Why is the highland fling performed

Returning from a victorious battle, male warriors would perform the dance in celebration of their success. It was performed on a small round shield , called a targe. Most targes had a sharp spike of steel projecting from the center, so the dancers learned to move with skill and dexterity to avoid injuring themselves.

This dance is now performed at dance competitions and events around the world. It is no longer danced on a shield, but it is still the goal of the dancer to stay in the same spot throughout the dance.

The Highland Fling is danced at almost all competition levels, from Primary to Premier. It is also performed for most Highland and Theory examinations. Dancers wear the standard Kilt outfit to perform this dance. Some people believe the Fling may have originated from a different source. Although called the Highland Fling it is also a reel and the Scots dance their reels for the reel's sake; rather than a simple excuse for a social gathering, or a means for a flirtation.

The Scot arrives on the dance floor as he would on the drill square , and he dances until he is tired out, rarely looking at his lady partner if he has one , and in fact caring not at all with whom he dances. The Highland Fling is usually performed by three or four persons to the duple rhythm music of the Strathspey.

The Strathspey derives its name from the valley of the Spey , it is closely allied to the reel, but it is slower, yet it calls for more exertion, and abounds in quick motions. The term "Fling" expresses the kick which characterizes the step. When a horse kicks by merely raising one leg and striking with it, he is said, in grooms parlance to "fling like a cow. The figure of the reel is perhaps one of the most beautiful that can be exhibited.

A line of beauty, and the general air of the dance should indicate gaiety and good will. It is a gliding dance, usually performed by two couples, and its movements differ slightly according to locality, the principal point, which is the same in all, being the circular form. When performed by two couples it is called a foursome reel; When by three couples, a six some reel, the difference being in the music, with a corresponding difference in the steps and revolutions.

In competition, this dance is done with either four or six steps, depending upon the dancer's ability. In America, there are dance groups of the Highland Fling, step dancers, cloggers etcetera but most folks incorrectly consider it as a part of the Square or Barn Dance family whether actually danced today or not.

Old Paul Jones. Old Zip Coon. Square Dances. So much so it seems that by the time the Act was repealed in , Highlanders had lost all enthusiasm for their tartan garb and lacked the main prop required to perform their sword dances.

The revival of Highland culture was greatly boosted when Queen Victoria discovered the road north and recognised first-hand, the magnificence of Scotland for herself. This revival saw the beginnings of the modern Highland games, with of course, Highland dancing forming an integral part. Primarily to make judging easier however, the selection of dances being performed were gradually narrowed down over the years and decades that followed.

The result of this was that many traditional dances simply got lost, as they were no longer required for competition purposes. Like many other dance traditions Highland dancing has changed and evolved over the years, integrating elements that may have their roots set in centuries old tradition with elements that are much more modern.

Yet another story tells that a soldier would dance around and over crossed swords prior to battle; should his feet touch the blade during the dance however, then this was considered an ill omen for the following day.

Another and more practical explanation is that the dance was simply an exercise used to develop and hone the nibble footwork required to stay alive in sword play. The initial slow dance steps involve lots of leg shaking; symbolising attempts to shed the hated garments; the final faster steps demonstrating the joy of returning to the kilt when the ban ended in The Highland Fling — One legend associates it as a warriors dance of triumph following a battle.

It was supposedly danced over a small round shield, with a spike projecting from the centre, known as a Targe.