In 2010, the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing hosted a ground-breaking concert ‘Assemble & Leap’ in celebration of its 60th Anniversary as the World Governing Body of Highland Dancing. The concert brought together Champion dancers aged 16 and over from all across the UK, and showcased choreography from some of the UK’s most esteemed highland dance teachers. Held at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline, the concert was the first of its kind in Highland Dancing, and was a true moment of unity and celebration, paying tribute to the history of the sport and its place in the hearts of people across the world. The event raised over £8,000 for Action Duchenne and the MS Society Scotland and resulted in dancers from the cast performing at New York Tartan Week and the Beijing International Tourism Festival as representatives of the RSOBHD.

This year, on the 12th December in Perth Concert Hall the Assemble and Leap concert will return! The 2021 edition honours the 70th anniversary of the RSOBHD and will further celebrate our heritage and the journey of the RSOBHD over the last 70 years. The choreography will be created especially for the show by some of the UKs leading highland dance teachers and performed by a fantastic cast of 52 champion dancers showcasing the culture and traditions of Highland Dancing in its very best form alongside the modern creativity and flair of our art form.

This year’s event will also showcase our worldwide dancing community with 70th anniversary dances from each of our affiliated bodies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA and South Africa featured in the show.

The Assemble & Leap project is funded by the Creative Scotland Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Youth Development Fund and led by RSOBHD delegates and Office Bearers.