Cowal Highland Gathering 2009

The Cowal Highland Gathering, one of the largest Highland Gatherings in the world, takes place in Dunoon, Argyll on the last weekend in August each year. Since it began in 1894 the event has grown beyond all recognition and is home home to the world highland dancing championship, the cowal pipe band championship, heavy athletics, traditional wrestling, solo piping and schools athletics competitions. At the ceilidh tent this year amongst others were the red hot chilli pipers and skerryvore amongst others. I have to say the organisers got it totally wrong this year, the tent was by no means large enough, this caused much packing in and squashed people who couldnee move, all wanting (in vain) to see the pipers play, it was madness, we left. The Cowal Pipe Band Championship is of five majors in the piping season. No matter if it rained, as always, it was great to see all the bands and dancers, heavyweights etc on the field. It is always such an occassion when the bands line up at the end and then, march doon the road into town, thousands of people cheering along the route. Never been? why not? Come over in 2010 and see for yourself. The Heavy events, always a crowd pleaser, involved the audience around the stadium with cheers and cries of disappointment when the cabers were being tossed.  The Highland Dancing attracted the best once again and each year the bar is raised.  Congratulations to Robyn Hart-Winks. Morgan Bamford and David Wilton three World Champions for 2009.

The Peatbog Faeries  Based on the Isle of Skye, have become one of Scotlands best known names in contemporary folk music. They have taken their own individual brand of Scottish tunes to audiences around the world, from Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australia. Winner of the Scottish Traditional Music Awards ‘Live Band of the Year 2008’. They played  Friday and were brilliant, they and they had the crowd up and dancin. www.peatbog-faeries.com

So what of the Denny? Well I am pleased to say yet again the Grade 4 band performed very well, earning a superb 4th place and a trophy to take home. Well done to all band members from grade 4! Here they are above marching afterwards with Andy Grant; Drum Major to the Stars! Grade 2 band shown below, played better than their final position merited! Oh aye and couldnee leave without mentioning the girls from Corona, thanks for the t shirts girls! Dave and myself will wear em in the pub at home!

Pipe Band Results  Field Marshal Montgomery made it four titles from five in 2009 beating St. Laurence O’Toole by 2 points. FMM Pipe Major Richard Parkes is pictured below receiving the Argyll Shield. The band also took the Grade 1 Champion of Champions award.

Grade 1 Field Marshall Montgomery, St. Laurence O'Toole, House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead, Strathclyde Police, Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia. The Irish did very well yet again!

Grade 2 Inveraray and District.

Grade 3a Williamwood. Grade 3b Methil and District.

Grade 4a Letterkenny and District. Grade 4b Thiepval Memorial. Denny came a great 4th.

In the Adult Drum Majors Brian Wilson from Lomond and Clyde took the title beating Paula Braiden.  Liam Renton from Kintyre Schools took the Juvenile title whilst Lauren Abraham from Seven Towers won the Junior event.  DM Brian Wilson is pictured.

The Best Drum Corps in Grade 1 went to The House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead. Under the leadership of Jim Kilpatrick MBE the drum corps also won the Champion of Champions award. Grant Cassidy from the Shotts corps is pictured with the Alex Duthart Trophy.

AND - DENNY PLAYED COWAL!!! Straight from winning at Melrose, one the best Grade 2 Bands in Scotland, they also have a great Grade 4B and, both were there, in the rain, aye, it always rains for Cowal. No matter, great fun. Grade 4 won 4th prize!!!!! Thats them shown left with wee man carrying the prize and big man Andy carrying himself! Where did you get that weird tie Andy? See, his hands moved so fast I couldnee capture them on camera!