Highland Dancing

Antigonish Highland Games: Highland Dance

Highland dance is a style of competitive solo dancing similar to ballet and Irish dancing that was developed in the Scottish Highlands centuries ago. The dances were passed down over the years to preserve the rich heritage of the Scottish people. It is a competitive and technical dance form that requires technique, stamina, and grace to perform.

2023 Highland Dancing Registration Information

Registration for the 158th Antigonish Highland Games Highland Dancing Competitions will open on Monday, May 1st at 7:00 PM AST

The Antigonish Highland Dancing Association and the Antigonish Highland Society looks forward to welcoming everyone to the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia for the Antigonish Highland Games July 8-9, 2023!

The complete registration form, including ticketing information can be found by clicking here.

Stay tuned for a call for volunteers from our AHDA members to assist with the highland dancing events at the Games, we will need lots of assistance throughout the weekend!

Click Here to Register

157th Antigonish Highland Games Highland Dancing Results

Pre-premier competition results

Pre-Premier Results – Saturday, July 9 & Sunday July 10

*results shown are up to 6 placings*

Primary 4 & 5

Pas de Basques

1^st Alexandra Blacquiere

2^nd Sophie Jane Myette

3^rd Winslow Deuzic

4^th Lydia Foley

5^th Callie Butler

6^th Elyse Foley

Pas de Basques & Highcuts

1^st Sophie Jane Myette

2^nd Alexandra Blacquiere

3^rd Lydia Foley

4th Callie Butler

5^th Elyse Foley

6^th Aevan MacGillivray

Primary 6

Highland Fling

1^st Claire Hoben

2^nd Kallie Hicks

3^rd Mary Campbell

4^th Briar MacHattie

5^th Mari MacKinnon

6^th Kate Purcell

Sword Dance

1^st Mari MacKinnon

2^nd Kate Purcell

3^rd Briar MacHattie

4^th Claire Hoben

5^th Kallie Hicks

6^th Clara Lemoine

Pas de Basques

1^st Mary Campbell

2^nd Claire Hoben

3^rd Kate Purcell

4^th Clara Lemoine

5^th Kallie Hicks

6^th Raya Chisholm

Pas de Basques & Highcuts

1^st Mary Campbell

2^nd Clara Lemoine

3^rd Claire Hoben

4^th Kate Purcell

5^th Briar MacHattie

6^th Kallie Hicks

Beginner 7 & under:

High aggregate: Katie Taylor

Highland Fling:

1^st Katie Taylor

2^nd Vanna Single

3^rd Freya MacKenzie

4^th Breccan Maeve Burns

5^th Cédric Turner

6^th Kate Calder

Sword Dance:

1^st Katie Taylor

2^nd Vanna Single

3^rd Freya MacKenzie

4^th Cédric Turner

5^th Breccan Maeve Burns

6^th Dhara Ghore

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Katie Taylor

2^nd Cédric Turner

3^rd Kate Calder

4^th Breccan Maeve Burns

5^th Chelsea Foley

6^th Vanna Single

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Breccan Maeve Burns

2^nd Katie Taylor

3^rd Kate Calder

4^th Cédric Turner

5^th Freya MacKenzie

Beginner 8:

High Aggregate: Elyse McClorey

Highland Fling:

1^st Khloe Brooks

2^nd Isla Purcell

3^rd Elyse McClorey

4^th Clara MacDonald

5^th Anna Lee MacKinnon

6^th Evie Breen

Sword Dance:

1^st Elyse McClorey

2^nd Anna Lee MacKinnon

3^rd Nora MacInnis

4^th Maia Jordan

5^th Isla Purcell

6^th Isabella Bryson

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Elyse McClorey

2^nd Anna Lee MacKinnon

3^rd Evie Breen

4^th Khloe Brooks

5^th Georgia Moriarty

6^th Nora MacInnis

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Cailin Larson

2^nd Elyse McClorey

3^rd Nora MacInnis

4^th Evie Breen

5^th Anna Lee MacKinnon

6^th Brielle Burns

Beginner 9:

High Aggregate: Ava Giacomantonio

Highland Fling:

1^st Ellie Cluett

2^nd Ruby Luciano

3^rd Adriana Palao

4^th Isabella Beaton

5^th Ainsley Burgess

6^th Eadlin Fraser

Sword Dance:

1^st Ava Giacomantonio

2^nd Isabella Beaton

3^rd Leah Smith

4^th Ainsley Burgess

5^th Jenna Jones

6^th Adrianna Palao

Seann Truibhas

1^st Ava Giacomantonio

2^nd Jenna Jones

3^rd Ainsley Burgess

4^th Lean Smith

5^th Isabella Beaton

6^th Ellie Cluett

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Adriana Palao

2^nd Ainsley Burgess

3^rd Ruby Luciano

4^th Ellie Cluett

5^th Isabella Beaton

6^th Jenna Jones

Beginner 10:

High Aggregate: Lila Tacreiter

Highland Fling:

1^st Kylah Gillis

2^nd Lila Tacreiter

3^rd Leigha Sheppard

4^th Vanessa Page

5^th Abigail MacKenzie Trudgian

6^th Hannah Dickson

Sword Dance:

1^st Lila Tacreiter

2^nd Emily Crocker

3^rd Kenzie Nickerson

4^th Vanessa Page

5^th Abigail MacKenzie Trudgian

6^th Elena Death

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Lila Tacreiter

2^nd Emily Crocker

3^rd Kylah Gillis

4^th Abigail MacKenzie Trudgian

5^th Vanessa Page

6^th Elena Death

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Abigail MacKenzie Trudgian

2^nd Lila Tacreiter

3^rd Emily Crocker

4^th Elena Death

5^th Vanessa Page

6^th Kenzie Nickerson

Beginner 11 & Over:

High Aggregate: Faryn Cutcliffe

Highland Fling:

1^st Faryn Cutcliffe

2^nd Libby Fraser

3^rd Kaia Craik

4^th Abigail Munro

5^th Bronte Woodward

6^th Leah Wilkins

Sword Dance:

1^st Faryn Cutcliffe

2^nd Libby Fraser

3^rd Kaia Craik

4^th Abigail Munro

5^th Leah Wilkins

6^th Bronte Woodward

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Leah Wilkins

2^nd Faryn Cutcliffe

3^rd Libby Fraser

4^th Kaia Craik

5^th Hanna Spanik

6^th Paige Dobson

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Libby Fraser

2^nd Faryn Cutchliffe

3^rd Leah Wilkins

4^th Abigail Munro

5^th Georgia Brophy

6^th Hanna Spanik

Novice 10 & Under

High aggregate: Hadley MacDonald

Highland Fling:

1^st Hadley MacDonald

2^nd Clara Domike

3^rd Nola Deyoung

4^th Elise Jean

5^th Kenzie Burns

6^th Josie MacAulay

Sword Dance:

1^st Elise Jean

2^nd Clara Domike

3^rd Nola Deyoung

4^th Mairi Larson

5^th Zoe Berthiaume

6^th Hadley MacDonald

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Elise Jean

2^nd Clara Domike

3^rd Ella Luciano

4^th Hadley MacDonald

5^th Josie MacAulay

6^th Kenzie Burns

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Hadley MacDonald

2^nd Mairi Larson

3^rd Alexandra Fraser

4^th Nola Deyoung

5^th Clara Domike

6^th Emily Boyd

Novice 11 years & older:

High aggregate: Madilyn Perrott

Highland Fling:

1^st Alice Yancey

2^nd Maria Bryson

3^rd Mhairi Wilmott

4^th Micaela Brophy

5^th Gwen Beaton

Sword Dance:

1^st Madilyn Perrott

2^nd Maria Bryson

3^rd Gwen Beaton

4^th Alice Yancey

5^th Mhairi Wilmott

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Madilyn Perrott

2^nd Alice Yancey

3^rd Micaela Brophy

4^th Maria Bryson

5^th Mhairi Wilmott

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Madilyn Perrott

2^nd Maria Bryson

3^rd Mollie MacDonald

4^th Mhairi Wilmott

5^th Micaela Brophy

Intermediate 11 & Under:

High Aggregate: Emily MacInnis

Highland Fling:

1^st Emily MacInnis

2^nd Rhya MacLean

3^rd Dylan Mombourquette

4^th Charlotte Kennedy

5^th Sophie MacEachern

Sword Dance:

1^st Emily MacInnis

2^nd Dylan Mombourquette

3^rd Gwendolyn Domike

4^th Ruby Janice MacDonald

5^th Charlotte Kennedy

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Emily MacInnis

2^nd Dylan Mombourquette

3^rd Rhya MacLean

4^th Ruby Janice MacDonald

5^th Charlotte Kennedy

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Emily MacInnis

2^nd Rhya MacLean

3^rd Ruby Janice MacDonald

4^th Dylan Mombourquette

5^th Gwendolyn Domike

Intermediate 12 years & Over:

High aggregate: Micaela Decoste

Highland Fling:

1^st Payton Veling

2^nd Jaeda MacLean

3^rd Maggie MacDougall

4^th Lily Marshall Gallant

5^th Michaela Decoste

6^th Lauren Carrigan

Sword Dance:

1^st Micaela Decoste

2^nd Jaeda MacLean

3^rd Piper Fidgen

4^th Julie Richard

5^th Lily Marshall Gallant

6^th Isla Doncaster

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Isla Doncaster

2^nd Micaela Decoste

3^rd Julie Richard

4^th Piper Fidgen

5^th Chloe Death

6^th Payton Veling

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Lauren Carrigan

2^nd Payton Veling

3^rd Jaeda MacLean

4^th Lily Marshall Gallant

5^th Julie Richard

6^th Piper Fidgen

Highland Heart Open premiership results

10 & Under 12 Years:

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Ruby Alexander

2^nd Sydney Nunn

3^rd Isla Donald

4^th Charlotte Goodwin

5^th Keaton Thibodeau

6^th Tiona Aucoin

Scotch Measure:

1^st Sydney Nunn

2^nd Ruby Alexander

3^rd Tiona Aucoin

4^th Isla Donald

5^th Charlotte Goodwin

6^th Keaton Thibodeau

Earl of Erroll:

1^st Sydney Nunn

2^nd Ruby Alexander

3^rd Tiona Aucoin

4^th Isla Donald

5^th Charlotte Goodwin

Sailor Hornpipe:

1^st Ruby Alexander

2^nd Sydney Nunn

3^rd Isla Donald

4^th Tiona Aucoin

5^th Charlotte Goodwin

Champion: Ruby Alexander

1^st Runner up: Sydney Nunn

2^nd Runner up: Isla Donald

3^rd Runner up: Tiona Aucoin

4^thRunner up: Charlotte Goodwin

5^th Runner up: Keaton Thibodeau

12 & Under 14 Years:

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Divjot Kalsi

2^nd Yashita Ghore

3^rd Emma Dunning

4^th Cara Sweet

5^th Fiona McClorey

6^th Alie MacMaster

6^th Mia Nordine

Scotch Measure:

1^st Divjot Kalsi

2^nd Cara Sweet

3^rd Fiona McClorey

4^th Mia Nordine

5^th Emma Dunning

6^th Yashita Ghore

Earl of Erroll:

1^st Fiona McClorey

2^nd Divjot Kalsi

3^rd Cara Sweet

4^th Alie MacMaster

5^th Emma Dunning

6^th Yashita Ghore

Sailors Hornpipe:

1^st Divjot Kalsi

2^nd Fiona McClorey

3^rd Cara Sweet

4^th Alie MacMaster

5^th Yashita Ghore

6^th Emma Dunning

Champion: Divjot Kalsi

1^st Runner up: Fiona McClorey

2^nd Runner up: Cara Sweet

3^rd Runner up: Yashita Ghore

4^th Runner up: Emma Dunning

5^th Runner up: Alie MacMaster

14 & Under 16 Years:

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Julia Murray

3^rd Emma Carrigan

4^th Carmen MacMaster

5^th Clare Mombourquette

6^th Sophie Hawes

Scotch Measure:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Julia Murray

3^rd Clare Mombourquette

4^th Melia Roberts

5^th Carmen MacMaster

6^th Emma Carrigan

Earl of Erroll:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Melia Roberts

3^rd Sophie Hawes

4^th Julia Murray

5^th Ava Rogers

6^th Emma Carrigan

Sailors Hornpipe:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Sophie Hawes

3^rd Julia Murray

4^th Melia Roberts

5^th Carmen MacMaster

6^th Emma Carrigan

Champion: Karly Boyle

1^st Runner up: Julia Murray

2^nd Runner up: Melia Roberts

3^rd Runner up: Sophie Hawes

4^th Runner up: Emma Carrigan

5^th Runner up: Carmen MacMaster

16 & Under 19 Years:

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Morgan MacDonald

2^nd Emerald Lake

3^rd Emma Barrett

4^th Jaelynn Rogers

5^th Anna Silver

6^th Kaili Dillier

Scotch Measure:

1^st Morgan MacDonald

2^nd Emerald Lake

3^rd Emma Barrett

4^th Kaili Dillier

5^th Jaelynn Rogers

6^th Anna Silver

Earl of Erroll:

1^st Morgan MacDonald

2^nd Emerald Lake

3^rd Emma Barrett

4^th Kaili Dillier

5^th Anna Silver

6^th Jaelynn Rogers

Sailors Hornpipe:

1^st Emma Barrett

2^nd Morgan MacDonald

3^rd Emerald Lake

4^th Kaili Dillier

5^th Anna Silver

6^th Jaelynn Rogers

Champion: Morgan MacDonald

1^st Runner up: Emma Barrett

2^nd Runner up: Emerald Lake

3^rd Runner up: Kaili Dillier

4^th Runner up: Jaelynn Rogers

5^th Runner up: Anna Silver

19 Years & Over:

Scottish Lilt:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Kristan Marcotte

3^rd Erin Gilfoy

4^th Tamra Boyd

5^th Heather Aucoin

6^th Mallory Whebby

Scotch Measure:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Kristan Marcotte

3^rd Heather Aucoin

4^th Mallory Whebby

5^th Erin Gilfoy

6^th Laura Hillyard

Earl of Erroll:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Kristan Marcotte

3^rd Erin Gilfoy

4^th Mallory Whebby

5^th Tamra Boyd

6^th Heather Aucoin

Sailors Hornpipe:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Heather Aucoin

3^rd Kristan Marcotte

4^th Mallory Whebby

5^th Tamra Boyd

6^th Erin Gilfoy

Champion: Scout McKee

1^st Runner up: Kristan Marcotte

2^nd Runner up: Heather Aucoin

3^rd Runner up: Erin Gilfoy

4^th Runner up: Mallory Whebby

5^th Runner up: Tamra Boyd

New scotland open championship results

New Scotland Open Championship

10 & Under 12 Years:

Highland Fling:

1^st Charlotte Goodwin

2^nd Tiona Aucoin

3^rd Ruby Alexander

4^th Isla Donald

5^th Keaton Thibodeau

6^th Sydney Nunn

Sword Dance:

1^st Ruby Alexander

2^nd Tiona Aucoin

3^rd Isla Donald

4^th Sydney Nunn

5^th Keaton Thibodeau

6^th Charlotte Goodwin

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Ruby Alexander

2^nd Sydney Nunn

3^rd Isla Donald

4^th Charlotte Goodwin

5^th Tiona Aucoin

6^th Keaton Thibodeau

Reel:

1^st Ruby Alexander

2^nd Tiona Aucoin

3^rd Isla Donald

4^th Sydney Nunn

5^th Charlotte Goodwin

6^th Keaton Thibodeau

Champion: Ruby Alexander

1^st Runner up: Tiona Aucoin

2^nd Runner up: Isla Donald

3^rd Runner up: Charlotte Goodwin

4^th Runner up: Sydney Nunn

5^th Runner up: Keaton Thibodeau

12 & Under 14 years:

Highland Fling:

1^st Lily Kate Williams

2^nd Chloe MacEachern

3^rd Mia Nordine

4^th Yashita Ghore

5^th Emma Dunning

6^th Divjot Kalsi

Sword Dance:

1^st Yashita Ghore

2^nd Alie MacMaster

3^rd Cara Sweet

4^th Mia Nordine

5^th Lily Kate Williams

6^th Laken Rogers

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Divjot Kalsi

2^nd Lily Kate Williams

3^rd Emma Dunning

4^th Cara Sweet

5^th Yashita Ghore

6^th Mia Nordine

Reel:

1^st Lily Kate Williams

2^nd Divjot Kalsi

3^rd Emma Dunning

4^th Chloe MacEachern

5^th Yashita Ghore

6^th Fiona McClorey

Champion: Lily Kate

1^st Runner up: Divjot Kalsi

2^nd Runner up: Yashita Ghore

3^rd Runner up: Emma Dunning

4^th Runner up: Mia Nordine

5^th Runner up: Chloe MacEachern

14 & Under 16 Years:

Highland Fling:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Clare Mombourquette

3^rd Jillian Burt

4^th Julia Murray

5^th Melia Roberts

6^th Emma Carrigan

Sword Dance:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Jillian Burt

3^rd Clare Mombourquette

4^th Julia Murray

5^th Melia Roberts

6^th Emma Carrigan

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Jillian Burt

3^rd Clare Mombourquette

4^th Melia Roberts

5^th Julia Murray

6^th Sophie Hawes

Reel:

1^st Karly Boyle

2^nd Jillian Burt

3^rd Julia Murray

4^th Melia Roberts

5^th Sophie Hawes

6^th Carmen MacMaster

Champion: Karly Boyle

1^st Runner up: Jillian Burt

2^nd Runner up: Clare Mombourquette

3^rd Runner up: Julia Murray

4^th Runner up: Melia Roberts

5^th Runner up: Sophie Hawes

16 & Under 19 Years:

Highland Fling:

1^st Morgan MacDonald

2^nd Emma Barrett

3^rd Emerald Lake

4^th Anna Silver

5^th Charlotte Eagan

6^th Kaili Dillier

Sword Dance:

1^st Morgan MacDonald

2^nd Kaili Dillier

3^rd Emerald Lake

4^th Anna Silver

5^th Charlotte Eagan

6^th Sarah Organ

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Morgan MacDonald

2^nd Emerald Lake

3^rd Charlotte Eagan

4^th Emma Barrett

5^th Kaili Dillier

6^th Anna Silver

Reel:

1^st Morgan MacDonald

2^nd Emerald Lake

3^rd Emma Barrett

4^th Charlotte Eagan

5^th Anna Silver

6^th Sarah Organ

Champion: Morgan MacDonald

1^st Runner up: Emerald Lake

2^nd Runner up: Emma Barrett

3^rd Runner up: Charlotte Eagan

4^th Runner up: Kaili Dillier

5^th Runner up: Anna Silver

19 Years & Over:

Highland Fling:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Kristan Marcotte

3^rd Erin Gilfoy

4^th Heather Aucoin

5^th Mallory Whebby

6^th Tamra Boyd

Sword Dance:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Megan VanderWal

3^rd Kristan Marcotte

4^th Mallory Whebby

5^th Laura Hillyard

6^th Genevieve Dauphinee

Seann Truibhas:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Kristan Marcotte

3^rd Erin Gilfoy

4^th Mallory Whebby

5^th Heather Aucoin

6^th Tamra Boyd

Reel:

1^st Scout McKee

2^nd Erin Gilfoy

3^rd Heather Aucoin

4^th Megan VanderWal

5^th Mallory Whebby

6^th Kristan Marcotte

Champion: Scout McKee

1^st Runner up: Kristan Marcotte

2^nd Runner up: Erin Gilfoy

3^rd Runner up: Mallory Whebby

4^th Runner up: Heather Aucoin

5^th Runner up: Megan VanderWal

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.

Highland Dancing was one of the various ways men were tested for strength, stamina, accuracy, and agility. The Scottish military regiments used to use Highland Dancing as a form of training to develop stamina and agility. Competitive Highland dancing started during the Highland revival of Victorian Britain and was for men only. Ladies began competing only at the turn of the Century. Over the centuries the dancing style has become more refined and now shares many elements from classical ballet. Although historically Highland dancing was restricted to men, today it is most performed by females. No matter who dances them, Highland dances require both athletic and artistic skill.

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.

See Previous Winners

Previous Winners:

Year Name

1967 Gerarda MacDonald

1968 Gerarda MacDonald

1969 Janice MacQuarrie

1970 Gerarda MacDonald

1971 Rita Lynn MacDougall

1972 Debbie Robson

1973 Sheila MacNeil

1974 Clare Kiely

1975 Kathy MacKinnon

1976 Sherrie Green

1977 Debbie Robson

1978 Heather MacKinnon

1979 Patti Ann MacLeod

1980 Clare Kiely

1981 Clare Kiely

1982 Patti Ann MacLeod

1983 Sherrie Lynn Murray

1984 Clare Kiely

1985 Jennifer Richardson

1986 Donna Cameron

1987 Donna Cameron

1988 Michelle MacGillivray

1989 Michelle MacGillivray

1990 Donna Cameron

1991 Michelle MacGillivray

1992 Jesselyn Petrie

1993 Sabra MacGillivray

1994 Sabra MacGillivray

1995 Sabra MacGillivray

1996 Sara Cluett

1997 Sabra MacGillivray

1998 Sabra MacGillivray

1999 Stephanie Grant

2000 Stephanie Grant

2001 Stephanie Turnbull

2002 Stephanie Grant

2003 Stephanie Grant

2004 Stephanie Grant

2005 Stephanie Turnbull

2006 Sarah McKenna

2007 Stephanie Grant

2008 Sarah McKenna

2009 Sarah McKenna

2010 Sara McKegney

2011 Victoria Boily

2012 Jillian MacLeod

2013 Sara McKegney

2014 Leah Campbell

2015 Robin Scott

2016 Shelby Lynne Dalziel

2017 Scout McKee

2018 Scout McKee

Mary Dundas Memorial Award

See Previous Winners

Year Name

1960 Leanne Pugsley

1961 Sheena Hold

1962 Terri Brean

1963 Eileen Pottie

1964 Eileen Pottie

1965 Eileen Pottie

1966 Frances Cooke

1967 Janice MacQuarrie

1968 Debbie Smith

1969 Janice MacQuarrie

1970 Janice MacQuarrie

1971 Heather MacKinnin

1972 Marianne Skinner

1973 Julia Ann BrayBrook

1974 Heather MacKinnin

1975 Heather MacKinnin

1976 Cheryl Verriere

1977 Sherri Green

1978 Clare Kiely

1979 Jill Young

1980 Claranne Floyd

1981 Glenda Landry

1982 Michelle MacGillivray

1983 Danielle Trudeau

1984 Krista Gunn

1985 Ann Milne

1986 Krista Gunn

1987 Sara Cluett

1988 Sabra MacGillivray

1989 Kelly Anne Carey

1990 Jennifer MacDonald

1991 Stephanie Grant

1992 Stephanie Grant

1993 Stephanie Grant

1994 Stephanie Grant

1995 Stephanie Grant

1996 Shelley Lynn Walsh

1997 Sonya Doucette

1998 Shelley Lynn Walsh

1999 Marielle Lesperance

2000 Marielle Lesperance

2001 Marielle Lesperance

2002 Marielle Lesperance

2003 Marielle Lesperance

2004 Marielle Lesperance

2005 Sarah McKenna

2006 Robin Scott

2007 Jillian MacLeod

2008 Jillian MacLeod

2009 Micayla Matthews

2010 Cornelia Geib

2011 Larissa Godin

2012 Abigail Maeg

2013 Morgan McDougall

2014 Morgan McDougall

2015 Carly MacDonald

2016 Hannah MacDonald

2017 Elise Berrevoets

2018 Olivia Burke

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”.

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Previous Winners

Year Name

1989 Julie MacPherson

1990 Jacklyn MacDonald

1991 Valerie Chisholm

1992 Shenna MacDonald

1993 Susan Boyd

1994 Jill Deyoung

1995 Susan Boyd

1996 Katie Rawding

1997 Bridget Coady

1998 Tara Chisholm

1999 Robin Scott

2000 Emily Ives

2001 Jillian Scott

2002 Katie MacDonald

2003 Kayla MacDonald

2004 Janelle Marchand

2005 Breah MacEachern

2006 Riely Wilson

2007 Maria Landry

2008 Courtney MacDonald

2009 Erin Gilfoy

2010 Hannah Delorey

2011 Megan Smith

2012 Julia Mae MacDonald

2013 Jaelyn Rovers

2014 Jaelyn Rovers

2015 Adelaide MacDonald

2016 Ava Rogers

2017 Yashita Ghore

2018 Brooke Hayne

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.

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Previous Winners

Year Name

1994 Stephanie Grant

1995 Valerie Chisholm (tie)

1995 Stephanie Grant (tie)

1995 Kara Spencer (tie)

1996 Jessica McKenna

1997 Valerie Chisholm

1998 Sabra MacGillivray

1999 Jessica McKenna (tie)

1999 Stephanie Grant (tie)

2000 Holly Arsenault

2001 Holly Arsenault

2002 Stephanie Grant

2003 Stephanie Grant

2004 Stephanie Grant

2005 Robin Scott

2006 Robin Scott

2007 Sarah McKenna

2008 Sarah McKenna

2009 Sarah McKenna

2010 Breanna Heffernan

2011 Lindsay MacCormick

2012 Lindsay MacCormick

2013 Erin Gilfoy

2014 Megan Smith

2015 Megan Smith

2016 Jaelyn Rovers

2017 Erin Gilfoy

2018 Karly Boyle

Highland Dancing

2023 Highland Dancing Registration Information

157th Antigonish Highland Games Highland Dancing Results

Pre-premier competition results

Highland Heart Open premiership results

New scotland open championship results

History of Highland Dancing

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The Dances

The Highland Fling

The Sword Dance (Mary Dundas Trophy)

The Seann Tribuhas

Strathspey and Reel

The Flora McDonald’s Fancy (Florence MacMillan Trophy)

The Sailor’s Hornpipe & The Irish Jig

Florence MacMillian Memorial Award

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Mary Dundas Memorial Award

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New Zealand Pre-Premier Award

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Wilena MacInnis Penny Award

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