Highland Dancers
Scottish Highland Dancing is one of the oldest forms of dancing that still exists dating back to the 11th and 12h century. It was said that the Highland dances were performed by men to test their strength, agility, and stamina before going off to fight. They were dances performed by warriors who were chosen by the highland chieftains. The dances were restricted to men at the time. Women started to perform the dances over a hundred years ago as the dances were performed in a formal manner.
Today highland dancing is primarily done to music of the bagpipes as solo dances. Both men and women compete in dancing to test their strength, precision, and movement to the music. More women compete today in highland dancing than men. It is one of the few sports where both men and women compete equally according to their skill of performing the dances. The dances are set to traditional Scottish music of Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes, and Jigs.
Highland dancing is very demanding physically as dancers must constantly stay with the music and perform steps which include both arm and feet movements. There is also an added element to the Sword Dance as dancers must dance around a set of swords avoiding touching them. The dancers often compete in a several dances in a competition. They compete against other dancers their age and skill level.
There are two styles of Highland dances: the traditional Highland dances and the graceful National dances.
Highland Dances
Highland Fling
One of the oldest highland dances. It was said to have been inspired by early warriors who would celebrate victory by dancing upon their upturn shields. It could have also been inspired by the hunting of a stag with the dancer representing the stag leaping on a hillside and the raised arms and fingers representing the stag’s antlers.
Sword Dance (Ghillie Callum)
The Sword dance would have been started in celebration of victory by crossing the swords and dancing over them as well as a dance before battle to determine the fate of the battle. If a dancer touched the swords it was bad luck, if the dancer did not touch the swords it was good luck for the battle that was about to take place.
Seann Triubhas (Old Trousers)
The kilt was outlawed in Scotland and someone who wore a kilt was considered a traitor. This dance represents the removal of the trousers and the return to wearing the kilt. It was created as both a defiance for not being allowed to wear a kilt and a celebration to being able to wear a kilt again.
The Strathspey & Highland Reel
Legend has it that people would start dancing outside the church in order to keep warm. The dance also go with the pipe music that was written.
National Dances
In national dances the women change into a dress with a Tartan sash while the men still wear the kilt. The national dances are more ballet in movement. The national dances include the Scottish Lilt, the Highland Laddie, and Scotch Measure.
Irish Jig
This represents an Irish jig where the dancers where a different dress and shoes. The dancer stomps around like an angry Irish woman shaking her fists possibly angry at her husband for drinking too much at the pub.
Sailor’s Hornpipe
The Sailor’s Hornpipe represents a sailor who is on a ship. The dancer makes motions as if climbing, pulling a rope, or doing other sailor duties. The dancers dress up in a sailors uniform for the dance.
