Kintyre dancers and pipers wow the crowds at Cowal

Kintyre was well represented by Highland dancers and pipers at last week's Cowal Gathering.

 

"attachment_1016260" "aligncenter" "300"] Pipers Rio Arkell and Arran Brown with their trophies won at Cowal Gathering.

 

Thousands of people from across the world gathered in Dunoon for the most revered event in Scotland's Highland Games calendar last Thursday to Saturday.

 

Crowds watched as more than a thousand competitors fought to secure some Cowal silverware across many dancing, piping and heavy athletic events.

 

Despite the fierce competition, 15 members of James McCorkindale's School of Dancing took home trophies.

 

They were: Cara McKinven, winner of the Corrigall Black Trophy for first place in beginners seven years of age; Maia Malai, winner of the Christina Cairns Trophy for first place beginners eight years of age; Emma Ramsay, winner of the Clan Forsyth Shield for runner-up in beginners eight years of age; Esmie MacLean, winner of the Esplanade Hotel Trophy for first place in beginners nine and 10 years; Niamh McSporran, winner of the Auchamore Shield for runner-up in novice 11 years and under; Amelie McTaggart, winner of the James McCorkindale Trophy for first place in novice 12 years and under; Abigail McAllister, winner of the Gerald and Mary Simmons Memorial Trophy for first place in intermediate 15 years and under; Emma Johnston, winner of the Rita Ford Challenge Trophy for runner-up in the Argyll Championship 11 years and under; Taylor McMillan, winner of the DA Martin Memorial Cup for first place in the Argyll Championship 12 and 13 years; Rona McLean, winner of the Claire Wilson School of Dance Cup for third place the Argyll Championship 12 and 13 years; Kayla Grumoli, winner of the Morven Murphy Cup for fourth place in the Argyll Championship 12 and 13 years; Sophie Galbraith, winner of the Sylvia Morrison Cup for fifth place in the Argyll Championship 12 and 13 years; Ellie Gorman, winner of the Bute Cup for sixth place in the Argyll Championship 12 and 13 years; Linzi Cameron, winner of the Islay Trophy for first place in the Argyll Championship adult section; and Korri McMillan, winner of the Isobel St John Trophy for first place in the 12 years Scottish Open Championship.

 

"attachment_1016269" "aligncenter" "300"] Christine Lacey MBE, chairperson of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, presenting the Scottish Open Championship trophy to Korri McMillan.

 

Pipers Arran Brown and Rio Arkell of Kintyre Schools Pipe Band brought home their own prizes after competing last Friday.

 

Arran was awarded the winner's trophy for placing first in the local 15 and under march, with Rio receiving the runner-up trophy for placing second in the same competition.

 

Arran also finished second in the the local 15 and under Strathspey and reel, fifth in the open 17 and under medley and sixth in the open 17 and under piobaireachd, while Rio placed third in the local 15 and under Strathspey and reel.

 

The boys, both aged 14, were also in action at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban last Thursday, where Arran placed first in the Duke's Medal Competition, receiving his gold medal from the Gathering's president, the current Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Campbell.

 

"attachment_1016272" "aligncenter" "300"] Arran Brown receiving his gold medal from Torquhil Campbell, the Duke of Argyll, after winning the Duke's Medal Competition at the Argyllshire Gathering.

 

Playing in the adult local section, Arran also placed third in the march and first in the Strathspey and reel.

 

Rio, who was runner-up in the Duke's Medal Competition and received the silver medal, also played in the adult local section and finished fourth in the march and fourth in the Strathspey and reel.

 

"attachment_1017238" "aligncenter" "300"] Rio Arkell with his silver medal from the Argyllshire Gathering.

 

Both boys, who receive tuition at Campbeltown Grammar School from Fiona Mitchell, pipe major of the Kintyre Schools Pipe band, played outstandingly in tough weather conditions.