29884 scottish dancesposter

HIGHLAND DANCES
Highland Dances
date
back to
11th century
when men
danced
to celebrate victory and to
COUNTRY
DANCEStrain before battle. Nowadays they are part of Highland
They are more like a sport because of
They aregames
a typeevent.
of folk
are judged on technique, timing
dance in competition.
sets, usuallyDancers
of
and arranged
general posture.
To become a skilled dancer you
3 or more couples
in
to practice
two lines or in need
a square.
The for many hours daily during a few
years.
Most
best examples are – reels andHighland dances are danced solo.
they were performed only by men. In the

jigs
and Traditionally
strathspeys.
th
late
19
century
The reel is the oldest form of women were allowed to participate and
about 95%
Scottish groupnow
dance,
first of all dancers are female. The best
known
examples
of
them
are:
mentioned in the
16th century.
the Sword
Dance which dates back to 1054 when
Legend says that
the Reel
III, King of Scots took his opponent’s sword
originated withMalcolm
well-wishers
after battle, crossed
two swords on the ground and
waiting outside
a

danced
over
them.
Later
warriors performed this dance
church on a
before
battle.
Landing
on
a
sword was thought to predict
cold,
winter
the
loss
of
the
battle.
afternoon.
the Highland Fling which was originally a victory dance
The
dancers
in battle performed by warriors on a small shield carried
made groups of
into battle. The shield had a long sharp spike in the
four
and
performed quick dances. centre so dancers needed to be careful with their steps.
fling is danced in one place. While dancing

Female
Outfits
The jig-Dance
this dance
is also Thus
quickthe
in tempo
dancers
jump
192 times expressing intricate footwork at
Females
wear
a
tartan
kilt
and
matching
hose.
and uses the same steps. Arm
Male
Dance
the
same
time.
They
also
have
a
velvet
jacket

to
match
their
movements are an intrinsic part of Outfits
Males
aawhite shirt,
a jacket of velvet or
kilt,
and a lace
or a sleeveless
with
Scottish
jig insert
in comparison
to vest
thewear
Irish
cloth,
a
tartan
kilt
and
matching
hose. They
white
blouse
underneath.
version.
also
wear

a
traditional
Scottish
hat
For
strathspeys
theyinmay
wear atempo
white with
dress
The
strathspeya slower
called
a
Balmoral.
If
the
jacket
is
in
the
‘Prince
Charlie’
with
a tartan steps.
plaid over
right shoulder
or an
different
Thethedance

is a slow,
then
they must have a bow tie and a waistcoat.
‘Aboyne’.
dress
consists of
velvet
bodice
stately This
waltz
composed
ofastyle
three
main
Jackets
in
the ‘Montrose’ style have to be worn with a
over
a whitewhich
blouse withgives
a tartanmuch
skirt andmore
white
steps,
white
lace
jabot. For highland dances they can also
underskirts.
A
tartan

plaid
is
worn
with
a
Scottish
opportunity for graceful dancing.
wear tartan trousers called trews.
–themed brooch.

Scottish dancers wear shoes called ghillies.