Ls pipers step out for funds
The sound of pipes and drums resounded across the beach as members of Kintyre Schools Pipe Band successfully completed a sponsored march from Westport to Machrihanish last Sunday.
A group of about 60 pipers, drummers, parents and friends got together in glorious sunshine to undertake the walk.
The challenge for the band was to march the five miles along the foreshore playing pipes and drums continuously, in relay, without interruption. Successful completion was assessed and confirmed by an independent panel of experts.
The band played an ever-changing selection of tunes over two and a half hours, rounding off with that perennial favourite The Hills of Argyll.
Band members excelled themselves by managing to keep their pipes in tune and their feet dry, and no-one complained that their drum was too heavy.
Following the march, burgers and refreshments were served at Machrihanish Village Hall where the band finished off the afternoon with a few rousing sets of tunes.
Kintyre Pipe Band Association president Ian McKerral congratulated all involved in sticking to the task.
“It was pretty warm out there but the on-shore breeze was just perfect,” he said. “What a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the great outdoors with some fine music thrown in.
“The band’s coffers will get a good boost once sponsor money comes in.
“I’d like to thank West Coast Motors, Argyll Bakeries, Campbeltown Bowling Club and Machrihanish Village Hall for their support with the march.”
Kintyre Schools Pipe Band will now be taking a short break for the next fortnight. The band will then be practising hard over the summer for the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton on Saturday July 27, the
European Championships at Perth on Sunday August 11 and the World Championships in Glasgow on Saturday August 17.
Locally, KSPB will be appearing at Southend Highland
Games on Saturday July 20, Kintyre Agricultural Show on Friday August 2 and the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival from Thursday August 22 to Sunday August 25.
Band members were disappointed that their recent planned visit to Carradale had to be called off owing to bad weather. They now hope to fit in a Carradale performance at some point in the second half of August.