\McLaren High
Mod success Piper Catriona Norman (S3) competed at the recent National Mod in Dunoon. her report follows: On October 13, I competed at the Royal National Mod in Dunoon in the under 15 solo piping competition playing a March Strathspey and Reel. There were competitors from Campbeltown Grammar School, Lochaber High School, Dollar Academy, Lochgilphead Schools, Oban High School, the Glasgow Gaelic School, Sgoil Lionacleit and many more. I was very pleased to finish second and with another year in the under 15 age category I hope to compete again next year aiming for first. Due to weather conditions my tutor could not make it do Dunoon, however I was lucky enough to have Jonathon Greenlees’ help with the final tuning before I competed. Jonathon plays with Field Marshal and Montgomery Pipe Band in Grade 1 and was competing in the adult solo piping events. After competing I listened to the adult solo piping events, of which many of the competitors are world champion pipers. I enjoy competing and will definitely continue to compete in solo competitions across the country in future years. Fundraising ceilidh The annual Duke of Edinburgh ceilidh took place on Friday, November 9 and was well attended by pupils who enjoyed a great night of ceilidh dancing with the dance floor full all night. The evening made an amazing £1438.50 for the group. Thanks to everyone who came along, to the DofE committee for organising, the parent volunteers who came along to help, The Ian Milligan Trio for ceilidh music and the S6 girls who stepped in at the last minute to provide interval music. Knitting and Crochet Group The group created Remembrance Poppies which were stapled on to a board made by Mr Anderson from Technical to form a special 100th anniversary commemoration figure. The leftover poppies had safety pins attached to the back and were sold to raise funds for Poppy Scotland. The group is growing in numbers and we would be happy to accept any spare yarn, needles or crochet hooks that need a new home. They are currently working on small gifts for Christmas and hope to do some other charitable knitting or crochet in the future.