Scottish Highland Dance

Scottish dancing is usually divided into two types:  Highland dancing and Scottish country dancing.

Highland dancing includes such dances as the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, the Seann Trubhas, the Lilt, the Jig, and the Hornpipe.  Dancers usually dance (and compete) as individuals, though there are some dances that involve partners.  The steps portray aspects of Scottish life, or specific events: for example, the Seann Trubhas (literally, "old trousers") shows a Scotsman kicking off trousers forced upon him by the English, while the Sword Dance recreates the victory dance Malcolm Canmore danced in 1054 over his sword crossed with the sword of his defeated enemy.

Scottish country dancing is meant to be social dancing, and involves several pairs of dancers.  The pairs perform complicated steps, often changing partners multiple times through the course of a dance.  Some aspects of Scottish country dancing may be familiar to Americans who know about square dancing.

Highland dancers are accompanied by a solo piper, while Scottish country dancers are accompanied by fiddle and/or piano, and in some cases a band.