Scottish Highland dance
Highland dance is a solo tradition closely tied to Scotland's Highland Games, whose modern revival began in the early nineteenth century. It was shaped from Gaelic folk dance and formalised with conventions borrowed from ballet; an Aberdeen dancing teacher began documenting steps in 1747. Dancers are known for turned-out legs, pointed feet, high jumps and stylised arm positions.
Five main dances are recognised in competition: the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Strathspey and Highland Reel, and Reel of Tulloch, danced to strathspeys and reels played on the bagpipes. The Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, formed in 1950, standardises teaching and judging, and the world championship has been held at the Cowal Highland Gathering since 1934.
Sources
- Highland dance (TRACS - Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland)
- About us (Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing)
- Highland dance (Wikipedia)
Organisations connected with this dance
- Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD)
- TRACS - Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland
Listed as references; being listed is not an endorsement by or of the organisation.