The dance was devised to introduce the formation ‘Set and Link’ to a class.
The formation was devised by New Zealander Alec Hay in 1966. He indicated that hands are released on completion of the setting steps. A tendency has emerged for dancers to retain hands some way into the linking movement. I discourage this practice as it risks shoulder injuries.
As with many of my ‘formation dances’, this dance may be done as a jig, reel or strathspey.
Named after the children’s toy.