Maggie Ross Highland Dance : Highland Dance Calendar
CLICK on the Calendar to see images for the individual months. A different images each month. Highland Dancing is the traditional dancing from Scotland. It is usually danced solo to the music of the Scottish bagpipe. Highland and National dances require stamina, flexibility, strength and agility. Following are descriptions of most of the Highland and National Dances. Highland Fling A victory dance that is supposed to be the oldest dance and is said to have been done on the shield or targe of the defeated warrior. The fingers are held in the shape of the deer head with antlers in all of the highland dances. Sword Dance ( Ghillie Callum)
The legend has it that before entering into battle, soldiers would perform this dance over crossed swords. If the dancer displaced or touched the sword it was a bad omen. Seann Truibhas ('Old Trousers' ) Seann Truibhas as the story goes dates back to the 1783 when the British Disarming Act of 1747 was repealed and Scots were finally allowed to wear the Kilt again. This dance represents the shedding of the trousers. Strathspey & Reel of Tulloch This dance along with the Strathspey & Highland Reel, and the Hulluchan are the only Highland dances done with more than one person. There is usually a team of four dancers who weave in and out in a figure eight pattern. Supposedly this dance was done by parishioners dancing around trying to keep warm before church. Sailor's Hornpipe A caricature dance developed from the traditional English version of the Sailor's Hornpipe. It has become more popular in Scotland than in England and is regularly featured in Highland Games.
