The History of Scottish Highland Dancing


Scottish Highland dancing is one of the oldest forms of dance, it is thought to date back to the 11th century. Highland Dancing is the traditional solo dancing of Scotland, and should not be confused with Scottish country dancing—the social dance of the country. Both modern ballet and square dancing can trace their roots back to the Highlands.

Unfortunately, the origins of Highland Dancing are shrouded in antiquity and legend. Little academic research has been undertaken into this beautiful and important art form—in part, because very little was recorded,
as Highland culture was largely an oral culture, with song and traditions passed down by word of mouth. As a result, numerous stories abound regarding the source of the dances, and many are in conflict with each
other. I will therefore give both the ‘history’, which is commonly accepted among teachers and judges, as well as some of the legends and stories with which I grew up—in order that more information is not lost. Many of the legends are beautiful and inspiring to young dancers, and should be recorded for the future.
Highland Dancing is said to have been created by a young boy, when he was out hunting deer. The boy watched a buck jumping around in a field the sight was so beautiful he could not bring himself to kill the deer. So he returned home with no food. When asked why he had nothing for his family to eat, the boy could not find the words to describe how beautiful the stag had been so he danced instead, his hands held aloft like the stags antlered head.

According to tradition, the old kings and chiefs of Scotland, used Highland dancing as a way of choosing men for their retinue and men at arms. Dancing was one of the ways men were tested on agility, strength, stamina and accuracy. Scottish regiments used Highland Dancing as exercise to keep the troops in shape, and ready for battle. The dances are indeed excellent exercise; for example, in a typical six-step Highland Fling, a dancer will jump vertically 192 times (the equivalent of running a mile), while performing complicated and intricate footwork, and using the muscles from head to toe. Highland dancing is therefore akin to sprinting, with dancers using fast-twitch muscle, which is also required by soldiers. The regiments did not just dance six steps they danced upwards of 20 steps in one dance! The leaps were said to be used to leap over a sword trust at their heart.

Originally only men were allowed to do these dances. In the late 19th century a young woman named Jenny Douglas decided to enter a Highland dance competition. As this was not expressly forbidden, she was allowed to enter. Later during the World Wars, women began dancing more often wanting to preserve their rich culture and history, while the men were defending their homeland. Since then the number of females participating in the sport has increased until today in excess of 95% of all dancers are female.



THE HIGHLAND DANCES

The Highland Fling-

As with the Sword Dance, this is probably the oldest of the traditional dances of Scotland - signifying victory following a battle. It was danced on a targe, a circular shield of wood with the front covered in tough hide, and the back in deer or sheepskin. The targe weighed approximately five pounds, and was strong enough to withstand the thrust of a bayonet.
The front of the shield was decorated with brass studs and plates, and had a long spike in the centre around which the dancer would dance flicking of the feet, jumping and careful stepping supposedly to drive evil spirits away. Agility, nimble footwork, and strength allowed the dancer to avoid the sharp spike, which often projected five to six inches upwards. It was also said to have been practiced on tree stumps and fence posts. Thus the Fling is danced in one place.
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The Sword Dance-

The Sword Dance is mentioned in documents going back to the reign of Malcolm III, King of Scots in the eleventh century. Known in Gaelic as "Canmore", "Great Head", he allegedly danced over his bloody claymore, (the ancient two-handed sword of Scotland), crossed with the sword of his defeated enemy (or perhaps even over the severed head of his foe).
After this the Sword dance was traditional danced by warriors on the eve of battle, if the dancer touched the sword he would be wounded the next day, but if a dancer kicked the sword, he would be killed, if many dancers touched their swords the clan would lose the battle. Following this tradition today, 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 clap at close to the end of the dance tells the piper to speed up the tempo, showing off the dancers endurance and mettle.
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www.youtube.com . . .


Seann Truibhas-

Seann Truibhas, pronounced ‘Shawn Trewes’, is Gaelic for ‘Old Trousers’. It is largely believed that the dance developed after the 1745 Jacobite Rising, when Charles Edward Stuart (more affectionately known as Bonnie Prince Charlie) came to Scotland (from France) to win back the crown.
Initially the uprising was a staggering success; the Jacobite army rapidly broke out of the Highlands, captured Edinburgh, and advanced as far south as Derby in England. Unfortunately, the army lacked the necessary French support, and so retreated back to their stronghold in the Highlands, where it was finally defeated at Culloden Moor near Inverness in 1746.
Afterwards, the government decided to end once and for all the Jacobite military threat. Jacobites were rounded up, imprisoned or executed. Estates were snatched, the clan system dismantled, and their kilt and plaids, pipes, and weaponry outlawed.
Some therefore suggest that the dance was created when the above Act of Proscription was repealed in 1783, and Highlanders were once again allowed to wear their kilts. The first part of the dance depicts a man trying to shake off the hated trousers and the quick-time is thought to reflect the Highlander’s joy at regaining the freedom of their native kilts.
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The Reels-

There are several types of ‘group’ dances performed by Highland Dancers. They include:
1. Hullachan (Gaelic for "party")
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 (in competition all dancers are judged separately), initially beginning in a line, and dancing a ‘figure of eight’. 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 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. Another version tells of the churchgoers in the aisle between the pews to keep warm before the service started.

Strathspey and Highland Reel and Half Tulloch.
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Strathspey and Half Tulloch
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Strathspey and Highland Reel
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NATIONAL DANCES

The National Dances include Blue Bonnets, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, Hielan' Laddie, Scotch Measure, Scottish Lilt, The Earl of Errol, The Village Maid, and Wilt Thou go to the Barracks Johnnie?
These dances vary considerably in character. Only two of the above dances are performed in a kilt, ‘Barracks’ and ‘Laddie’. The remainder of the dances were created by dancing masters in the 19th century to be danced by women, as females were not originally allowed to dance the strong Highland Dances, or even wear the kilt.
The National Dances are more balletic, ‘lady-like’, and softer—although they require tremendous skill to execute correctly, as the rhythms and technique are often more complicated than in the conventional Highland Dances. The costume worn by women is called ‘Aboyne’ named after the Aboyne Highland Games where to this day the wearing of the kilt by females is strictly forbidden. Males have the option of wearing tartan ‘trewes’ or a kilt for the National Dances.

Blue Bonnets-

This dance depicts a young woman trying to flirt and catch the attention of a "blue bonnet". "Blue bonnets" was slang for Scotsmen, so named because of the blue hats they wore.
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Flora Macdonald’s Fancy-

The ‘Flora’ is a pretty dance said to be choreographed in honor of Flora MacDonald. After the massacre at Culloden in 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie had a high price on his head, and Flora helped him escape to Skye by disguising him as her maid, Betty Burke.
The crossing was short but dangerous, as the small boat weathered both bullets from the shore, and storms. Both survived, and the Prince escaped to France, never to return.
Flora was later arrested when her part in the escape became known. However, her courage, ingenuity, and popular appeal meant that she was well treated, and was later released from the Tower.
One legend is that Flora loved Bonnie Prince Charlie, and that she performed the dance high on a hill, as he sailed for France. Another says that this dance was originated by her and danced for the Royal Prince in the light of the rebel campfire.
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Earl of Errol-

This was originally a dance performed in hard shoes. It was choreographed for the Earl of Errol. Errol is a small town in Aberdeenshire.
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Scotch Measure-

This can either be danced as a solo dance or with two people in which case it is called a "Twa Some". It is supposed to depict the Scottish dating ritual.
Scotch Measure
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Twa-some
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Village Maid-

Of all the dances, this dance is most heavily influenced by ballet. The dance is unusual in that there is very little hopping, which is so characteristic of Highland Dancing, and the dancer steps flat onto the foot-- most of the other dances require that the dancer be on the ball of the supporting foot. The dance shows a young barmaid dancing on the table to entertain her clients.
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Wilt Thou go to the Barracks Johnnie?-

The ‘Barracks’ is thought to have been a recruiting dance for the army. A recruiting officer would use a dancer to attract people to his recruiting station or use the dancer for entertainment while in a village.
Another story says that if a Highlander could complete this physically demanding dance without tiring he was fit enough to fight in battle.
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The Highland Laddie-

This dance was devised by soldiers in the First World War I. It is always danced to the famous tune of the same name. This dance is also a tribute to the Highland Laddie, Bonnie Prince Charlie.
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The Scottish Lilt-

The ‘Lilt’ or ‘Scottish Jig’ is another pretty dance; it is unusual in that the counting is in sixes rather than eights, which is the norm. I haven’t been able to find a story behind this dance.
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IRISH JIG AND SAILOR’S HORNPIPE

The Irish Jig-

The Scottish version of the Irish Jig is a parody dance depicting an Irish washer woman who is yelling and shaking her fists at her husband who came home late from the pub after spending all his money. Other versions include the Irish washerwoman chasing away the kids or pigs that ran through her clean laundry. The male version of the dance tells of the husband mad at the washerwoman for shrinking his pants.
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Sailor’s Hornpipe-

Hornpipe dancing was fairly widespread throughout the British Isles during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Hornpipe likely developed as a means of exercise for sailors (much like the Highland Dances for soldiers) who were aboard ships for long periods of time, and as a means to relieve boredom and discontent. It is in fact believed that the Royal Navy Captain James Cook (1728-1779) thought dancing was most useful to keep his men in good health during a voyage.
The dance recreates the many chores of a sailor on board his ship including, hauling, hoisting, looking out to sea, waving the farewell flag and getting a little tipsy. The step-close during the break signifies the sailor stepping forward crisply to receive his pay.
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OTHER DANCES

Cake Walk-

This dance originates in the Southern states of America where domestic servants would gather together in the evenings and amuse themselves by making dances that impersonated their masters' ways! The winner would receive a cake - hence, the Cake Walk! The dance is always performed by two dancers.
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www.youtube.com . . .

Broadsword-

A version of the Sword Dance, the Broadsword is of military origins and was commonly taught to those in the Scottish regiments of the army. This dance is usually performed by four dancers around four highland broadswords placed to make a cross with their points in the centre.
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www.youtube.com . . .