A LITTLE Highland dancer from Port Glasgow setting her sights high after winning a top competition on her first attempt last weekend.

Arya Graham, eight, is a pupil at the Jackson Dance and Performing Arts Studios in Greenock.

She reached a milestone in her competitive journey on Sunday as she won her pre-championship section at the City of Inverness Championships.

The title is the final step on the path to Highland’s highest level of competition and can only be won by a dancer once.

In what was her first attempt at winning her pre-championship, Arya performed four dances.

She placed first in two – the Highland fling and the Seann Truibhas.

Mum Emma Louise Graham said the win came as a surprise following a change to Arya’s age group.

The competition was also delayed by a fire alarm at the venue, with the event starting almost two hours later than planned.

Greenock Telegraph:

Emma Louise said: “I was worried that it was going to be too long for her, but the organisers were so efficient.

“They doubled the number of judges and managed to get through it in an hour and a half.

“They had a change the age groups. It was supposed to be age nine and under, but they didn’t have enough dancers so it ended up being 10 and under.

“I don’t think you can go with any expectation because of the standard. Even at their wee age, it’s a solid group.

“All the wee dancers are fab – your stomach is in knots because you just never know what’s going to happen.”

Arya is now preparing to compete at the biggest event on the Highland dancing calendar at Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon next month.

The St Francis' Primary School pupil will face competition from across the world in the Scottish Open Championships, but Emma Louise said her daughter is not phased by the enormity of the event.

She added: “She’s so excited. She loves watching all the old videos of Cowal and videos of world champions.

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"I’m nervous but always nervous.

“I danced when I was younger but I didn’t compete.

“I don’t think you appreciate how nervous your parents get until it’s your child up there.”

Arya and Emma Louise thanked teacher Linda Jackson for her hard work between weekly competitions.

Emma Louise said: “She’s always very encouraging, giving Arya confidence in herself and her ability.”