Hector and His Highland Dancers

An Australian chicken breeder, Mr McFowler, fails to win competitions with his prized chicken, Hector, mainly because Hector had a nose-pecking habit and an inability to remain still when being judged. Mr McFowler was downcast as he felt Hector was the best bird he had ever bred and his greatest chance of winning Champion Bird of the Show.

Mr McFowler, of Scottish descent, loves to play old Scottish songs in his shed and sometimes dances to them. One day, Hector starts dancing with him to his records. Mr McFowler sees an opportunity, and he and Hector train the other chickens to become Highland Dancers. Mr McFowler is a resourceful man and makes things to aid with training. He dusts off his bagpipes and provides the music for the troupe.

It was a difficult task for Hector to mould the sometimes-reluctant individual chickens into a precision team. He eventually succeeds, and they perform at local agricultural shows, the Sydney Royal, and finally receive an invitation to perform at the famous Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland. There, they woo audiences with their amazing precision performance. They are feted, and Mr McFowler is very proud that his prized chicken, which failed to become a champion show bird, is now a champion leader of a successful highland dance troupe. Mr McFowler, a romantically naïve bachelor, even makes a surprising romantic connection!

Hector and His Highland Dancers by Anthony Sevil is a delightful tale of determination, resourcefulness, and unexpected success.