Alexander Campbell: ‘Highland Dancing in the Olden Times’ from ‘Caledonia’ (1895)

The Collection's Dance Entries · Changing fashions · Francis Peacock
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‘Highland Dancing in the Olden Times’ · Dance Video Clips

(JSS0328-JSS0336)

This essay discusses dances that were once performed throughout the Highlands but are now lost. It mentions the old dances of the Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland, such as solo, duo, and trio dances as well as character and dramatic dance. Some dramatic dances, which have completely disappeared, are described:

• Dannsa nam Boc (Goat Dance, JSS0333)
• Dannsa an Chlesca (Cloak Dance, JSS0333)
• Croit an Dreathan (Wren’s Croft, JSS0333-JSS0335) is fully described, including the narrative, or spoken section. Story telling through dance, especially dances relating to animals, is centuries-old tradition. In some countries, such as Romania, ancient animal dances are still performed today.

Pat Ballantyne

Historic Collections · Kings College · Old Aberdeen · AB24 3SW
Tel:(0)44 1224 274312 · E-mail: scottskinner@abdn.ac.uk