When interest in competition Highland Dancing grew
with the passing years, instruction became authoritative, and the
dancing technique became more defined. Since there were differing ideas
on technique and judging, the Scottish Official Board or Highland
Dancing and its traditional and accepted technique of competition came
into being.
The Highland Fling
The Highland Fling originated as wild dance of triumph following victory
in battle. It is said to be inspired by the capers of the stag, the
dancer's upraised arms representing the animals antlers. Danced
vigorously and exultantly, it is now highly stylized and calls for the
greatest skill in technique and exactness of timing. Despite the variety
of steps, it should, for example, be danced throughout in the same
position on the board, perhaps because originally the Highland Fling was
said to have been done on the shield of the clansman. It has become the
classic solo dance at modern competitive dancing events, and is often
selected at competitions to decide who will be judged the best Highland
dancer of the day.
The Sword Dance
Like the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, or Ghillie Chalium has war as
its basic theme. Today it is both picturesque and popular at Highland
Games; legend has it that in older times it was danced on the eve of
battle, and that for the soldier to touch or displace the sword portened
evil in the comping fight. There are many other theories regarding the
origin of the Sword Dance, and one of the most attractive of these is
that which tells how the great Malcolm Canmore, after having defeated
one of MacBeth's chiefs at the Battle of Dunsinane in 1054, seized his
opponents sword, placing it over his own to form a cross, over which he
danced triumphantly to the wild music of the pipes.
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