One of the principal objectives of the Argyllshire Gathering
is to maintain the highest traditions of piping, work which
continues throughout the year. Our activity breaks down into
three areas – piping competitions during Games week,
a Schools Piping Initiative run under the auspices of the
Piping Trust and in conjunction with Argyll & Bute Council,
and occasional funding of additional piping events or activities
such as the MOD.
Piping Competitions
The competitions organised by the Argyllshire Gathering in
Oban are aligned with those run by the Northern Meeting later
in the year, since each competition has the privilege of presenting
a Gold Medal for piobaireachd on behalf of the Highland Society
of London.
Most competitions are run over two days with piobaireachd
(ceol mor or the great music) competitions taking place on
Wednesday
at the various locations within Oban town centre listed below
and the light music (ceol beag or the little music) competitions
taking place at Oban’s highland games on Mossfield
Park on Thursday. Piping is one of the highlights for Oban
as it is the finest line-up
of
pipers
from around
the
World
to
be heard at any highland games each summer.
Entry fees will be collected on the day when you register
for your first competition. Anyone failing to pay on
arrival will not be eligible to compete and even if they
have been
allowed to by the stewards on the day prior to payment,
may find themselves disqualified.
The playing order will be made available once all competitors
have submitted their tunes via the website, as this is
the check that allows me to see whether all those who
registered and were accepted still intend to compete.
| Wednesday |
|
|
| 9.30am |
Corran Hall - Main Hall |
Senior Piobaireachd |
| 9am |
Corran Hall -Theatre |
Gold Medal |
| 9.30am |
Regent & Great Western Hotels |
MacGregor Memorial Heats |
| 4pm |
Corran Hall - Main Hall |
Former Winners MSR
|
| 6.30pm |
Great Western Hotel |
Silver Medal Final |
| |
|
|
| Thursday |
|
Note Competitions
will commence after the March to the Field from
the Station.
|
| 11am |
Mossfield Park |
Local Competitions . Entries on the field. Registrations
will commence at 10.30am |
| |
Mossfield Park |
Junior Competitions - will follow on from Locals. Entries
on the field. Registrations will commence at 10.30am |
| 11am |
Mossfield Park |
Senior Competitions – Light Music |
Competitors
Competition entry is available to those who qualify and are
ruled as eligible to compete by the Joint Committee of the
Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting in the year of
competition, through the Competition Entry tab facility. News
in the build up to the Games is also available there.
Schools Piping Initiative
The Argyllshire Gathering operates a joint venture with Argyll
& Bute Council to provide the teaching of the bagpipes
in various primary schools within the County that would
not
otherwise receive any. Essentially this involves the funding
of a tutor and instruments. Currently the scheme operates
in 17 schools and teaches 167 pupils. The scheme is organised
through the Piping Trust and further details are available
through the tab facility.
Other Activity
The Argyllshire Gathering contributes to other piping and
dancing activities on an occasional basis where these activities
are designed to promote or teach elements of the rich diversity
of highland music or culture. For example a memorial bursary
was established in memory of the late 12th Duke of Argyll,
which funds additional tuition for the winner of the Junior
MSR competition at the Oban Games. Enquiries about such activity
should be made in writing to the Secretary of the Gathering.
Popular links to Piping websites
The
College of Piping
The
Piping Centre
The
Competing Pipers' Association
Lowland
and Border Pipers' Society
Royal Scottish
Pipe Band Association
Scottish
Traditional Music Trust
RSAMD
The
Piobaireachd Society
|