Scottish Dance Beyond 1805: Reaction and Regulation

Scottish Dance Beyond 1805 explores the history of Scottish music and dance over the last 200 years, focusing on sources originating in Aberdeenshire. It examines how dances such as the Highland Fling have been altered and how standardisation has affected contemporary Highland dance and music. The book is of interest to scholars and postgraduates in Dance History, Ethnomusicology, Ethnochoreology, Ethnology and Folklore, Cultural History, Scottish Studies, and Scottish Traditional Music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Scottish Dance Beyond 1805 presents a comprehensive history of Scottish music and dance over the past two centuries, with a particular focus on sources originating in the picturesque Aberdeenshire region. This captivating book delves into the evolution of dance instruction and performance, chronicling the transition from individual dancing masters to professional, licensed members of regulatory societies. Through an ethnographic lens, it assesses how dances like the Highland Fling have been altered and how standardization has impacted contemporary Highland dance and music. By examining the experiences of dancers and pipers, the study explores the reactions to regulation and standardization that emerged with the introduction of percussive step dance and caller-facilitated ceilidh dancing to Scotland.

Today, Highland dancing has evolved into a standardized and internationally recognized art form. This book unfolds the story of these changes, tracing their roots through a series of colorful characters, the dances they taught, the music they danced to, and the captivating tale of the Highland Fling. It delves into how Scottish dance reflected the profound shifts in Scottish society and culture throughout the centuries.

This book holds immense appeal to scholars and postgraduate students specializing in Dance History, Ethnomusicology, Ethnochoreology, Ethnology, Cultural History, Scottish Studies, and Scottish Traditional Music. It also serves as a valuable resource for teachers, judges, practitioners of Highland dancing, and enthusiasts interested in the rich history of Scottish dance, music, and culture.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032239262