Highland Dance

Location: Callander Highland Dance Building

Scottish Highland Dancing is a form of national dancing native to Scotland. Many of the dances were originally meant to prepare the military for battle. Others were made to represent a part of Scottish history.

In most Highland dances, when the dancer raises their arm up, the thumb of their hand touches the knuckle of the middle finger. Some believe this was meant to represent the antlers of a stag. Others believe it remains from a time when dancers snapped their fingers to keep the beat.

Highland Fling - This is one of the oldest of the traditional Highland dances 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 that had a sharp spike of steel projecting from the center. To avoid the spike, dancers needed to dance on the ball of the foot and stay in one place.

Sword Dance - The Sword Dance is one of the oldest Highland dances. It was originally used to prepare Highlanders for managing their broadswords in battle. Legend has it that on the eve of battle, the highland chief would call out the clan's best dancers, who would dance the sword dance over two uncovered swords which are laid across each other on the floor. If the dancers successfully avoided touching either blade, then it was considered an omen that the next day's battle would be in the clan's favor. If his feet knocked against the swords, he would be wounded in battle and if he kicked them, then he would die.

Seann Triubhas - “Seann Triubhas” is Gaelic for Old Trousers. In the 1700s, the Jacobites in the Scottish Highlands believed the British throne belonged to the Scottish house of Stuart. They tried to stage a rebellion but ultimately lost. In response, severe restrictions were placed on Highland Culture and the clan system was dismantled. The Act of Proscription of 1746 outlawed Highland dress unless worn in military service. Scots were not allowed to wear kilts and had to wear trousers, or trews. This law was repealed in 1782, and this dance is a celebration of that repeal. At the beginning of the dance, there are many movements that mimic shaking off of the old trousers. Towards the end, the dancer claps, signaling a change in the music. This part of the dance shows the joyous return to wearing a kilt.

Reel of Tulloch - The Reel of Tulloch is danced in groups of four, though dancers are judged individually. It is said to have originated in the churchyard of Tulloch Church in Deeside where on a cold winter's Sunday morning, the minister was late for his service. The parishioners tried to keep warm by doing steps and turning with linked arms.

Scottish Lilt - The Scottish Lilt is a Scottish National Dance. These dances illustrate the history of dancing and other aspects of Scottish culture. The Scottish Lilt is cheerful and graceful, like the form of traditional singing common in Gaelic regions it is named after. It has been suggested that it was a courting dance that was performed by Scottish gentlewomen to show how graceful they could be.