glasgow lands scottish festival

Grace, Tradition, and Celtic Pride in Every Step

COMPETITION schedule

Registration: Now Open
Closing Date: July 8, 2026

Competitor Entry Fees:
Primary $10.00
Beginner, Novice, & Intermedate $25.00
Premier $30.00

Check-In and Numbers for ALL at 9:00 AM
Dance Competition: 9:30 AM



Scottish Arts, Inc. is pleased to bring a Highland Dance competition back to Glasgowlands Scottish Festival.

Founded in 1984, Scottish Arts is a new England based organization committed to educating and promoting Scottish traditional arts and culture. We are a group of teachers, parents, artists, and friends from a variety of backgrounds with a shared passion for preserving the arts. Besides the New Hampshire Scottish Arts teaching Highland Dance, Bagpipes and Fiddle, Scottish Arts has run dance competitions in various locations aroung New England including the New Hampshire Games, the Indoor Scottish Festival and Quechee Scottish Games and Festival. Happy Dancing!

Judge: Jennifer Stephenson, QC
RSOBHD rules will apply. Decision of the Judge is final.

Remember to bring your Original RSOBHD Dance Card (no copies or photos).
Card must be presented in order to dance!

Full Competition Rules and Information attached Below. Please READ.

Please direct any dance questions to Nancy Lonergan at nlglenderry@gmail.com or 603-434-8091

Dance Registration: Our online ticket and registration platform is hosted by Zeffy, which is a platform for nonprofits that doesn’t charge additional processing fees. At checkout, they add a suggested donation to their platform to cover the cost of voiding those fees. You can set this to any amount, including 0. It is not necessary, but we ask that you consider a small donation (even if just 1$) to support their work. Thank you!

What is Scottish Highland dance?

Scottish Highland dance is a competitive, stylized art form developed in the 19th-20th century Scottish Highlands, merging traditional Gaelic folk dances with balletic precision. Known for immense athleticism, it is performed solo to bagpipe music, featuring intricate footwork, high-kneed movements, and upright posture, often at Highland Games.

Key Characteristics and Dances:

Athleticism & Technique: Dancers wear specialized soft shoes called “ghillies” or “pumps” and often perform in kilts. It requires immense stamina, similar to soccer, and strength.

Traditional Dances:

Highland Fling: Traditionally a victory dance performed on a small, round shield (targe).

Sword Dance (Gillie Callum): Involves intricate dancing over two crossed swords; touching the swords is considered a bad omen.

Seann Triubhas: Translates to “old trousers,” it symbolizes the shedding of forbidden trousers after the 1745 uprising.

Reel of Tulloch: A fast, lively dance.

National Dances: More graceful and balletic, including the Scottish Lilt.