ZUIDLAREN – The dance group Highlanddancing.nl from Zuidlaren won prizes last weekend during the Silver Ghillie Competition dance competition in Tilburg. A total of seven bronze and one gold medal were won.
Participants participated in three different categories and seven different dances. The gold medal was won by Tessa Weeke from Hoogezand, who left the competition in the 18+ category far behind with her performance of the Scottish Lilt. She came third in the Reel of Tulloch and the Sword Dance.
Corine Jager from Stadskanaal (14) managed to take third place in no fewer than four dances. She won bronze in the Highland Fling, the Sean Thriubhas, the Flora MacDonald’s Fancy and the Trophy Fling. Mathilde Oosting from Assen won bronze in the 18+ category at the Flora MacDonald’s Fancy.
About the dance group
Highland Dancing NL is a Scottish dance group with its home base in Zuidlaren. The dancers come from the three northern provinces and train every week to participate in various competitions and performances at home and abroad. They also give workshops, so you can get a taste of this dance form at the Zomerfolk festival in the Stadspark in Groningen on June 1 and 2. The group consists of ten dancers (and a bagpiper) ranging in age from 8 to 45 years, from beginners to experienced dancers.
What is Highland Dancing
Highland Dancing is a Scottish dance form that was once practiced to test strength and discipline between different Scottish clans. Later it was even used by the Scottish army to test soldiers. The ‘Highland Fling’ and the ‘Sword Dance’ are the best-known variants. Most dances tell a story in which movements symbolize an event. For example, the ‘Sean Triubhas’ imitates shaking off trousers. This arose after the ban on wearing a kilt was lifted and trousers were finally allowed to be abandoned.
Highland Dancing requires a lot of training, fitness and perseverance. The specific techniques are strictly assessed by an expert jury during championships and competitions.
The Silver Ghillie Competition is an annual dance competition, organized by the Dutch Pipes and Drums bagpipe association.
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