Tulloch Ard

Members of the Hilltop Highland Dancers perform a sword dance on Thursday evening. (photos by Chuck Grimmett/Collegian)

Tulloch Ard
By Collegian freelancer Samantha Gilman and Arts Editor Marieke van der Vaart

Strength, dignity, grace, poise: these are the words that best describe the performances of tonight and last night’s Tulloch Ard concert. From the moment the curtains opened to the sharp rat-a-tat of the snare drums accompanied by the piercing notes of the bagpipes, the Hillsdale College Scottish Highland Pipes and the Hilltop Highland Dancers brought a taste of Scotland to Markel Auditorium.


The night’s performances included orchestral works from ensembles which included the fiddle, flute, cello, guitar and accordion. The dancing numbers featured incredibly precise footwork and gracefully strong lines, and the clear, strong voices of the guest artists, the Buehrer Sisters, dripped with the beautiful Scottish lilt.

The siblings performed a set of “Walking Songs,” songs that women traditionally sang as they walked on wool to help it dry, junior and concert attendee Kirsten Block said.

Block said the enthusiasm of performers was particularly evident.

“You could tell they really loved what they did,” Block said.


She said the bantering of the master of ceremonies and performers displayed an endearing sense of camaraderie.

“It just seemed like a whole bunch of people who just enjoyed dancing and playing music got together.”