Pas de Bas (Sidestep)

Arisaig Games is to widen its cultural content again this year with and addition to the An Tilleadh event which started last year.

The cultural area ... that is, the area which does not concentrate on the culture of the core games themselves, on the field ... will now come under the overall title of Pas de Bas (pah de bah).

For those not in the know, Promotions Manager, Chas Mac Donald, explained. "Pas de Bas is a sort of sidestep seen in some Highland dancing, especially the Fling. Since all of this relatively new stuff is happening on the side of the arena, we decided to call it Pas de Bas, as it represents a sideways move for the Games in an effort to support the core elements on the field."

Pas de Bas probably sounds of French origin to most people. And it is, but it refers to the 'Step of the Basques' in French ballet. It can also be seen in the sword dance.

Keep an eye out here for more news on Pas de Bas over the next few days.