What an amazing thread, I'm from Scotland and had no idea about the most of this stuff!

Thanks for the history lesson it was great. I is interesting to know the history of the dances my daughter is learning.

really cool thread! My sister and her best friend were interested in Highland dancing. We Irish dance, though, so we know nothing about it! Thanks!

If I wasn't a Theatre Major, I'd probably would a History Major! This board is very interesting and exciting for me! I love how each dance has a story/history behind it, that's my favorite thing of Highland Dancing. I especially love the Seann Truibhas, it just makes me want to rejoice and celebrate!

Great post! Lots of good information in it and some extra tid bits from everyone else, heck I could write a report just from reading these two pages LoL

Great Post - I knew the basics about some of the dances but it's interesting to have more in depth explanations and to learn about the ones I didn't know.

I know we all hear that Seann Triubhas is gaelic for old trousers, but it's even cooler than that. It's gaelic for 'shiny trousers'. And the reason that shiny trousers are equivalent to old trousers is that, after Culloden, the English forbad not just the wearing of tartans, but required the Scots to purchase English cotton fabric from English mills. Needless to say, the fabric was sold to the Scots at a premium, and wasn't nearly as satisfactory as wool cloth woven in the highlands (which was now forbidden). So the Scots gritted their teeth and wore the hated English cotton trews until they were worn out (shiny) in the knees and seat.

{q}So the Scots gritted their teeth and wore the hated English cotton trews until they were worn out (shiny) in the knees and seat.(/q}

That brought back a memory! Sorry for the hijack but many many years ago when I was in Grade 6 French Immersion, we always had to come in from lunch time recess and follow the Principal up the stairs to class. Because I was one of the shortest, I was at the head of the line (according to size) and of course he was right in front of me. Couldn't help but remember the Seann Truibhas every day because our Principal had the "shiny trousers". Not nice to laugh I guess, but I remember giggling and trying to hide it!

I like the sword dances. i think they are and artform and a ststement of culture and history

Wow what a treasure trove of information! I have a guy friend at work who doesn't understand the difference between Scottish Highland dance and Riverdance and I promised I would send him info and maybe a video link to help him, and, look, here is the perfect solution. Thank you!

Thank you for posting this information. My daughter and I are new to highland dancing.

wounderful post thank you:)

Thank you for the sticky. I feel it is important for the dancers to know the history of their chosen style of dance. Many dancers get up and dance without knowing the purpose or story behind each one.

Thanks for this sticky. This information should be made mandatory to all new dancers and parents so that everyone understands the background to the dances. I am working on a booklet for our school of dance and this kind of info comes in very handy for new parents!

great post loved all the history and information

thanks

Thanks to all the people who posted info on the history of highland dance. I (and my students!!) love all the history in the dances. When we go to shows it really helps with the intervals between the dances to give a good story here and there!

this was very informative and interesting to a non-highland dnacer (YET). I want to start soon, and this is good to know

Thank you! I was looking for the history of the jig to tell my dancers but I couldn't find a reliable one! Thanks!

Loved reading all the posts here!

I dont do Highland and now I know loads

great write up my daughter dances and it has given her a better insite into what the dances are about many thanks it was great reading

A very interesting post - I knew about the fling and sword but not the other dances.

Thanks so much for posting this. I do alot of mc-ing at my daughter's dance performances at festivals and such, and I've used the stuff I learned from you to explain Scottish dancing to the masses many times. They love learning while they watch.