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There are two styles of Highland
Dances, the traditional Highland Dances, and the more balletic or character National
Dances. Each year the S.O.B.H.D. releases Championship
Steps 2008
Highland Fling Sword Dance Seann Truibhas The Reels Flora MacDonald's Fancy Other National Dances Irish Jig Sailor's Hornpipe 
Some say the Fling was inspired by the sight of a red deer stag prancing on the hillside and was danced following vicotry in battle. This dance copies the movements of the stag with hands raised antler-like, springing and turning with feet raised to the knee. The warriors made this dance a feat of strength and agility. Dancing on their upturned shields, a Targ, it was important for warriors to dance on the spot so as not to impale their feet on the sharp spike of steel protruding from the center. The Sword Dance or Gillie Callum
This dance demands a strong performance, neatness in crossing the blades and precision in turning. It is said the original Gillie Callum was King Malcolm Canmore, a Celtic Prince who fought a battle in 1054. In celebration of victory, he crossed his opponent’s sword with his own and danced over it with joy (some say he even danced over the bloodied head of his opponent, one of MacBeth's generals!). Another tale has it that warriors would cross their swords over their opponents before a battle. Together they danced over the swords. If the warrior touched the sword it was a bad omen and was thought to mean certain injury or death in battle. The Seann Truibhas (Old Trousers) Dating back to 1745 when the wearing of the kilt was an act of treason, this dance originated as a political protest. The beautiful, graceful steps reflect the Scot’s desire to "Shed the Trousers" and once again wear the beloved kilt. The quick time in the dance recreates the Highlanders’ great joy in the ban being lifted as the steps become light and merry. The reels have always been group dances for recreation. The reel O’Tulloch is said to have originated at Tulloch Churchyard where on a cold snowy morning, the minister was delayed and the congregation started to swing each other by the arm to keep themselves warm. The slow movement, the Strathspey is thought by many to be a mourning dance following the path of the river "Strath" in the valley of "Spey". The Highland Reel is a quick, livelier version of the Strathspey. Flora MacDonald was born on the island of Vist Scotland. She lost her parents when she was just an infant. When she was six years old, she was taken to the mansion of the clan Ranald to be educated. She showed special musical talent. In 1746, while visiting Benbecula, Flora met Bonnie Prince Charlie. Legend has it that Flora is the subject of the flirting dance called the Flora MacDonald’s Fancy. The lady in the dance is trying very hard to impress her lover. Could that have been Bonnie Prince Charlie? Flora was, after all, instrumental in helping the Prince escape from Scotland following the battle of Cullodon. Later, Flora married Allen MacDonald and they had five children. Due to bad economic conditions, they moved to North Carolina. During the American Revolution, she and her husband joined other loyalists and took up residence in Windsor, Nova Scotia. But her heart longed for her homeland and she returned to Scotland in 1779. Flora died on March 4, 1790. On her tombstone are the words "Her name shall be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtue, mentioned with honor". Other Scottish National Dances The National dances were primarily intended for the lassies and could be inspired by almost any incident of everyday life. The Scottish Lilt is performed with flowing ballet-like grace in the Aboyne Dress, named for the Aboyne Games in Scotland where it is forbidden for the women to wear kilts. The Village Maid is a flirtatious dance apparently first performed on a table by a young serving woman in a pub. The Blue Bonnets perhaps may have been danced by the ladies as a farewell to the soldiers wearing their Blue Glengarry Bonnets. Several National Dances are performed in the kilt as they were originally men’s dances. "Wilt Thou Go to the Barracks, Johnny?" is said to be a dance depicting the strength, agility and determination which comes from a soldier’s rigorous training. The Highland Laddie may have been danced as an invitation to a Lassie to join a handsome Lad for a stroll in the Highlands and perhaps for a picnic spread on his plaid. Tribute to J.L MacKenzie was first danced in 1972 in honour of this man who worked tirelessly to promote Highland Dance in Canada, Scotland, South Africa and the U.S. The Scottish version of the Irish Jig is meant to parody an angry Irish washerwoman when she finds out some neighborhood boys have knocked all of her clean wash to the ground. Another version describes a woman who shakes her firsts and flounces her skirt because she is furious with her husband who has been out drinking until the wee hours.
The Sailor’s Hornpipe requires strength and stamina to mimic in dance a variety of shipboard tasks including swabbing the deck, climbing the ship’s rigging, standing watch and hauling in rope. The Hornpipe is danced in a British sailor's uniform and derived its name from the fact that usually the musical accompaniment was played on a hornpipe rather than bagpipes. The Hornpipe is originally an ancient dance common to many parts of the British Isles. Its name comes from the fact that the dance was usually accompanied by the music of the “horn pipe,” a common instrument comparable to our present day tin flute. In time, the dance became so popular among seafaring men that it came to be known as the “sailor’s” hornpipe and is now indelibly associated with sailors and men of the sea.
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