Я надеюсь, что с переводом проблем не будет, переводить некогда. Вот описание нескольких танцев.
THE HIGHLAND FLING – A dance of victory in battle. Traditionally, the ancient warriors and clansman performed this dance on the small round shield (called a Targ), which they carried in battle. One can understand the quick footwork and dexterity of the dancer when it is pointed out that most Targs carried a pinpoint sharp spike of steel projecting some five to six inches from its centre. A false or careless step could be more than a little painful.
THE SWORD DANCE – The ancient dance of war of the Scottish Gael. It is said to date back to King Malcolm Canmore in the misty days of Scottish history. The story relates how the king danced over his bloody claymore (a great two handed sword), and the even bloodier head of his defeated enemy captain. Others say that no severed head was involved, but the King did dance over his own claymore crossed over that of his enemy, one of MacBeth’s generals. Another version of this dance is the always spectacular Argyll Broadswords which is danced by four men together over crossed swords. It is considered a bad omen for the battle ahead if the crossed swords are touched during the dance.
THE SEANN TRIUBHAS – Pronounced Shawn Trews in the Gaelic Language, its translation into English is “old trousers.” The dance has obscure origins. The movements and motions definitely depict a person in the act of shedding his breeks (britches), and the tradition states it is a Highlander who is impatient to get rid of the unfamiliar garment and back to the freedom of his native highland kilt.
THE IRISH JIG – A dance which may seem somewhat out of place at Scottish games, but the dance was not peculiar to Ireland alone. It is equally popular and traditional in Scotland. However, the Irish Jig danced at Highland Games is meant to be a parody of an Irishman in a highly agitated state of mind. While the steps are traditional, the arm movements and gestures are not. Arm movements are an intrinsic part of Scottish dancing, and so the Scots added them to The Irish Jig in a humorous salute to their Celtic brethren across the Irish Sea.
THE SAILOR’S HORNPIPE – The dance is not original with sailors. It was originally an ancient dance common to many parts of the British Isles. Its name comes from the fact that the dance was usually accompanied by the music of the “horn pipe,” a common instrument comparable to our present day tin flute. In time, the dance became so popular among seafaring men that it came to be known as the “sailor’s” hornpipe and is now indelibly associated with sailors and men of the sea. The modern dance is performed in nautical costume and imitates many typical shipboard activities usual in the days of wooden ships and iron men. You will readily spot rope hauling, climbing the shroud lines, and others.
THE SCOTTISH LILT, VILLAGE MAID, SCOTCH MEASURE AND BLUE BONNETS OVER THE BORDER: These are but just a few of the lesser known Scottish National Dances which are now performed at Highland Games and Festivals. The attire worn for these dances differs from that worn for most of the better known dances usually seen. It is called the Aboyne Dress, and is very feminine in appearance. This dress originates from the Aboyne Highland Games in Scotland where, up to this day, the wearing of the kilt is strictly forbidden for women. Only the male dancers are allowed to wear the kilt. These dances are gentler, more flowing and graceful in nature, than the strong and vigorous.