Cornhill Highland Games attracts a large number of competitive Highland Dancers. Wearing tartan and dancing to the sound of bagpipes, the dancers compete to score for technique, timing, and performance.
The Grampian Highland Games Association Highland Dancing League is sponsored by Walkers Shortbread.
Highland Dancing includes:
Highland Fling – The most famous of the solo Highland Dances, said to derive from the antics of a courting stag on a Scottish hillside. The raised arms imitate the stag’s antlers.
Sword Dance – Originated in 1054, the dance since became a ritual before battle in which clansmen would dance as close as possible to the sword blades – a sign of daring, as to touch the blades was a bad omen for the next day.
Shean Truibhas – Meaning ‘old trousers’ in Gaelic. The dance recognises the repression after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 when bagpipes and kilts were banned. The slow tempo represents the disgust at having to do so, whilst the shaking movements represent shaking off the trousers and the quick steps are displays of pleasure when Scots were once more able to wear the kilt.
Flora MacDonald – This is danced in honour of Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to the Isle of Skye. In 1746, this intrepid young Scotswoman helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to France after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden.
Scottish Lilt – A graceful dance that depicts a young woman trying to flirt and catch the attention of a ‘blue bonnet’. It has been suggested that the Scottish Lilt is a courting dance that was performed by Scottish gentlewomen to show how graceful they could be.
Dances
16 Pas de Basque
Pas de Basques & Highcuts (4 times)
Highland Fling (4 steps)
Sword Dance (2 & 1)
Seann Truibhas (3 & 1)
Half Reel of Tulloch
Flora MacDonald (4 steps)
Scottish Lilt (4 steps)
Irish Jig (3 & 1)
Salior’s Hornpipe (4 steps)
Times
10am – Primary, Beginner and Novice groups.
1.30pm – Intermediate and Premier Highland Dancing
Taking Part
RSOBHD rules apply.
See application form for Age / Class details.
Competitors must be registered; cards must be shown prior to competing.
Entries should be made in advance. Please download form and return with payment.
Payment this year is to be made online. Full details will be sent to you by email upon submission of registration form.
