Geddes and Drummond rake it in at North Berwick; Boghall, Triumph Street winning Grade 1 bands

North Berwick, Scotland – August 8, 2009 – William Geddes of Dumfries, Scotland, and Cameron Drummond of Edinburgh won the big-money competitions at the North Berwick Games, one of the infrequent events in the UK where both band and solo competitions are offered.

 

1st William Geddes, “The Battle of Auldearn” (£300)

2nd Allan Johnstone, Edinburgh, “Lament for Mary MacLeod” (£200)

3rd Michael Gray, Edinburgh, “Lament for MacSwan of Roaig” (£150)

4th Iain Speirs, Edinburgh, “The MacDougalls’ Gathering” (£100)

Judges: Colin MacLellan, Ronnie McShannon

 

1st Cameron Drummond, “The Lochaber Gathering,” “Tulloch Castle,” “The Cockerel in the Creel” (£300)

2nd Allan Russell, Kelty, Scotland (£200)

3rd Allan Johnstone (£150)

4th William Geddes (£100)

Judges: Hugh MacCallum, Tom Speirs

 

The event offers both a Medley and MSR cometition for Grade 1 bands and allows bands to challenge up a grade. Boghall & Bathgate competed only in the Medley. George Watson’s College, which competed last week in Grade 3 at the North American Championships and won with three firsts, at North Berwick competed in and won Grade 2 with three firsts and a second in ensemble over well established Grade 2 bands. The Scotia Glenville Pipe Band of New York won the Juvenile grade, beating George Watson’s College on ensemble preference.

 

MSR (six competed)

1st Dowco-Triumph Street (Canada) (1,2,1,1)

2nd Pipeband Club (Australia) (4,3,3,2)

3rd Manawatu Scottish (New Zealand) (2,1,5,4)

Judges: John MacCarlie, Jim Campbell (piping); D. Brown (drumming); Peter Snadden (ensemble)

 

Medley (six competed)

1st Boghall & Bathgate (Scotland)

2nd Torphichen & Bathgate (Scotland)

3rd Lothian & Borders Police (Scotland)

Judges: Andrew Wright, piping; Alistair Aitken (drumming; Trevor Dear, ensemble.