NEW Spectacular Scottish Performing Arts Programming

The Highland Echoes Show

Step into a world of legends and history with this Scottish themed performing arts experience. Enchanting songs take you on a magical journey, while lively Scottish tunes – written by former Riverdance musical director Patrick Mangan – masterfully play on the Highland bagpipes and fiddle. The exclusive Highland Echoes dance team, comprised of champions from around the world, delivers powerful Highland dancing that will leave you astounded and captivated.

Highland Echoes presents a groundbreaking initiative in the realm of cultural arts, filling a significant void in the market. Despite a substantial portion of America tracing its heritage to Scottish roots and iconic films & TV series like Outlander, Braveheart, and Brave etching their names in history, there is a surprising absence of theatrical music and dance groups representing Scottish cultural arts. Recognizing this gap, Highland Echoes emerges as a pioneer, introducing top-tier productions that blend superior music and dance to create captivating theatrical experiences. By doing so, Highland Echoes not only meets the demand for high-quality performances but also bridges generational gaps, fostering a profound connection between audiences and their Scottish heritage.

Act 1

Celebration Of Scottish Culture

An Dannsa Gaidhig - music by Jennifer Licko

Celebrate the Scottish heritage and culture that thrives across the Americas through our vibrant music and dance piece An Dannsa Gaidhig. This Gaelic dance is a joyous tribute to our shared roots, blending traditional Scottish instruments with contemporary sounds. It represents the dynamic movement of Scots across different locations, from Scotland to Argentina, Ireland, Canada, and the Carolinas. As these traditions adapted to new environments, the echoes of the highlands reverberate in captivating ways.

Traditions

Calling The Clans - music by Jennifer Licko

Join us as we pay tribute to our Scottish heritage. 'Calling the Clans' holds a special place in our show, as it's a moment to honor our family ancestry. Celebrate your roots with us during this unforgettable opening call. Highland Echoes awaits, where the echoes of the past blend with the spirit of the present.

We are grateful for the support of those clans want to be recognized in the Highland Echoes Show!

History & Legend

Woman of Mystery - Music by Jennifer Licko

Explore the haunting legacy of the Scottish witch trials in the theatrical performance "Woman of Mystery." This song chronicles the stories of those accused of witchcraft, particularly women, during the 16th to 18th centuries. Enter the realm of Maggie Wall, a woman believed to have been burned as a witch, though lacking concrete historical evidence.

Fear a' bhata - Traditional

The Selkie Girl - Music by Jennifer Licko

The Sword Dance

The Grafton Rambler - music by Patrick Mangan

One of the famous dances from Scotland’s history is the dynamic Sword Dance. Legend holds that touching or kicking the swords during the dance foretells injury or death in future battles. The Highland Echoes choreography of this dance beautifully portrays both triumphant and defeated conflicts from Scotland's past. These symbolic movements encapsulate the victories and losses that have shaped Scotland's storied legacy.

The Skye Boat Song

Gaol ise Gaol: Waulking Song

Summer Storm - music by Patrick Mangan

Leaving Scotland

Leaving Home - music by Jennifer LIcko

The first Act ends with the brave and painful acceptance that life in the Highlands changed and finding a new home for many Highland Scots was necessary.

Act 2

Transition to New Lands

Strip The Hornpipe - music by Jennifer Licko

Sailing vessels used to migrate to the Americas were massive machines made primarily of wood, canvas, and rope. They required a lot of skill and coordination from the whole crew to operate. We portray, through dance, the tasks on board the ship, which often required many men to pull on a rope or work a lever on a windlass simultaneously.

North Carolina Immigration

Carolina's Fancy - music by Jennifer Licko

Land of Hope - music by Jennifer Licko

The first organized immigration of Highlanders to North Carolina came in 1739 when 350 people from Argyllshire journeyed to Wilmington and up the Cape Fear River to settle in what became Cumberland County. We celebrate how the music they brought with them influenced what we know as bluegrass music today.

Ireland: The Ulster Plantations

These Islands - Music by Jennifer Licko

The Arrival Jig - Music by Jennifer Licko

Nova Scotia & The Hector

The Hector - Music by Jennifer Licko

The dangerous and miserable journey from Scotland to Canada aboard the Hector changed the face of Nova Scotia.
The show features the legend of the piper who came aboard the ship without paying his fare. Everyone on board offered to share their rations and make space for him because they needed his music to keep them strong on the journey.

Argentina & The Symmetry

Crossroads Tango - Music by Patrick Mangan

Scottish settlers emigrated to Argentina in 1824 on a ship called the Symmetry. The Captain was Samuel Smith, and there were 220 Scots on board.

We recognize Argentina's Scottish heritage with a Scottish-style Tango.

The Canadian Set- Music by Patrick Mangan

Seinn Oh - Traditional

The Echoes of the Highlands Everywhere

Highland Echoes - Music by Jennifer Licko

The Highland Echoes show ends with a celebration of our Scottish cultural connections. We continue to hear the echoes of the highlands and honor it through our traditions, food, language, music, dances, and even our beliefs.

Please rate Highland Echoes on Google

Excellent show, well choreographed. The narrative was excellent as it gave the historical account of the journey of the Scots. Music, song and dance were high caliber. It was definitely a highlight of our trip to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.

Kathy Gould

It’s hard for me to find anything that wasn’t great in this show! I am passionate about highland music and dance. I had never seen Highland Echoes before. The dance was exceptional. Vocals, bagpipes, and violin were amazing. I drove 110 miles to see the show, and I’d do it all again!

James H.

The show was fabulous! It reminded me of Riverdance but was even better in that it told the story of the Scottish heritage through songs, dance and instrumentation…..all superb. I particularly liked the fiddler! So much talent in the entire cast of performers! It is a must see show! Highly recommended!!

Nora Elkind-Atkins

My family loved the show and my children are still talking about it! The show truly added to our vacation and heightened the kids’ interest in history and music!

Aislynn Denny

The Highland Echoes show was just so absolutely wonderful. I didn't want it to end. Wonderful dancers, the music and singing and arrangements, you couldn't beat it. It should be a Grammy nominated. It is in a class of its own. 🙂 Jennifer should get Grammy production award as well.

Eric Ferguson

"The tradition, stories, language, music. The feelings the voices and instruments invoke are amazing. Learning about the historic past and the strength of the people gives me a shared pride and humble heart."

Brenda Feutz

More than just an amazing show, this was an amazing experience.

Cameron Drummond

Fantastic, great representation of Scottish Culture and History!

Breeze Guthrie, Clan Guthrie

"Excellent performances and music selection. Truly enjoyed the experience and show."

Nicholas Davidson

"A perfect blend of music, song, dance, and education of the vanished Highland culture. Slightly reminiscent of Riverdance and Lord of the dance but far more informative as explanations and origins represented to the audience."

Christopher Gummer

"Excellent entertainment . . . warmed the heart of a Scot!"

Doreen Livermon

“Amazing show! We love to explore and expose our kids to culture and music, and this show seemed like a great opportunity. I just didn’t expect the vibrant, exquisite talent from the musicians or the lovely, brilliant dancers.”

Christina Robeson

What a wonderful show! The music, the singing, the dancing - wow!! What a great way to share a rich heritage!

G. Wenniegs

“A great show has the ability to connect with its audience, moving them through emotions of great joy and elation as well as heartbreaking pathos. Last night’s stirring performance evoked the full gamut of emotions from within me!”

Chris Guthrie Gummer

"We loved everything about the show, the music along with the dancing took us to our beloved Scotland instantly and throughout the evening!!"

Donna Walters