Kintyre Schools pipers step out on sponsored march

The band played an ever-changing selection of tunes over two and a half hours, rounding off with that perennial favourite The Hills of Argyll. 

Band members excelled themselves by managing to keep their pipes in tune and their feet dry, and no-one complained that their drum was too heavy.

Following the march, burgers and refreshments were served at Machrihanish Village Hall where the band finished off the afternoon with a few rousing sets of tunes.

Kintyre Pipe Band Association president Ian McKerral congratulated all involved in sticking to the task.

“It was pretty warm out there but the on-shore breeze was just perfect,” he said. “What a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the great outdoors with some fine music thrown in. 

“The band’s coffers will get a good boost once sponsor money comes in. 

“I’d like to thank West Coast Motors, Argyll Bakeries, Campbeltown Bowling Club and Machrihanish Village Hall for their support with the march.”

Kintyre Schools Pipe Band will now be taking a short break for the next fortnight. The band will then be practising hard over the summer for the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton on July 27, the European Championships at Perth on August 11 and the World Championships in Glasgow on August 17. 

Locally, KSPB will be appearing at Southend Highland Games on July 20, Kintyre Agricultural Show on August 2 and the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival from August 22 to 25. 

Band members were disappointed that their recent planned visit to Carradale had to be called off owing to bad weather. They now hope to fit in a Carradale performance at some point in the second half of August.