To foolestroupe; how do you work out the speed of dadadada just from reading it? Are you a speed reader? The issue of speed is an important one; there are three categories, from my experience; the first is 'geriatric country dancing', which is very, very slow indeed, with lots of pauses so people can go to the toilet. The second is 'rugby club ceilidh', played fast enough so that lots of large hairy men in kilts can collide at sufficient velocity to satisfy their urges for combat, whilst shouting 'yowp' at the top of their voices. The third is 'show-off session' speed, where everyone plays as fast as they can, leaving most of the notes out and laughing at the bodhran player whose arm is paralysed by lactosis.
Guest Catlin; a strathspey is obviously something unpleasant that vets do in Scotland.
Tim