Highland Fling

The Highland Fling is a Scottish solo dance. He is one of the dances of Highland dancing, which today are mostly danced competitively or as a show dance. Outside of Scotland, especially in Ireland, the music used ( the Strathspey ) is called the " Highland Fling " or simply " Fling ".

Form

The dance consists primarily of athletic footwork, jumps on the spot, as well as some different arm positions. Today, a series of four, six or eight different steps of 8 bars in length is dancing in competitions. The dance always begins with the First Step (shedding ) and ends with the load shedding. The steps in between can be varied and are specified on competitions every year alternately. The following steps are in use today:

• First Step: Shedding
• Second Step: First Back - Stepping
• Third Step: Toe and Heel
• Fourth Step: Rocking
• Fifth Step: Second Back- Stepping
• Sixth Step: Cross-Over
• Seventh Step: Shake and Turn
• Eighth Step: Load Shedding

The dancers dance to Strathspeys, which are usually played by a bagpiper live. Recommended by SOBHD tempo is 112-124 bpm today.

History

According to legend, the Highland Fling formerly of the Highland warriors after a victorious battle on a small round shield (English targe ) was danced. Since these shields often had a sharp metal tip in the center, this custom would have required a lot of courage and skill.

In fact, the Highland Fling until the beginning of the 19th century as an independent dance. The first mention as a separate dance dates back to 1824, and at dance competitions that took place in Scotland since 1783, was first danced in 1840 the Highland Fling. Prior to that was called " Highland Fling " no own dance, but certain reel steps that were danced on the spot ( " setting" ) and alternated with running figures ( "traveling ").