‘Great strength’ of piping in Argyll
THE Argyllshire Gathering Oban Games recently played host to one of Scotland’s premier solo piping competitions on behalf of the Argyll Piping Trust.
The Argyll Piping Trust (APT) was set up in 1979 by the Argyllshire Gathering to encourage and develop piping throughout the county.
Jamie Mellor, piping convener, said: ‘ Since then the trust has led the way in restoring piping across Argyll to the position of great strength it enjoys today.
‘The APT is proud to have encouraged piping from the ground with the help of their excellent tutors, Stuart Liddell of Inverary, Angus MacColl of Oban and Nigel Morris of Islay.
‘As a direct result of the APT primary schools tuition scheme, the quality of pipers coming through is of the highest level and has benefited county-based pipe bands which are now amongst the best bands in the world.
‘In addition to part-funding the piping tuition in primary schools, the APT arranges other competitions with Argyll Schools, provides bursaries to up-and- coming pipers and lends sets of pipes to pupils to enable learning.’
Mr Mellor added: ‘Since 1996, by funding 50 per cent of the total cost, the trust has acted as the largest independent supporter of Argyll and Bute council in delivering free piping tuition to its primary schools.
‘ We have an ever-increasing need for sponsorship to sustain our current activities and to increase our support of Piping in Argyll in direct response to the obvious demand for excellence.
‘If you think you can help we are keen to hear from you, so please register your interest by contacting our chairman Hugh Nickerson on hugh@conundrum.co.uk’