ScotDance Ontario - James L. McKenzie, M.B.E. 1905 ~ 1992

ScotDance Ontario is the
Professional Body representing
all matters dealing with
Highland Dancing in the
Province of Ontario and
operates under the umbrella of
ScotDance Canada

Mr. James L. McKenzie, M.B.E. 1905 - 1992

As a youngster Jimmy McKenzie would hide in the corner of the barn on his father's farm in
Inverkeithing, near Turriff, and watch his sister as she was instructed by one of the dancing
teachers who travelled around the rural districts teaching youngsters to dance. Jimmy would then
practise secretly on his own in his bedroom. When this was discovered by his mother, it was
decided that he, too, should have Highland dancing lessons and from then on the shy eight-year
old boy joined the class, although sometimes against his will. The first steps he learned were
taught to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel" played on the violin by his instructor who both played
and gave instruction at the same time.

Initially Jimmy had no aspirations to become a competitive dancer, but after his family left their farm
and moved to Aberdeen, he became interested in the many competitions. At the age of 12 he
entered his first competition at Pittodrie in Aberdeen, now a famous football ground, and much to
everyone's surprise he placed 2nd. This was just what he needed to get him going on a long and
successful competitive career. At this time Jimmy was fortunate to have Johnny Pirie as his
instructor and although Pirie was a hard taskmaster, Jimmy's personal desire not to be beaten and
the advice and encouragement from his mother, who had also been a dancer, kept him going.
Willie Sutherland also gave McKenzie many valuable hints and, in spite of the intense rivalry
between Pirie and Sutherland, their rich heritage was passed on to McKenzie who in turn passed it
on to his own students. Later in his life dancers and teachers throughout the world experienced
his love of Highland dancing as he toured extensively in Canada, the United States, South Africa,
Ireland, and other European countries giving exhibitions, demonstrations and lectures. For many
years James L., or "J.L." as he became affectionately known, was the principal dance instructor at
the Gaelic College in St. Ann's, Cape Breton during the summer months and dancers travelled
from across Canada to take advantage of his expertise.

His list of competitive successes is lengthy. Some of his impressive winnings are the World
Highland Dancing Championship - won 3 successive years at Cowal Highland Gathering,
Argyllshire, 1951-1952-1953; the British Open Highland Dancing Championship - Edinburgh
Festival - 1954; the Braemar Highland Games Championship - won 10 times; the Aboyne Highland
Games Championship - won 12 times; the Oban Highland Games Championship - won 12 times.
Did you notice that Mr. McKenzie was still competing and winning championships when he was in
his late forties? His favourite dance was the Highland Fling and when he won the Coronation
Medal at the Braemar Gathering he was thrilled to perform the Fling for the newly crowned Queen.

Mr. McKenzie was the principal dancer in the instructional films of Highland Dancing produced by
the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing and photographs of him were used to illustrate
positions and movements in the original textbooks of the S.O.B.H.D. Later these photos were
changed to the now familiar line sketches. The rapid rise in the standard of Highland dancing in
Canada in the 1960s was largely due Mr. McKenzie's interest and encouragement and his
willingness to work untiringly to educate us in the technique of the Scottish Official Board of
Highland Dancing.

Mr. McKenzie was a founder member of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance and for many years
he served as one of its favourite Examiners and certainly one of its best ambassadors. In
recognition of his dedication to the art of Highland dancing, Mr. McKenzie was granted the
distinction of Member of the British Empire (MBE) which was bestowed upon him at Buckingham
Palace by Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen he had danced for so many years before. In his honour at
that time, Miss Elspeth Strathern, another well-known and well-loved Highland dance teacher,
choreographed the dance "Tribute to J.L. McKenzie".

Such a man was James L. McKenzie, the lad who began dancing in a poorly lit barn loft to the
scraping of a violin, the champion who danced for the Queen, and the gentleman who shared his
love of Highland dancing with the world.

NOTE: A copy of a BBC video featuring Mr. McKenzie and an audio interview recording with him
is available by contacting Sandra Bald Jones

Contact Via E-mail

Bibliography

Hutchison, Bert. Who's Who in Highland Dancing. Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1970.
Webster, David. Scottish Highland Games. Edinburgh, Scotland: Reprographia, 1973.

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