Anyway, well done! 
Kintyre Schools Novice Juvenile Pipe Band have been named West of Scotland
Champion of Champions Pipe Band for 2005.
At a ceremony at The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association's Headquarters in
Glasgow on Sunday 4th December, the Band's Pipe Sergeant Kevin MacIntyre and
Leading Drummer Gary McMillan were honoured to receive the Peter J. Shaw
Memorial Rosebowl from Mr Matthew Connell, President of the Association's
Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch.
Afterwards, Pipe Sergeant MacIntyre said, "This rounds off a great year for
the band. We're delighted to be declared the leading band in the West of
Scotland. Kintyre Schools even managed to sneak in ahead of the Grade 1
World Champions, the tremendous House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead band.
Both Gary McMillan and myself along with a host of others have now been
promoted to Kintyre Schools Juvenile Grade Band, and we're all looking
forward to an even bigger challenge in 2006".
The previous evening, Saturday 3rd December, while the rest of the Band was
busy playing for the troops at the Tartan Army's dance in Campbeltown's
Victoria Hall, Kevin and Gary represented Kintyre Schools at the Queen's
Hall in Edinburgh at the glitsy Scottish Traditional Music Awards. Kintyre
were nominated in the Best Pipe Band Category along with House of Edgar
Shotts & Dykehead, George Watson's College and the Scottish National Youth
Pipe Band. The result was a closely guarded secret and tensions mounted in
the Hall as the nominees were read out. This time, though, the honour went
to House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead. In his acceptance speech their Pipe
Major Robert Mathieson neverthe less paid tribute to the efforts of the
three school and youth nominated bands, and their tutors, who have managed
to take juvenile piping in Scotland to new heights.
Leading Drummer Gary McMillan said, "I'm disappointed, but also a bit
relieved. I was having kittens at the thought of having to do an acceptance
speech in front of so many famous people. But, it's been a great experience
and I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who voted for us."
Kintyre Schools Pipe Bands final performance in 2005 will be at the
Campbeltown Grammar School Concert on Thursday evening 15th December.
Photo 1 below shows the two Kintyre Schools Representatives receiving the
trophy, left to right:- Gary McMillan, Matthew Connell and Kevin MacIntyre.
Photo 2 shows the whole Kintyre Schools Novice Juvenile Band, along with
Pipe Major John Brown with the rest of their trophies from 2005. These
prizes include the British, European and World Championships.
Photo 2 shows the KSPB Novice Band performing at the the local Tartan Army's Charity Dance on Sat 3rd December 2005
