leenia it is a move within the dance and a dance in itself
when i played for it it was ALWAYS known as drops of brandy drops of brandy
How to Dance Strip the Willow, or Drops of Brandy

Song:
Strip the Willow

Basic step:
(Highlands Schottische)
Laddie: Left, Right, Left, Hop (1&2 hop); Right, Left, Right, Hop (3&4 hop).
Strip the Willow at Cherokee castle

Strip the Willow at Cherokee castle

Lassie: Right, Left, Right, Hop (1&2 hop); Left, Right, Left, Hop (3&4 hop).

Starting position:
It is a longways set dance, and a set is 8-10 people. The set is dances with 4 or 5 couples in two lines with Laddies and Lassies facing each other

Single Reel:
With a short arm grip (grabbing forearm or hand to hand) Swing your partner around as you dance your basic step.
Right to Right will be clockwise, Left to left will be anti-clockwise (counter clockwise).

Memory Tip:
Your right hand is for your partner, your left hand is for moving down the line, or stripping the willow.

Dance Sequence:
1-8 The couple at the head of the lines reels right hand to right hand 1 ½ turns putting the Lassie facing the Laddie lineMerida , Scottish King Fergus, and Queen Elinor
1-4 The lassie joins Left to left with the next laddie in line and does a reel 1 turn, Her Laddie dances down the line to meet her
5-8 The Lassie catches her partner Right to Right and they dance a reel.

The couple continues in this manner until they reach the end of the line.
1-8 The couple reaches the bottom of the line and reels right hand to right hand 1 ½ turns putting the Laddie facing the Lassies line

Now the Laddie strips the willow back up the Lassie line, offering Left hand to each Lassie for a turn, and Right hand to his partner for a turn until they reach the top of the line.

1-8 The first couple reels right hand to right hand 1 ½ turns putting the Lassie facing the Laddie line, and the Laddie facing the Lassies line

Both partners will strip the willow down the line, Joining Left hand to left hand down the line and Right hand to right hand as they meet in the middle.

1-8 The couple reaches the bottom of the line and reels right hand to right hand 1 ½ turns and ending at the bottom of the line.

The couple at the top of the line will now repeat this sequence, and it will repeat until the song has ended.

Short hand description:

Top couple Reels, Lassie strips the willow down the Laddie’s line, Couple reels at the bottom, Laddie strips the willow up the line, Couple reels at the top, both partners strip the willow down the line, Couple Reels at the bottom and gets back in line as a new couple begins again at the top.