Music festival's return is pitch perfect

Festival committee member Karen Welch said the sight of the festival’s banner going up for all to see in Lochgilphead was heart lifting.

"When I saw the banner, my  heart lifted. It’s so lovely that the festival is back and it’s been good to see how some of the young people who took part five years ago are progressing mow. It also felt good to see first-timers this year."

One of those making a festival debut was 11-year-old Findlay Wright from Castlehill Primary School, Campbeltown. Findlay won the Vocal Solo for primary ages with his rendition of Down By The Salley Gardens.

"I felt proper nervous at first, I was shaking but I enjoyed it and want to do more competitions now," he said.

Campbeltown Grammar School’s 12-year-old Mica Amaut Nimmo took first prize in the Secondary 1-3 class for Vocal Solo, for singing A nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

Lochgilphead High School’s Rowan MacDonald won The Argyllshire Advertiser Quaich with Colours of The Wind in the own choice section of Vocal Solo for Secondary 4-6 classes.

Rowan reappeared on stage with Eilidh Flanagan and the pair were awarded The Lochgilphead Rotary Club Trophy for their duet of For Good, from the hit musical Wicked.

The church venue in Lochgilphead was packed for the primary school’s action songs competition on the Friday morning. Lucky for adjudicator Andy MacTaggart this section was non-competitive so that made his task easier.

"I would’ve had to give out five gold medals because you are all winners," he told the children, who raised lots of smiles and chuckles with their performances that included the ever-catchy and popular Spring Chicken and Dem Bones songs.

Mr MacTaggart said it was an honour to be at the festival, adding the organisers’ clockwork operation was as impressive as all the performances.

Mr MacTaggart’s own accolades include teaching vocal studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he also regularly appears with Scottish Opera, performing and conducting workshops.

"Mid Argyll clearly has lots of talent. It has been an absolute joy to be here, especially at the first festival back since Covid. The efforts put into the weekend’s smooth operation also says lots about the organisers’ talents.

"I hope many of the little ones performing the action songs will go on to take part in the bigger girls and boys’ classes in the future," he said.

Praise and thanks was also given to other adjudicator Chris Mitchell as well as all the accompanists, performers, venues, volunteers, carers, families and teachers who helped make the festival possible.

Looking to the 2026 festival, organisers are running a competition to find a new logo and are keen to build on support from more sponsors and supporters.

Thanks was also given to Ardrishaig Community Trust and to the Mid Argyll and Kintyre Area Committee which awarded the festival grant funding.

A special mention also went to former  festival committee chairman Martin Gorringe for all his hard work over many years.

The festival was started in 1980 by the late Sheila McCallum and the committee was pleased to be able to honour her memory with the return of the event this year.