History, Constitution and Objectives

The Argyllshire Gathering Piping Trust was constituted as a charitable trust (Scottish Charity # SCO 12513) on 16th May 1979 with an initial sum of £100 raised from the general funds of The Argyllshire Gathering. The name of the Charity was changed to The Argyll Piping Trust with effect from 1st January 2009. . 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

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

Trustees

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.

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.

Activities during 2009

1. Piping Competitions

The Piping Trust, in conjunction with The Argyllshire Gathering, organises each year, as a principal part of the Oban Games, one of the two pre-eminent international Highland Bagpipe competitions for solo pipers. In 2009, there were 106 competitors, from 10 countries, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Canada, U.S.A, New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland, and Brittany.

The Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal for Piobaireachd was won by Alastair Dunn from Ireland, who played The Lament for the Viscount of Dundee. The Senior Piobaireachd competition, open only to previous winners of the Gold Medal, was won by Angus MacColl (for the fourth time) from Benderloch with Mrs MacLeod of Talisker’s Salute. The Silver medal was won by Cameron Drummond, with The Gathering of Clan Chattan. The Macgregor Memorial Piobaireachd competition (which takes place at the Gathering, but is run for the Highland Society of London) is for players under 22. Each competitor has to play two tunes. The MacGregor was won by Craig Sutherland from Crieff, with The MacDougalls’ Gathering and Scarce of Fishing.
The March, Strathspey and Reel competition for former winners was won by James Murray. Prize-winners in the March, Strathspey and Reel competitions at the Oban Games were Glenn Brown from the USA, Alastair Lee from Canada, Niall Stewart, and Willie MacIntyre. Laura McMillan from Inveraray won both the March and the Strathspey and Reel in the Local competitions, and The President’s Medal for competitors from Argyll under 16 was won by Angus MacColl (junior).

2. Dancing Competitions

The Trust also sponsors each year the Highland Dancing competitions at the Oban Games, comprising 22 competitions for competitors under 12 years, under 16 years, and over 16. In 2009 47 dancers competed, substantially lower than in 2008 due to the impact of the credit crunch on overseas entries from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Challenge Cup for the best overall dancer was won by Alexandra Saragossi from Australia. The William MacLennan Cup for the best dancer from Argyll, presented in memory of a distinguished family of dancers and pipers, was awarded to Jade McEwan from Oban. The Trustees are most grateful to Sheryl Peter for her organisation of these competitions.

3. Piping Tuition in Argyll Primary Schools

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 scheme has expanded greatly, and during 2009 the Trust has supported provision in 16 primary schools at a cost of £21, 984. In excess of 100 pupils received tuition during the year. There are now three tutors, all of whom are pipers of world class. The Trustees are working with the Council to find ways of further extending tuition to those parts of the County where it is currently not available. The fruits of this scheme are now clearly demonstrated both in the development of junior pipe bands in the County and in the increase in numbers of local juniors competing with success at the Oban Games and elsewhere. We are deeply grateful to the four sponsors (listed below) who make this tuition possible.

4. Bursaries for Young Argyll Pipers

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 may be made as a contribution towards tuition, equipment and travel. The Bursary in 2009 was awarded to Angus J. MacColl.

Funding in 2009

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

Hugh Nickerson
Chairman of the Trustees
12th February 2010