Scottish Country Dance of the Day

Chase your Valentine partners and corners in this 32 bar strathspey!

Many Scottish Country Dance groups hold a special Valentine's party or ball during February! How sweet! This Valentine's Dance is a perfect 32 bar strathspey with lots of chasing and reeling for such an evening!

St. Valentine’s Day, celebrated each year on February 14, traces its origins to the early Christian centuries of the Roman Empire. The historical Valentine was likely one of several Christian men named Valentinus living in the third century. Later tradition describes him as a priest—possibly even a bishop—who became associated with defending Christian marriage at a time when such practices were not always welcomed by imperial authorities. Over time, his story became intertwined with themes of fidelity, devotion, and steadfast love.

Medieval legend added a tender layer to his reputation. One well-known tale tells that while imprisoned, Valentine befriended—or even healed—the jailer’s blind daughter, and before his death sent her a note signed “from your Valentine.”

The mid-February date may also reflect the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a seasonal celebration connected with fertility and the coming of spring. By the Middle Ages, February 14 had become linked with courtly love, particularly in England and France, where it was popularly believed that birds began choosing their mates at this time of year!

Valentine’s Day began gaining broader popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, but it flourished in the Victorian era of the 19th century, when inexpensive postage and mass-produced lace-paper cards made exchanging valentines fashionable across Britain and America. What had once been a saint’s feast day evolved into a widely celebrated occasion marked by handwritten notes, flowers, sweets, and symbolic tokens of love. ❤️ 💜 💗 ❤️ 💌 💌 💌

Whether dancing or not today, Happy Valentine's Day to all Scottish Country Dancers! Should you be heading to a Valentine's Ball, this might be a good time to brush up on your vintage flirtation skills while keeping cool with the versatile folding fan! During the 17th century and later fans were used by both women and men to subtly communicate. "The Original Fanology or Ladies' Conversation Fan Book" was published in 1797 and contained details about how to hold silent but richly meaningful conversations simply through unique movements of a fan! Some common communiques included: Drawing it across the cheek or placing the fan on the heart (I love you); Letting it rest on the right cheek (yes); Letting it rest on the left cheek (no); Dropping the fan (We will be friends); Drawing the fan across the eyes (I am sorry); Twirling it in right hand (I love another); and Carrying it in right hand in front of face (Follow me)! This flirty jig (also known as "C'est l'amour") presents several fan-less opportunities for flirtatious glances during the dance! And afterwards, cool down with a fan between those sets and examine a full range of encoded fan movements that might be just the right Valentine's Day message by clicking the link below! Happy Valentine's Day! 💜 💌 ❤️ 💘 ❤️

Whether dancing or not today, Happy Valentine's Day to all Scottish Country Dancers! If looking for an alternative Valentine's gift rather than a box of chocolates, why not consider a Welsh love spoon! Or a virtual one in the form of this namesake reel for the object of one's affection! Love spoons are a traditional form of folk art that originated in Wales, symbolizing love, commitment, and craftsmanship. These intricately carved wooden spoons were historically given as tokens of affection, particularly as part of courtship or marriage proposals. Each design element carried a unique meaning—hearts represented love, chains signified a lasting bond, keys and keyholes symbolized a secure future, and twists reflected the intertwining of two lives. Though their origins date back to at least the 17th century, love spoons continue to be crafted today as cherished gifts for weddings, anniversaries, and special occasions, dancing together being one of the most special. Should you plan to surprise your sweetheart with a love spoon at the end of this dance, gentlemen, try substituting it for your sgian-dubh to see if anyone notices. Concentration on those Inveran reels may distract for a short while. 😜 ❤️ 💘 💕 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🥄 🥄 🥄