Pas de Basques and Highcuts is one of the first dances taught in Highland Dance. This dance is exactly the same as the first step of the Sword Dance

Scottish sword dances

Performance of sword dances in the folklore of Scotland is recorded from as early as the 15th century.Related customs are found in the Welsh and English Morris dance, in Austria, Germany, Flanders, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Romania...

, but is danced to the front, without the use of swords. It is usually taught to young dancers who are not yet prepared to learn the entire Sword Dance.
Pas de Basques and Highcuts are only competed in by Primary dancers. This is the first competition level for young dancers.

This dance is also performed for first level examinations.

Dancers wear the standard Kilt

Kilt

The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...

outfit to perform this dance.