Through paintings and drawings, of country life or ball room assemblies, artists' renderings prove entertaining and simultaneously provide an ethnographic history of dance forms and techniques.
 Doll of ScotlandDolls of Many Lands vintage postcard, 1939 - |  Tullochgorum ReelThe Afghan War: Tullochgorum Reel in the Camp of the 72nd Highlanders at Kohat. From a sketch by Lieutenant Martin, R.E. The London Illustrated News, 1879, Jan. 18 |  Vintage PostcardArtist "Fred ..." - date unknown |
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 sworddancepostcard |  Swift Oleomargarine1912 Advertisement card |  highlanddancerpostcard |
 highlandflingpostcard |  Impromptu Sword DanceThe King and Queen in the Highlands, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at Mar Lodge, an Impromptu Sword-Dance by the Duff Highlanders after Luncheon. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 19 October 1901, artist Allan Stewart |  The Sword Dance |
 Argyll Sword Dance |  The Sword Dance |  Scotsmen Dance a Reel, 18th centuryVictorian illustration to download showing a picture of Scotsmen dancing a Scottish reel energetically to the music of the bagpipes, 18th century. One man wears breeches, the others tartan kilts. One man dances in bare feet. |
 Danse EcossaiseVintage French trading card |  John Telfer Dunbar"Reeling" from an original watercolour by Charles Williams, c. 1815, MacDonald tartan |  Illustrated London NewsSword Dance of Boys of the Royal Caledonian Asylum, at Westbrook Park, Godalming. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 8 October 1881. |
 Australian Women's Weekly"Highland Fling" July 12, 1941 cover, art by Petrov |  Travel PosterPublished by the British Travel and Holidays Association and printed in Great Britain by Charles & Read Ltd., 1950s |  Christmas Card |
 The Graphic, January 11, 1919 Ad for Smith's Glasgow Tobacco |  The Graphic Illustrated NewspaperScottish Games at Lillie Bridge, July 31, 1880, London |  tbd |
 Woodcut BroadswordsBroad-sword dance - Taymouth Castle. Print from a woodcut, 1842, from the Illustrated London News |  Gillie CallumUnidentified artist - Ireland: Dance Publisher: Chicago : The Regan Printing House, 1910 |  Man in Highland Dress and a Lady DanMan in Highland Dress and a Lady Dancing John Francis Campbell (1821-1885), pencil and watercolor |
 |  Vintage PostcardsGibson Art Company, 1917 |  Scottish DanceIsaac Israëls (1865-1934) was a Dutch painter associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement and the son The son of Jozef Israëls, one of the most respected painters of the Hague School. |
 Recruitment PosterThis recruiting poster for the Scottish Regiments dates from 1919. The poster reads 'Recruits Wanted for the Scottish Regiments, This is the Life for a Scotsman'. |  tbd |  tbd |
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 1951, Pan American Airlines1951 travel poster from Pan Am Airlines, promoting tourism to Glasgow, Scotland - "Glasgow by Clipper - The World's Most Experienced Airline" |  Sword Dance, ScotlandSAS calendar of 1966 with the theme "Dances of the world" by the famous Danish artist Otto Nielsen. |  Liebig Company's Fleisch ExtractSchottland, Dudelsack - Advertisement for starch |
 National Dance of the HighlandNational Dance of the Highland Clansmen. Illustration from The Imperial History of England (Ward Lock, 1891) |  The Sword DanceFrom a 1903 advertising booklet for Colman's Laundry Starch and Azure Blue |  Illustrated London NewsThe Highland Ball at Willis's Rooms 1883, Illustrated London News |
 tbd |  La GigaLiebig Tradecard S620 - National Dances, Scotland |  tbd |
 tbd |  tbd |  The Great Highland BagpipeThe Great Highland Bagpipe Competition at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh (1844) |
 These Beautiful ScrapsTwo highlanders, one playing bagpipes, one dancing circa 1880. Produced by Michael Henry Nathan & Co (flourished 1878-1900) |  Scottish Dance1863 |  The Sword DanceThe Sword Dance by David Cunliffe, 1853. The 93rd Regt (Sutherland Highlanders) are wearing a range of tartans. The dancer, Bandsman MacKenzie, is wearing the Band tartan. |
 Scottish ReelFrom an 1895 publication, "Dancing" later republished as "The History of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales" by Lilly Grove Frazer - from an engraving by J. H. Ramburg, 1800, entitled "Scottish Reel." |  Scottish ReelFrom an 1895 publication, "Dancing" later republished as "The History of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales" by Lilly Grove Frazer - from an etching by D. Deuchar, 1784, entitled "Scottish Reel." |  Highland Reel Cigar BoxHIGHLAND REEL Trimmed nailed wood box, marked "Factory 23 IRD 26 Series of 1897," Unknown maker, Toronto, Ontario |
 An O. P. ra BallAn O.P.ra ball, finishing with a scotch reel, to the tune of catch him & keep him! April 16, 1823 etching |  The Shamit ReelPlate 5 from 'The Penny Wedding' by John Grant, engraved by Joshua Gleadah, 1836 (engraving), Grant, John (fl.1836-46) (after) / Private Collection / The Bridgeman Art Library |  True HighlandersThe Book of the Club of True Highlanders, published in 1881, had dancing as its centerpiece when assembling the key elements of ‘Highland culture’. |
 Beecham's Pills Advertisement, 1888 |  Dances EcossaiseVintage postcard, date unknown |  MacDonald's Finest Tobacco TinKilty Brand, vintage tin for tobacco |
 Highland FlingFlorence Hardy (1860-1933), postcard |  Highland FlingCurrier and Ives print, 1846 |  Highland DanceProvenance unknown |
 Highland DanceAfter a follower of David Allan, 19th century. |  Danse Ecossaise1890 Sheet Music for Piano |  postcard |
 Viaggio Alla ScoziaVintage postcard |  Postcard |  Gigue EccossaiseChocolate advertisement |
 KiltEdwin (1903-95) / Private Collection / © Look and Learn / The Bridgeman Art Library |  The Sword DanceThe Sword Dance; The Dancing Lesson James Cassie (1819-1879) |  A Piper and His Lassie"A Piper and His Lassie" by Sir William Allan (1782-1850). |
 The Witches Dance'Tam o' Shanter': Witches Dancing in Alloway Auld Kirk Joseph Bartholomew Kidd (1808–1889) |  Scottish DanceBy illustrator Georges d'Ostoya, this cartoon appeared in the 1901 issue (No. 357) of Le Rire ("Laughter"), a successful French satirical magazine published from October 1894 through the 1950s. Shown here is a Scottish hornpipe. |  A Scotch ReelTwo couples dancing a reel. The ladies wear the monstrous feathered coiffures then fashionable Notes: Forms part of: British Cartoon Prints Collection (Library of Congress).; No. 5.; This record contains unverified data from George. Date 1776 Author British Cartoon Prints Collection |
 The Thistle ReelAmerican political cartoon 1775 Bute, Mansfield, and North dance around the vision of a huge thistle while the devil plays the bagpipes in the clouds above. The government's policy toward America is attacked as inspired by Scottish influence, a favorite theme in America, too. |  "Ta reel o' Tullochgorum"mage taken from page 136 of 'Legal and other Lyrics ... A new edition, with ... notes and a glossary. Edited by J. H. Stoddard ... and illustrated by W. Ralston and A. S. Boyd', 1887. |  Highland Dancers & Pipers"Highland Dancers and Pipers" June 1, 844, London Illustrated News |
 Ghillie CallumSword dance, provenance unknown |  The Sword DanceOriginal 1930's poster print taken from an original illustration by artist C. N. Dilly. This original poster print was produced in England in the 1930's as a teaching aid for use in classrooms at infant (primary) schools. This is print number 74 and is entitled at the bottom 'The Sword Dance'. There is a great Scottish castle in the background and someone tossing the caber. The crowd are all dressed in 1930's fashion. |  The Highland GamesThe Highland Games. Artwork by Christopher Clark, 1930s. By the time this poster was issued in the late 1930s LMS was working more closely with the old rival LNER. This poster presents, perhaps a clichéd image of Scotland with Highland dancers and a piper against a mountainous backdrop. Image © NRM Pictorial Collection / Science & Society Picture Library. |
 The BallroomWilliam Simpson (1823-99), The Ballroom, Balmoral Castle, dated 1882. Pencil, watercolour and bodycolour, 35.0 x 56.6 cm. RCIN 919532. Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015 33w |  "The Gillie Ball"The Court in the Highlands, 1880, "The Gillie Ball" |  A Scottish Ball1878, provenance unknown |
 The Scotch ReelPart of a series of postcards by illustrator Florence Hardy, circa 1900. |  Highland FlingHighland Fling, watercolor by John Durang from his Memoir. John Durang (6 January 1768 – 31 March 1822) was the first native-born American to become known as a dancer.[1] Said to be George Washington's favorite performer, he was famous for dancing the hornpipe, a lively, jiglike solo exhibition so called because it was originally performed to music played on a woodwind instrument known as a hornpipe. |  Highland DancerHighland Dancer by unknown artist Oil on canvas, 45.5 x 32 cm Collection: Highland Council Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (High Life Highland) |
 Highland DancersUnknown Artist, Highland Folk Museum, oil on canvas |  Companion to the BallroomFrontispiece J. Shury engraving from "A Companion to the Ballroom," 1816, Wilson with a longer title of A Companion to the Ball Room, containing a choice collection of the most Original and Admired Country Dances, Reels, Hornpipes, Waltzes, and Quadrills, &c &c with appropriate Figures to Each. The Etiquette and a Dissertation on the State of the Ball Room |  The Highland Fling, 1912Troy Kinney (December 1, 1871 – January 29, 1938) was an American artist, etcher, and author. Troy Kinney was most notable for his works portraying dance performers, fanciful subjects, and classically styled nudes. He worked with dancers, including Ruth St. Denis, Anna Pavlova, and Sophie Pflanz among others. His artistic works are part of the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, the Library of Congress, and many others. |
 Sword Dance, 1880Queen Victoria watching a Highland sword dance, Scotland, 1880. Artist: Unknown |  Scotch Scene, date unknownArthur Boyd Houghton 1836–1875, Scotch Scene, for engraving, Ink and gouache on woodblock. Acquired by the Tate Museum in 1925, Presented by Mrs E.C. Davis. |  Gillle CallumProvenance unknown |
 Provenance unknown |  Highland Games in Geelong, 1857An extract from the Illustrated London News in 1857, which reported on the Highland Games in Geelong, Australia, organised by the Highland Society Comunn na Feinne. Dancing was a central activity at the games, both for display and competition. |  The Blind Bagpiperprovenance unknown |
 The Prince of Wales (1881)The Prince of Wales at Braemar, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Albany dancing a Reel at the Highland Ball given by the Earl of Fife. Illustration for The Graphic, 8 October 1881. |  Caledonian Ball (1878)"Caledonian Ball Dancing Reel O' Tulloch," July 13, 1878 engraving from the illustrated newspaper, The Graphic |  Highland Dancers (1844)Artist unknown |
 Highland Dancing (1872)"Highland Dancing at the Crystal Palace," Line Engraving, London, England |  Reel of Tulloch (1849)Antique Print of 1849 Scottish Fete Lord Holland's Park Reel Tulloch Sword Dance Foot Race 1849 Scottish Fete Lord Holland's Park Reel Tulloch Sword Dance Foot Race A Full page from the Illustrated London News. |  "Robin Adair" (1909)Clarence F. Underwood (1871-1929) , Born in Jamestown, New York, Underwood studied in Paris but returned around 1901/02 to work illustrating postcards, books, and magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post. Many of his paintings were romantically influenced, showing courting scenes from over the fence line to stealing a kiss over a chessboard. |
 A Dancing LessonCollins, Hugh c.1868-1892. "A Dancing Lesson". Oil on canvas, 51 x 76cm. No date. London, Sotheby's. Lot 854, 30/08/94.Collins lived and worked in Edinburgh and was a specialist in painting people. He became a well known portrait painter and received a number of commissions to paint prominent Scottish people. |  A Dancing LessonLa Belle Assemblee or Sketches of Characteristic Dancing by George Cruikshank (1817). Features the dancing master, country dance, Scots reel, Irish jig, La minuet, German waltz, French quadrille, Spanish boliero, and ballet Italienne. |  Prince of Wales (1876)The Prince of Wales at Malta, Dancing the Reel at the United Service Ball. Illustration for The Graphic, 29 April 1876. |
 Five Positions of DancingThe five "Positions of Dancing" from Thomas Wilson's Analysis of Country Dancing (1811) – An analysis of country dancing, wherein all the figures used in that polite amusement are rendered familiar by engraved lines. Containing also, directions for composing almost any number of figures to one tune, with some entire new reels; together with the complete etiquette of the ball-room. By T. Wilson ... Illustrated with engravings on wood by J. Berryman. |  The Dance of the Shearers (1885)Shearers on Otakapo Station in Rangitīkei enjoy some Highland dancing, accompanied by artist Charlie Hammond on the harp and Bob Craig on the violin. A note below the drawing, says that ‘they had never heard such music on the station before’ and that two Scotsmen, Cameron and Gear, played the bagpipes for some of the dances. By 1885 in New Zealand’s towns and cities it was no longer usual for men to dance together. In the countryside, women remained scarce. |  The Highland Fling (1867)Artist unknown |
 Gillie CallumProvenance unknown |  A Companion to the BallroomFrontispiece - J. Shury engraving from "A Companion to the Ballroom," 1816, Wilson |  EngravingEngraving of a Theatrical Highland Dancer, 1846 - reference: |
 "The Highland Wedding""The Highland Wedding at Blair Atholl," David Allan, 1780.This was painted after Allan's return from Italy, and was the first of his many Scottish genre subjects. Neil Gow, the celebrated violin player, composer and collector of music, takes his place amongst the musicians; Gow's services were retained by the Duke of Atholl, for a fee of £5 a year. The tartan worn in this picture was done so illegally, for highland dress had been proscribed after the Jacobite rising of 1745. |  unknown |  A Highland DanceDavid Allan, A Highland Dance Object type: drawing, Date 1780: Medium: Brush and watercolour over pencil on paper |
 Sir John Halkett of PitfirraneSir John Halkett of Pitfirrane (1720–1793), 4th Baronet, Mary Hamilton, Lady Halkett and their Family, by David Allan, National Galleries of Scotland Date painted: 1781 Oil on canvas, 153 x 239.5 cm Collection: National Galleries of ScotlandHalkett and his second wife Mary are shown with his daughter by his first wife, and his thirteen younger children, whose names are provided by Allan. |  Scottish Country DanceFrom a picture used by ESSLLI 2005 Reception Buffet and Ceilidh Dance, titled "Nova Scotia Tattoo, Scottish Country Dance" |  A Sword DanceCollins, Hugh c.1868-1892. "A Sword Dance". Oil on canvas, 51 x 76cm. No date. London, Sotheby's. Lot 854, 30/08/94.Collins lived and worked in Edinburgh and was a specialist in painting people. He became a well known portrait painter and received a number of commissions to paint prominent Scottish people. |
 The Sword DanceGeorge Bernard O'Neill (1828-1917), The Sword Dance, Oil On Panel, Private Collection. George Bernard O'Neill was a prolific Irish genre painter, from 1859 a member of the Cranbrook Colony of artists. |  The Gillies' Ball (c. 1859)Egron Sellif Lundgren (1815-75) The royal party in the niche to left. A sword dance is being performed, possbly by 'Little Lord McDuff'. This Ball took place in 1859 at Balmoral Castle, Queen Victoria’s residence in Scotland. Gillies, or Ghillies, were men and boys who guided and assisted on hunting expeditions in the Highlands of Scotland. Queen Victoria and her family relied upon them on their visits to Scotland and she initiated the custom of hosting an annual ball to recognise them. |