Southside pipers head to Cowal
THERE will be pipes, drums and tartan galore at Dunoon until Saturday as bands descend on the annual Cowal Highland Gathering.
Begun in 1894, the now three-day event is one of the world's largest Highland gatherings.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will be playing in the ceilidh tent on Saturday.
Piper Stuart Cassells (30) told The Extra: "We played the tent last year at the top field, and were front page of the programme.
"We're doing it again this year and it's going to be even bigger and better – it's always a great crowd.
"There are always a lot of good bands and some of the guys in our band have experience as traditional bagpipers and drummers so we've been coming to Cowal since we were wee boys".
The Chillis will be on stage about 4pm, and be supported by several bands, including Skerryvore.
Grade 3A Williamwood pipe band was victorious at the recent world piping championships in Glasgow where it scooped second place in that category.
The grade 4A band finished a commendable 10th and was the highest-ranking Scottish band in its tier of the competition.
Now both will also be competing again at Dunoon, confirmed drummer Grant McDowell.
He told The Extra: "We're really looking forward to competing. It is all pretty exciting for us as the grade 3A band is top of the champion of champions table, with Cowal to spare".
Stamperland pipe band will also be there said its pipe major Iain Fulton, adding: "This is our third season competing".
He told The Extra: "We enjoyed a lot of success last year and were promoted to grade 4A. So this is our first season in 4A and we are enjoying the challenges this brings.
"This year we have performed well and have been successful in minor contests – most recently gaining first place in the grade 4 contest at Rothesay last weekend.
"We are looking forward to Cowal and are again aiming to qualify for the grade 4A final".
Saturday's band championships apart, the Gathering is also home to the world highland dancing championship, heavy athletics and traditional wrestling.
There are also solo piping and schools athletics competitions tomorrow (Friday).
And this year's gathering sees first-time introduction of a children's entertainment tent featuring clowns, magicians, Punch and Judy shows and face painters.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Glasgow
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North west
