On Saturday 22nd October 2022, the Lochnell Intermediate Youth Championship brought together seven of Scotland’s finest Intermediate players: Ruairidh Brown (Dunblane), Andrew Ferguson (Dollar), Luke Kennedy (Strathaven), Gregor MacDonald (North Connel), Angus MacPhee (Inverness), Cameron May (Lesmahagow) and Brodie Watson-Massey (Edinburgh).
Pipers competed in two competitions during the day - Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR). Each piper had to submit four tunes of their own choice. They were given the tunes selected by the judges the evening before the contest.
Awards were given for each category, with a combined winner taking home the overall championship trophy. The Jimmy McIntosh MBE Memorial Trophy for Piobaireachd was presented by Mrs Joyce McIntosh who travelled from the United States to attend the championship, with Andrew Ferguson of Dollar taking home the honours. Ruaridh Brown from Dunblane was the winner of the MSR trophy, presented by Morag McCallum on behalf of McCallum Bagpipes and awarded in memory of her father Mr Willie McCallum Snr of Campbeltown – a man who dedicated his life to promoting piping in his native town and throughout wider Argyll.
Judging on the day was conducted by William McCallum, John Wilson and Derek Fraser. Fear an Tigh was Robert Wallace. Of the standard of piping shown, John Wilson said: “As judges we are often asked what it is that we look for in a recital. The answer is difficult to explain. Yes, we need to see technical accuracy, but we also need to feel that we are moved by the performance, by the interpretation of the music. The standard of today’s piping most assuredly achieved that.”
The overall winner of the 2022 championship and taking home the Lochnell Championship Cup was Ruaridh Brown, who was presented with the trophy by Lord Archie Cochrane, host and organiser of the day who commented: “It was brilliant to see the pipers return to Lochnell for the second year with an elevated standard and showcasing some outstanding technical skills to make the judges decision a very difficult one. Thankyou to everyone who supported this event contiso we can continue to grow this platform for these talented pipers.”
The full results of the Lochnell Championship 2022:
Piobaireachd
1 Andrew Ferguson, £120, MacLeod of Colbeck’s Lament
2 Gregor MacDonald, £80, Battle of the Pass of Crieff
3 Cameron May, £60, Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon
4 Ruairidh Brown, £40, Lachlan MacNeill Campbell of Kintarbet’s Fancy
MSR
1 Ruairidh Brown, £120, Allan Dodd’s Farewell to Scotland, Inveraray Castle, John Morrison of Assynt House
2 Angus MacPhee, £80, Colin Thomson, Kirstie McCalman’s Favourite, Broadford Bay
3 Brodie Watson-Massey, £60, Duchess of Edinburgh, Islay Ball, Traditional
4 Luke Kennedy, £40, Hugh Alexander Lowe of Tiree, Pipe Major Hector Maclean, The Cockerel and the Creel
The Champion received £200 prize money and the Royal Scottish Pipers Society Bronze Star, presented by the Honorary Pipe Major Dugald Macleod. "The Royal Scottish Pipers' Society congratulates all the competitors in the Lochnell Intermediate Youth Piping Championship 2022. They were a credit to themselves and to their teachers. We are happy to be associated with this event, organised by the Argyllshire Gathering Trust", the Hon. Pipe Major Dugald Macleod said of the occasion.
Mrs Joyce McIntosh added on the competition: “Long may it continue. Such a worthwhile endeavour to encourage the next generation, so there is always another ‘layer’ coming up. Sincere thanks for the many courtesies extended to me, and for the warm Highland welcome.”
The competition was held in the chapel in Lochnell Castle with the kind permission of the Earl of Dundonald and hosted by his son Lord Archie Cochrane.
Thankyou to our sponsors: the Piobaireachd Society, the Duncan Louis Stewart Foundation, Alik Campbell of Lochnell, Andrew Holman of Kilfinichen, the Royal Scottish Pipers Society and Jamie & Morag Mellor.
Thankyou to everyone in the community who has supported the event through our Just Giving page: Ardchattan Community Council, Deirdre Hornyold-Strickland, John Campbell, Beatrice Wallace, Roddy and Caroline Campbell, George Carnegie, Nick Swanson, Bill Garnock, Harry Swinton, Andrea Jones, Marilyn J Schneider, R+S D, Seumas and Catriona Mac a' Phì and Norman MacDonald.
Thankyou to the Argyllshire Gathering Trust: Torquil Telfer, Jamie Mellor, Archie Cochrane and Hattie Mellor for the event organisations. To our wonderful helpers from the Netherlorn Piping Society - Rosemary, Glynnis and Alastair. Thankyou to everyone from Lochnell Estate for the organisations and smooth running and catering on the day.
The Lochnell Championship is styled after the Glenfiddich Championship, creating an opportunity for young intermediate pipers to prepare for senior competitions. If you would like to hear more about the Argyllshire Gathering Trust’s plans to grow the Lochnell Championship or support offered through the Primary Schools Tuition Scheme, please contact us at argyllshiregatheringtrust@gmail.com.
We are very grateful for any financial support we receive – you can donate through this link Lochnell Intermediate Youth Piping Championship JustGiving page.
