Highland Dancing At The Crystal Palace

Highland dancing at the Crystal Palace, [south London], 1872. 'The second Crystal Palace Highland Gathering took place on Thursday week, under the patronage of a number of Highland chiefs - the Dukes of Argyll, Athol, and Sutherland, the Marquis of Huntly, Lords Reay and Elcho, Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Chisholm of Chisholm, Mackenzie of Seaforth, Macleod of Macleod, Cluny Macpherson, Macpherson of Glentruim, Sir James Colquhoun of Luss, Farquharson of Invercauld, Mackintosh of Mackintosh, and Sir Robert Menzies of that ilk...[The Crystal Palace Company gave prizes for winners of] the various competitions in dancing, foot-racing, hurdleracing, pole-vaulting, leaping, hammer-throwing, caber-tossing, and other exercises...The performances began at eleven o'clock with a competition of bagpipes in the central transept, which was adorned with flags and Highland tartans. Next came the competitive show of best-dressed men in Highland costume...The dances, races, and other exhibitions of strength and skill went on through the afternoon. The sword-dancing, the leaping, vaulting with the pole, and throwing the hammer were considered very good'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872. Creator: C. R.. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)