| Scottish Highland Dancing is a celebration of the Scottish spirit. The dances are a spectacular combination of strength, agility, movement, music, and costume. Unlike other dance mediums, Highland dances are generally danced solo and in competition. Dancers typically dance to traditional Scottish music such as Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes, and Jigs all played by an accompanying bagpiper. The dances are made up of different parts, called steps, and there are usually four or six steps to a dance. The basic positions of the feet and many movements of elevation used in Highland come from ballet. The dances are great fun and anyone, not just those with a Scottish heritage, who thrills to the sound of the bagpipes can join in and learn the dances. Highland Dancing is a healthy workout for adults and children and is a great way to develop good coordination, posture, and overall muscle tone, not to mention aerobic capacity and strength. |