Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 35 on 15/11/2007.

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Everything you need to know about... Scottish dancing

First it is important to separate Scottish country dancing from Highland dancing. The essential difference is that Scottish country dancing is social, danced by couples, and comprises reels (circle dances), jigs, and Strathspeys (long dances). Highland dancing is ceremonial, and performed solo.

The actual origins of Scottish country dancing are vague, but it has been noted that the Reel of Four has figurative associations with ancient Pictish/Druid symbolism. It is also known that Longwise dancing was popular in the Court of the Stewart kings, and in 1580, James VI is on record as making a payment to one William Hudson for ‘teaching us to dance.’ In the reign of his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots, a number of formal dances were introduced to the palace of Holyrood from the French court. At the same time, it should be noted that the ‘Ring’ dance was a great favourite with farming folk in the south of Scotland.

Scottish country dancing, as we know it today, began to emerge in the late 18th century, encouraged by the lairds as a form of entertainment for their house guests, and for formal balls held in their castles and mansions. Danced to accordion and fiddle bands, its popularity soon spread throughout Scotland, being not only enjoyed in the big houses, but at village ceilidhs, where an entire neighbourhood would turn out, old and young. That is the special charm of Scottish country dancing; it is classless, informal or formal as required, and can be enjoyed by all ages.

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By Sally Toms

Section : Scotland Life

Page number : 74