Failte Oirbh! Welcome To You

              2007 Dance Tent

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                                               Highland Dance Trivia

                                                   DID YOU KNOW?

Highland dances were at first danced only by men. Women would take part in social dances, and girls did learn solo dances as part of their general dance classes. In fact, dancing masters would often encourage their most promising students (male or female) to perform solo dances at their end-of-term "assemblies".

In the late 19th century a young woman named Jenny Douglas decided to enter a Highland dance competition. As this was not expressly forbidden, she was allowed to enter. Since then the number of females participating in the sport has increased until today in excess of 95% of all dancers are female. There have been several female World Champions crowned at the Cowal Gathering since they began organising the competition in 1948. The first American to win the Adult World Championship was Hugh Bigney, who won the title in 1972. Indeed the first three Adult World Championships were won by ladies; May Falconer (1948), Margaret Samson (1949 & 1950). This feminisation of folk arts is a common pattern in the process of their "gentrification", especially after they no longer serve a functional role in a male-centred, warrior culture.