Since 1994, the Highland Gathering has been a not-to-be-missed event at Minnawarra Park, hosted by the City of Armadale.
Since the event’s inception more than three decades ago, the Highland Dancers have been participating to show of Scottish culture, with Highland Dancing being a prominent part of Scottish culture since the 19th and 20th centuries when it was formalised for the country’s Highland Games.
The Highland Dancers have been an integral part of the Gathering to showcase the high level of skill required for the dance style.
A spokesperson for the group said the dancers display their appreciation for cultural roots.
“Highland dancing is taught in dance classes for competition and exams,” she said.
“It is an outside event and part of a Scottish Gathering. That is how it is showcased in Scotland.”
Today Highland dancers are usually women, but originally the Highland dance was a way for men to show their strength, stamina and agility to the king and clan chief to be selected for battle.
Initially enacted as a performance with swords dating back to as early as the 1500s, modern day Highland dancing along with Highland games were formed when Queen Victoria discovered she loved Scottish culture, reviving cultural and national pride.
Although there are many categories or performative Highland dances, the roots of the dance styles come from centuries-long practices.
The four main dance styles are said to be derived from ancient legends and include The Sword Dance (Gille Chaluim) which is Gaelic for “the servant of Calum”, The Seann Triubhas which is pronounced “shawn trewus” and Gaelic for “old trousers”, The Highland Fling, and The Reel of Tulloch (Ruidhle Thulaichean).
The dancers in Australia and in WA undergo intensive training to perfect their technique, routines and stage presence, with the local group competing internationally.
Having competed in other countries including in Scotland, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, audience members always fill the seats at the local Armadale event.
