Competing

There are five levels of Highland Dancing: Primary, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Premier. Unless the dancer moves up early, all dancers under the age of seven compete at the Primary level. Each level after Primary has requirements that once met, the dancer must move up to the next level. However, these requirements are not necessary in order to advance, but once at a higher-level dancers cannot go back down. In order to participate in a competition, a dancer must have an SOBHD dance card which identifies the level of the dancer. Once a dancer reaches the Premier level, they will have the opportunity to compete at championship competitions, with the ultimate goal of competing at the World Championships in Scotland. A dancer may not compete in more than 8 dances in one day at a competition.

THE LEVELS

PRIMARY (UNDER 7 ONLY)

  • Primary is the only level where dancers compete in the 16 Pas de Basques and Pas de Basques & High cuts. Dances also can choose to compete the Fling and the Sword dance.

BEGINNER

  • Dancers in Beginner compete the Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Lilt, Flora, and sometimes the Reel.

NOVICE

  • Dancers in Novice compete the same dances as Beginner at a harder level and are working towards their Intermediate dances.

INTERMEDIATE

  • In the Intermediate level, dancers compete the Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Reel, Lilt, Flora, Johnnie, Laddie, Jig, and Hornpipe. Competitions generally consist of 4-6 of any of these dances.

PREMIER

  • Premier is the highest level a dancer can reach in Highland Dancing. In the Premier level, competitions can consist of any dances, including all Highland, National, and Character dances. Dancers in Premier participate in Championship and Premiership competitions, which include set dances and steps in those dances which must be performed.

Medal Testing

Medal Tests are a form of optional adjudication that many dancers participate in on an annual basis in addition to or instead of competing. These tests provide dancers with an opportunity to be evaluated individually by a high-level Highland judge against a set standard instead of against other dancers. Each student is given a written evaluation of their performance as well as medals and trophies if they pass their testing. At each level, the dancers are expected to be able to perform certain steps or movements to a particular degree of ability. A dancer may test in Highland, National, Character, and Choreography dances, and may take grade theory tests in preparation to becoming a teacher and to qualify for scholarships.

Grade Examinations for BATD Scholarships:

Grade 2 - 5 Positions of feet and arms, head positions, grouping of fingers, bow, hop, spring, round-the-leg (single), shedding, toe-and-heel, rock, pas de basque, spring point, open pas de basque, high cut.

Grade 3 - As for grade 2, with the addition of aerial and rear positions, assemble, disassemble, highland fling shake, step, back-stepping, change, balance, leap, entrechat.

Grade 4 - As for grade 3, with the addition of all derived, ground, aerial, and rear positions, Seann triubhas shake, brush, shuffle, travelling balance, hop-brush-beat-beat, shake-shake-down, pivot turn, heel-and-toe, high cut in front.

Registering to Compete

A dancer can only register to compete if they have trained under a certified instructor at least 3 times that year. To register as a competitive dancer, a certified instructor will provide paperwork that will need to be mailed to the Regional Registrar. Dancers must register to compete at the beginning of each year. Please be aware of the following when filling out the paperwork:

  • Include a current photo of the dancer registering, in color, with the dimensions of the photo matching the ones listed on the paperwork.

  • Prior registration card (if previously registered)

  • Date of Birth Official Document (this can be a photocopy)

  • Check or money-order payable to SDUSA FUSTA (Be sure to include all fees!)

  • There is a 3-week turnaround time for registration cards, and dancers may not register for a competition without their ROSBHD number listed on their card. Plan accordingly and send in paperwork with plenty of time before upcoming competitions.

Competitive Dance Outfits

For competitions and performances, dancers must wear the appropriate costume for each dance. There are two main outfits most dances are performed in, Highland and National outfits. Some dancers wear kilties instead of kilts for their Highland outfit, which are a more affordable option for Primary and Beginner dancers that have larger pleats due to the smaller amount of material used in production of the kiltie. Male dancers wear a Highland outfit for all dances except the Jig and Hornpipe. All dances use the soft shoes known as ghillies except for the Jig. This character dance is performed in hard Jig shoes, which are a lot like tap shoes with a hard bottom and small heal. For competitions, dancers must have their hair off their face, usually in a high bun, with no loose jewelry or nail polish. What dancers wear for performances is up to their teacher. For more details on outfits, including outfits for males and character dances, please click the link below.

The SOBHD "Dress for Highland Dancers" (scottishdance.net)

Full Highland Outfit

  • Kilt or kiltie

  • White blouse with lace sleeves or dickey

  • Velvet Highland vest or jacket

  • Tartan hose to match kilt, or white knee-highs in lower levels

  • Black underwear or a color to match kilt

  • Elastic garters (for keeping socks up)

  • Ghillies

Highland National Outfit (either is acceptable, but Aboyne is more common):

National Dress

  • White National dress

  • Plaid held in place with brooch

  • White underwear

  • White socks or nylons

  • Ghillies

Aboyne Outfit

  • Blouse without frills or dickey

  • White underskirt

  • Aboyne skirt

  • Aboyne vest

  • Plaid (matching skirt) and brooch

  • White socks or nylons

  • White underwear

  • Ghillies

2024 Championship & Premiership Steps

Competition Day Tips

  • Arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to the start time of the competition. This allows time for tying ghillies, getting warmed up, competitor check-in, touching base with the teacher, and any last-minute hair, makeup, and outfit fixes.

  • Dancers must check-in at the check-in table to compete, where you will find dancer number, programs, and extra information about the competition. The check-in table usually opens half an hour prior to the start time of the competition.

  • Jewelry (with the exception of wedding rings) and nail polish are not allowed at competitions. Tattoos must be covered up per ROSBHD requirements.

  • Dancers must stay in costume for awards, and hair is always to be in a professional high bun, or neatly pulled out of face for short hair.