ISLAY PIPE BAND NEWSDECEMBER 2011 ''Tis the season to be jolly'........ The festive season has got off to a fantastic start with some very welcome news: Islay Pipe Band are delighted to announce that we have secured new sponsorship for the next 3 years. Kilchoman Distillery have kindly stepped in to help support the band just as it was looking as if we would enter 2012 with no sponsor. The bands first major gig under Kilchoman will be in March, at the Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow for the 150th Centenary Islay Gathering. With so many famous Islay pipers coming from between Conisby and Ardnave, an area which stretches right across Kilchoman, perhaps it is fitting that 'Kilchoman' will be the new name on the Islay Pipe Band bass drum. The band would like to thank Anthony and Kathy Wills at Kilchoman Distillery for their support, not only now but also in the past, when we received a very generous donation from them following the auction of the very first bottle of Kilchoman. And so we end 2011 on a positive note .....it's been an eventful year which seen us crowned Grade 3A European Champions and now thanks to Kilchoman, we can look forward to the coming year and the challenges it will no doubt bring. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way and take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! SEPTEMBER 2011
After going through the 2011 season with no official sponsorship, Islay Pipe Band are seeking a new sponsor for 2012. The Mactaggart Third Fund and the Schroder Foundation continue to support the band in a big way and we are eternally grateful to them for their extra financial support following the loss of our previous sponsor. However although their support originally compensated for the blow, this could not go on indefinately. Therefore if there is anyone out there who would like to realise the huge advertising potential generated by the high profile of the band both in Britain and abroad, please phone Andrew on 01496 850271 or email him: am245@btinternet.com Other News: On Saturday 22nd October our lead drummer Sandy Maclean competed at the World Solo Drumming Championships in Glasgow. Even though an uncharacteristic attack of nerves resulted in him not playing as well as he knows he can, Sandy really enjoyed his first attempt at solo drumming. He finished in joint last place in his group, which is no disgrace given that, bar one, all the other competitors in his qualifier were Grade 1 drummers from such prestigious bands as Simon Fraser University, Shotts and Dykehead and St Laurence O'Toole! Despite feeling like a minnow among sharks, Sandy felt he gained valuable experience and inspiration from the day and plans to give the solos another 'bash' next year. (Sandy
would like to thank pipers Rab and Davie from the Glasgow Skye Pipe
Band for accompanying him at the competition - it was much
appreciated!)
CLICK HERE TO WATCH SANDY AT THE WORLD SOLO DRUMMING AUGUST 2011
COWAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The band travelled to the Cowal Games on Saturday 27th August to compete in their last competition of the season. We were to play our March, Strathspey and Reel this time and the band performed well, ending up fifth overall and finishing 3rd in the Champion of Championships table. The piping marks were disappointing and our poorest of the year with a 7th and 8th but the drumming finshed 5th and ensemble 3rd. So well done to the drummers, you got us on the prizelist!
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS   The band travelled to compete at the World Championships at Glasgow Green on Saturday the 13th of August, and despite a dodgy forecast, it turned into a beautiful day. We played at 12.30pm in the qualifying rounds and though we felt we didn't perform as well as we know we can, we made it through to the final in 4th place. (The top 6 from the two qualifying rounds are put through, making it a final of 12 bands) We went on at 4pm in the final and after playing really well, were hopeful of being amongst the prizewinners. After the marchpast, came the prizegiving and we were awarded 4th place. We got top piping marks in the final, a 1st and a 2nd, and so in effect, we are the Grade 3A World Champion Pipe Corps! The other marks were 5th for ensemble and 1oth for drumming. It was a disappointing result for the drum corps who felt the placing didn't reflect their performance on the day. They thought they had improved on their Europeans performance in Ireland where they won 1st place! Saturday, 20th August sees us head to the Cowal Games for our last competition of the season. It's the 'March, Strathspey and Reel' this time, which we last played way back in May at the Scottish Championships in Dumbarton. We finished 8th then, so we know we will need to work really hard if we're to get in the prizes this time... A huge thank you to Kilchoman Distillery who are sponsoring the bus to Cowal and to Iain Laurie for his generous donation to help cover accomodation costs on this trip. The whole band are very grateful for you support!! JULY 2011
THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS  On the 28th July, the pipe band left Islay to compete at the European Championships in Belfast. After a practice that evening in Glasgow, we caught the Seacat from Troon at 10am the following morning. We had a good practice in the late afternoon, then retired for dinner and a good nights sleep. We were up early for a hearty Irish breakfast before heading to Belfast, which was about an hours drive from our accomodation. While we were practising, Robert and Co put up the gazebo so our followers could sit and enjoy the rare sunshine! We were on second last at 12.40pm and we put in a strong performance. It was definately our best of the season and the Pipe Major was happy. For the rest of the afternoon we listened to other bands and enjoyed a few refreshments with our friends from Campbeltown and Inveraray who had their gazebo pitched right beside ours. The journey back to our digs seemed to last 5 minutes this time and we all enjoyed a great night. Thanks again to our hosts at the Gilgood Lodge for their hospitality and for the celebratory drinks which were waiting for us on our triumphant return. (thanks to Simon Moran also) We headed back to Scotland the following day and arrived back in Glasgow at 9pm. After what was a long and costly trip, we finally arrived home on Islay at 3pm on Monday afernoon and were welcomed on the pier with a banner which read "ISLAY PIPE BAND: EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!" Thanks guys and gals, it was much appreciated.The March Past and results were about 6pm and Islay Pipe Band were declared European Champions!!!! 1st in drumming, 2nd in ensemble and 2nd and 3rd for piping. I have never seen the band celebrate in such style - it was truly amazing and some of the band were in tears. Young Hannah Campbell has now made her way into the full band to join her pal Ciara and they took everything in their stride, as if we win majors every week!!!! (hehe, just kidding girls!) We now head for the World Championships on Saturday 13th August and hope to do well. Because of the amount of bands in our grade, we will have to qualify for the final, so we know we have a lot of work to do..... NB. I know I have asked this before, with little success I may add, but are there any businesses (local or otherwise) who would be willing to sponsor the bus to the Cowal Games for us. This is our last competition of the season and it would be a great help to our finances as our fundraising disco on the 6th August was very poorly attended. Please get in touch with Andrew (01496 850271) if you can help the band in any way. Cheers! LOCH LOMOND HIGHLAND GAMES
Islay Pipe Band travelled to Balloch on Saturday the 16th of July to compete in the Loch Lomond Highland Games. Despite a dodgy forecast, it turned into a lovely day. There weren't as many bands there as we'd hoped but it was still a good day out. Islay won grade 3 piping and drumming, and got 2nd place in grade 2. (It was a minor contest, so we were allowed to play in grade 2). We also played for the drum majors and down the street at the end, where we won £100 for 'most entertaining band in parade'. We came home with 3 lovely trophies and were well pleased. Next stop is Belfast on the 30th of July for the European Championships. We did not do well across the water last year, so we are hoping to get in the top 6 this time, though it won't be easy as there are a lot of good bands in grade 3A.......but we will do our best.  
JUNE 2011: BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Here's Andrew's report on the day's proceedings: Islay Pipe Band travelled to Annan on the 25th of June to
compete in the British Championships. It was a dull day but for once it wasn't raining and although the bus park was too soft for traffic, we still got parked close to the arena - all credit to the organisers for making this possible. It was our medley we were playing on Saturday and the whole band put in a good performance. We had quite a few supporters along with us: Duncan and Linda Currie, Catherine Johnston and Karl Savage to name but a few, adding to our numbers. Young Ciara MacMillan has made her way into the band and now plays in our bass section showing a maturity way beyond her years. Well done Ciara. When the results came out the band were placed 3rd overall, so well done
to all the troops! It was a happy bus which headed back to Glasgow, with a
few heroes getting off as it drew near the Islay Inn! Well done guys
for all your hard work - you deserved your party!!
MAY 2011  
THE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS Islay Pipe Band competed at the Scottish Championships in Dumbarton on the 21st May. The conditions were horrendous with rain and strong winds spoiling the day as a spectacle. This made the Pipe Majors job very challenging and in the end Nigel never played himself as his reed went just as we were about to go on. So we were without our esteemed leader for the first time I can remember and it felt very strange!! We played pretty well and had a very good sound. We ended up 8th and whilst disappointed, we also beat some very good bands. We got a 2nd and a 4th for piping which was encouraging. Oban won our grade, so congratulations to them for taking the championship to Argyll. Our next big event is the British Championships in Annan on the 25th June.
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PIPING AND DRUMMING TUITION IS HELD BETWEEN 7.00 PM AND 8.00 PM AT THE GAELIC COLLEGE,BOWMORE ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN COMING ALONG, PHONE NIGEL MORRIS (PIPING) (01496)300445 OR SANDY MACLEAN (DRUMMING) (01496)850534
VIDEO
EASTER CONCERT VIDEO: APRIL 2011 (2011 medley, jigs & hornpipes) Some of the highlights from the Concert. (Apologies if it's a bit shaky in places.......lack of practice - it's been a long time since Cowal!!!)
 ISLAY PIPE BAND CD 'AT LONG LAST' STILL AVAILABLE! 
LISTEN TO A COUPLE OF TUNES: 
ISLAY TUNE: 08 Islay Tune.mp3
AT LONG LAST: At Long Last.mp3
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