Scottish country dancing is social dancing. Usually danced
in groups of two, three or four couples, facing each other in
lines or squares.
It has its roots in the Highland Reels of Scotland and the 17th
century dances of Europe. Together with its English counterpart,
Scottish country dance has helped to spawn ceilidh dancing, contra
and square dancing.
Quick-time jigs and reels will be familiar to many people. These
dances involve a light skipping step, where the dancers move through
a series of "figures" - Crossing, circling, reeling
and turning in a pattern variously involving the "dancing
couple" or their set. Unique to Scottish dance is the Strathspey
- a slow reel which uses an elegant style of step. Scottish country
dancing can vary from the energetic to the flirtatious.
Scottish country dance is more than "country" dancing.
It is a dance for the ballroom, dance hall, village square or
local inn. It has been popular amongst gentry, royalty and the
common folk for well over 200 years. In Australia we dance in
schools and church halls, clubs and pubs, as well as each other's
back yards and lounge rooms. |
