Highland Dance

Scottish Highland Dance was developed in the Scottish Highland in the 19th and 20th century and has long been a staple of the Antigonish Highland Games.

Enjoy watching dancers from all over the world as they compete in the numerous, enjoyable dancing competitions

Important Information

• Registration (coming soon) 
• Schedule of Competition 
• Judge Biographies
• Antigonish Highland Dance Association Website 

History of Highland Dancing 

Dating back to the 11th or the 12th century, the Highland Dances of Scotland tended to be highly athletic male celebratory dances or triumph or joy, or warrior dances performed over swords and spiked shields. According to tradition, the old kings and chiefs of Scotland used the Highland Games as a way of choosing their best men for their retinue and men at arms. 

The Dances

The Highland Fling 

The oldest of the traditional dances of Scotland and is a dance of joy performed at the end of a victorious battle. It was danced by male warriors over a small round shield called a Targe. The Highland Fling is danced on the spot and is said to be based on the antics of a stag on the hillside, fingers and arms representing antlers.

The Sword Dance (Mary Dundas Trophy) 

The earliest references to the Sword Dance are from the 19th century but it likely dates back earlier. One story is that this was a dance of victory as the King danced over his bloody claymore (sword) and head of his enemy. Another story is that the Sword Dance was danced prior to battle and to kick the swords was considered a bad omen for the impending battle. Today, if a dancer kicks their sword, they are most likely disqualified depending on their category.

The Seann Tribuhas

This dance is pronounced “shawn trews” and translates to “old trousers.” This dance is reputed to date from the rebellion of 1745 when Bonnie Prince Charlie challenged England at Culloden and lost. As penalty, the Highlands were forbidden to wear the kilt. This dance is a celebration in response to the Proscription Repeal which restored to the Scots the right to wear their kilts and play the bagpipes once more. The movements of this dance depict the legs shaking and shedding the hated trousers and returning to the freedom of the kilt.

Strathspey and Reel 

These are variations of a strathspey and reel, always performed by four dancers. The strathspey is never danced alone in competition and must be followed by a reel. These dances illustrate the “set” and “travel” steps which are common in Scottish social dancing.  

The Flora McDonald’s Fancy (Florence MacMillan Trophy) 

This is said to be last dance Flora McDonald danced for Bonnie Prince Charlie before he fled overseas but is likely to be a dance named in her honour. Flora MacDonald helped the prince escape to North Uist to Skye disguised as her maid. She emigrated to America but returned home to Skye later in life.

The Sailor’s Hornpipe & The Irish Jig

Both of these dances are caricature dances developed from the traditional English version. It has become more popular in Scotland than English and is regular featured in Highland Games.

The movements of the Sailor’s Hornpipe, portray the actions used in the daily routines of a sailor’s life, such as pulling ropes, climbing the rigging and looking out to sea. A costume like a sailor’s uniform is worn for this dance.

The Irish Jig is a dance depicting an Irish washerwoman who is angry with her erring husband. The costume worn for this dance is either a red or emerald green skirt and bodice with a full white petticoat and white apron. Red or green jig shoes are worn and there is much stamping and facial grimacing in this dance. In the male version, dancers wear a red or green tailcoat, brown knee britches of corduroy, with a paddy hat and he carries a shillelagh, which is a club made from the forked branch of a tree.

Florence MacMillian Memorial Award

Florence MacMillan was a premier dancing instructor in Antigonish who brought champion dancers like Mabel MacInnis, Gerarda MacDonald, Janice Macquarrie and Patsy MacAdam into prominence. She bucked the dancing establishment with her methods and eventually saw her students win seven out of eight provincial qualifying berths for the 1968 national championships. However, she did more than just instruct, she motivated her first generation of advanced highland dancers, mainly Janice MacQuarrie and Gerarda Macdonald to excel as teachers and choreographers. Because of Florence, her students and now their students, Antigonish can make some legitimate claims for excellence in Highland dance. The Florence MacMillan trophy is presented to the Premier dancer from the Maritimes who performs the best Flora MacDonald Fancy at the Games. An appropriate dance commemorating a well-loved personality.

Mary Dundas Memorial Award 

New Zealand Pre-Premier Award  

In 1989, a dance troupe with family and friends from various parts of New Zealand, chifley Auckland, Hamilton and Whangarei visited the Antigonish Highland Games. Some of the New Zealand delegations were descendants of Nova Scotia who left St. Ann’s for Waipu, New Zealand, in the late 1950’s.

The “Highland Games” culture is strong in New Zealand and members of this particular group made a habit of celebrating the midnight before the Waipu Games each New Years with a mass participation “all hands up and all feet dancing” hillside Highland Fling on Donald Fraser;s land overlooking the Bream Bay. For Games lovers, these games are a must to see.

Pat Bourgoyne on behalf of this dancing troupe presented the Antigonish Highland Society with an intricately carved Maori plaque to commemorate their visit. The warrior faces on the shield are inset with Paua (abalone) shells.

The late Peter Ryan of Auckland taught many of the dancers in this group, but illness prevented of making the trip to Nova Scotia. To commemorate his work with youth, the trip his mates took, and in in celebration of the links between Nova Scotia and Waipu, is presented annually to an Antigonish Town or County Pre-Premier dancer in Beginner, Novice, or Intermediate who has been chosen by the judges as the dancer demonstrating the “most promise”.

Wilena MacInnis Penny Award 

Few exemplified more the spirit of love of the Gael than the late Wilena MacInnis Penny did.  Born in Cape George, she served the Antigonish Highland Society in many ways in addition to being the society’s first female President and then for several years Games Chairperson.

Wilena’s efforts helped sustain and invigorate the Highland Heart and gave an authentic voice to that which we are “Clanna Nan Giadheal” (Children of the Gael).

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the preservation of Scottish Culture and tradition, this trophy donated in her memory is presented annually to the Premier Dancer from Antigonish Town or County who accumulates the highest number of total points in the Premier Competitions. Originally, this included all events held during the games with the exception of Pre-Championships, Championships, some special events, and Restricted Premier because some dancers were ineligible to compete in these events.  Today, the New Scotland Open Championship, the Florence MacMillan Flora Special Event and the Highland Heart Open Premiership contributes to the accumulations of points.