Argyllshire gathering 2017

NEWS, RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM THE ARGYLLSHIRE GATHERING OBAN GAMES 2017

CANADA, Crieff and Kent rose to the top of this year’s Argyllshire Gathering, write Sandy Neil and David McPhee.

On Wednesday electrical engineer Craig Sutherland from Crieff won the Gold Medal, which attracted 29 competitors, and the senior piobaireachd, which drew 19 entrants. A 20-year-old Glasgow University student, Cameron Macdougall, of Nigg, Ross-shire, beat 26 other pipers to win the Silver Medal. ‘It was a surprise because of the calibre,’ he said.

Then, on Thursday, financial adviser Alex Gandy from Nova Scotia won the A March and A Strathspey and Reel, filling the shoes of his father, top piper Bruce Gandy.Piping steward Torquil Telfer said playing the piobaireachd was ‘quite a feat’ to remember the tunes. ‘You are playing a tune without a manuscript. You are only told what you are going to play 30 minutes before, and you cannot refer to your notes.’

‘The quality of the piping is going up and up,’ said games steward Matthew Anderson. There was also a good entry of dancers, particularly from Canada. Dancing steward Sherryl Peter said entries from the US, New Zealand and Australia also joined those from Oban, Islay and Campbeltown, totalling 47 in all. The MacArthur School of Dance from Cape Breton alone furnished 19 dancers. ‘It is part of every Highland dancer’s dream to dance in Scotland,’ director Kelly MacArthur said.

The athletic competitions were hailed a success, especially in the junior events. Aidan MacPhee, 15, competed in the junior high jump event and cleared 170cm to win it. The Oban boy matched his earlier height in the open high jump, and came second overall - losing out only to Tony Daffrun from Coatbridge, who cleared a height of 175cm.

The overall winner of the heavyweight events went to Scott Ryder from Kent.

Speaking about his victory in Oban, Scott said: ‘It was a tough field. I was never out of it and made no mistakes – that’s the key to winning the overall. It’s one of the best games of the year. I always look forward to coming here.’

Brian Robin, the heavyweight judge, said numbers were down this year, but that it was ‘quality over quantity’. He said: ‘We have the crème de la crème here – the world champion and the Scottish champion.’ The fall in competitors was due to injuries, he explained.

Praising the ‘great community spirit’, and hearing ‘some of the best piping in the world’, the Duke of Argyll said: ‘It is something we should be very proud of, the fact that it takes place in Oban.’ More photos and video online at www.obantimes.co.uk

16_t34_ObanGames01 The parade sets off from Station Square to make its way to Mossfield for the games to begin.

16_t34_ObanGames13 Oban High School Pipe Band takes centre stage.

Picture: ArgylllUAVs A bird’s eye view of the parade leaving Argyll Square.

16_t34_ObanGames09 Aidan MacPhee, 15, from Oban, was the winner of the youth and local high jump, and finished second in the open category.

16_t34_ObanGames05 Oban’s Murdo Masterson gives it his all as he competes in the light stone event.

Pic: Kayley Cornelius/ 16_T35_Argyllshire Gathering_08 Highland dancers concentrate as they perform their routines.

16_t34_ObanGames10 The Argyllshire Gathering hill race gets under way, before the runners returned exhausted and covered in mud.

16_t34_ObanGames26 Lorne Colhart from Lismore competes in the caber.

16_T35_Argyllshire Gathering_17 Andrew Campbell- Gray finishes the hill race.

16_t34_ObanGames17 Scott Ryder from Kent in the 28lb weight for distance.

Picture: Kevin McGlynn Lukas Wenta puts the light stone.

16_t34_ObanGames21 Announcer C Dunbar takes time to enjoy an ice-cream.

16_T35_Argyllshire Gathering_11 The Duke of Argyll takes the salute from Angus MacColl and Oban High School Pipe Band.