So this HIGHLAND DANCING thing ...

What's it all about?

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The history of the Scottish dancing falls behind the vales of antiquity. Melded into both history and folklore, giving Clans that charisma and elan that defines the Highlander from so many other peoples. The most probable thread to define Highland Dancing is it traditionally was a male activity, therefore to improve agility and stamina for the battlefield.

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The Highlander perfected the Sword Dance, which illustrates well agility and nimbleness of foot. These attributes would give an advantage to a combatant, as well as giving instant reactions of the body on the heather hillsides. This agility would prove useful both in the hunt or the field of battle.

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Today we tend to comprehend the physical requirements to face an armed foe, when we are so used to rifles and things. It waas never so easy with sword and shield. And forso many warriors a stave, axe, scyth was probably morethe usual weapon available. So to dance out of a foes weapon's reach would be crucial.

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The Sword Dance mentioned above, was to illustrate a man's right of passage into warrior status before blooding. As the dance requires a cross of swords blade edge facing up, so it requires four swords! And in (TODAY: dance slippered, or stockinged feet) bare feet to dance over the sharp edges. To fail may be crippling. It requires agility, concentration, and above all confidence. Today it is still danced with blades up by young soldiers as entertainment in many Highland Regiments.