Highland Dancing

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.

2026 Highland Dancing Registration Information

Thank you to all the dancers who participated in the 161st Antigonish Highland Games! The results can be found below. We look forward to welcoming you back to the field next July!

For more information, please contact antigonishhighlandgamesdancing@gmail.com.

161st Antigonish Highland Games Highland Dancing Results

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Novice 8 & Under

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 389 Sophia MacDonald (Baddeck, NS)
3. 2nd – 436 Winslow Druzic (Mississauga, ON)
4. 3rd – 356 Scarlett Melong (Union Centre, NS)
5. 4th – 248 Yngve Corneman (Berkeley, ON)
6. 5th – 452 Violet McLean (Mississauga, ON)
7. 6th – 289 Edith Roberts (Glen Robertson)
8. 7th – 424 Elspeth Curwood (Milton, ON)
9. 8th – 367 Brynn Capson (Antigonish, NS)
10. Sword Dance
11. 1st – 248 Yngve Corneman
12. 2nd – 356 Scarlett Melong
13. 3rd – 389 Sophia MacDonald
14. 4th – 436 Winslow Druzic
15. 5th – 452 Violet McLean
16. 6th – 266 Madeleine Saulnier (Yarmouth, NS)
17. 7th – 424 Elspeth Curwood
18. 8th – 445 Lena MacDermid (Mira, NS)
19. Seann Truibhas
20. 1st – 389 Sophia MacDonald
21. 2nd – 356 Scarlett Melong
22. 3rd – 436 Winslow Druzic
23. 4th – 452 Violet McLean
24. 5th – 367 Brynn Capson
25. 6th – 264 Anna Gentle (Caledonia, ON)
26. 7th – 424 Elspeth Curwood
27. 8th – 375 Robbin Delorey (Antigonish, NS)
28. Scottish Lilt
29. 1st – 356 Scarlett Melong
30. 2nd – 436 Winslow Druzic
31. 3rd – 289 Edith Roberts
32. 4th – 389 Sophia MacDonald
33. 5th – 248 Yngve Corneman
34. 6th – 424 Elspeth Curwood
35. 7th – 374 Sadie Hale (Lyon’s Brook, NS)
36. 8th – 452 Violet McLean
37. Overall
38. 1st – Sophia MacDonald
39. Callbacks – 248 264 266 289 356 367 374 375 389 424 436 445 452

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Novice 9 & Under 11

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 252 Ellie Auckland (Georgetown, ON)
3. 2nd – 465 Morgan Wallace (Belle River, ON)
4. 3rd – 458 Paisley Tovee (Milton, ON)
5. 4th – 409 Amalia Girgis (Antigonish, NS)
6. 5th – 470 Alexa Heppell (Quispamsis, NB)
7. 6th – 294 Isla O’Dochartaigh (Edmonton)
8. 7th – 329 Shona Youman (Blackstone, MA)
9. Sword Dance
10. 1st – 458 Paisley Tovee
11. 2nd – 408 June Gillies (Dartmouth, NS)
12. 3rd – 393 Garrison Ettinger (Meteghan River, NS)
13. 4th – 465 Morgan Wallace
14. 5th – 409 Amalia Girgis
15. 6th – 294 Isla O’Dochartaigh
16. 7th – 376 Sophia Delorey (Antigonish, NS)
17. Seann Truibhas
18. 1st – 408 June Gillies
19. 2nd – 465 Morgan Wallace
20. 3rd – 458 Paisley Tovee
21. 4th – 393 Garrison Ettinger
22. 5th – 470 Alexa Heppell
23. 6th – 294 Isla O’Dochartaigh
24. 7th – 409 Amalia Girgis
25. Scottish Lilt
26. 1st – 465 Morgan Wallace
27. 2nd – 409 Amalia Girgis
28. 3rd – 458 Paisley Tovee
29. 4th – 294 Isla O’Dochartaigh
30. 5th – 318 Cora Ledoux (Finch, ON)
31. 6th – 376 Sophia Delorey
32. 7th – 298 Sabrielle MacLaren (Goshen)
33. Overall
34. 1st – Morgan Wallace
35. Callbacks – 252 294 298 318 329 376 393 408 409 458 465 470

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Novice 11

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 355 Liliana Johnson (Gloucester, ON)
3. 2nd – 263 Avery Banks (Yarmouth, NS)
4. 3rd – 314 Eeva Cottrel (Bathurst, NB)
5. 4th – 343 Lucy MacInnis (Three Fathom Harbour, NS)
6. Sword Dance
7. 1st – 355 Liliana Johnson
8. 2nd – 263 Avery Banks
9. 3rd – 314 Eeva Cottrel
10. 4th – 453 Danika Burke (Port Hood, NS)
11. Seann Truibhas
12. 1st – 263 Avery Banks
13. 2nd – 355 Liliana Johnson
14. 3rd – 314 Eeva Cottrel
15. 4th – 358 Aria Melong (Union Centre, NS)
16. Scottish Lilt
17. 1st – 355 Liliana Johnson
18. 2nd – 314 Eeva Cottrel
19. 3rd – 358 Aria Melong
20. 4th – 453 Danika Burke
21. Overall
22. 1st – Liliana Johnson
23. Callbacks – 263 314 343 355 358 453

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Novice 12 & Over

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 271 Evelyn Kane (Antigonish, NS)
3. 2nd – 364 Vivian Punton (Milton, ON)
4. 3rd – 438 Shannon MacKay (Dundee, NS)
5. 4th – 450 Lucy Oliver (Lucasville, NS)
6. Sword Dance
7. 1st – 271 Evelyn Kane
8. 2nd – 457 Sydney Wilkes (Sydney, NS)
9. 3rd – 450 Lucy Oliver
10. 4th – 364 Vivian Punton
11. Seann Truibhas
12. 1st – 271 Evelyn Kane
13. 2nd – 457 Sydney Wilkes
14. 3rd – 438 Shannon MacKay
15. 4th – 450 Lucy Oliver
16. Scottish Lilt
17. 1st – 438 Shannon MacKay
18. 2nd – 271 Evelyn Kane
19. 3rd – 457 Sydney Wilkes
20. 4th – 450 Lucy Oliver
21. Overall
22. 1st – Evelyn Kane
23. Callbacks – 271 364 438 450 457

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Intermediate 10 & Under

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 462 Peyton Loftus (Guelph, ON)
3. 2nd – 290 Cecily Roberts (Glen Robertson)
4. 3rd – 448 Luna Zhang (Sydney, NS)
5. 4th – 463 Mairi MacLaughlin (Antigonish, NS)
6. 5th – 400 Emma Cruickshank (Antigonish, NS)
7. 6th – 446 Daphne McCabe (Campbell Hill, NS)
8. 7th – 308 Scotlynne McPherson (Burlington, ON)
9. 8th – 468 Poppy McCabe (Campbell Hill, NS)
10. Sword Dance
11. 1st – 290 Cecily Roberts
12. 2nd – 462 Peyton Loftus
13. 3rd – 338 Eva Hebbs (Ottawa, ON)
14. 4th – 446 Daphne McCabe
15. 5th – 413 Isabelle Huskins (Antigonish, NS)
16. 6th – 448 Luna Zhang
17. 7th – 232 Kingsley Devine (Quispamsis, NB)
18. 8th – 308 Scotlynne McPherson
19. Seann Truibhas
20. 1st – 338 Eva Hebbs
21. 2nd – 290 Cecily Roberts
22. 3rd – 462 Peyton Loftus
23. 4th – 468 Poppy McCabe
24. 5th – 448 Luna Zhang
25. 6th – 308 Scotlynne McPherson
26. 7th – 446 Daphne McCabe
27. 8th – 400 Emma Cruickshank

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Intermediate 11 & Over

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 285 Ellie Grundy (Toronto, ON)
3. 2nd – 335 Hannah Dickson (Lucasville, NS)
4. 3rd – 391 Lily Hayne (St Andrews, NS)
5. 4th – 262 Kenzie Thomson (Quispamsis, NB)
6. 5th – 366 Claire Punton (Milton, ON)
7. 6th – 412 Bella Hudgins (Windsor Junction, NS)
8. 7th – 348 Aurora Hodgson (Knowlesville, NB)
9. 8th – 425 Maëlle Penner (Sioux Lookout, ON)
10. 9th – 331 Nicole MacDonald (Port Hood, NS)
11. 10th – 434 Isla McNamara (Quispamsis, NB)
12. Sword Dance
13. 1st – 391 Lily Hayne
14. 2nd – 434 Isla McNamara
15. 3rd – 262 Kenzie Thomson
16. 4th – 331 Nicole MacDonald
17. 5th – 412 Bella Hudgins
18. 6th – 348 Aurora Hodgson
19. 7th – 442 Halle MacLean (Creignish, NS)
20. 8th – 351 Meyva Lannin (Atwood, ON)
21. 9th – 366 Claire Punton
22. 10th – 425 Maëlle Penner
23. Seann Truibhas
24. 1st – 285 Ellie Grundy
25. 2nd – 425 Maëlle Penner
26. 3rd – 335 Hannah Dickson
27. 4th – 348 Aurora Hodgson

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Primary 4

1. Pas de Basques
2. 1st – 441 Calder Campbell (Antigonish, NS)
3. 2nd – 396 Margaux Mercer (Dartmouth, NS)
4. 3rd – 237 Romilly Grenier (Trenton, ON)
5. 4th – 223 Isla Urbaniak (Coquitlam, BC)
6. 5th – 398 Winnie Wilson (Esquimalt, NS)
7. 6th – 336 Cassie MacEachern (Afton Station, NS)
8. 7th – 365 Rori MacGillivray (Calgary, AB)
9. Pas de Basques & HC
10. 1st – 396 Margaux Mercer
11. 2nd – 441 Calder Campbell
12. 3rd – 398 Winnie Wilson
13. 4th – 223 Isla Urbaniak
14. 5th – 237 Romilly Grenier
15. 6th – 336 Cassie MacEachern
16. 7th – 365 Rori MacGillivray

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Primary 5

1. Pas de Basques
2. 1st – 292 Juliette MacNeil (Halifax, NS)
3. 2nd – 293 Ada MacDonald (Aspen, NS)
4. 3rd – 382 Emma Rogers (Heatherton, ON)
5. 4th – 345 Ewan Larson (Beaumont, AB)
6. 5th – 291 Annabelle Bowie (Antigonish, NS)
7. 6th – 281 Rosemary March (Antigonish, NS)
8. 7th – 274 Aurelia Millar (Antigonish, NS)
9. 8th – 296 Saraya MacLaren (Goshen, NS)
10. 9th – 339 Sophie Randall (Bayfield, NS)
11. 10th – 273 Kenna Archibald (Antigonish, NS)
12. Pas de Basques & HC
13. 1st – 292 Juliette MacNeil
14. 2nd – 293 Ada MacDonald
15. 3rd – 291 Annabelle Bowie
16. 4th – 345 Ewan Larson
17. 5th – 382 Emma Rogers
18. 6th – 274 Aurelia Millar
19. 7th – 339 Sophie Randall
20. 8th – 281 Rosemary March
21. 9th – 296 Saraya MacLaren
22. 10th – 273 Kenna Archibald

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Primary 6

1. Pas de Basques
2. 1st – 466 Ivy Jorgensen (Eastern Passage, NS)
3. 2nd – 377 Elliot Harvie (Baddeck, NS)
4. 3rd – 359 Nora MacDougall (Dartmouth, NS)
5. 4th – 304 Isabella Wolfe (Lantz, NS)
6. 5th – 401 Magnolia Wilson (Esquimalt, BC)
7. 6th – 361 Paige Campbell (Wellington, NS)
8. 7th – 328 Aila Youman (Blackstone, MA)
9. 8th – 380 John Barkhouse (Antigonish, NS)
10. 9th – 299 Sophie Jennings (Antigonish, NS)
11. 10th – 315 Audrey MacDonald (Antigonish, NS)
12. Pas de Basques & HC
13. 1st – 466 Ivy Jorgensen
14. 2nd – 359 Nora MacDougall
15. 3rd – 361 Paige Campbell
16. 4th – 401 Magnolia Wilson
17. 5th – 377 Elliot Harvie
18. 6th – 328 Aila Youman
19. 7th – 304 Isabella Wolfe
20. 8th – 380 John Barkhouse
21. 9th – 315 Audrey MacDonald
22. 10th – 299 Sophie Jennings
23. Highland Fling
24. 1st – 466 Ivy Jorgensen
25. 2nd – 401 Magnolia Wilson
26. 3rd – 377 Elliot Harvie
27. 4th – 359 Nora MacDougall
28. 5th – 361 Paige Campbell
29. 6th – 304 Isabella Wolfe
30. 7th – 315 Audrey MacDonald
31. Sword Dance
32. 1st – 466 Ivy Jorgensen
33. 2nd – 401 Magnolia Wilson
34. 3rd – 359 Nora MacDougall
35. 4th – 377 Elliot Harvie
36. 5th – 361 Paige Campbell
37. 6th – 304 Isabella Wolfe

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Beginner 7

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 383 Emma Douglas (Toronto, ON)
3. 2nd – 309 Bryar McPherson (Burlington, ON)
4. 3rd – 430 Wesley Tovee (Milton, ON)
5. 4th – 419 Abigail MacLean (Creignish, NS)
6. 5th – 313 Aeva Moore (Western Shore, NS)
7. 6th – 353 Abigail Breeze (Perry, ON)
8. 7th – 451 Ava MacDonald (Doctor’s Brook, NS)
9. 8th – 417 Jessica Fader (Bedford, NS)
10. Sword Dance
11. 1st – 383 Emma Douglas
12. 2nd – 451 Ava MacDonald
13. 3rd – 430 Wesley Tovee
14. 4th – 381 Evelyn Kinley (Lunenburg, NS)
15. 5th – 471 Elizabeth MacNeil (Sydney, NS)
16. 6th – 419 Abigail MacLean
17. 7th – 309 Bryar McPherson
18. 8th – 417 Jessica Fader
19. Seann Truibhas
20. 1st – 383 Emma Douglas
21. 2nd – 309 Bryar McPherson
22. 3rd – 353 Abigail Breeze
23. 4th – 430 Wesley Tovee
24. 5th – 381 Evelyn Kinley
25. 6th – 417 Jessica Fader
26. 7th – 419 Abigail MacLean
27. Scottish Lilt
28. 1st – 383 Emma Douglas
29. 2nd – 309 Bryar McPherson
30. 3rd – 353 Abigail Breeze
31. 4th – 381 Evelyn Kinley
32. 5th – 313 Aeva Moore
33. 6th – 471 Elizabeth MacNeil
34. 7th – 451 Ava MacDonald
35. Overall
36. 1st – Emma Douglas

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Beginner 8

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 422 Bronwen Hughes (Dalry, Ayrshire, SCT)
3. 2nd – 395 Everly Webb (Trenton, NS)
4. 3rd – 416 Scarlett MacPhee (Sydney, NS)
5. 4th – 243 Eva Dwyer (Little Bras Dor, NS)
6. 5th – 461 Islay Syer (Antigonish, NS)
7. Sword Dance
8. 1st – 395 Everly Webb
9. 2nd – 243 Eva Dwyer
10. 3rd – 384 Renee Rogers (Heatherton, NS)
11. 4th – 234 Delainey Brown (Fall River, NS)
12. 5th – 422 Bronwen Hughes
13. Seann Truibhas
14. 1st – 243 Eva Dwyer
15. 2nd – 416 Scarlett MacPhee
16. 3rd – 422 Bronwen Hughes
17. 4th – 395 Everly Webb
18. 5th – 234 Delainey Brown
19. Scottish Lilt
20. 1st – 243 Eva Dwyer
21. 2nd – 395 Everly Webb
22. 3rd – 461 Islay Syer
23. 4th – 422 Bronwen Hughes
24. Overall
25. 1st – Eva Dwyer

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Beginner 9

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 388 Olive Corbit (Antigonish, NS)
3. 2nd – 282 Lexie Hann (Antigonish, NS)
4. 3rd – 440 Sydney Wallace (Belle River, ON)
5. 4th – 397 Madeleine Bissonnette-Corning (Dartmouth, NS)
6. 5th – 385 Violet Barkhouse (Antigonish, NS)
7. Sword Dance
8. 1st – 388 Olive Corbit
9. 2nd – 385 Violet Barkhouse
10. 3rd – 282 Lexie Hann
11. 4th – 316 Madeleine Young (Toronto, ON)
12. 5th – 440 Sydney Wallace
13. Seann Truibhas
14. 1st – 388 Olive Corbit
15. 2nd – 440 Sydney Wallace
16. 3rd – 385 Violet Barkhouse
17. 4th – 397 Madeleine Bissonnette-Corning
18. 5th – 282 Lexie Hann
19. Scottish Lilt
20. 1st – 388 Olive Corbit
21. 2nd – 397 Madeleine Bissonnette-Corning
22. 3rd – 282 Lexie Hann
23. Overall
24. 1st – Olive Corbit

Pre-Premier & New Scotland Open – Beginner 10 & Over

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 449 Scotia Maclean (Trenton, NS)
3. 2nd – 236 Christian Birchall (Dartmouth, NS)
4. 3rd – 330 Lavinia Yang (Halifax, NS)
5. 4th – 341 Josie Schumacher (Heatherton, NS)
6. 5th – 305 Emily Fergus (Trenton, NS)
7. Sword Dance
8. 1st – 449 Scotia Maclean
9. 2nd – 330 Lavinia Yang
10. 3rd – 372 Charlotte Beauchamp (Bedford, NS)
11. 4th – 306 Cindy Gillis (Yarmouth, NS)
12. 5th – 230 Vivian Kennedy (Yarmouth, NS)
13. Seann Truibhas
14. 1st – 330 Lavinia Yang
15. 2nd – 306 Cindy Gillis
16. 3rd – 230 Vivian Kennedy
17. 4th – 236 Christian Birchall
18. 5th – 305 Emily Fergus
19. Scottish Lilt
20. 1st – 230 Vivian Kennedy
21. 2nd – 330 Lavinia Yang
22. 3rd – 236 Christian Birchall
23. 4th – 449 Scotia Maclean
24. 5th – 372 Charlotte Beauchamp
25. Overall
26. 1st – Lavinia Yang

New Scotland Open Championship – 7 & Under 10

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 277 Aoife Purves (Edmonton, AB)
3. 2nd – 386 Isla McKeown (Ajax, ON)
4. 3rd – 370 Etta Humphrey (Peterborough, ON)
5. 4th – 423 Amber Richardson (Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
6. 5th – 411 Arya Coleman (Longside, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
7. 6th – 354 Jayna Lannin (Atwood, ON)
8. Sword Dance
9. 1st – 277 Aoife Purves
10. 2nd – 370 Etta Humphrey
11. 3rd – 423 Amber Richardson
12. 4th – 386 Isla McKeown
13. 5th – 411 Arya Coleman
14. 6th – 324 Annie Boyle (Antigonish, NS)
15. Seann Truibhas
16. 1st – 277 Aoife Purves
17. 2nd – 370 Etta Humphrey
18. 3rd – 386 Isla McKeown
19. 4th – 423 Amber Richardson
20. 5th – 324 Annie Boyle
21. 6th – 411 Arya Coleman
22. Reel
23. 1st – 386 Isla McKeown
24. 2nd – 277 Aoife Purves
25. 3rd – 370 Etta Humphrey
26. 4th – 423 Amber Richardson
27. 5th – 324 Annie Boyle
28. 6th – 411 Arya Coleman
29. Overall
30. 1st – Aoife Purves
31. 2nd – Isla McKeown
32. 3rd – Etta Humphrey
33. 4th – Amber Richardson
34. 5th – Arya Coleman
35. 6th – Annie Boyle

New Scotland Open Championship – 10 & Under 12

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 455 Cadi Hughes (Dalry, Ayrshire, SCT)
3. 2nd – 363 Briar MacHattie (Summerside, PE)
4. 3rd – 334 Katie Taylor (Halifax, NS)
5. 4th – 464 Mary Campbell (Antigonish, NS)
6. 5th – 431 Sydney Garisto (Woodbridge, ON)
7. =6th – 267 Maevis Botkin (Winnipeg, MB)
8. =6th – 390 Dhara Ghore (Antigonish, NS)
9. Sword Dance
10. 1st – 363 Briar MacHattie
11. 2nd – 455 Cadi Hughes
12. 3rd – 334 Katie Taylor
13. 4th – 464 Mary Campbell
14. 5th – 431 Sydney Garisto
15. 6th – 320 Ainslie Bungay (Sydney, NS)
16. Seann Truibhas
17. 1st – 363 Briar MacHattie
18. 2nd – 464 Mary Campbell
19. 3rd – 455 Cadi Hughes
20. 4th – 431 Sydney Garisto
21. 5th – 334 Katie Taylor
22. 6th – 390 Dhara Ghore
23. Reel
24. 1st – 363 Briar MacHattie
25. 2nd – 455 Cadi Hughes
26. 3rd – 334 Katie Taylor
27. 4th – 320 Ainslie Bungay
28. 5th – 464 Mary Campbell
29. 6th – 390 Dhara Ghore
30. Overall
31. 1st – Briar MacHattie
32. 2nd – Cadi Hughes
33. 3rd – Katie Taylor
34. 4th – Mary Campbell
35. 5th – Sydney Garisto
36. 6th – Ainslie Bungay

New Scotland Open Championship – 12 & Under 14

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson (Edmonton, AB)
3. 2nd – 278 Ashling Purves (Edmonton, AB)
4. 3rd – 429 Jillian MacKay (Dartmouth, NS)
5. 4th – 347 Mairi Larson (Beaumont, AB)
6. 5th – 346 Cailin Larson (Beaumont, AB)
7. =6th – 235 Ava Delhey (Moose Creek, ON)
8. =6th – 437 Brielle Burns (St Andrews, NS)
9. Sword Dance
10. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson
11. 2nd – 278 Ashling Purves
12. 3rd – 429 Jillian MacKay
13. 4th – 347 Mairi Larson
14. 5th – 346 Cailin Larson
15. 6th – 235 Ava Delhey
16. Seann Truibhas
17. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson
18. 2nd – 278 Ashling Purves
19. 3rd – 347 Mairi Larson
20. 4th – 429 Jillian MacKay
21. 5th – 235 Ava Delhey
22. 6th – 346 Cailin Larson
23. Reel
24. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson
25. 2nd – 278 Ashling Purves
26. 3rd – 346 Cailin Larson
27. 4th – 347 Mairi Larson
28. 5th – 429 Jillian MacKay
29. 6th – 233 Sophia Krill (Halifax, NS)
30. Overall
31. 1st – Ollie Henderson
32. 2nd – Ashling Purves
33. 3rd – Jillian MacKay
34. 4th – Mairi Larson
35. 5th – Cailin Larson
36. 6th – Ava Delhey

New Scotland Open Championship – 14 & Under 16

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 352 Emma Breeze (Port Perry, ON)
3. 2nd – 469 Brooke Hayne (Antigonish, NS)
4. 3rd – 287 Ruby Alexander (Dartmouth, NS)
5. 4th – 454 Maëlle Naime (Middle Sackville, NS)
6. =5th – 240 Jessica Strachan (Calgary, AB)
7. =5th – 247 Fleur Corneman (Berkeley, ON)
8. Sword Dance
9. 1st – 352 Emma Breeze
10. 2nd – 469 Brooke Hayne
11. 3rd – 454 Maëlle Naime
12. 4th – 240 Jessica Strachan
13. 5th – 287 Ruby Alexander
14. 6th – 238 Samantha Inkpen (Whitby, ON)
15. Seann Truibhas
16. 1st – 352 Emma Breeze
17. 2nd – 469 Brooke Hayne
18. =3rd – 247 Fleur Corneman
19. =3rd – 454 Maëlle Naime
20. =3rd – 287 Ruby Alexander
21. 6th – 240 Jessica Strachan
22. Reel
23. 1st – 352 Emma Breeze
24. 2nd – 469 Brooke Hayne
25. 3rd – 454 Maëlle Naime
26. 4th – 287 Ruby Alexander
27. =5th – 272 Tyoh McQueen (Cambridge, ON)
28. =5th – 421 Adalynne Turner (Shediac Bridge, NB)
29. Overall
30. 1st – Emma Breeze
31. 2nd – Brooke Hayne
32. 3rd – Maëlle Naime
33. 4th – Ruby Alexander
34. 5th – Jessica Strachan
35. 6th – Fleur Corneman

New Scotland Open Championship – 16 & Under 18

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 426 Lucy Patton (Coupar Angus, Perthshire, SCT)
3. 2nd – 322 Sam Synishin (Antigonish, NS)
4. 3rd – 407 Haley van de Wiel (Antigonish, NS)
5. 4th – 239 Hannah Inkpen (Whitby, ON)
6. 5th – 229 Niamh McMullan (Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland)
7. 6th – 269 Alie MacMaster (Gaspereaux Lake, NS)
8. Sword Dance
9. 1st – 426 Lucy Patton
10. 2nd – 322 Sam Synishin
11. 3rd – 407 Haley van de Wiel
12. 4th – 229 Niamh McMullan
13. 5th – 269 Alie MacMaster
14. 6th – 239 Hannah Inkpen
15. Seann Truibhas
16. 1st – 426 Lucy Patton
17. 2nd – 322 Sam Synishin
18. 3rd – 407 Haley van de Wiel
19. 4th – 239 Hannah Inkpen
20. 5th – 229 Niamh McMullan
21. 6th – 250 Cassie Deveau (Valley, NS)
22. Reel
23. 1st – 426 Lucy Patton
24. 2nd – 322 Sam Synishin
25. 3rd – 407 Haley van de Wiel
26. 4th – 229 Niamh McMullan
27. 5th – 224 Emma Dunning (Dartmouth, NS)
28. 6th – 239 Hannah Inkpen
29. Overall
30. 1st – Lucy Patton
31. 2nd – Sam Synishin
32. 3rd – Haley van de Wiel
33. 4th – Niamh McMullan
34. 5th – Hannah Inkpen
35. 6th – Alie MacMaster

New Scotland Open Championship – 18 & Over

1. Highland Fling
2. 1st – 387 Marielle Lespérance (Dartmouth, NS)
3. 2nd – 342 Michelle Gordon (Forgue, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
4. 3rd – 344 Willow Brown (Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
5. 4th – 378 Camryn MacIsaac (Barrie, ON)
6. 5th – 323 Karly Boyle (Antigonish, NS)
7. 6th – 418 Tina Gripton (Ottawa, ON)
8. Sword Dance
9. 1st – 387 Marielle Lespérance
10. 2nd – 342 Michelle Gordon
11. 3rd – 344 Willow Brown
12. 4th – 323 Karly Boyle
13. 5th – 378 Camryn MacIsaac
14. 6th – 418 Tina Gripton
15. Seann Truibhas
16. 1st – 387 Marielle Lespérance
17. 2nd – 342 Michelle Gordon
18. 3rd – 344 Willow Brown
19. 4th – 323 Karly Boyle
20. 5th – 378 Camryn MacIsaac
21. 6th – 418 Tina Gripton
22. Reel
23. 1st – 387 Marielle Lespérance
24. 2nd – 342 Michelle Gordon
25. 3rd – 344 Willow Brown
26. 4th – 323 Karly Boyle
27. 5th – 378 Camryn MacIsaac
28. 6th – 443 Julia Murray (Antigonish, NS)
29. Overall
30. 1st – Marielle Lespérance
31. 2nd – Michelle Gordon
32. 3rd – Willow Brown
33. 4th – Karly Boyle
34. 5th – Camryn MacIsaac
35. 6th – Tina Gripton

Highland Heart Open Premiership – 7 & Under 10

1. Blue Bonnets
2. 1st – 386 Isla McKeown (Ajax, ON)
3. 2nd – 423 Amber Richardson (Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
4. 3rd – 370 Etta Humphrey (Peterborough, ON)
5. 4th – 411 Arya Coleman (Longside, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
6. 5th – 456 Callie Butler (Antigonish, NS)
7. 6th – 405 Charlie MacDonald (Judique, NS)
8. Earl of Errol
9. 1st – 386 Isla McKeown
10. 2nd – 370 Etta Humphrey
11. 3rd – 423 Amber Richardson
12. 4th – 411 Arya Coleman
13. 5th – 354 Jayna Lannin (Atwood, ON)
14. 6th – 324 Annie Boyle (Antigonish, NS)
15. Scottish Lilt
16. 1st – 386 Isla McKeown
17. 2nd – 411 Arya Coleman
18. 3rd – 370 Etta Humphrey
19. 4th – 423 Amber Richardson
20. 5th – 354 Jayna Lannin
21. 6th – 324 Annie Boyle
22. Sailors Hornpipe
23. 1st – 386 Isla McKeown
24. 2nd – 370 Etta Humphrey
25. 3rd – 423 Amber Richardson
26. 4th – 411 Arya Coleman
27. 5th – 324 Annie Boyle
28. 6th – 354 Jayna Lannin
29. Overall
30. 1st – Isla McKeown
31. 2nd – Etta Humphrey
32. 3rd – Amber Richardson
33. 4th – Arya Coleman
34. 5th – Jayna Lannin
35. 6th – Annie Boyle

Highland Heart Open Premiership – 10 & Under 12

1. Blue Bonnets
2. 1st – 334 Katie Taylor (Halifax, NS)
3. 2nd – 363 Briar MacHattie (Summerside, PE)
4. 3rd – 464 Mary Campbell (Antigonish, NS)
5. 4th – 267 Maevis Botkin (Winnipeg, MB)
6. 5th – 455 Cadi Hughes (Dalry, Ayrshire, SCT)
7. 6th – 390 Dhara Ghore (Antigonish, NS)
8. Earl of Errol
9. 1st – 464 Mary Campbell
10. 2nd – 363 Briar MacHattie
11. 3rd – 334 Katie Taylor
12. =4th – 267 Maevis Botkin
13. =4th – 245 Vanna Single (Winnipeg, MB)
14. 6th – 390 Dhara Ghore
15. Scottish Lilt
16. 1st – 363 Briar MacHattie
17. 2nd – 334 Katie Taylor
18. 3rd – 464 Mary Campbell
19. 4th – 455 Cadi Hughes
20. 5th – 390 Dhara Ghore
21. 6th – 267 Maevis Botkin
22. Sailors Hornpipe
23. 1st – 334 Katie Taylor
24. 2nd – 363 Briar MacHattie
25. 3rd – 455 Cadi Hughes
26. 4th – 464 Mary Campbell
27. 5th – 268 Lily MacEachern (Port Hood, NS)
28. 6th – 432 Claire Hoben (Port Hawkesbury, NS)
29. Overall
30. 1st – Katie Taylor
31. 2nd – Briar MacHattie
32. 3rd – Mary Campbell
33. 4th – Cadi Hughes
34. 5th – Maevis Botkin
35. 6th – Dhara Ghore

Highland Heart Open Premiership – 12 & Under 14

1. Blue Bonnets
2. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson (Edmonton, AB)
3. 2nd – 369 Rebecca Hennessey (Port Hawkesbury, NS)
4. 3rd – 347 Mairi Larson (Beaumont, AB)
5. 4th – 346 Cailin Larson (Beaumont, AB)
6. 5th – 403 Isabella Beaton (Brierly Brook, NS)
7. 6th – 300 Jenna Jones (Antigonish, NS)
8. Earl of Errol
9. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson
10. 2nd – 369 Rebecca Hennessey
11. 3rd – 346 Cailin Larson
12. 4th – 300 Jenna Jones
13. 5th – 437 Brielle Burns (St Andrews, NS)
14. 6th – 403 Isabella Beaton
15. Scottish Lilt
16. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson
17. 2nd – 369 Rebecca Hennessey
18. 3rd – 347 Mairi Larson
19. 4th – 346 Cailin Larson
20. 5th – 300 Jenna Jones
21. 6th – 437 Brielle Burns
22. Sailors Hornpipe
23. 1st – 317 Ollie Henderson
24. 2nd – 347 Mairi Larson
25. 3rd – 369 Rebecca Hennessey
26. 4th – 437 Brielle Burns
27. 5th – 346 Cailin Larson
28. 6th – 226 Callie Cann (Mulgrave, NS)
29. Overall
30. 1st – Ollie Henderson
31. 2nd – Rebecca Hennessey
32. 3rd – Mairi Larson
33. 4th – Cailin Larson
34. 5th – Jenna Jones
35. 6th – Brielle Burns

Highland Heart Open Premiership – 14 & Under 16

1. Blue Bonnets
2. 1st – 352 Emma Breeze (Port Perry, ON)
3. 2nd – 469 Brooke Hayne (Antigonish, NS)
4. 3rd – 247 Fleur Corneman (Berkeley, ON)
5. 4th – 454 Maëlle Naime (Middle Sackville, NS)
6. 5th – 287 Ruby Alexander (Dartmouth, NS)
7. 6th – 238 Samantha Inkpen (Whitby, ON)
8. Earl of Errol
9. 1st – 352 Emma Breeze
10. 2nd – 469 Brooke Hayne
11. 3rd – 247 Fleur Corneman
12. 4th – 287 Ruby Alexander
13. 5th – 454 Maëlle Naime
14. 6th – 272 Tyoh McQueen (Cambridge, ON)
15. Scottish Lilt
16. 1st – 469 Brooke Hayne
17. 2nd – 352 Emma Breeze
18. 3rd – 247 Fleur Corneman
19. 4th – 454 Maëlle Naime
20. 5th – 287 Ruby Alexander
21. 6th – 373 Tiona Aucoin (Coxheath, NS)
22. Sailors Hornpipe
23. 1st – 469 Brooke Hayne
24. 2nd – 352 Emma Breeze
25. 3rd – 454 Maëlle Naime
26. 4th – 287 Ruby Alexander
27. 5th – 247 Fleur Corneman
28. 6th – 238 Samantha Inkpen
29. Overall
30. 1st – Brooke Hayne
31. 2nd – Emma Breeze
32. 3rd – Fleur Corneman
33. 4th – Maëlle Naime
34. 5th – Ruby Alexander
35. 6th – Samantha Inkpen

Highland Heart Open Premiership – 16 & Under 18

1. Blue Bonnets
2. 1st – 322 Sam Synishin (Antigonish, NS)
3. 2nd – 426 Lucy Patton (Coupar Angus, Perthshire, SCT)
4. 3rd – 402 Lorelei Derry (Markham, ON)
5. 4th – 407 Haley van de Wiel (Antigonish, NS)
6. 5th – 239 Hannah Inkpen (Whitby, ON)
7. =6th – 269 Alie MacMaster (Gaspereaux Lake, NS)
8. =6th – 229 Niamh McMullan (Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland)
9. Earl of Errol
10. 1st – 322 Sam Synishin
11. 2nd – 426 Lucy Patton
12. 3rd – 368 Jillian Hennessey (Port Hawkesbury, NS)
13. 4th – 402 Lorelei Derry
14. 5th – 229 Niamh McMullan
15. 6th – 407 Haley van de Wiel
16. Scottish Lilt
17. 1st – 426 Lucy Patton
18. 2nd – 322 Sam Synishin
19. 3rd – 402 Lorelei Derry
20. 4th – 407 Haley van de Wiel
21. =5th – 239 Hannah Inkpen
22. =5th – 368 Jillian Hennessey
23. Sailors Hornpipe
24. 1st – 426 Lucy Patton
25. 2nd – 322 Sam Synishin
26. 3rd – 402 Lorelei Derry
27. 4th – 225 Divjot Kalsi (Antigonish, NS)
28. 5th – 229 Niamh McMullan
29. 6th – 407 Haley van de Wiel
30. Overall
31. 1st – Lucy Patton
32. 2nd – Sam Synishin
33. 3rd – Lorelei Derry
34. 4th – Haley van de Wiel
35. 5th – Jillian Hennessey
36. 6th – Niamh McMullan

Highland Heart Open Premiership – 18 & Under 21

1. Blue Bonnets
2. 1st – 344 Willow Brown (Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
3. 2nd – 378 Camryn MacIsaac (Barrie, ON)
4. 3rd – 443 Julia Murray (Antigonish, NS)
5. 4th – 270 Carmen MacMaster (Gaspereaux Lake, NS)
6. 5th – 261 Ally Thomson (Quispamsis, NB)
7. 6th – 415 Brenna MacPherson (Guysborough, NS)
8. Earl of Errol
9. 1st – 344 Willow Brown
10. 2nd – 378 Camryn MacIsaac
11. 3rd – 443 Julia Murray
12. 4th – 261 Ally Thomson
13. 5th – 270 Carmen MacMaster
14. 6th – 415 Brenna MacPherson
15. Scottish Lilt
16. 1st – 344 Willow Brown
17. 2nd – 378 Camryn MacIsaac
18. 3rd – 443 Julia Murray
19. 4th – 261 Ally Thomson
20. 5th – 270 Carmen MacMaster
21. 6th – 415 Brenna MacPherson
22. Sailors Hornpipe
23. 1st – 344 Willow Brown
24. 2nd – 378 Camryn MacIsaac
25. 3rd – 261 Ally Thomson
26. 4th – 443 Julia Murray
27. 5th – 415 Brenna MacPherson
28. 6th – 270 Carmen MacMaster
29. Overall
30. 1st – Willow Brown
31. 2nd – Camryn MacIsaac
32. 3rd – Julia Murray
33. 4th – Ally Thomson
34. 5th – Carmen MacMaster
35. 6th – Brenna MacPherson

Highland Heart Open Premiership – 21 & Over

1. Blue Bonnets
2. 1st – 342 Michelle Gordon (Forgue, Aberdeenshire, SCT)
3. 2nd – 418 Tina Gripton (Ottawa, ON)
4. 3rd – 276 Taylor MacQuarrie (Halifax, NS)
5. 4th – 253 Breagh MacInnis (Dartmouth, NS)
6. 5th – 255 Andrea Salisbury (Sydney, NS)
7. 6th – 295 Megan Martel (Gatineau, QC)
8. Earl of Errol
9. 1st – 342 Michelle Gordon
10. 2nd – 276 Taylor MacQuarrie
11. 3rd – 418 Tina Gripton
12. 4th – 253 Breagh MacInnis
13. 5th – 332 Laura Hillyard (Bedford, NS)
14. 6th – 295 Megan Martel
15. Scottish Lilt
16. 1st – 342 Michelle Gordon
17. 2nd – 276 Taylor MacQuarrie
18. 3rd – 418 Tina Gripton
19. 4th – 253 Breagh MacInnis
20. 5th – 255 Andrea Salisbury
21. 6th – 332 Laura Hillyard
22. Sailors Hornpipe
23. 1st – 342 Michelle Gordon
24. 2nd – 418 Tina Gripton
25. 3rd – 253 Breagh MacInnis
26. 4th – 276 Taylor MacQuarrie
27. 5th – 295 Megan Martel
28. 6th – 337 Jenna Holz (Kentville, NS)
29. Overall
30. 1st – Michelle Gordon
31. 2nd – Tina Gripton
32. 3rd – Taylor MacQuarrie
33. 4th – Breagh MacInnis
34. 5th – Megan Martel
35. 6th – Andrea Salisbury

160th Antigonish Highland Games Highland Dancing Results

158th Antigonish Highland Games Highland Dancing Results

157th Antigonish Highland Games Highland Dancing Results 

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.

MacDonald & MacQuarrie Trophy

This trophy was created to honour two Antigonish local Highland Dancing teachers, Gerarda MacDonald & Janice MacQuarrie.

Presented to the Top Premier Dancer of the weekend who accumulates the most points in the Championship & Premiership