It may be startling to learn that in Scotland, highland dancing was once (and to an extent still is) an athletic event. But Scottish dances such as the highland fling and the sword dance are in fact the solo dances of the Highland men, and are so vigorous that one must be in top physical shape to perform them. Up until the 1900s Highland Dancing was only performed by men. It wasn't until the World Wars that women began to dance in order to keep the heritage of dancing alive while their men fought on the battle lines. Today women dancers outnumber the men almost 100 to 1. In centuries past Highland Dancing was used as an exercise for the soldiers in the Scottish Regiments to keep them in shape and ready for battle. A typical six-step Highland Fling means the dancer jumping vertically 192 times! Long hours of practice are required for a dancer to become proficient enough to dance the intricate figures lightly and gracefully, as they should be danced.

Traditional Dances

Highland Fling

A dance of victory in battle. Traditionally, ancient warriors and clansmen performed this dance on a small round shield called a targe, which they carried into battle. One can understand the quick footwork and dexterity of the dancer when it is noted that most targes had a pinpoint-sharp spike of steel projecting some five or six inches from its center. A false or careless step could be more than a little painful.

The Seann Truibhas

Pronounced "shawn trews", in the Gaelic language, it translates into English as "old trousers". The dance has obscure origins; the movements definitely depict a person in the act of shedding his breeks (britches), and the tradition is that of a Highlander impatient to get rid of the unfamiliar garment and get back to the freedom of his native Highland kilt.

The Sword Dance (AKA Ghillie Calum)

No highland dance is older or better known than the Ghillie Calum, or Sword Dance.

Some suggest that Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland, who ruled the country between 1054 and 1096, created the dance. In 1054 Malcolm Canmore began the military campaign that Macbeth made famous. Malcolm, supported by the Earl of Northumbria, was able to force territorial concessions from Macbeth at the bloody battle of Dunsinane on 24 July, 1054. After the success, Malcolm is believed to have placed his own sword on top of that of his enemy in the form of a cross and danced triumphant over them.

Others suggest that warriors danced the Sword Dance the night before battle. If the dancer touched the sword, the dancer would be wounded the next day, but if a dancer kicked the sword, he would be killed.

The dance is performed today to the pipe tune Ghillie Calum with two or more slow steps followed by one or two quick steps. If a dancer touches a sword (but not displaces it in competition), the dancer loses five marks. However, if the dancer displaces the sword, s/he is disqualified

The Reel of Tulloch

There are several types of ‘group’ dances performed by Highland Dancers. They include:

1.      Hullachan
2.      Strathspey and Half Tulloch
3.      Strathspey and Highland Reel
4.      Strathspey and Highland Reel and Half Tulloch.

A Strathspey is performed by four dancers, initially beginning in a line, and dancing a ‘figure of eight’—although the formation actually uses three loops--to a suitable strathspey tune. A quicker Highland Reel (using the same formation) or Tulloch (with dancers taking turns doing steps and turning with linked arms) follows the Strathspey.

The Reel of Tulloch or Hullachan refers to a dance performed outside a cottage. This Reel is thought to have originated in the Churchyard, where on a cold winter's Sunday a Minister was late for his service-- parishioners tried to keep warm by clapping their hands and stamping their feet.

The Irish Jig

A dance which may seem somewhat out of place at a Scottish event, this jig is not popular only in Ireland. It is also popular, even traditional, in Scotland. The jig danced here, however, is meant to be a parody of an Irishman/woman in an agitated state of mind. While the steps are traditional, the arm movements are not; they are an intrinsic part of Scottish dancing, and we thus added to this jig in a humorous salute to our Celtic brethren across the Irish Sea.

The Sailor's Hornpipe

Originally an ancient dance common in much of Britain, its name derives from the "horn pipe", an instrument much like the modern tin flute, which accompanied the dance. In time, the dance became so popular among seafaring men that it became known as the "sailor's hornpipe". Now it is performed in nautical costume and imitates many typical shipboard activities such as rope hauling, climbing the shroud lines, and others.

Scottish National Dances

Blue Bonnets, Scottish Lilt, Highland Laddie, The Earl of Errol, Flora MacDonald's Fancy and Village Maid are known as the Scottish National Dances. Attire worn by women is different than for the Traditional dances (Sword Dance, Highland Fling, etc). Dancers commonly wear a white dress with tartan plaid, or full tartan skirt, white blouse and a vest. Known as Aboyne Dress, it originated at the Aboyne Highland Games in Scotland where the wearing of the kilt and dancing of the stronger traditional dancers was strictly forbidden for women. These dances are gentler, more flowing and more graceful, but still require a lot of skill to execute correctly.