From the Archive RSCDS Archivist Alan Macpherson writes about a lesser-known pioneer of dancing.
Margaret Mary Dow, usually known as Meta Dow, was born in Kippen in October 1888. During her lifetime she was a major force in the early years of the revival of country dancing in Scotland. Meta Dow trained as a teacher of Physical Education at Dundee Training College in 1907–08. Following her graduation, she took up an appointment as a physical training instructress with Clackmannan County Education Authority, working in the Grange School in Alloa. During her time there she was noted for her work in teacher continuation training and also for promoting swimming and life-saving classes for the pupils. In the autumn of 1921 Meta Dow applied successfully for a post as a lecturer at Dundee Training College where she remained for the rest of her working life, eventually becoming the head of women’s PE. During her time there, she became involved with country dancing. Her work as a college lecturer would have included music and movement and when, in 1925, there was a move to establish a branch of the recentlyformed SCD Society, Miss Dow was invited to attend a meeting addressed by Mrs. Ysobel Stewart. As a result, Dundee Branch was formed and Miss Dow along with two others agreed to be nominated as a teacher. The appointments were confirmed following an assessment on 9 February, 1925, when the examiners were Mrs Stewart and Miss Sharp. Miss Dow taught regularly for Dundee Branch classes. The Dundee Branch minutes show that in 1930 she organised an Autumn School to be held in the Training College and in 1935 she held a Thé Dansant to raise funds to send dancers to the London International Festival of that year. Through her various country dance activities she became friendly with the wellknown ‘Dancie’ John Reid of Newtyle. In fact, John Reid wrote a tune for her called ‘Miss Dow’s Fancy’, which was first played
for The Glasgow Highlanders by his orchestra at a Dundee Branch dance in the Training College hall, 14 December 1936. An early arrangement of the tune was by Summer School staff 1934, with Meta Dow bottom centre Winifred Byrd-Mathew, a Dundee musician the tune Miss Dow’s Fancy, should be and friend of both Dancie Reid and Meta written as a belated tribute to her work for Dow, who played for Miss Dow’s country SCD. The result was Miss Dow’s Strathspey, dance classes. completed in 1994 and submitted to the RSCDS for consideration. The Society, Miss Dow continued to work for the however, decided not to publish it and the development of SCD, becoming an opportunity to make a public tribute to adjudicator and also a teacher at the Miss Dow’s work was missed. Society’s Summer Schools, and she was considered by some to be the ‘Miss Milligan’ In the early 1940s Meta Dow resigned from of the East. Her contribution to the re- the Training College to return home to care establishment of country dancing in for her ailing mother. For many years after, Scotland was never fully acknowledged by she taught the RSCDS country dance class the RSCDS. However, during a discussion held in the McLaren High School, Callander. with Dr. Alastair MacFadyen in the early She was also a gifted watercolour artist. 1990s it was decided that a dance, using Meta Dow died in Perth in December, 1955.
Meta Dow (far right) with Dancie Reid, on the tennis courts at St Andrews
RSCDS Incorporation The Management Board has confirmed its plans to present motions at the 2014 AGM which, if accepted by delegates, would lead to the Society becoming incorporated on 1 April 2015. The proposed change of legal status means adoption of a new constitution, known as the Memorandum and Articles of Association (MAA). A full description of the reasons for change, what it means in practice, how it would be implemented, etc, is now published on the Society website along with the key legal documents. William Whyte, Treasurer (treasurer@rscds.org)
Erratum An error has come to light in bars 17–18 of Eileen Watt’s Strathspey in the combined book of Magazine Dances published in 2012. The instructions should read, ‘1st couple dance a petronella turn to finish 1st woman between 2nd couple on the women’s side and 1st man between 3rd couple on the men’s side.’ This was correct in Scottish Country Dancer Issue 1 and we apologise for the later mistake.
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