1st
Saturday in June
12noon
- Chieftain's Parade
1pm
- Official Opening
Highland
Dancing Championships
(Starts at 10 a.m.)
Over 100 dancers take part
in the Highland Dancing competitions for five age groups.
To
the skirl of the pipes each dancer performs four traditional dances.
(for explanation of the dances see below)
The Highland
Fling
The
oldest of the dances, said to be based on the movements of the stag.
Arms are held aloft like antlers, the feet dance and the body turns
around suggesting the stag's love play.
The Sword Dance
Credited
to Malcolm Canmore, King of Scots, who, after slaying an opponent
placed his sword and that of his enemy on the ground in the form of
a cross and danced in triumph over them.
Shean Trubhis
Came about when wearing the kilt was banned following the Battle of
Culloden. The dancers perform this in tartan trews and depict the
discarding of the hated trousers.
The Strathspey Reel
This
is performed by four dancers and requires skill and ingenuity from
each dancer to weave the intricate figure "8".
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Athletics
Highland Games go back centuries and were held under the sponsorship of the King or Clan Chieftain as a way to recruit staff.
the events allowed men to show their skills and strength using tools which were part of everyday working life.
This tradition is reflected in the Shotts Athletic programme.
Pipe
Band Championship
Around
forty pipe bands play for the West of Scotland Championship and the
Open Contest.
