Signifying victory following a battle, the Highland Fling is one of the oldest traditional dances of Scotland. At the time, it was danced a circular shield of wood called a Targe. The Targe had tough hide on the front, and deer or sheepskin on the back and weighed approximately five pounds. The front of the shield had a long spike in the centre that the dancer would dance around. This careful stepping supposedly drove evil spirits away. The dancer needed to have nimble footwork, agility and strength to avoid the five to six inch spike. Thus, the Fling is danced in one place. |