World Lion Day
Aug 10
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
'S Rioghal mo dhream (Royal is my race)
~ motto Clan Gregor
With many tunes and dances regaling the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of clan Gregor, this 5 person reel in a Diamond/Domino layout, references Clan Gregor's crest showing the king of beasts! This dance was devised as a tribute both to the mountain named "Lionโs Head" which along with Table Mountain welcomes visitors to Cape Town, South Africa. It was devised on the occasion of a visit by Dame Judith Macgregor, British High Commissioner, to celebrate her first visit to the Cape Town Caledonian Society for the annual Burnโs Night Supper! Lions are one of the most popular and enduring symbols in heraldry, representing various qualities such as courage, strength, nobility, and leadership. The lion's use in heraldry dates back to medieval times when it became a common emblem on coats of arms, shields, and banners. The MacGregors trace their lineage back to the ancient kings of Scotland, particularly to King Alpin of Dalriada, who ruled in the 8th century. According to clan tradition, they are descendants of Griogair, a son of Alpin, making them part of the royal lineage. This connection to King Alpin has long been a source of pride for the clan, and the motto "My Race is Royal" asserts their belief in this royal descent but is more than just a claim to noble ancestry; it is a powerful expression of the clan's enduring pride, resilience, and identity. Reel on, all lion-hearted dancers! ๐ฟ๐ฆ ๐ฆ ๐
Lion's Head
Although lions are mostly nowadays situated in parts of Africa, they did exist in Europe and the UK in ancient times. The European lion, also known as the Eurasian or European cave lion (Panthera leo spelaea), roamed across parts of Europe, including what is now the UK, during the Pleistocene epoch, which spanned from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.
These lions were once widespread across Europe and Asia, inhabiting a range of environments from forests to grasslands. The European cave lion was slightly larger than today's African lions, and fossil evidence suggests they were formidable predators. They are known primarily from cave paintings, fossils, and other archaeological finds, which indicate that they were a significant part of the prehistoric fauna.
In what is now the United Kingdom, lions were present during the Ice Age when the climate and landscape were much different from today. As the climate warmed and human populations grew, the lion populations gradually retreated to more southerly regions. By the time of the early Holocene (around 11,700 years ago), lions had largely disappeared from the British Isles.
The decline of these lions in Europe and the UK was due to a combination of factors, including climate change, habitat loss, and human hunting pressures. By the time of classical antiquity, lions were largely extinct in Europe, surviving only in isolated areas such as the Balkans until about 1000 BC.
While lions no longer roam Europe or the UK today, their legacy endures in mythology, heraldry, and art, where they continue to symbolize strength and courage.
For more about the lion's namesake rock feature, "Lion's Head" in South Africa, click the king of beasts!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
