Shotts junior contest inspires tomorrow’s champions

Shotts, Scotland – November 7, 2015 – The Shotts & Dykehead Junior Piping & Drumming Championship grew in its second year, as the event at Calderhead High School attracted strong entries in all areas. The contest has quickly emerged as one of the top events for juvenile pipers and drummers, and a strong contingent of top-flight younger judges volunteered their time for the organization. The band had the World Championship trophy on hand for kids to hold and pose for photos with, providing further inspiration for young players as “tomorrow’s champions.”

pipes|drums contributed trophies for the top overall piping winners as well as a monetary donation, and other sponsors included Asset Guardian, McCallum Bagpipes, Chris Armstrong Bagpipe Products, Niall Bagpipes, Canning Reedmakers, Maverick, Grampian Growers, Roddy MacLeod RJM Chanters, Ace Percussion, Billy Price, Financial Clarity, Blow Pipes and Striking Drum and Graham Brown Percussion.

Overall Winners

pipes|drums Trophy for the Best overall 18 and under piper: John Campbell, Johnstone
Best Placed Piper Robert Clark Memorial Trophy: John Campbell, Johnstone
pipes|drums Trophy for the Best overall 15 and under piper: Finlay Cameron, Dollar Academy

Solo piping
18 and Under
Piobaireachd
1st Connor Jardine
2nd John Campbell, Johnstone
Judges: Michael Fitzhenry, Alasdair Henderson

2/4 March
1st John Campbell, Johnstone
2nd Connor Jardine
3rd Douglas Mair, Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia
4th Robert Dick, George Watson’s College
5th Ben Scott, West Lothian Schools
6th Finlay Frame, Johnstone
Judges: Alasdair Henderson and Greg McAllister

Strathspey & Reel
1st John Campbell, Johnstone
2nd Connor Jardine
3rd Freddie McFadyean, Dollar Academy
4th Douglas Mair, Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia
5th Robert Dick, George Watson’s College
6th Finlay Frame, Johnstone
Judges: Alasdair Henderson, Greg McAllister

Chanter
Slow Air (14 competitors)
1st Evan Smillie, Clyde Valley
2nd Ellie Birch, North Lanarkshire Schools
3rd Melissa Henderson, North Lanarkshire Schools
4th Maisie Biggar, North Lanarkshire Schools
5th Lauren Watson, North Lanarkshire Schools
6th Darci Burns, North Lanarkshire Schools
Judge: Graham Drummond

March
1st Murray Leven, Strathendrick Association
2nd Harrison Bishop, No affiliation
3rd Maisie Biggar, North Lanarkshire Schools
4th Darci Burns, North Lanarkshire Schools
5th Ellie Birch, North Lanarkshire Schools
6th Melissa Henderson, North Lanarkshire Schools
Judge: Graham Drummond

15 and Under
Piobaireachd
1st Angus MacPhee, Ross & Cromarty Pipes and Drums
2nd Finlay Cameron, Dollar Academy
3rd Lewis Russell, West Lothian Schools
4th Calum Craib
5th Jordan Ednie
6th Andrew Ferguson, Dollar Academy
Judges: Bill Geddes, Gordon McCready

Ground of Piobaireachd
1st Ruaridh McIntyre, City of Edinburgh Schools
2nd Rebecca Anne Paterson, Dunoon Grammar School
3rd Max Grieve, George Watson’s College
4th Andrew Knowles, George Watson’s College
5th Hazel Whyte, North Lanarkshire Schools
6th Ben Traynor, City of Edinburgh Schools
Judges: Bill Geddes, Gordon McCready

March
1st Finlay Cameron
2nd Lewis Russell
3rd Calum Craib
4th Angus MacPhee
5th Jordan Ednie
6th Jamie Niall Campbell, Dunoon Grammar School
Judges: Cameron Drummond, Finlay Johnston

Strathspey & Reel
1st Lewis Russell
2nd Finlay Cameron
3rd Angus MacPhee
4th Andrew Ferguson
5th Calum Craib
6th Jamie Niall Campbell
Judges: Cameron Drummond, Finlay Johnston