The 111th Maclean Highland Gathering

At Easter we were so excited to roadtrip to NSW for the 111th Maclean Highland Gathering!

We were really looking forward to a comp with a difference, an outdoor comp surrounded by the Highland Games, Bagpipe competition, markets and more.

Unfortunately - this was the weather we were dealing with!

 Never have I been happier to hear the words "we are dancing inside! Sure "inside" was a small very cramped hall and their was no real stage - but who cared! It rained on and off all day and the stage (in the background in this picture) would have been slippery, wet and dangerous to dance on. We did have to get a picture with the stage at least in the distance though!

E was absolutely thrilled that her teacher Marlene travelled all the way from Brisbane to be with the girls. Totally was not expected given the distance away the comp was. It did make for a very nice day though and gave the girls a lot of encouragment.

It was also wonderful that another beginner from the Brisbane branch of the studio was able to be there. The girls loved having someone else to talk to and had a lot of fun. I do love how friendships are beginning to form between the girls despite the distance due to a wonderful common interest.

E ended up getting brilliant results at this competition! Well worth the drive! She got second in the fling, lilt, and sean tribhuas and first in the flora!

And another beginner square marked! Novice is so close and she can't wait!

Celtfest

I love that Highland Dancing gives E many chances to dance - some competively and some just for fun.

She loves doing displays with her dance school and this was no exception. Celtfest was arranged by the local catholic church and was a great chance for the girls to dance on stage again.

They had lots of lovely feedback and really enjoyed themselves.

Displays like this give them so much confidence, and practise at dancing in public and on stage. We really value the opportunity.

Thistle! First comp of the year!

So - at the start of the year I promised myself I would keep this blog update ... but it's now May and I am blogging about a comp from March ...yep ... failed at that! Anyway ... onto the dancing!


Our first comp of the year was Thistle. Not one we have done before and not one our school attends each year (travel becomes an issue when you live in the country!). It was a nice comp to start the year though, and to get the girls started in the comp season.

It was definately one of  E's most consistent comps to date- 4th in the fling, 3rd in the sword, 4th in the Seann triubhas, 3rd in the flora, 4th in the trophy fling, and 4th in the title.

She was actually awarded and presented the medal for 3rd in the fling ... but seconds before her lilt was called up and told she was actually 4th. She conducted herself beautifully and graciously returned her medal and accepted the new one, but it did shake the poor girl. (understandably). She had to go immediately from this to marshalling for the lilt without time to regroup and I do think it effected her dancing in the lilt.

However - despite not placing in the lilt she danced beautifully, placed well, and got another Beginner Square marked with the sword dance.

Feedback from her teacher was that a teacher from another studio had noticed how well she was progressing - this was a beautiful complement to her too.