HIGHLAND DANCING SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS

Medals will be awarded to all Pre-Premier and Premier Under 16 years classes where cash prizes are not awarded. Championship trophies, aggregate trophies, and special trophies will be awarded in accordance with RSOBHD rules. 

Championship Scholarships - per dance

7 & Under 12 — 1st $20 · 2nd $15 · 3rd $10 · 4th $5 · 5th $5 · 6th $5

12 & Under 14 — 1st $25 ·  2nd $20 · 3rd $15 · 4th $10 · 5th $10 · 6th $5

14 & Under 16 — 1st $30 · 2nd $25 · 3rd $20 · 4th $15 · 5th $10 · 6th $5 

16 & Under 21 — 1st $40 · 2nd $30 · 3rd $20 · 4th $15 · 5th $10 · 6th $10

21 & Over — 1st $50 · 2nd $40 · 3rd $30 · 4th $20 · 5th $15 · 6th $10 

Premier 16 & Over Scholarships - per dance Saturday PM and Sunday PM

16 & Under 21 — 1st $40 · 2nd $30 · 3rd $20 · 4th $15 · 5th $10 · 6th $10

21 & Over — 1st $50 · 2nd $40 · 3rd $30 · 4th $20 · 5th $15 · 6th $10 

CCSF Chief's Highland Laddie Challenge

7 & Under 15 — 1st $100 · 2nd $50

16 & Over —  1st $100 · 2nd $50 

GENERAL COMPETITION RULES

1. The competition is sanctioned by, and conducted under rules and regulations of,  the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD).

2. The Caledonian Club of San Francisco (CCSF) and the organizing committee reserve the following rights: to cancel or combine any event; to reject any entry; to require competitors in case of a tie, to again compete to break the tie.

3. All dancers must perform steps from the Official Textbook of the RSOBHD.

4. Dancers may be disqualified for communicating with the Judges or Piper, or for being coached by a spectator or teacher while competing.

5. The earliest entry dances last; latest entry dances first.

6. Age for all events is determined as of the day of the event.

7. Age groups for all events (other than stipulated) will be decided after receipt of entries. 

8. All competitors must be registered for 2026 and have their current RSOBHD registration cards with them in order to collect awards.

9. Dancers must be in complete highland dress to participate in the awards ceremonies.

10. Pre-Championships must have at least six entrants taking part on the day for the Pre-Championships to be held. If insufficient entries are received, event will proceed as a regular competition.

11. Any competitor not present when their event is called may forfeit their entry in that event.

12. The Caledonian Club of San Francisco will not be responsible for lost articles or accidents to spectators or competitors.

13. Judges’ decision is final.

14. Entry fees are non-refundable.

15. Dancers must fill in for Reels if asked. Dancers filling in must complete the dance.

16. Any change in category after completion of this entry form must be immediately communicated to the competition organizer.

17. Dancers age 30 & Over may enter either the Western US Open Championship, or the Premier Cut Steps Highland Competition, but not both. 

18. The Pre-Championship is open to Premier dancers of all ages who have never won a Championship or Pre-Championship. 

19. Aggregate trophy or plaque awarded in every age class each day, except Primary (per RSOBHD). 

20. Dancer numbers will be distributed on the day at registration. 

21. Five dollars per dancer will be collected and donated to ScotDance USA West.

22. Judges who conduct teaching or coaching classes, seminars or any other forms of tuition (e.g. by video conferencing), may not adjudicate any competitor who has attended any of these classes, for a period of three months after the last class, workshop, or any other form of tuition that competitor has attended.

23. SDUSA takes data privacy very seriously. Personal data is collected by competition organizers and SDUSA Officers for the purpose of performing our duties within RSOBHD and SDUSA guidelines. All data is recorded in electronic format (for example Excel or Highland Scrutineer) and retained for a period of one year at which time electronic records will be deleted and paper entry forms properly disposed.  

SPECIAL AWARDS & EVENTS 

• The City of Dundee Shield will be awarded to the winner of a dance off between competitors who have won a first place in the Premier 7 & Under 12, 12 & Under 14, or 14 & Under 16 age groups in the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, or Seann Triubhas. The dance will be drawn from one of these dances and will be cut steps. 

• The Dorothy Christie Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the Premier age 16 & Over competitor with the highest aggregate points for both days, not including the Pre-Championship.

  • The Dorothy Christie Memorial Trophy winner will be asked to perform at the Sunday night informal ceilidh at the host hotel. If the winner is unable to perform, the runner-up may be asked. If none of the above are available, a dancer of the organizers' choice may be asked. The dance will be dancer's choice, and choreography is highly preferred. The ceilidh performance will come with at $250 stipend.

• The Elizabeth Scott Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the California Premier dancer, under age 16, with the highest aggregate points in the Fling, Sword, and Seann Triubhas during the Saturday Championship. 

• The Norine Harmon Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the Most Promising Beginner dancer. Judges’ selection.

• The Leonard M. Campbell Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the Premier dancer residing in, or taking lessons from a teacher in Northern California, with the highest aggregate points. Northern California is defined as the state’s northernmost 48 counties.

• Best Dressed Fundraiser - Participants must wear Highland dress as prescribed by the RSOBHD Dress Code and will be judged based on how closely they conform to the standards set forth therein. Each dancer is judged individually. Participants should expect to have both the front and back of their costumes viewed. This event does not count towards the aggregate trophy. Judges’ decision is final. This event to take place immediately prior to the Championship Saturday morning. 

• CCSF CHIEF’S HIGHLAND LADDIE CHALLENGE -The Highland Laddie Challenge will consist of a 4-step Highland Laddie with set steps as follows:

  • • Premier 15 & Under: 1st, 2nd, 4th or 4th Alternative, and 6th or 6th Alternative

• Premier 16 & Over: 1st, 2nd, 4th or 4th Alternative, and 6th or 6th Alternative 

The top two winners of the dance-off in each age group will go on to compete in the final which will take place on the Main Stage of the Grandstands during the Closing Ceremonies, to honor the Chief of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. The dancers will use the music played by the Massed Bands, who will play Highland Laddie twice through without an introduction. Dancers will use the drum roll as an introduction. Please see the following video as an example: https://youtu.be/6l0sKmn1zFU?t=12 This dance does not count towards the aggregate trophy.