Dancing
Provided with support from the Columbus Area Arts Council, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Highland Dance Competition
Highland Dancers from across the United States will be competing at this year’s festival. This event is sanctioned by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Competition begins at 10:00 a.m. and will continue all day Saturday with National Dances first.
A short lunch break will occur prior to choreography competition. Awards will follow choreography.
Registration Information
Online: Register Online Here (the easiest way to register!)
OR Send in a paper entry form per dancer, include check/money order

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If not registering online,
Please print and mail to:
Ashley Gentry
11829 Taylor Mill Rd
Independence, KY 41051
Dances
Primary
- 16 Pas de Basques
- Pas de Basques & High Cuts
- 4 Step Hiland Fling
- 2&1 Sword Dance
Beginners
- 4 Step Flora
- 4 Step Lilt
- 4 Step Highland Fling
- 2&1 Sword Dance
- 3&1 Seann Truibhas
Novice
- 4 Step Flora
- 4 Step Lilt
- 4 Step Highland Fling
- 2&1 Sword Dance
- 3&1 Seann Truibhas
- Novice Fling Challenge Open to all novice dancers. This event has its own award and does not count toward the aggregate trophy for the Novice category
Intermediate
- 4 Step Lilt
- 4 Step Barracks Johnie
- 4 Step Highland Fling
- 2&1 Sword Dance
- 3&1 Seann Truibhas
Premier – all ages compete in short steps
- 4 Step Lilt
- 4 Step Barracks Johnnie
- 4 Step Highland Fling
- 2&1 Sword Dance
- 3&1 Seann Truibhas
- Solo Choreography – Premier only, all ages. Choreography competition rules as per SOBHD. Maximum on-off time is 4 minutes. Must provide own music.
General Information
- This competition will be conducted according to SOBHD rules. The judge’s decision is final.
- The first dancers to enter will be last to dance.
- Dancers must be in costume to receive awards.
- Competitors not ready when their event is called will be disqualified for that event.
- Festival passes will not be mailed. The festival gate will have a list of entered dancers for free admittance. Family members must pay admission.
- Dancers must present valid 2019 registration card at time of check-in.
- The number of entries will determine age groupings.
- A trophy will be awarded to the highest point winner in each age group. No trophy awarded to primary group. Medals will be awarded at judge’s discretion.
- Cash awards for premiers: Group 1: $40, $20, $10; Group 2: $50, $30, $20; Solo Choreography: $50, $20, $20; Dancer of the Day: $50
- Indiana honors daylight savings time.
- One dollar of every entry is donated to Midwest FUSTA to support programs.
Questions? Email Ashley at: dance@scottishfestival.org until September 8, 2019
Scottish Country Dancing
The Bloomington Scottish Country Dance Group will be performing in the Highland Dance Pavilion at 1:30 pm on Sunday.
Scottish Country Dancing began in Scotland in the 18th century. It is a social dance where a group of couples are positioned adjacent to each other in two parallel lines. A Scottish Country Dance is composed of a series of formations which are performed in a different sequence for each dance, of which there are hundreds. American Square Dancing evolved from Scottish Country Dancing, a major difference being that in square dancing, the formations are announced by a caller as the dance progresses. In Scottish Country Dancing, the formations of the dance are briefed before the dance begins. Dancers then rely on their memory to perform the dance.
Everyone is welcome at Bloomington Scottish Country Dancing Group classes! For more information, visit BloomingtonScots.org.
2017 Highland Dance Winners
Beginners 9 & Under
Clara Liedke, Alma, MI
Beginners 10 & Over
Elisa Williams, Louisville, TN
Novice
Leah Hensley, Maryville, TN
Intermediate
Lauren Welker, Beavercreek, OH
Premier 14 & Under
Lauren Ballard, Cincinnati, OH
Premier 14 & Over
Jennifer Craig, Gregory, MI
Novice Sword Challenge
Leah Hensley, Maryville, TN
Most Promising Beginner
Edward Welch, New Richmond, OH
Joyce Deddins Award
Elizabeth Ballard, Cincinnati, OH