Highland dancers "fling" over to Edinburgh Tattoo

The Co Tyrone based group "Bready Sollus Highland Dancers" is celebrating the success of two of its young stars selected to perform next month at the Edinburgh Tattoo.

  Shelley Anne Campbell (17), and Georgina Kee, (15), have only three years dancing experience but have come along 'leaps and bounds' to beat off competition from 90 other Scottish dancers and secure a place in the elite troop who will perform at this world renowned music and dance exhibition showcase event.
  Shelley Anne said: "To qualify we had to do two dances - "Flora McDonalds Fancy" and "Barracks Jonnie" - in front of Bill Forsythe, chairman of the Scottishofficial board of highland dancing."
Co Tyrone's Bready Sollus Dancers, Shelley Anne Campbell (17), left, and Georgina Kee (15).

  The Tattoo, which has been running since 1950, is always a sell-out event attracting huge audiences from across the world. More than 30 different countries have participated to date developing a cosmopolitan feel to the event.

   A coach load of family and friends will travel to Scotland in support of the girls.

James Kee, founding member of the dance school and proud father of Georgina, said: "It's unbelievable. In our home it's almost with religious fervour that we watch the Edinburgh Tattoo on television and to think there will be two from our group actually performing this year is tremendous."

   The girls are also in demand for their musical talents. Both are members of Bready Pipe Band and will perform in the World Championships in Glasgow Green later this year.

   The girls' busy schedule shows no signs of slowing down as they have now been invited to participate in another tattoo event in Holland this September.

   "I'm equally passionate about the dancing and music as I feel that they both compliment each other," said Georgina. "I'm hoping to continue the family tradition and teach highland dancing in the future."