See also: Latest News | Press Clippings | News 2007 | News 2006 | News 2005

Prefer to keep up-to-date with all the latest using RSS, then subscribe to our news feed.

8th June 2008 - Shotts adds to the seasons' silverware tally

Shotts Highland Games saw the return home of the Branch Championships after last years' one-off move to the Bute Highland Games as part of the Glasgow and West of Scotland branch 75th anniversary.  This gave both bands and our Drum Major Paul more chances to pick up some silverware as the branch contest - run in conjunction with the main contest - is restricted to branch members only.  Both bands played reasonably well on the day with this the first competitive outing of the March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR) for the grade 3 band, as well as their first attempt playing up in a grade 2 contest. Both bands finished in 5th place, just outside the prize list, but each collected a 4th prize in the confined branch contest.  Congratulations also to Paul for his first ever Drum Major prize, winning the 4th place in the branch contest!  To finish the day off on a high, the band were delighted, if not somewhat surprised, to collect the prize for Marching and Deportment (M&D)!

Grade 3 results: 1st - Clydebank, 2nd - Lanark and District, 3rd - City of St. Andrews, 4th - GSPC Milngavie.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Stamperland, 2nd - Dunoon Argyll, 3rd - Denny and Dunipace, 4th - Lanark and District. [Full Results ]

1st June 2008 - Bathgate sees all making good progress

Both bands and our Drum Major put in strong showings at the recent Bathgate Highland Games.  The grade 3 band had a difficult field with several of the more established grade 3 bands in attendance, but at the end of the day finished in a very respectable 5th place just outside of the prize list, beating some of these more established bands.  The grade 4 band also had their wok cut out with good competition and although finishing lower than they were hoping for, everyone was pleased with their performance.  Our Drum Major Paul also had a good day and particularly enjoyed participating in the unofficial "high-bar" contest whereby the drum majors each had to get their maces over a high bar whilst maintaining their marching under the bar - and catch it at the other side!

Grade 3 results: 1st - Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Juv, 2nd - George Watsons College Juv, 3rd - Lanark and District, 4th - City of Edinburgh.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Royal Burgh of Stirling, 2nd - Glencorse, 3rd - Denny and Dunipace, 4th - Kinross and District. [Full Results ]

25th May 2008 - Delight and disappointment at Dumbarton

Nerves could quite easily have got the better of us this week with this the first ever major championship for both the newly-formed grade 4 as well as our Drum Major Paul Edgar.  However, the band managed to hold things steady with a performance that saw the grade 4 band successfully qualify for the grade 4B final!  Even though not featuring in the prize list for the final, everyone was delighted at the progress the new band has made this year.

The grade 3 band also had a good run in the grade 3B contest - perhaps our strongest performance so far this year - but the good feeling soon turned to disappointment when we learned that we had finished the day in second last place.  However, with the next contest just a week away we will have to put the results behind us and come out fighting next time!

Grade 3B results: 1st - Cullenfad, 2nd - Raffrey, 3rd - Augharonan, 4th - The Pipes and Drums of Central Scotland Police, 5th - Turriff and District, 6th Troon Blackrock.

Grade 4B results: 1st - Stamperland, 2nd - Prestonpans RBL, 3rd - Burntisland and District, 4th - Stockbridge, 5th - Glen Mor, 6th - Dunoon Argyll. [Full Results ]

18th May 2008 - Kintyre sees first silverware of the season

The long journey to Campbeltown certainly paid off as both bands picked up a prize in their respective grades at the recent Mull of Kintyre Pipe Band Championships.  With the weather a good bit cooler than the previous weekend, it was more of a challenge to set a tone and get the fingers going, but both bands managed to pull off a good performance which was worthy of a prize.  Although not competing on the day, our Drum Major Paul Edgar was delighted to take the combined band down the main street after the march past to show off our first silverware of the season!

Grade 3 results: 1st - Inveraray and District Juv, 2nd - Kintyre Schools Juv, 3rd - East Kilbride, 4th - Troon Blackrock.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Black Bottle of Islay, 2nd - Kintyre Schools N/J, 3rd - East Kilbride, 4th - Clyde Valley. [Full Results ]

11th May 2008 - Feeling the heat at Gourock!

Gourock Highland Games kicked-off the 2008 outdoor contest season giving both bands a chance to air their sets and receive some critique prior to the first Major Championship in a few weeks time.  Unlike the rain that plagued the entire season last year, the contest was drenched in sunshine giving both bands the confidence to put out a great performance.  With around half of the members never having competed before, and this the bands first ever full band contest, nerves could have easily got the better of them, but other than a bad attack the performance was excellent and merited a 3rd in ensemble, finishing in 6th place overall out of a field of 11 bands.

Later in the afternoon the grade 3 started their preparation and the pressure was on to maintain the standard of performance set earlier by the grade 4 band.  With this being our first real attempt in our new grade, nerves did start to get the better of us with tempos starting to race and a slight loss of integration at times, but somehow on the contest park the band raised the bar and managed to improve on most of the issues experienced in the tuning park to put on a good first-time performance.  Both bands will now make the long journey up to Campbeltown next weekend for one last competitive outing prior to the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton later this month.

Grade 3 results: 1st - Clydebank and District, 2nd - The Pipes and Drums of Central Scotland Police, 3rd - Lanark and District, 4th - Williamwood.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Dunoon Argyll, 2nd - Stamperland, 3rd - Isle of Cumbrae RBLS, 4th - Lanark and District. [Full Results ]

27th April 2008 - Fundraising climb to the top of Ben Vrackie

Members from East Kilbride Pipe Band recently completed a fundraising climb to the 841m summit of Ben Vrackie, near Pitlochry.  Although the original plan was to climb Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran, due to the inclement weather on the day, the decision was made to head further afield in search of some better weather.

Conditions on the way up were fairly tough with light rain, gusty winds and low mist which meant that the view from the top was obscured much to our disappointment.  However, after having a bite to eat just below the summit, the clouds eventually parted and gave way to some spectacular views of Pitlochry and the surrounding area.  Thanks to all the band members who made the climb and also to all those who sponsored us.

20th April 2008 - Mixed results at season opener

With the outdoor season just around the corner, Peebles gave both bands a chance to out their sets for the first time this season at the recent Lothian and Borders Branch Mini Band contest.  The newly formed grade 4 band gave a good performance considering that several of the members had never competed before and finished a credible 12th place out of a large entry of 24 bands in the grade.  Unfortunately, due to a mix-up with the playing slot of the grade 3 band, we were not eligible to be formally judged and so were not placed in the competition although we did receive our contest sheets which suggested a very favourable performance - we will never know what could have been!

Grade 3 results: 1st - Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, 2nd - City of Edinburgh B, 3rd - Lanark & District, 4th - Central Scotland Police.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Stockbridge A, 2nd - Royal Burgh of Stirling A, 3rd - Glencorse B, 4th - Alyth & District. [Full Results ]

23rd March 2008 – Another successful ceilidh!

We would just like to say a big thank-you to everyone who supported our recent annual fundraising Ceilidh – music on the night was again provided by the Stuart McEwan Ceilidh Band.  The evening gave us a chance to showpiece both our newly promoted grade 3 band as well as our newly formed grade 4 band, and we were joined by some highland dancers.  Congratulations go to Mhairi NicAmhlaidh on picking up the most improved player award this year for all of her progress shown over the past 12 months!

Huge thanks must also be expressed yet again to Anne Thomson for organising the buffet and Derek Young for running the bar for us, as well as those band members who worked hard both before and on the night to help make this event so successful.  Given the high level of demand for tickets this year, the band are looking towards running an extra night next year – look out for more details nearer to next years event …

24th February 2008 - New Members and Grade 4 Personnel ...

We are delighted to welcome both some new as well as former players into the ranks of the band.  Snare drummer Stuart Campbell (Coalburn IOR) is joined by pipers Robert Cameron (Northern Constabulary) and Raymond McArthur (Newmains & District) who all join the grade 3 band.  Season 2008 also sees the return of snare drummer Dougie McKinlay along with piper Stewart Taylor who have both previously competed with the band.

The grade 4 band also have some new faces to welcome into the ranks.  Father-and-son George and Daniel Sinclair both join from Uddingston Strathaclyde along with drummers Helen Ligget, Megan Humphries and Ryan Low who are all eager to get competing for the first time this year!  Helping the grade 4 band will be newly appointed Pipe Sergeant Robert McDonald and Drum Sergeant Morven Bruce - everyone wishes both Robert and Morven all the very best in their new roles.

Finally we are delighted to welcome along Drum Major Paul Edgar who will be competing for the first time ever this year having being trained up by the renowned Drum Major Billy Jordan of Dumbarton & District.  Paul will be joining us on many of our parades this year as well as competing and representing the band at the competitions we attend.