A number of Figures are simple combinations of travelling steps, e.g., Advance and Retire, Back to Back, Cross Over, Lead Down the Middle, Balance in Line. They too are based on the same Steps and Footwork, and correspond to more complex floor patterns. The origin of the Strathspey rhythm is unclear. The origin may date back to the banning of the use of Bagpipes by the victorious English after the battle of Culloden in 1746. In Sydney, at a recent Scottish Country Dance party attended by the author, two accordions were used.
Men wear a white shirt, tie, kilt, sporan, belt and long socks.
The sporan is large decorated purse hanging from the belt over the navel. The kilt is made of tartan cloth, being smooth in front, and extensively pleated behind. Men pin their kilts on the right. If a lady wears a kilt, she pins it on the left. This handedness corresponds to the differing buttonings of shirts and coats by men and ladies in Western society.