SCOTLAND. 2011. Aberlour Highland Games, Aberlour, Moray. The sword dance is one of many competitive and technically-complicated historic dances on display during the Highland Games. Rich in folklore, these dances can take years to perfect and have been likened to ballet for the stamina and expertise they demand. Highland dance is recognised as a sport by Scotland's national body for sport, sportscotland, through the Scottish Highland Games Association. Tradition says the sword dance derives from, Ghillie Callum, a Celtic prince who was a hero of mortal combat against one of MacBeth's Chiefs at the Battle of Dunsinane in 1054. He is said to have crossed his own bloody claymore (the two-handed broadsword of Scotland) and crossed it over the sword of the defeated Chief and danced over them both in exultation. Beginning with steps outside of the sword, subsequent steps are danced over the crossed blades, but once inside the blades, the dancer never dances with their back turned to the swords.