Overview:
Dating back to the 11th century, the Highland dances of Scotland tended to be highly athletic male dances of triumph, joy, or some other reflection of everyday life. Competitive Highland dancing, for males only, started during the Highland revival of Victoria Britain. Females began competing at the turn of the 20th century. Highland dancing is one of the few arenas where men and women compete equally. No matter who is dancing, Highland dances require both athletic and artistic skills.
