Dancing at the castle

MacMillan was one of four dancers from Nova Scotia chosen to perform the International Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle from Aug. 1-23.

At least 40 countries are represented annually in the performance, which has an audience of around 217,000.

MacMillan said that more than half of the performances during the three-week show were performed in the rain.

"Sometimes the rain was minimal, but there were a few nights of torrential downpour," she said.

"Shows went on regardless, with just minor changes to accommodate the poor weather."

She found the experience of performing in front of 9,000 people each night, “surreal”. Nervousness was not a factor because she says participants were well prepared for the dance and the esplanade was so big, it was hard to make out the faces of any audience members.

"The audience was so full of energy every performance, even when it was pouring rain!" said MacMillan.

She says performing was an amazing experience that she feels very fortunate to have taken part in. It provided her with the opportunity to meet many people from various parts of the world who were both part of the tattoo cast and also tourists. Making new friends was also part of the experience.

"I left Yarmouth not knowing any of the girls that I would be dancing with... by the end of the month I felt like I had known them forever. All the girls on my floor became extremely close which was great because they were basically my family for the month," she said.

MacMillan, a MacKenzie School of Dance student, has competed regularly and won over 100 medals and trophies.

Although she says her plans for the future are still not clear, she will continue highland dancing recreationally at St. FX along with trying new types of dance.

"I'm beginning my Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics this year but am still unsure of what I'll pursue afterwards," she said.