Andy Murray inspires new Scottish country dance

ANDY Murray’s Wimbledon heroics are to be honoured in the form of a new Scottish country dance entitled The Pride of Dunblane.

Several hundred dancers took to the floor amid the stunning surroundings of Linlithgow Castle last night for the first performance of the specially created dance.

It is set to the Wimbledon theme tune and includes movements which have been inspired by Murray’s Wimbledon journey.

These include dancers representing the shape of Centre Court, the scurrying run of Murray retrieving a drop shot and even the motions he makes for the ever-present towel.

And to complete the authentic feel of Murray’s most epic encounter to date, dancers are also encouraged to pump fists and shout “come on!”

News of the dance has even reached Judy Murray, who showed her support by retweeting reports of its premiere.

Written by Ian Brockbank, from Blackford, who has composed more than 50 dances in Scottish traditional form, the composition is the brainchild of John Carswell, who is the organiser of the annual Linlithgow Scotch Hop.

He said: “I was watching Murray in the semis and just got the feeling that he would go on to win it so I thought that something should be done to honour this.

“I mentioned it to Ian and we both agreed that it was a crazy idea but that we could do something with it.

“It’s a bit of fun and a simple dance that everyone can join in with. Dunblane is only up the road and what Murray has done should be celebrated.”

The Linlithgow Scotch Hop is a series of open-air social Scottish dances which runs every summer at Linlithgow Palace.

Mr Brockbank said: “I tried to create a simple dance which everyone could enjoy so that Andy’s achievements could be celebrated at ceilidhs up and down the country.”

The dance has also received the seal of approval from governing body The Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (RSCDS).

Executive officer and secretary Elizabeth Foster said: “We are open to new creative ideas and once we have ironed out all the quirks in the dance we would be only too happy to invite Andy, his mother Judy and brother Jamie to try it out for themselves.”

Instructions to the Pride of Dunblane are available for free from www.scottishdance.net and the Scotch Hop Web sites.

How to dance the Andy Murray

Couples start facing in, women on the right.

Bars 1-8: All join hands in a large circle and advance and retire twice. This represents the shape of Centre Court, and the opening and closing of the roof.

Bars 9-16: Retaining nearer hands with partner, women dance around the men, going in front to start and holding hands throughout. Men repeat. Finish next to partner facing along line of dance, nearer hands joined, men on the inside. This represents Murray serving an ace and wiping his face on his towel.

Bars 17-24: Advance along line of dance. Change sides with partner, women dancing in front of men. Pull then release hands to start. Change sides with partner again, men dancing in front of women. Pull then release hands to start and take original hands at end. This shows Murray’s movement around the court.

Bars 25-32: Circle 3 bars to the left then drop hands and pull back left shoulder to turn about on the spot. Circle back to the right, finishing facing ready to start again.