Highland Dancers wear black leather shoes that lace up with eyelets, called ghillies. While we wear them in dance class, competitions, exams, and performances, they can be intimidating to tie for new dancers or parents, with all the lacing. Here is the way we recommend tying them at Highland Dance Albuquerque, with a helpful video! Save this video to watch before your next dance class!
1. Make sure the laces are loose all the way down
2. Make sure the final cross of the laces is in front of your ankle
3. Wrap them around your foot until you use up the laces
4. Tie them with a SQUARE KNOT (right over left and under, left over right and under)
5. Tuck in the loose ends
Fun Fact: Irish Dancers also wear ghillies, but they typically lace through leather loops, while Highland ghillies use metal eyelets.