In 1850, there appeared in all parts of Europe, the Schottische (shot-teesh), a round dance which had been executed in Bavaria under the name "Reinlander " (rine-lant-er). In the Rheinish (sp?) countries, the Schottische was known as the "Bavarian Polka ". Two sisters from Odessa, returning from Hungary did a variation to thcolor=e Rheinlander called the "Hungarian Waltz " which became very popular with all who saw.

However, the word Schottische is from Germany , not Scotland, even though the

correct name of the dance is Scottish, (the Germans refereed to it as Schottische for some reason.)

- color=The dance was known in France , England , Russia , Greece as well as others as its true name "Scottish, " which have led many people to think that the Schottische was from Scotland , it was not. The Schottische has been said to be a German polka, and although it shares some similarities, it is very different.

- Bohemia had called the Schottische by the name of Polka Tremblante . The Polka became known as the "Schottische waltz " around 1840 in Germany. The Highland Schottische is a combination of the common schottische and the old reel.

- The Composer named "Markowski " is said to have written the first Schottische. The music is in 2/4 time rendered slowly with the effect of 4/4, as well as any Polka played at half time would suffice. The dance was in popular state in the 1840s and 50's. The Schottische is said to have been introduced to Europe after the Polka. Allen Dodsworth states he was teaching it in 1849 and Fanny Cerrito was known to do the "Cerrito Schottische " in 1851.

The Schottish Espagnole or Spanish Schottische aka Seven Step gained popularity in France in the early 1900's. The country western dance community also has a schottische done in Sweetheart/Promenade position.

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Basic Step ...

excerpted from Eugene Coulons Handbook - (French version done in 1873):

-- "The gentleman begins with the left, and the lady with the right foot. Three pas marché (or walking steps) sideways, finishing with one foot up behind, then jump on the foot that is down. The same with the other foot. Four times jetté forward, and jump on the foot which is down in turning one round. Lately the Valse à Deux Temps has been introduced instead of the four jettés and jump, and it is far superior. Some begin the Schottische with four steps of the Gallopade , and then the four jettés and jump." end.

Another excerpt from Cartiers Book in 1888:

1st Part :
"Slide left foot to 2nd. position (count one); draw right foot to 1st position (count two); slide left foot again to 2nd position (count three); spring on the left foot, and at the same time bring the right foot behind, slightly raised from the floor (count four). Repeat the same movement to the right by commencing with the right foot, counting five, six, seven, eight.
2nd Part:
Spring from the right to the left foot (count one); hop on the left foot (count two); spring from the left to the right foot (count three); hop on the right foot (count four). Repeat the same, counting five, six, seven, eight. Commence then again on the first part, and so on. The hopping step in the second part is but rarely used at the present day (meaning 1888), and either the waltz or Galop step is substituted instead." End

The Schottische was originally danced in couples closed position throughout the dance. During the1890's it gained it's present form which was modified to an open running position for the first part with the follower on the right side of the leader and a closed position for the turning 2nd part . As the years went by most Hopping and Jumping were eliminated from most all the dances.