Dance style
Highland dance, from first steps to the competition stage
Croft Gilchrist School of Dancing teaches Highland dancing in Townsville through the VSDA syllabus with examination pathways under the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD). This proud Scottish tradition blends athletic power and precision, and our students progress from beginner Highland through to advanced and competitive levels — many performing and competing across North Queensland.
Why Highland dance develops exceptional athletes
Highland dance builds incredible stamina, elevation and foot precision. Dancers train sustained high legs, intricate foot patterns and the strength to perform demanding traditional dances like the Highland Fling and Sword Dance. It's the perfect complement to ballet training — Highland sharpens power, calves and elevation, while ballet brings line and poise. For ambitious students, Highland also opens a genuine competitive pathway with competitions throughout the year.
Our studios at 36 French St, Pimlico have sprung timber floors ideal for the repeated elevation Highland demands.
Highland levels taught at Croft Gilchrist
Dancers progress through the VSDA levels and RSOBHD competitive classifications as their strength and technique grow:
- Beginner Highland — foundations of Scottish technique, basic foot positions and the first traditional dances.
- Primary and Junior Highland — progressive VSDA syllabus work building strength, turnout and dance repertoire.
- Intermediate Highland — more complex dances including Sword Dance and Seann Triubhas, with examination and competition preparation.
- Advanced Highland — full senior technique and stamina training for top-level examinations and championships.
- Competitive Highland — focused coaching for RSOBHD competitions, from first competitions through to championship level.
VSDA syllabus and RSOBHD examinations
Training follows the VSDA syllabus, which develops Highland technique step by step from beginner to advanced. Students can be entered for examinations under the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD) with an external examiner, and competitive students have the opportunity to compete in RSOBHD-sanctioned competitions throughout the year.
When and where do Highland classes run?
Highland classes run on weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings at our Pimlico studios, with beginner, junior and advanced sessions grouped by level. Competition and examination coaching intensifies in the lead-up to events. See the full timetable for exact times.
Frequently asked questions about Highland dance classes
What is Highland dance?
Highland dancing is a traditional Scottish dance style known for its elevation, stamina and precise footwork. Dances like the Highland Fling, Sword Dance and Seann Triubhas are performed both for examinations and at competitions. It's a proud, athletic art form that boys and girls both enjoy.
Do boys do Highland too?
Absolutely. Highland dancing has a strong tradition of male dancers, and we warmly welcome boys in all classes from beginner through to competitive level. Many boys love the strength, power and competitive spirit of the style.
What shoes are required for Highland?
Highland dancers wear soft ghillie-style dancing shoes that lace around the ankle, along with kilt socks for advanced and competition dancers. Our on-site Townsville Dancewear Centre can help you get correctly fitted.
Do Highland dancers also do ballet?
Many do, and we encourage it. Ballet training underpins Highland with line, turnout and poise, while Highland builds the stamina and elevation ballet dancers envy. Taking both styles makes a stronger, more versatile dancer.
Browse all classes
Looking for a different style? See every class we teach at Croft Gilchrist.
