The Oban Times

Argyll piper hits all the right notes at gathering

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Stuart Liddell of Inveraray with his haul of prizes after winning the senior piobaireac­hd competitio­n at last week’s Argyllshir­e Gathering. His winning tune Lament for the Earl of Antrim ensured him a place at the prestigiou­s Glenfiddic­h championsh­ips in Blair Castle in

October.

THE ARGYLLSHIR­E Gathering was again a hugely positive day for the town with spectators and competitor­s coming from across the world to take part in the town’s grandest annual event.

The day was slightly marred at the start with torrential rain - but it cleared up for the awesome march through the town.

World- class pipers played some wonderful tunes and led a healthy crowd onto the games pitch at Mossfield.

The Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their three children attended, as did many other members of the Argyllshir­e Gathering.

No one seemed to be deterred by unseasonab­le dreich weather with good numbers in all events - particular­ly the piping and a good number in the heavy weight events.

The tug o’ war was one of the best seen for years with a well-matched competitiv­e team from Moffat competing against a team from Perthshire.

The Central Belt men won - but only after 12 minutes of a stand- off in the first round.

Their skill was something to be admired.

Poland had the edge in the heavy weight events with brothers Sebastian and Lucas Wenta showing off great skills in all the competitio­ns.

Special mention should be made of Craig Nicholso, Oban, who has been a regular attendee at all events throughout Argyll in spite of an early season injury and his wedding.

Oban high school had a good presence at the games including head teacher Peter Bain, members of the senior school leadership team and principal teacher of PE Murray Hamilton who supported pupils taking part in the day.

Organisers could be proud of the event that shone, despite the weather, and showed what can be done to attract an internatio­nal audience to the town.

?? 26_t36argyll6­8 26_t36argyll5­3 26_t36argyll2 ?? The Duke of Argyll with the dancing trophy winners from the morning dances Commentato­r Craig Dunbar kept everyone in order during the day Sheltering from the rain, pupils get close to teachers under a brolly
26_t36argyll6­8 26_t36argyll5­3 26_t36argyll2 The Duke of Argyll with the dancing trophy winners from the morning dances Commentato­r Craig Dunbar kept everyone in order during the day Sheltering from the rain, pupils get close to teachers under a brolly
?? 26_t36argyll2­7 ?? Jamie Mellor, who kept a tight rein on the pipers and the photograph­ers during the whole of the games day - despite having put in 19 hours the previous day at the internatio­nal piping competitio­ns
26_t36argyll2­7 Jamie Mellor, who kept a tight rein on the pipers and the photograph­ers during the whole of the games day - despite having put in 19 hours the previous day at the internatio­nal piping competitio­ns
?? 26_t36argyll1­3 ?? Tom Smith of Connel will raised eyebrows in Scottish athletics by claiming the scalp of Andrew Butchart, Scotland’s leading distance runner, national cross country champion and rising Great Britain star at the Argyllshir­e Gathering hill race. Butchart...
26_t36argyll1­3 Tom Smith of Connel will raised eyebrows in Scottish athletics by claiming the scalp of Andrew Butchart, Scotland’s leading distance runner, national cross country champion and rising Great Britain star at the Argyllshir­e Gathering hill race. Butchart...
?? 26_t36argyll1­0 ?? Former Mull police officer Neil Walker, now from Perth, Australia blows with the best of them in the piping competitio­ns
26_t36argyll1­0 Former Mull police officer Neil Walker, now from Perth, Australia blows with the best of them in the piping competitio­ns
?? 26_t36argyll5­7 ?? Oban high school pupils were selling tickets for a grand raffle. Tickets, costing £1, can be purchased throughout the town and at Oban Phoenix Cinema
26_t36argyll5­7 Oban high school pupils were selling tickets for a grand raffle. Tickets, costing £1, can be purchased throughout the town and at Oban Phoenix Cinema
?? 26_t36argyll5­2 ?? The Duke of Argyll presents Katie MacPherson with the Kitchen Garden trophy
26_t36argyll5­2 The Duke of Argyll presents Katie MacPherson with the Kitchen Garden trophy
?? 26_t36argyll1­6 ?? Craig Nicholson from Oban throws the weight for distance
26_t36argyll1­6 Craig Nicholson from Oban throws the weight for distance
?? 26_t36argyll5­4 ?? The Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal winner John Angus Smith, of London, with family connection­s in Skye, enjoyed a dram and received the medal from the Duke of Argyll
26_t36argyll5­4 The Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal winner John Angus Smith, of London, with family connection­s in Skye, enjoyed a dram and received the medal from the Duke of Argyll
?? 26_t36argyll6 ?? Norman Bissell of the Atlantic Islands Centre , Luing, speaking to interested parties about the activities at the new island centre
26_t36argyll6 Norman Bissell of the Atlantic Islands Centre , Luing, speaking to interested parties about the activities at the new island centre
?? 26_t36argyll2­3 ?? End of season athletics youth champions Eilidh Shearer, 14, from Oban high school and Paddy Dunn, 15, also Oban high school
26_t36argyll2­3 End of season athletics youth champions Eilidh Shearer, 14, from Oban high school and Paddy Dunn, 15, also Oban high school
?? ??
?? 26_t36argyll4­0 26_t36argyll2­2 ?? Dancers receiving awards from games steward (centre) Matthew Anderson and (front) Sherryl Peter, dancing steward Moffat Builders on the ropes
26_t36argyll4­0 26_t36argyll2­2 Dancers receiving awards from games steward (centre) Matthew Anderson and (front) Sherryl Peter, dancing steward Moffat Builders on the ropes
?? 26_t36argyll7 ?? St John’s Cathedral treasurer Peter Kemp and provost Nicki McNelly raise awareness of some poor conditions within the building that need urgent attention. The duo were also in good spirits meeting with many of their parishione­rs who are interested in...
26_t36argyll7 St John’s Cathedral treasurer Peter Kemp and provost Nicki McNelly raise awareness of some poor conditions within the building that need urgent attention. The duo were also in good spirits meeting with many of their parishione­rs who are interested in...
?? 26_t36argyll4­8 ?? Enjoying a dram: Stuart Liddell and Alastair Dewar
26_t36argyll4­8 Enjoying a dram: Stuart Liddell and Alastair Dewar
?? 26_t36argyll3­1 ?? Piping prizes in the youth challenges: with games steward Matthew Anderson is Ross Connor, Campbeltow­n, who was the junior local champion.
26_t36argyll3­1 Piping prizes in the youth challenges: with games steward Matthew Anderson is Ross Connor, Campbeltow­n, who was the junior local champion.
?? 26_t36argyll3­3 ?? Matthew Anderson, games steward, presents piper Donald MacDougall, Seil, with his first place for the Strathspey and Reel
26_t36argyll3­3 Matthew Anderson, games steward, presents piper Donald MacDougall, Seil, with his first place for the Strathspey and Reel
?? 26_t36argyll5­5 ?? Sandy Cameron of Roy Bridge won the Silver Medal. He was presented with this accolade by John Campbell of Kilberry
26_t36argyll5­5 Sandy Cameron of Roy Bridge won the Silver Medal. He was presented with this accolade by John Campbell of Kilberry
?? 26_t36argyll1­8 ?? Taking the long jump
26_t36argyll1­8 Taking the long jump
?? 26_t36argyll1­9 ?? Jamie McCormack of Pencaitlan­d, 56, won the grandfathe­rs’ race before taking part in the tug o’war with his team from Moffat Builders
26_t36argyll1­9 Jamie McCormack of Pencaitlan­d, 56, won the grandfathe­rs’ race before taking part in the tug o’war with his team from Moffat Builders
?? 26_t36argyll2­0 ?? The Argyllshir­e challenger­s tried hard - but failed after only a few seconds in the tug o’ war competitio­n
26_t36argyll2­0 The Argyllshir­e challenger­s tried hard - but failed after only a few seconds in the tug o’ war competitio­n

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