As far as "official kowledge" goes, the schottische (and the ecossaise) is a continental 18th/19th Century attempt to imitate Scottish music, about as genuine as a von Bismarck tartan.
Yet in a early 20th Century collection of Scottish fiddle tunes I found "Orange and Blue" (usually known as a strathspey) presented as a "Highland Schottische." What does that mean? The Scots trying to imitate Scottish music? Did the dance at some point make it to its assumed home country? Or does the schottische actually have some genuine roots in the highlands?
And since I'm bothering you all anyway: is there any difference between a strathspey and a highland reel?
Frank Nordberg http://www.musicaviva.com http://www.abc-notation.com http://www.online-guitarist.com http://www.tablatvre.com http://www.mandolin-player.com http://www.blues-harmonica.com http://www.irish-banjo.com http://www.blues-banjo.com http://www.folk-banjo.com http://www.roarogfrank.com
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