The New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing

Highland Reel

History: It is not known with certainty how the Highland Reel was so named but it is thought that the town of Strathspey could have been its birthplace. It was danced in Jacobite days and as early as the 17th century.

The Figure of Eight is thought to represent the design found in an ancient mound in Orkney, possibly associated with Druid worship. The original lines of this ancient emblem are followed when performing the Figure of Eight in the Highland Reel.

About:
The Highland Reel (or Foursome Reel) is a dance in two parts for sets or teams of four dancers, two ladies and two gentlemen grouped in two couples each couple representing a lady and a gentleman.

This dance may be commenced from a line setting, the dancers entry being Lady, Gent, Gent, Lady. It may also be commenced from a Rectangle when the lady always precedes her partner, entry being Lady, Gent, Lady, Gent.

The pattern of the Figure or Reel of Four is like a Figure of eight with an extra loop in the middle.
The New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing Inc., PO Box 5470, Palmerston North
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