TRADITION.
WITH A TWIST.
Flings & Things is firmly established as one of the most exciting Highland Dance groups in the world. Since 2014 they have been captivating audiences with their combination of dynamic, energetic choreography and unique, modern take on traditional Highland Dancing. Fusing the world class technique of Champion dancers with rhythmical, innovative choreography, attitude and style, their explosive performances never fail to surprise and delight - breathing new life into traditional Highland Dancing.
In recent years Flings & Things have produced performances for a host of prestigious events, including: the Glasgow 2018 European Championships; the Opening of the Scottish Parliament; New York Tartan Week; Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Baton reveal and Queen's Baton Relay; and the New York Military Tattoo. They also accompanied world famous rock supergroup MUSE on their sellout 'Drones' tour at the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow.
Since 2013 Flings & Things have worked with the incomparable Red Hot Chilli Pipers managing and choreographing the Red Hot Chilli Dancers. They have accompanied the band at corporate events, festivals and stage shows throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East, joined them on US and European tours, and performed at some of their biggest shows to date - from opening the main stage at T in the Park, to headlining the BBC 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony party. They also featured in their 2014 DVD Live at the Lake, filmed at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
In addition to their work with the Chilli Pipers, many of the Flings & Things dancers perform regularly throughout the world with the fantastic contemporary ceilidh band Whisky Kiss, accompanying them at St Andrews festivals and corporate events in Singapore, Taiwan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New York and Monte Carlo - as well as all over the UK. In 2017 they also joined Scottish traditional music superstars Skipinnish onstage at their sellout show at Glasgow's famous Barrowland Ballroom.
2019 was a stellar year for Flings & Things, bringing international recognition in the form of Tattoos and global sporting events. In July they were invited to represent Scotland at the world renowned Basel Tattoo in Switzerland where they performed as part of the International Dance Team, with Director Rachel choreographing two of the dance performances. They were also commissioned by Creative Scotland to produce a 30-minute showcase for the opening of the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, dancing to the electrifying music of Kinnaris Quintet, and performed alongside acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Cameron Barnes at the Murrayfield Autumn Tests.
The start of 2020 continued in a similar fashion; March saw the team assemble and choreograph 120 dancers for a performance to kick off the Scotland v France 6 Nations match at Murrayfield Stadium, with Scottish folk-pop quartet Tide Lines providing the accompaniment.
Throughout 2020 and 2021 Flings & Things continued to entertain and inspire the Highland Dancing community with their online performances, workshops and tutorials, with Rachel being invited to choreograph international showcase dances for the virtual editions of the world famous Cowal Highland Gathering (hosts of the Highland Dancing World Championships). The team performed in online events for the American Scottish Foundation with Whisky Kiss, Hebridean Celtic Festival with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and formed an exciting new partnership with Drums n Roses, joining them in a special virtual performance for New York Tartan Week.
The dancers finally made it back onstage at the end of 2021, joining Whisky Kiss and the Chilli Pipers once again for their winter events and tours.
2022 saw Flings & Things burst back onto the international performance scene in spectacular style. March brought sell-out crowds back to the 6 Nations tournament, and along with it another huge performance for the team. 80 dancers performed a brand new choreography for the opening of the Scotland v France match, accompanied by the brilliant Drums n Roses - solidifying the exciting new partnership between the groups.
A few weeks later the dancers returned to New York Tartan week with Drums n Roses to perform another sell-out show at the Sony Music Hall for the Tartan Day Parade Wrap Party, before turning their attention to the summer.
After a two year hiatus the Basel Tattoo returned, celebrating their 15th Anniversary as the largest Tattoo event in the world outside of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Flings & Things were delighted to return as the lead dance group, with a team of 50 dancers from the UK directed by Rachel appearing in 7 items throughout the show - 5 of which were specially choreographed performances. The team accompanied the Massed Pipes and Drums with a traditional Highland choreography, and performed in the stunning Scottish Act with another traditional piece, and they also accompanied the Red Hot Chilli Pipers with two new choreographies for their acts - 'Long Way to the Top' and a medley of 'Wake Me Up / Don't Stop Believing'. Their main performance piece was a powerful, modern take on traditional Highland dance, which saw them collaborate with the phenomenal Top Secret Drum Corp - the first time the group have ever collaborated with a dance team since they formed in 1991.
Throughout the rest of 2022 Flings & Things can be seen performing all over the UK at corporate events and with the Red Hot Chilli Dancers, Drums n Roses and Whisky Kiss.
