About the Dances

Kimberly dancing as a guest performer for the Dance Theatre's Spring Concert in 1999 at Miami University

Scottish highland dancing is used today to refer to a style of athletic solo dancing which developed in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland. It evolved in its current form during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This form of dance is unlike many others in that it combines not only strength and stamina, but grace and agility as well.  The dances are generally danced solo to the accompaniment of Highland bagpipe music. Dancers can compete at various highland dance competitions throughout the year.

HIGHLAND FLING

This dance is one of the oldest of the Highland dances that originated in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland. Returning from a victorious battle, male warriors would perform the dance in celebration of their success. It was performed on a small round shield, called a targe. Others believe that the dance may have originated from the sight of a deer prancing on a hillside. The upraised arms and hands in the dance represent the deer’s antlers.

SWORD DANCE (Gillie Callum)

This dance has been claimed to date back to Malcolm III of Scotland who fought a battle in 1054. After winning the battle, he crossed his opponent’s sword with his own and danced over them celebrating his victory.  It is also believed that the crossed swords were supposedly placed on the ground before battle while a soldier danced around the blades. If his feet knocked against the swords, he would have been wounded in battle.

SEANN TRIUBHAS (Old Trousers)

Pronounced “shawn trews”, this dance originated in protest after the 1745 rebellion when wearing the kilt was an act of treason. The graceful, controlled steps reflect the restrictions imposed by the foreign trousers, while the lively quick time in this dance recreates the Highlanders’ celebration and joy of returning to the kilt.

REELS

The Reel of Tulloch is supposed to have originated when a congregation had to wait at a church for a minister on a cold wedding day. During the delay, they whistled a highland tune while someone improvised a dance. The parishioners tried to keep warm by stamping their feet, clapping their hands and swinging each other by the arms.

NATIONAL DANCES

These dances such as the Scottish Lilt, Blue Bonnets and Village Maid are characterized as being more balletic; however, they still require quick, precise movements. These dances are more modern than the Highland dances and were developed so that women could participate. Since women were not originally allowed to dance the Highland dances and wear the kilt, they instead danced the National dances, in the Aboyne dress.

IRISH JIG (Scottish version)

This dance is meant to parody an angry Irish washerwoman when she finds out that some neighborhood boys have knocked all of her clean wash to the ground. Another version describes a woman who shakes her fists and flounces her skirt because she is angry with her husband.

SAILOR’S HORNPIPE

This was adapted from an English dance, which is now performed more frequently in Scotland. The Hornpipe mimics a sailor in her majesty’s navy doing work aboard the ship such as hauling rope, sliding on the rollicking deck and standing watch. The Hornpipe is danced in a British sailor’s uniform.