Pipe bands stand proud after early season outing

Two pipe bands from Mid Argyll were satisfied with their start to the new season after a solid showing at the Gourock Highland Games.

Inveraray and District PB won their grade one competition in Inverclyde on Saturday May 13, fending off competition from some traditional big-hitters.

The band’s Jim McMillan said: “We were very happy with our performance considering it was the first contest of the season.

“There was strong competition from Shotts and Dykehead, Boghall and Bathgate and Police Scotland.”

Mid Argyll Pipe Band finished fourth in their grade three competition as they got their new season underway.

A Mid Argyll PB spokesperson said: “The band were happy with their performances and overall placings on the day, especially as we have both a new pipe major and leading drumming in post.

“We are working hard to continuously improve and hope to see this in our performances as the season continues.”

Meanwhile, Argyll’s school pipe bands were the subject of a Scottish Parliament motion in the spring by Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto.

Ms Minto asked Holyrood MSPs to congratulate pupils from the Lochgilphead Joint Campus and Kintyre Schools for their success at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships after the Lochgilphead Joint Campus A Band was crowned champion band in the quartets, while its B Band placed fourth in the same section, and the Kintyre Schools Pipe Band placed fourth in the Novice A section, commending all involved behind the scenes in supporting the pupils, and wishing the bands the very best for continued success in the future.

The motion was backed by more than two dozen MSPs including Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron.