Campbeltown’s European drum major champion
It was double success for an Argyll pipe band at the European championships in Forres. Last Saturday, Campbeltown drum major Liam Renton, 25, won his second European title: 2018 European Adult Drum Major Champion, while Inveraray and District Pipe Band, of which he is a member, won the grade one title. Liam started aged nine and began competing aged 11 with Kintyre Schools Pipe Band before moving to Inveraray about six years ago. The Phoenix Motors mechanic said: ‘I put a lot of hard work in during my late teenage years and it is paying off in my 20s.
Grade One
‘I won this title in 2014 and this was the second time. Inveraray also won their first grade one major that year and my first. ‘I dropped my mace in the first two majors of this year, in Paisley and Belfast, so I was happy to get in the European final.’ Dress has to be immaculate and the day starts with an inspection at 10.30am, followed by the heats at about noon. Between 2.30pm and 3pm competitors find out if they are in the final and the top six compete after 3.30pm. Liam added: ‘I was out in the United States in April teaching in Connecticut. ‘In my spare time, I put a lot of work into my marching and discipline (MandD) with the help of Billy Jordan, Scottish Power’s drum major. ‘This made a big difference because I came first MandD in the final for the first time ever in the adults. I was in the second heat of the final and thought I had to go for it after the quality in the first heat.’ Following a seven-hour drive back on Sunday, Liam and family celebrated the win at the Ardshiel. Liam will head to Dumbarton for the Scottish in the last weekend in July followed by the worlds in August. Liam added: ‘I am a wee bit overwhelmed and would like to thank everyone for the well wishes – it means a lot.’