Scotland

Scottish Dance

The first inhabitants of Scotland were the Celts. The name Scotland was created by the Romans it means Irish invaders. The Scottish Highlander clans are a mix of Celtic tribes of Scotland and Irish Celtic tribes including the Picts. They had approximately 7 Celtic tribes. The islands had approximately 21 Celtic tribes. They had their own kings and queens up to the time of Queen Mary. They were able to maintain their DNA more so than a lot of different Europeans. The Highlander Scots were known for their bravery, perseverance and ability to withstand invaders. Thanks to people like Jenny Cameron of Glendessary, who raised up 300 men and led them to the raising of the Jacobite standard in Scotland in 1745, William Wallace and many others. The Romans were not able to overcome the Scottish Highlanders.

Some of their Highland dances represent preparation for battle or for staying in physical shape and the way of life in the Highlands. Others are group social. The dances of Scotland are group and solo. Solo dances are the national dances. The various Highland clans developed their own music and dances. For example my family ancestors the Cameron’s have their own particular songs, Donald Cameron and the Cameron Rant. The traditional folk dances of Scottish Highlands include Sword dancing, Highland Fling, the jig, the Seann Trubas(1786) and the Foursome and others. There was a time when the King of England outlawed the Highland music, tartans, and dances. The Clan system was the highland form of government The Tartans originated in the highlands.

The Scottish Country-dances, the reel and strathspey, have their origins in the Scottish Royal Court. These dances are the social dances.

Most of the lowland and border families inhabiting Scotland were a mixture of approximately nine different groups, with no personal government, identities being lost, mainly because of the Roman control of England and the Scotland border and the Anglo/Saxon and Viking invasions. The lowlanders and borderers were treated as slaves; every thing was taken away from them. There was on going persecution of the lowlander, borderers, and the highlanders. A lot the lowlanders and the borderers were either banished by the English Royalty to the Ulster plantations in Ireland or the American colonies, or willingly migrated. The English Royals also drove the Highlanders out of Scotland. They migrated to America. I have found 4 Scottish Highland Clan, 3 Scottish lowland and 0 border family surnames in my family ancestry.