Highland Dancing in the Australian colony in the 19th Century
Source: Information gleaned from notes by the late Mr D Scotland O.A.M B.E.M
In the mid 1830s the first Scottish immigrants arrived in Australia and during the next two decades many more Highlanders and Lowlanders followed. Prior to this period there were only a small number of Scots in comparison including about 100 convicts transported from Scotland to the Port Arthur Penal Colony, Tasmania.
During the 1850s many emigrated as a result of the clearance s in Scotland. Although some of these immigrants were to settle in both country and city areas within vast Sates and Territories of Australia, Victoria became the most popular colony to settle during this period. Unfortunately, there are few records available as to who were the Highland Dancing teachers at this time.
It is obvious that amongst the early arrivals from the United Kingdom, be they convict or free settlers there must have been Scots who had learnt Highland Dancing in the land of their birth. Early Highland dancers in Australia were mostly males and there is mentioned in correspondence of that period, that at functions, be it a wedding in Sydney or one of the growing cities, a Station or Settlers Homestead that an exhibition of Highland Dancing covering Fling, Reel or Swords performed over sticks or brooms was given.
The earliest evidence of Scottish societies holding dancing competitions was recorded in The Melbourne Herald in 1860. This was a report of the “Grand Caledonian Gathering” - a two day festival from 30th November to 1st December 1860. Another early Highland Dancing competition organised within Australia was held on New Year’s Day 1869 at the Albert Ground, Redfern, Sydney, as part of the Highland Gathering organised by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Highland Rifle Brigade. There were four competitors who performed the Highland Fling, Sword Dance and Highland Reel. The judge was a Mr John Clark. The results show that the winners were a Mr J.H.Campbell (Highland Fling), Mr Culbert (Gillie Callum) and Mr Donaldson (Highland Reel). No mention was made of the fourth competitor.
Over the following years the number of competitors gradually increased ad in 1874 the winner of each adult event received a prize of two pounds. Anther new venture at that time was the holding of a Highland Dancing competition for boys. Mr John Clark is again recorded as being the judge but what his experience or qualifications were, is unknown. In 1879 the Gathering saw two new events added to the dancing competition namely the Sailors Hornpipe that was open only to bona fide sailors from ships in port ad a Highland Fling for young ladies. On January 2nd each year, the names of the winners appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, the leading paper of the day in New South Wales. By 1878, the Highland Society of New South Wales had come into existence and become the organisers of this event.
Because of the interest shown, agricultural dhows in many country towns began to add Highland Dancing competition to their program. These events were attracting greater numbers of spectators and, with cash prizes being given in the dance sections, it was creating greater competition. There are not many of these outside Highland dancing events held today.
In the mid 1830s the first Scottish immigrants arrived in Australia and during the next two decades many more Highlanders and Lowlanders followed. Prior to this period there were only a small number of Scots in comparison including about 100 convicts transported from Scotland to the Port Arthur Penal Colony, Tasmania.
During the 1850s many emigrated as a result of the clearance s in Scotland. Although some of these immigrants were to settle in both country and city areas within vast Sates and Territories of Australia, Victoria became the most popular colony to settle during this period. Unfortunately, there are few records available as to who were the Highland Dancing teachers at this time.
It is obvious that amongst the early arrivals from the United Kingdom, be they convict or free settlers there must have been Scots who had learnt Highland Dancing in the land of their birth. Early Highland dancers in Australia were mostly males and there is mentioned in correspondence of that period, that at functions, be it a wedding in Sydney or one of the growing cities, a Station or Settlers Homestead that an exhibition of Highland Dancing covering Fling, Reel or Swords performed over sticks or brooms was given.
The earliest evidence of Scottish societies holding dancing competitions was recorded in The Melbourne Herald in 1860. This was a report of the “Grand Caledonian Gathering” - a two day festival from 30th November to 1st December 1860. Another early Highland Dancing competition organised within Australia was held on New Year’s Day 1869 at the Albert Ground, Redfern, Sydney, as part of the Highland Gathering organised by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Highland Rifle Brigade. There were four competitors who performed the Highland Fling, Sword Dance and Highland Reel. The judge was a Mr John Clark. The results show that the winners were a Mr J.H.Campbell (Highland Fling), Mr Culbert (Gillie Callum) and Mr Donaldson (Highland Reel). No mention was made of the fourth competitor.
Over the following years the number of competitors gradually increased ad in 1874 the winner of each adult event received a prize of two pounds. Anther new venture at that time was the holding of a Highland Dancing competition for boys. Mr John Clark is again recorded as being the judge but what his experience or qualifications were, is unknown. In 1879 the Gathering saw two new events added to the dancing competition namely the Sailors Hornpipe that was open only to bona fide sailors from ships in port ad a Highland Fling for young ladies. On January 2nd each year, the names of the winners appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, the leading paper of the day in New South Wales. By 1878, the Highland Society of New South Wales had come into existence and become the organisers of this event.
Because of the interest shown, agricultural dhows in many country towns began to add Highland Dancing competition to their program. These events were attracting greater numbers of spectators and, with cash prizes being given in the dance sections, it was creating greater competition. There are not many of these outside Highland dancing events held today.