Moray dancers among winners at 'lovely' Aberlour Highland Dancing Festival

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MORAY dancers were among those most-highly awarded at the Aberlour Highland Dancing Festival at the weekend.

More than 130 dancers, spanning 17 different age and level classes, came from across the region to compete at Dufftown's Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 2.

Among countless local winners, Keith dancer Molly Smith clinched victory in the contest for the Overall Premier Highland accolade.

She was, earlier, named the top adult in the Highland category and the Runner-Up for National dances – secured the highest number of points of any adult.

The festival's top honour, Overall Premium Dancer, went to Isla Gauld from Aberdeen.

Ms Gauld came through the Premier 16 years and under category, winning the titles for both Highland and National dances along with the most points honour.

She was later named joint-winner of both Overall Premier Highland and Overall Premier National awards, before being named as the contest's top dancer.

Katie Taylor, from Craigellachie, was named the top Premier pupil from the Alison Gordon School of Dance, the festival's host school.

Ms Taylor's great Highland performance saw her named joint runner-up in the Premier 16 years and under category.

And Rowan Bain from Archiestown won the local Intermediate prize after winning Highland Runner-Up and National Runner-Up in the Intermediate 12 and over bracket.

Vivienne McIntosh, from the Alison Gordon School of Dance, said: "The day went really well attracting over 130 dancers.

"It was lovely to see so many upcoming primary and beginner dancers which are our future in years to come.

"Thanks to all who came along and donated and made the day possible."

Full results from the Aberlour Highland Dancing Festival

Primary - 4 years

Pas de Basques – Amber Ramshaw, Bogmoor

PDB & HC – Thea King, Buckie

Primary - 5 years

PDB – Mali Fielding, Buckie

PDB & HC, Fling & Swords – Georgia Walls, Cullen

Primary – 6 years

PDB & Swords – Anna McLeay, Ladysbridge

PDB & HC & Fling – Eden Alexander, Sandhaven

Beginners 7 years & under

H/L & National winner - Sophie McKenzie, Inverurie

H/L R/up & National R/up – Mairi Stewart, Westhill

Beginners 8 years

H/L Winner – Charlotte Middler, Fyvie

H/L R/up – Rebecca MacFarlane, Insch

National Winner – Charlotte Middler & Rebecca MacFarlane

National R/up – Jessica Hooper, Inverness & Holly Hendry, Turriff

Beginners 9 years

H/L winner – Willow Henderson, Hatton

H/L R/up – Sophie Davidson, Gartly

National – Willow Henderson & Sophie Davidson

National R/up – Mia Sutherland, Macduff

Beginners 10 years

H/L & National winner – Abbie Stuart, Fyvie

H/L R/up & National R/up – Millie Gauld, Insch

Beginners 11 years & over

H/L Winner – Kodi Wong, Inverness

H/L R/up & National Winner – Daisy Langtree, Insch

National R/up – Abbey Gauld, Insch

Novice 10 years & under

H/L & National Winner – Charlotte Langtree, Insch

H/L R/up – Amelia Burnett, Longside

National R/up – Thea Bailey, New Deer

Novice 11 & over

H/L winner & National R/up – Rachel MacFarlane, Insch

H/L R/up & National Winner – Eilidh Stewart, Westhill

Intermediate 11 & under

H/L winner & National R/up – Millie Bailey, New Deer

H/L R/up - Megan Davidson, Gartly

National winner – Anya Blanchard, Macduff

Intermediate 12 & over

H/L & National winner – Abigail Smith, Turriff

H/L R/up, National R/up & Local Intermediate pupil of Alison Gordon– Rowan Bain, Archiestown

Premier 11 years & under

H/L, National & Most Points – Cody Pyper, Forfar

H/L R/up & National R/up – Ailsa Gordon-Duff, Glass

Premier 13 years & under

H/L, National & Most Points – Eilidh Smith, Huntly

H/L R/up & National R/up – Eilidh Guthrie, Rosemarkie

Premier 14 years

H/L, National & Most Points – Louisa Milne, Huntly

H/L R/up & National R/up – Erin Forbes, Buckie

Premier 16 years & under

H/L, National & Most Points – Isla Gauld, Aberdeen

H/L R/up – Katie Taylor Craigellachie & Niamh Yeoman, Tipperty

National R/up – Robyn Hall, Newmachar

Premier Adults

H/L, National R/up Most Points – Molly Smith, Keith

H/L R/up & National winner – Amy Robertson, Ellon

Overall Premier Highland

Isla Gauld & Molly Smith

Overall Premier National

Louisa Milne, Amy Robertson & Isla Gauld

Overall Premier Dancer

Isla Gauld

Overall Premier Dancer R/up

Louisa Milne

Local Premier Pupil of Alison Gordon

Katie Taylor

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