Question:

A discussion started on "Strathspey" about Holyrood House, that led me to look for detailed information.  The question is: what shoulder are the half reels of three on 41-44?  Both Right Shoulder, or Mirror (Men LSh, Women RSh)?

The 2005 Manual added a new note:

"Bars 38-39.  4th couple cast into first place; 3rd and 2nd couples pass left shoulders before crossing to own sides, 3rd couple dancing straight to second place on their own sides of the dance facing up, and 2nd couple into third place facing out ready to cast up into the half reels of three; 1s couple divide and cast off into fourth place on their own side of the dance."

The explicit statement for 2C " ... facing out ready to cast up into the half reels of three" and for 3C " ... facing up" (but "out" is not mentioned) gives a strong indication for mirror half reels of 3:  4C out, 3C in and up, 2C out and up.  But that is not said explicitly.  This wording clearly does NOT fit with two covering RSh reels.  Then it should have said that 2W and 3M face out (as in figure 3).

Answer:

The dance was written at a time when right shoulders were the norm unless otherwise stated.  The diagram showing a right shoulder entry into the half reel of three is correct and is clearly demonstrated in the video "How do you do it?"

The 2c finish the half reel of four by crossing to their own sides in 3rd place to finish with 2w facing out ready to cast into the reel of three whilst 2m dances out to the side and pulls his right shoulder back (described in the Manual somewhat ambiguously as "cast") to enter the next reel.