One source says that the reel's origin began outside a locked Tulloch Church in a (N/E) Highland village of Tulloch, Scotland where it was danced by a group of freezing parishioners trying to keep warm while waiting for the tardy clergyman to arrive, this led to the supposed first reel being called the 'Reel of Tulloch'. Later, new three, four, five, and six Hand Reels were developed by the London dancing master Thomas Wilson and many more were to follow.

     There are many types of Reels, most being group type lively dances such as the Scottish Reel, Virginia Reel etc. (The Strathspeys is a slow version of the reel). The clip on left is of the eightsome reel.

The Hey dance was a forerunner of the present day reel with the Quadrilles eventually replacing the reels in popularity. Today, reels are mainly done in competitions rather than a social gathering of yesteryear along with Hornpipes and Jigs. A few Reels are described below.

Great Western Reel:
     Two couples stand in a direct line, viz.: partners facing each other. The lady of one couple stands with her back to the back of the gentleman of the other couple; the figure begins by setting to partners, then hey, which is a straight right and left, or Highland chain; this is repeated two or three times. Then a lady and gentleman stop in the middle and set to each other, 4 bars; Highland chain repeated idem; the other two meet in center and set. This simple figure is tirelessly repeated until the music ceases.

Highland Reel:
     This merry dance was performed by two couples; but, being a favorite, the admission of many is not unusual. The company formed parties of three along the room, the lady's position being between two gentlemen, and fronting the opposite three; all then advanced and retired, each lady executed the reel with her right hand partner, and then with her left hand partner to places; hands three round, and back again; all six advanced and retired; after which lead through to the next three, continuing the figure to the end of the room. The figure may be formed with four in a line. This was the favorite dance of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Rustic Reel:
     The dancers face up and down, like the Spanish dance. All the gentlemen stand in a line up and down the room, every two gentlemen facing each other; who have two ladies on either side of them, facing as they do; thus there will be two sets of six dancers, facing each other alternately, all the way down. The top gentleman will balance to the lady on the bottom gentleman's right hand and urn her, while the bottom gentleman will do the same with the lady on the top gentleman's right; they will both execute the same figure with the respective ladies on the left of the gentlemen; the two lines of three in each will join hands and chassé up to each other and pass through their lines; those meeting the next set below, will do the same figure with them until they reach the bottom of all: those who who go up, of course, do the same as they go up; all commence at once. The gentleman, with his two partners, can retire from the dance at his pleasure. It only answers for a finale at a ball. It may be danced to any lively Scotch reel tune.

Scotch Reel:
     was a true national dance of Scotland, and was generally performed by the nobility before her Majesty at her state balls. This was certainly the most lively and characteristic dance known at the time. The music was generally played by a piper (now CD's ... lol), such as at her Majesty's balls, and was played very fast. When a band was provided instead of the piper, one-half the band would play while the other would wait their turn, the reason being was that the Scotch were indefatigable when dancing the reel; they seemed almost intoxicated with it, they snapped their fingers, throw their arms and feet in the air, screech out, and made such quick and difficult steps that the eyes have trouble to follow them. The figure was danced by two ladies and two gentlemen forming a hue of four, the ladies in the center. They began with a chain in passing in and out of each other, until the two gentlemen return to their places, the ladies finish facing the gentlemen; then they set (or Balance) before each other, the gentlemen would exhibit all their skill, the ladies dancing as quietly as possible; after eight bars or this set they begin again the chain and set, and this they do as long as they can, in fact they never seem tired, and seem to acquire fresh strength each time they come to the Balance.

Virginia Reel (Click Here)

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