Highland dancing success

By Alex Glover | Posted: Tuesday June 4, 2024

Year 11 student Alex Glover competed in the 112th Otago Centre Highland Dancing Championships that were held at Otago Boys' in the weekend, with fabulous results.

In the Under 16's and Under 18's I placed from 2nd through to 5th against the 25 dancers in this age group. The competition is held each year attracting competitors from the North and South Island.

Many people don't actually know what Highland dancing is. So, what is it? 

The answer to that is it's a test of physical skill. There are a total of 10 dances with each having their own differences. The Highland Fling being an exceptionally lively dance shows the natural energy of the youthful highlander and is equivalent to running 1.6km. The Highland Reel dance consists of a figure of eight which is thought to represent a design found in an ancient mound in Orkney. It is believed that the birthplace of the dance was in the town of Strathspey and was danced in Jacobite days, as early as the 17th century. I still have relatives who live in Orkney today, who started the trend of Highland dancing in the family. Many of my mother's cousins and sisters danced as children including my mum, who is now a teacher and judge.

The reason I started Highland dancing was because my sister already was, and I didn't have to travel anywhere to do my dancing practice, because there was a dance studio right on my doorstep. As I got older, I began going to the odd fortnight weekend practice with a dancing teacher in Mosgiel. As the years went by, I decided I wanted to go to boarding school. Somewhere that had lots of opportunities for performing arts and education because I  lived in a small town called Gaston, 45 minutes from Frankton, that didn't have loads to offer.

Now that I am in Dunedin, I travel twice a week to dancing practice in Mosgiel with the same teacher. After two-and-a-bit years at high school I think I'll still continue to dance, because it's in my blood and nothing will change that. 

To start dancing, people must have a good mindset and understand that you must do the work to get the reward. Also, you must be courageous and go up on stage even if it's your worst fear because you never know, it could be the best thing you ever did. 

Once, a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher said, "You can do anything if you set your mind to it", Benjamin Franklin.