Highland dancing can trace its origins back to sixteenth century, particularly in reference to the “Sword Dance”, and evolved into its current form during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, where it has become an athletic, solo style of dancing, performed to the accompaniment of bagpipes, and often in a competitive setting.
Although the name of the dancing suggests that the dancing styles originated in the Scottish Highlands, they have also been subject to outside influences from the urban areas, as well as being adapted to the tastes of the patrons and judges in dance competitions.
In its present form, Highland dancing has developed into a highly competitive and technical dance form. It requires practitioners to train for many years before they reach the standard necessary to perform in public, and compete in dancing at events such as the Highland Games.
The dance is essentially a ‘step dance’ inasmuch as the main element is concerned with footwork, with the dancers dancing on the balls of their feet. However, the dance also involves coordinated upper body, arm and hand movements, which provides the dance style with its unique, Scottish flavour. Dances are performed by soloists, or by a small group who are dancing in unison, and all the dancers wear the Scottish kilt. The fast stepping reels provide the music for such dances as the “Highland fling”, and the slower stepping marches are used for solo the dance over swords and scabbards, known as “The Sword Dance”.
In competitive events, dancers are judged individually, even though they may be dancing in groups.
Although the name of the dancing suggests that the dancing styles originated in the Scottish Highlands, they have also been subject to outside influences from the urban areas, as well as being adapted to the tastes of the patrons and judges in dance competitions.
In its present form, Highland dancing has developed into a highly competitive and technical dance form. It requires practitioners to train for many years before they reach the standard necessary to perform in public, and compete in dancing at events such as the Highland Games.
The dance is essentially a ‘step dance’ inasmuch as the main element is concerned with footwork, with the dancers dancing on the balls of their feet. However, the dance also involves coordinated upper body, arm and hand movements, which provides the dance style with its unique, Scottish flavour. Dances are performed by soloists, or by a small group who are dancing in unison, and all the dancers wear the Scottish kilt. The fast stepping reels provide the music for such dances as the “Highland fling”, and the slower stepping marches are used for solo the dance over swords and scabbards, known as “The Sword Dance”.
In competitive events, dancers are judged individually, even though they may be dancing in groups.