The Argyllshire Gathering Piping Trust was constituted as a charitable trust (Scottish Charity # SCO 12513) on 16th May 1979. The general object declared in the Trust Deed is ‘to advance the education of the public in the art of the Highland Bagpipe and of Scottish Dancing and Folk Music’.

Whilst the Trust Deed allows for the interpretation of the general object above in diverse ways, it provides for 8 specific purposes which can be summarised as follows;

For Highland Bagpipers, Scottish Folk Musicians and Dancers

To award prizes at competitions and Highland Games in Great Britain
To promote teaching or learning through prizes, bursaries, scholarships or exhibitions
To provide premises, instruments, equipment, amenities or services connected with teaching or learning
To assist charitable clubs, societies, associations or institutions with similar objects
To promote and finance competitions
and in addition -
To found or provide a School of Highland Bagpiping in Oban or elsewhere
To contribute to charitable Scottish Regimental Funds for the provision or upkeep of a Regimental Pipe Band
To take other lawful action for promotion of The Argyllshire Gathering.

Management

Responsibility for determining and managing the activities lies with the Stewards of The Argyllshire Gathering and the Trustees who are together responsible for ensuring financial integrity and compliance with the terms of the Trust Deed.

The Trustees are:
Hugh Nickerson (Chairman)
Torquhil, Duke of Argyll
Angus Nicol
Bruno Schroder
Ian Tegner CA

The Secretary is Rosemary Young
The Treasurer is Jean Ainsley CA.

Activities during 2007

1. The Piping Trust, under the auspices of the Argyllshire Gathering, organises each year, as a major part of the Oban Games, one of the two pre-eminent international Highland Bagpipe competitions for individual players. In 2007, 108 competitors took part, from 10 countries. The Gold medal was won by Richard Hawke from New Zealand. The Senior Piobaireachd competition, open only to previous winners of the Gold Medal was won by Pipe major Gordon Walker from Scotland. The Silver medal was won by James Beaumont. The Macgregor Memorial Piobaireachd competition (organised by the Highland Society of London) for players under 22 was won by Faye Henderson. The Duke’s medal for competitors from Argyll under 16 was won by Laura MacMillan.

The Trust also supports each year the Highland Dancing competitions at the Oban Games, comprising competitions for under 12 years, under16 years, and adults. In 2007 some 60 dancers competed. The Challenge Cup for the best overall dancer was won by Steven Macrae from Washington, and the William MacLennan Cup for the best local by Adele Askew..

2. In 1996 the Trust entered into an agreement with Argyll and Bute Council to support the teaching of The Highland Bagpipe in Argyll primary schools. Since then tuition has expanded greatly, and during 2007 tuition has been provided in 47 schools across the county. Of these 19 schools were directly supported by the Trust at a cost of £12,872. During the year further sponsors have been identified and from September 2007 the scheme has been extended to cover Knapdale and parts of North Argyll. The fruits of this scheme are now clearly demonstrated in both the development of junior pipe bands and in the increase in numbers of local juniors competing at the Oban Games.

3. Through the Fund set up in memory of the late Ian, Duke of Argyll, the Trust provides discretionary bursaries for promising young Argyll pipers. This fund is invested to provide a stream of income from which annual grants are made as a contribution towards tuition, equipment and travel.

Funding in 2007

The activities of the Trust are funded from Charitable donations from the Gathering and its membership, from entrance fees for competitions, and from sponsorship. The Trustees are deeply grateful to the following who, amongst many others, have provided generous support during the last year:

Schroder Charitable Trust
The P.F. Charitable Trust (Fleming)
The Highland Society of London
Angus Nicol
Wm Grant & Son Ltd
The Mactaggart Trust
The Piobairachd Society

Hugh Nickerson
Chairman of the Trustees
01747 861617