Rebecca Thow (n°698 - world Adult runner-up) sword dance on Saturday at Cowal 2014

[@alisonaussie4995]

I did this as a kid. I’m now 42 and still have calves of steel despite not dancing for decades. You want defined calves, gentlemen skip leg day at the gym, this dance is for you.

[@toericabaker]

BROOOO IS THAT WHY MY CALVES B POPPIN??? lmfao it was ghillies!!!

[@lucasquattrucci4122]

And feet are still smelly too? 😂👣🧀

[@chaznonya4]

Lol, I grew up with my grandmother teaching me this dance. I'm 57 and can still outwalk kids half my age. Builds character.

[@janicekrieger1922]

Absolutely, my two children were Highland dancers and the calves!!! Makes me laugh when I see the people at the gym with their pathetic legs.

[@alisonaussie4995]

@@janicekrieger1922 yep bulky muscles but defined as heck. There are particular Scot families that seem to have selectively bred for these legs at some point or theyve adapted genetically for calf strength, because all their kids even non dancers have these calves, with no effort at all, crazy genes.

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

These 3 dancers, absolutely incredible. Scottish culture, respect. Really awesome.

[@Molatov_Cockatiel]

Most Sword Dance sets are two slow time and one quick time. These magnificent ladies did two and two, pure magic.

[@ewandmunro]

The precision of the dancing is almost scary. I would hate to be one of the judges at this event, all three looked like they were in perfect time... terrific dancing.

[@presbyteriangirl9739]

I'm learning this dance. After you do it many times, it's not scary. It's a lot of fun.

[@ieatbricks0]

@@presbyteriangirl9739 fun? ms gorl i cannot count the times ive kicked the swords. once i kicked them off stage. this is literally the most tiring dance everrrrr 😭

[@annnee6818]

Yes. Terrific and terrifying

[@debbieduncan655]

I learned Scottish dance when I was about 8 years old. I'm 62 now. I can follow the steps in my head but not my feet. This dance was supposedly first done by one of my ancestors, Malcolm Canmore.

[@perryrush6563]

Bouncing around with pointed toes for minutes on end. Too many folks would end up on the ground screaming "cramp! Cramp! Cramp! My leg is gonna fall off".... Possibly myself included.

[@rosalee477]

Dammit and here I thought you mentioned Malcolm In The Middle 😂 This sword dance reminds me of an episode from the show.

[@_vas_1985]

Заставить бы злово гения это делать самому, а не быть вуайеристо́м. Типа "хлеба и зрелищ".

[@JuliaDogma]

Как этот гений придумал и запомнил этот танец? И вот как всегда, все мужское на себя взвалили))) ох эти женщины)

[@aspirecan4829]

Hello, Cousin. I'm also related to Malcolm Canmore on my Dad's side. I didn't know he was the first one to have done this dance. You learn something new every day. Have a good one!

[@scottishjamie1267]

Absolutely bloody outstanding, that, is world class dancing right there everyone!!!!! So in awe of the girls to get that level of perfection in your craft takes years and years of hard work and total dedication. Champions are made by the practice others won't do.

[@mala3isity]

How sharp and tight their moves are is breathtaking.

[@vincemartinez171]

Breathtaking?

[@missaquila8082]

They make it seem so effortless! Wow! 😍

[@mookyyzed2216]

If I could do this, I'd be freaking everyone out at Walmart and every other establishment I visit.

[@amc8409]

I could see this as a great skill to use while trying to avoid stepping on a crack (and break your mama's back), or broken eggs/glass. Or playing the floor is lava

[@Belladonna313]

Watching this makes me miss it so much! This and flora were always my faves to do while competing. I still have strong legs from practising everyday for years lol! Gave it up 12 years ago and my legs are still solid lol

[@yellowdavis6081]

That’s funny the sword was always my least favourite!!

[@Moose803]

Why are people of color kept out of the dance?

[@BuckyBoba]

@@Moose803 they are not, actually. Re-check each competition. Thanks!

[@rd2dab]

My dad used to play the pipes for these comps. Sometimes he would be a judge. He also led the st pattys day parade in Hawaii every year playing the pipes and his dancers he taught would be behind him. We were at all the Scottish games growing up.

[@garywinters2282]

Amazing footwork!

[@presbyteriangirl9739]

This is the most difficult dance I learned so far. I started highland dance in February. I'm an adult beginner

[@janicekrieger1922]

Hope you are still sticking with it.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

Do you have to have ballet training? Because they are on point for the entire dance, and I know you can't just do that without years of training and conditioning.

[@cambi2797]

@@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564 no you don’t! I started when I was 5 and I didn’t really have much ballet, I take it now to help with my technique but most of the highland dancers I know don’t take ballet! So yes you can have ballet training and it can help but you certainly don’t have to!

[@singer2be256]

I have to ask though, why the fists?

[@amc8409]

@@singer2be256 easier to keep arms down & arms straight? That's to show their body control/strength.

[@michaelliu4098]

Love it. This is my first time to see such a dance, which is so beautiful.

[@raymonroe1983]

Stunning dancing. Perfect timing to the music and everything ☺️

[@nickb3005]

Absolutely beautiful and perfect timing of all these ladies. Excellant!!

[@GiftyPrincessy]

I don't know how I got here but I love the dance!!!!

[@malirabbit6228]

I really love their energy. Green is my favorite color!

[@annawhistles]

A lot of girls from my Irish Dance classes could really learn a thing or two from these dancers! Stunning dancing!

[@KaleemLmar]

Till the end I was waiting for them to pick up the swords, not to be.

[@jfelton4153]

They used to walk on with the swords and then walk off with them if my memory serves me right.

[@kirstenirish]

In shows they would (it’s one of the first things you learn when starting sword dance, how to position the swords), but in competitions they are put on stage by the organisation and left lying there till the last dancers have danced.

[@Amaranthyne]

I gave up in the first ten seconds. I know it’s called a sword dance, but it still feels like click bait.

[@blueknightshade5395]

@@Amaranthyne I don’t really understand why it feels like clickbait. They’re dancing with swords. Just because they’re not holding them doesn’t mean they’re not dancing with them

[@Amaranthyne]

@@blueknightshade5395 They are dancing in a tent, but they didn’t call it a tent dance. They are all wearing argyle socks, but they didn’t call it an argyle sock dance. I expected a martial dance using a sword as something more substantial than a prop or a set piece. Frankly, I would call this ancestral level clickbait. They wanted to get people in the door so they used swords, but the women couldn’t actually use them so they just put them on the ground. Now it’s tradition.

[@Dazrena]

And I somehow manage to fall UP stairs.

[@Miss_Camel]

I broke my ankle falling UP stairs. Sober. lol

[@toomanymarys7355]

Trust me. Dancing doesn't make you more graceful irl.

[@jfelton4153]

Join the club Dazrena.

[@jimtownsend7899]

Joe? Is that you?

[@Miss_Camel]

In my defense, I was carrying a sleeping toddler, and not only was she not hurt, SHE DIDNT EVEN WAKE UP. Bitch. I still like to remind her of that occasionally. lol “You just slept away, me crying in pain” 🤣

[@timkasson5915]

Not only absolutely stunning but a hell of a dancer too

[@Cinnabar_and_Chalcanthite]

She is absolute spot on and brilliant... perfect Ghillie Calum!!!

[@roland8578]

Boah! Das ist fantastisch.... Das auswendig zu lernen und diese Sportlichkeit dabei. Könnte ich stundenlang zuschauen.... Aber solange können die armen Mädchen natürlich nicht tanzen....😁👍

[@-nataliyadenson1051]

15 years I live in UK! Still watching this dance with hart heart stop:) Love it! Fantastic!

[@washingtongeraldodeoliveir8338]

Here in south of Brazil, we use to dance the “Chula”, it’s a dance that you have to crossing a spear, without touching it, from one side to another side and vice-versa.

[@bigredxpressttv]

She's fantastic

[@goldenagenut]

Man that's a lot of intricate footwork to memorize. My toes hurt from watching!

[@farmerjohn2262]

My thoughts exactly.

[@sarahsteiner9074]

Wonderful work!

[@goldenscales]

Bloody well done, Lassies!

[@phigupot8976]

when youtube has a purpose in 2021..

[@presbyteriangirl9739]

I just started learning this. It's very hard.

[@joccuthill3695]

I fancy jump around and it looks similar

[@presbyteriangirl9739]

@@joccuthill3695 l know it now. I know all the steps. It's a lot of fun.

[@ЛюбовьКовязина-р1ж]

Браво!!!

[@DavidMcbrady]

how awesome those women are. I love this.

[@bobcooter]

Awesome. Only starting to appreciate the pipes basically out of nowhere recently, this dance fits the buzz perfectly.

[@sydneydwoskin4950]

First time I ever seen this. This is dope

[@littleleo5168]

Very impressive and so beautiful. Well done.

[@MichaelCouvillion-oj2kv]

Love their dancing and their kilts too.

[@marisatassi6040]

Wow her arches are amazing

[@DiamondWhite91]

I’m more amazed at how they remembered the moves… They’re all similar, so how can they remember such a long sequence of which angle to jump on.

[@AlexWooKungFu]

really glad this showed up as a suggested video for me! great dancing!!

[@krullograf]

Best thing I watched this week!

[@edwardandrade4390]

Never seen his in my life. Very cool, thanks for sharing this. 👏👏👏

[@erdschwein0145]

Respekt. Das ist Tanz ,besonderer Art ,den ich nicht kenne. Sehr schön.

[@barrelraces456]

Wow!!!! No other words. Just wow!

[@richburg8084]

Gorgeous ladies doing a beautiful job. Lots of talent

[@solsdadio]

I’m knackered just watching.🦊

[@eilidhhourston8227]

I really enjoy doing this dance even though I am 12 it is my fave dance xx

[@pattmahiney]

I have no idea what's going on but I'm absolutely certain that she nailed every fucking point in this dance

[@billymiller4586]

Me, when I see a BIG black Scottish spider in ma bedroom flare, straight oota getn oot o ma bed.. they Lassie's are super athletes..

[@janettehalpin8444]

Dude you ought to see the central Georgia Wolf spiders. Especially straight oota getn oot o your bed. The lassies would shoot them rather than stomp them. They’re nearly the size of your fuzzy Hielan Coo.

[@savannaheckstrom7296]

Don’t know what y’all are saying but I love it

[@senecan100]

@@savannaheckstrom7296 😂🤣

[@ineedabetterusername7424]

@@savannaheckstrom7296 Dinnae ken whit yer a jawin on aboot bit ah luv et!

[@anyoldorion]

I’m amazed how in sync they are even tho individual.

[@jmc19669]

As a scots/ Irish mix, I did both Irish and Scottish dancing. YOUR LEGS ARE STEEL SPRINGS.

[@TheCryptKeeper8]

That was sharp. Best I've ever seen.

[@thomasbroking7943]

These women must be in amazing shape. That constantly on their toes, has to make for gorgeous legs. Lots of training. Great video thanks

[@a2zvideos777]

Well done ladies ! Loved it. R M from Mass very skilled fab!!!!!

[@iloveejbgssnoopy]

I want to learn this dance.

[@bamaphoenix9873]

My calves cramped and knotted up just by watching this. Can't imagine how long these ladies practice. Very unique, interesting and beautiful. 🙏😱🙏

[@corin164]

Brings back memorize of my days in Dunoon.

[@cbpuzzle]

It's like mixing Irish Step, Ballet, and Dance Dance Revolution.

[@vikinginger1889]

Such a beautiful dance!

[@BonafideToolJunkie]

So addictive to watch. Makes you forget about the worlds problems.

[@jfelton4153]

I remember Rudolph Nuryev comparing highland dancing to ballet. On the toes all the time.

[@janicekrieger1922]

Yes, and unfortunately the shin splints that goes with it.

[@liba]

@@janicekrieger1922 I lost cartilage in my knees from highland dancing. Missing it badly though, 20 years later.

[@janicekrieger1922]

@@liba ; yes it can certainly cause a lot of damage. I miss my children dancing, both too old now (in their 40's 0

[@aengusmacindoic4084]

Other than falling in love with the goddess again and again everyday.... This is amazing! Its like Scottish DDR....

[@amc8409]

I loved to watch my girls play ddr together (my older daughter taught my younger daughter with the pad unplugged). Definitely an appropriate comparison!

[@Ihridyaahni]

When i read the title, i thought they would pick up the swords and go swoosh-swoosh. Then got mesmerised by the dance. Nice💯

[@avedwalker]

I did this dance for my school concert it was so fun

[@jaeda2019]

Ok but the spilt highcuts are absolutely amazing. I’m in intermediate and mine are no where close

[@blueknightshade5395]

Sammmme This is some serious skill!!

[@dalemason4251]

And now I’m a fan of sword dancing 43 of age never know where life will take you.

[@shakedlw3394]

I respect the conservation of heritage. Competition is a great way to do so

[@BlackMizu331]

Wow...good job

[@sethcragan6649]

Rebecca was awesome. But let's not lose the fact that the other girls did just as great. This was just focused on her. But all 3 did just as perfect as she did.

[@misssmith7225]

I'm shrieking here. They are going en pointe without a toe box, or a rigid vamp. I.E., without the supports that a ballet pointe dancer has!!! Goodness what fantastic dancers.

[@oliviamn1824]

I have no idea what I just watched, but I loved it 🤣

[@ekopolis2]

В году 1965 в журнале "Вокруг света" прочитал статью и увидел иллюстрации танца "шотландских девочек на мечах". На видео это много сильнее и много естественнее чем "ирландский танец"... Просто восхищен...

[@ML-lx4su]

I highly recommend watching this at 2x speed. Just a suggestion.

[@sparkybish]

Quality suggestion. Enjoyed very much.

[@4002corbe]

Absolutely stunning and this from an Irish lad, too ….

[@kevinfowler8119]

This is oddly attractive. Also shes drop dead gorgeous. 👏👏

[@onepalproductions]

If you watch closely, you'll observe occasional flashes of her panty-clad burger

[@lindathrall5133]

KNOWN ME I'D MORE THAN LIKELY TOUCH THE SWORDS MORE THAN I MISS THEM

[@debbieduncan655]

If you touch the sword, you loose the battle.

[@FiglioBastardo]

Goodness gracious up until now I never knew I loved Celtic women. Legs of thoroughbreds. Phew.

[@PhilipSalen]

spectacular!

[@jointhezeroarmy]

Thanks youtube i enjoyed this very much

[@anishdey1189]

whats wid the sword🤔

[@jeremymccommons7741]

By her name and the thumbnail I really thought this was a competition of who could pick up the sword with their feet and throw it the farthest.

[@joelw4715]

Sorry.....the judges had to split this?!

[@kirsteencampbell6489]

And then there is Marielle L’esperance! Her swords are exquisite!!!

[@emmabruce2401]

this was just three out of the whole group, they go up usually 3 at a time

[@roland8578]

The perfekt morning gymnastics!🔥

[@irishka_zolotse]

Молодцы девченки!!!

[@chuckguerin8141]

So beautiful. I love this, heck with ballerinas.

[@rowdybliss]

Not sure why this came up in my recommendations, but no complaints - beautiful! Question for those who may know: in ballet, pointe shoes have hard shanks that help support the foot and enable dancers to be en pointe. In the dance in the video (Scottish? Irish?), the ghillies look like they’re soft-soled, yet these women are nearly 100% en pointe (like... INSANE demi-pointe). Is that just by virtue of their foot/calf strength, or are the shoes supportive in some way? Either way, these ladies are obviously strong and disciplined dancers... simply beautiful!

[@jfelton4153]

It is Scottish highland dancing and the the dancing pumps are not supported in any way. They do not go en pointe.

[@rowdybliss]

@@jfelton4153 that is some SERIOUS strength. I’m in awe of this dancing. Thank you for responding!

[@jfelton4153]

@@rowdybliss - you are welcome my friend. Now you must see Irish dancing and you will see the difference. There is no comparison.

[@luketutolo]

Where do I get me one of these

[@timtoulson9662]

Stunning!

[@dragonpx1]

у нас на работе все так же прыгают - перед зарплатой .

[@СделанныйвСССР-ч8в]

Хорошо платят получается...💰😀👍

[@Tommy1977777]

Absolutely gorgeous ladies!

[@paulag7567]

How did they do this? 🤔

[@dedbro3790]

Восхитительно👏,с уважение из России.

[@MiguelÁngelAlcobaLaranjinha]

Fantástico y maravilloso un abrazo fuerte ❤❤❤❤

[@holeymcsockpuppet]

I'm tired and my shins hurt just from watching this.

[@ieatbricks0]

the girl in the middles kilt flies so well 😍

[@vavoomvideo]

This immediately made me think of that episode from I Love Lucy where she dreams she’s visiting Scotland to find her relatives. To prove that she’s a part of the McGillicuddy clan she must do the sword dance which she fails at miserably.

[@РатмирГибадуллин-ю2з]

Классический бальный танац? С подьемами и ассамбле? Ирландия? А с какого го Года? Интересно и правила взглянуть....)

[@Hoffas_beneficiary]

Are they competing against each other??? The three of them together would make a great team!

[@Celtefan]

This is a solo competition. They are competing 3 by 3 on the stage among a 40 dancers group (around).

[@paulkwiatkowski1059]

Couple more minutes that sword would have stood up on its own

[@rivernet62]

Yep. Mine did.

[@margeorgia6018]

Exceptionaly skilled..lol Reminds me of jumping chineaese jump rope..so much fun love it!!