Tartan Dancing

This past weekend the San Antonio Highland Games were underway. 

Tartan was everywhere. 
People
Booths
Dogs
Athletes
Musicians

                              HIGHLAND DANCERS, 1844. Wood engraving, English, 1844

And, dancers in tartan. We are all familiar with the Scottish Sword Dance and in California I have seen it performed with precision and strength by beautiful kilted men. It is a war dance and is ceremonial demonstrating strength, stamina and agility. All excellent qualities in a warrior. 

Legend tells that in 1573 a group of Scottish mercenaries were brought to the Court of King John III. They performed  the Scottish Sword Dance and upon a signal were to execute the King. The signal never came, the King lived never knowing that a few dance props were actually the weapons that were going to destroy him. 

This week enjoy Tartan Dancing.