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Enjoy this curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
May 7
Capercaillie Lekking Season
Capercaillie
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"The Capercaillie
Most delightful wood grouse
Striding so graceful"
~ The Capercaillie, James Fraser, 2009
Gentlemen, don’t let a grouse steal your partner, for all his fine feathers. This playful tribute celebrates the striking—if notoriously temperamental—capercaillie: a creature as beautiful as it is a little unhinged, especially during courtship season!
Known to launch the occasional dramatic charge at anything (or anyone) that ventures too close, the male capercaillie is nothing short of a spectacle in full display.
The name capercaillie comes from the Gaelic capull coille, meaning “horse of the woods,” a fitting title for such a bold and commanding forest-dweller. Males are best known for their elaborate courtship ritual, or “lekking,” in which they fan their tails and produce an extraordinary medley of sounds—guttural clicks, wheezes, and the occasional cork-pop flourish—all in the name of romance.
Once extinct in Scotland by the late 1700s, capercaillies were reintroduced about a century later and have since made a cautious return. Their diet ranges from insects and tender buds to leaves and grasses, with a particular fondness for bilberries (or blaeberries). And, of course—being a creature of proper Highland distinction—this bird even has its own tartan.
This five-couple reel devised by Sue Burridge captures the wild energy of the capercaillie’s display, giving dancers every opportunity to dazzle the set with bold turns, sweeping circles, and just a hint of competitive flair. Kilts and plumage alike can strut their stuff—just don’t forget to “set and lek.” (A little grouse humour goes a long way to entertaining the ladies.) 🕺 💃 🤪 🦃 🦃 🦃 🖤 ❤️ 💙 🪶 🪶
Capercaillie
Also known as the Wood Grouse or Heather Cock, The Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is the largest of the grouse family whose population was exterminated in Scotland between 1770-1785. It was reintroduced during the nineteenth century but it is still at great risk.
Also spelt Capercailzie, this species' name is derived from the Gaelic "capull coille", meaning "horse of the woods".
Today all the capercaillie in Scotland originate from Swedish stock, as they became extinct in Scotland in 1785. Prior to its extinction, it was once common and widespread, but as the forests were felled it became rare until the last pair were shot, reputedly for a royal wedding banquet at Balmoral. Unsuccessful attempts were made to reintroduce the capercaillie for sport by the Earl of Fife at Mar Lodge early in the nineteenth century. In 1837, however, capercaillie were successfully reintroduced by Lord Breadalbane at Taymouth Castle and they rapidly recolonised the local pinewoods. Soon other reintroductions were made in various pinewood localities in Scotland, using descendants of the original Taymouth introductees, combined with additional capercaillie brought from Scandinavia.
Unfortunately today capercaillie in Soctland are once again facing a crisis. Recent figures from the RSPB/Scottish Natural Heritage joint survey indicate that Scottish capercaillie numbers have declined to around 1,000 individuals, a halving of the population in the last five years, due to habitat encroachment, predators, and competition from sheep and deer for their favorite food, bilberries/blaeberries.
For inspiration for this dance, click the Capercaillie chicks to see the dance of the adult capercaillie. Vocalisations during the dance are optional.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
