The swirl of a kilt, the music of bagpipes and dancers deftly moving their feet in time. Highland dancing is as Scottish as porridge, haggis, Robbie Burns and one of the hallmarks of this wonderful country’s culture.

The young Highland dancers who will be entertaining audiences at The Scottish Game Fair have learnt their technique at The Gordon School of Dancing in Montrose. I caught up with Robina Addison, the principal, and asked her a few questions.

Q: Can you tell us a little about the history of Highland dancing and how it began?

R: Traditionally kings and Scottish clan chiefs instructed their best men-at-arms to learn the disciplines required to perform Highland dances, as a way of demonstrating strength, stamina and agility. For many years it was exclusively a male pursuit but today 95 % of dancers are female.

Q: Is it energetic? 

R: Very! An eight-step Highland Fling is equal to running a whole mile! This is due to the weight of the kilt outfit, dancing on half point and the arms being held above the head.

Q: Which are the well-known dances?

R: At Highland Games throughout the world there are four dances which are well recognised.

  • The Highland Fling. Legend has it that this dance was due to a young boy imitating a stag he was watching on a hillside. The curved arms and hands representing the stag’s antlers.
  • The Sword Dance. In the mists of antiquity when a chieftain in battle killed a chief of another clan to steal his land, he celebrated by laying his bloodied claymore over that of his slain enemy, then dancing the dance of victory.
  • The Seann Triubhas (old trousers). In 1745 the kilt was banned in Scotland and men were forced to wear trousers. When the ban was eventually lifted the Seann Triubhas was danced, to demonstrate the joy of being allowed to wear the kilt again  Some of the slow steps involve a shaking of the leg, which symbolises shedding the trousers.
  • Reel of Tulloch. The story goes that one bitterly cold morning in the village of Tulloch the minister failed to turn up to open the church on time. While the parishioners were waiting they began to stamp their feet and clap their hands which developed into a lively dance. A more gruesome version holds that a game of football was played by the men of Tulloch, using the head of an enemy as a ball.

 

Q: Where else have the Gordon School dancers performed? 

A: We have performed for members of the Royal Family as well as in care homes, fetes and galas. For several years my pupils have entertained at all four of the Kiltwalks (charity events) in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh.

We have also visited far-flung corners of the world, sharing our culture by performing in festivals, Tartan Days, Burns Suppers and St Andrew’s events. We have been welcomed internationally in England, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, China, USA, Canada, Nova Scotia, Trinidad and also Tobago.

Q: Finally, tell us what’s changed? 

A: Today bright colours are popular. Pinks and purples are very popular. In addition, we’re very keen on dancing to modern Scottish music that’s upbeat – we’re particularly fans of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers! (You can see them in action below – the dancers are with the band.)