HIGHLAND DANCES Highland Dances date back to 11th century when men danced to celebrate victory and to COUNTRY DANCEStrain before battle Nowadays they are part of Highland They are more like a sport because of They aregames a typeevent of folk are judged on technique, timing dance in competition sets, usuallyDancers of and arranged general posture To become a skilled dancer you or more couples in to practice two lines or in need a square The for many hours daily during a few years Most best examples are – reels andHighland dances are danced solo they were performed only by men In the jigs and Traditionally strathspeys th late 19 century The reel is the oldest form of women were allowed to participate and about 95% Scottish groupnow dance, first of all dancers are female The best known examples of them are: mentioned in the 16th century the Sword Dance which dates back to 1054 when Legend says that the Reel III, King of Scots took his opponent’s sword originated withMalcolm well-wishers after battle, crossed two swords on the ground and waiting outside a danced over them Later warriors performed this dance church on a before battle Landing on a sword was thought to predict cold, winter the loss of the battle afternoon the Highland Fling which was originally a victory dance The dancers in battle performed by warriors on a small shield carried made groups of into battle The shield had a long sharp spike in the four and performed quick dances centre so dancers needed to be careful with their steps fling is danced in one place While dancing Female Outfits The jig-Dance this dance is also Thus quickthe in tempo dancers jump 192 times expressing intricate footwork at Females wear a tartan kilt and matching hose and uses the same steps Arm Male Dance the same time They also have a velvet jacket to match their movements are an intrinsic part of Outfits Males aawhite shirt, a jacket of velvet or kilt, and a lace or a sleeveless with Scottish jig insert in comparison to vest thewear Irish cloth, a tartan kilt and matching hose They white blouse underneath version also wear a traditional Scottish hat For strathspeys theyinmay wear atempo white with dress The strathspeya slower called a Balmoral If the jacket is in the ‘Prince Charlie’ with a tartan steps plaid over right shoulder or an different Thethedance is a slow, then they must have a bow tie and a waistcoat ‘Aboyne’ dress consists of velvet bodice stately This waltz composed ofastyle three main Jackets in the ‘Montrose’ style have to be worn with a over a whitewhich blouse withgives a tartanmuch skirt andmore white steps, white lace jabot For highland dances they can also underskirts A tartan plaid is worn with a Scottish opportunity for graceful dancing wear tartan trousers called trews –themed brooch Scottish dancers wear shoes called ghillies