Talking to Natasha Watson, 16, one of Ballet West's star dancers, it's easy to see how parallels are often made between the dance form and swans.

"Every ballet dancer has a passion, determination and inner drive and it is remarkable to see them perform on stage," she explains.

"Classical ballet should look so elegant and effortless on stage yet behind the scenes it takes a lot of hard work and we do not stop until the work is done. I love that we are constantly striving for perfection."

Since starting ballet aged three, the sentiment of swans-a-swimming is one that Watson has applied to her dancing: a graceful, powerful presence belying the sheer amount of work and effort that must go into every step and soar.

But powerful as Watson, now an award-winning dancer in her own right, is, it is her ongoing training at Ballet West in Taynuilt, Argyll, that has helped sculpt her from a self-confessed "bambi" to her place at the barre of Scotland's brightest talent.

Established in 2001, the school began as provider of evening and weekend ballet classes to locals - mainly school children - before evolving into a centre for full-time training in just four years. By 2007 its offering had changed again and the school was able to teach higher education qualifications, firstly in partnership with North Highland College and latterly with Northumbria University, to its current crop of 70 students enrolled for three years of full-time training.

But training the new generation of Darcey Bussells doesn't completely preoccupy Ballet West's thoughts - thought it is undoubtedly committed to the performances and prowess of its young professionals-in-waiting. Those who dance just for the joy of it are well-catered for too, with the provision of numerous outreach programmes which have proved increasingly popular with around 300 students in Oban, Taynuilt and Fort William, 50 at its annual summer schools and 60 aspiring professionals in Scotland's cities.

As the company grew, prominent figures began to sit up and take notice. For the 1997 film Mrs Brown starring Judi Dench and Gerard Butler, Ballet West provided choreography, during which another of the actor's - Billy Connolly - got to know the school's teaching staff and explained that his daughter had introduced him to the dance. Further conversations over the duration of Mrs Brown's filming resulted in Connolly agreeing to be the school's patron, with the actor helping to grow Ballet West's profile since.

A slow and steady ascent to success (evidenced in its number of decorated alumni in various global competitions) has been instrumental to the school's recognition as a major player in the ballet world and put the West Highlands on the map, proving that world-standard training need not only come from city-based centres.

Christmas brings its own demands in the life of a young ballet dancer. Like many schools, Ballet West has developed itself as a touring company with its last tour (somewhat fittingly Swan Lake) selling out many of the 16 performances held at 12 venues in Scotland around the festive period.

The school has also proved its skill at bringing Scottish ballet to an international level. In 2010 and 2011 Ballet West toured China in six week stretches, and it is the feeling of performing something that has taken months to develop and practice in the dance studio which Watson feels merits the graft of training.

"Being able to move an audience with a performance is a very special feeling," she says. "I love listening to the inspirational music and portraying that through each exercise as well as working on variations where you have the opportunity to create a character and tell a story through movement.

"Being on tour is a lot of fun and I love having the chance of dancing in different theatres. When I'm on tour I usually wake up at around 7.30am and make sure I have a good warm up so that I feel ready to dance.

"My first ballet class usually takes about an hour-and-a-half, then we'll fit in a few hours of rehearsal to perfect a few final details before the performance itself.

"Lunch is a pasta salad or a sandwich and some fruit - it's important to eat protein to strengthen muscles. After a show I'm exhausted and extremely hungry, though I'm not the best cook so I do end up eating quite a lot of pasta!

"When I start getting ready for a performance I ensure I have all my costumes, hair pieces and shoes and then run through the steps that I've been working on most and try not to stress too much.

"I have sore toes and aching muscles every day but that's just part of a dancer's life. Waking up every day and being able to dance just makes me so happy - it's a dream come true."

"I'm always nervous before a show. I know I get that way because the performance means so much to me and I want to perform to the best of my ability, though. Once I step on stage the nerves seem to disappear and I feel at home, and finishing is always a wonderful feeling plus I want to do it all over again.

"This Christmas I'm most looking forward to spending time with my family and having fun with them.

"I'll take Christmas day itself off, but it's back to work for me on Boxing day!"

Ballet West will tour Romeo and Juliet across Scotland throughout January and February, culminating in a Valentine's night show at Glasgow's Armadillo. For tickets and more information click here