to the left for the outside person, stepping right, left, right, left (the back pair walk on the spot)
Everybody is back in his or her original place
TO MAKE IT A MIXER Once you have done the dance one time through (32 counts), have the couple in the front raise their joined hands, step slightly apart and step in place for 8 counts:1-8Right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left The couple in the rear of the group has 8 counts to go to the next couple in front of their original partners. Restart the dance again for another 32 counts and then change partners again!