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| 28th August 2010 - Cowal Highland Gathering |
Cowal Highland Gathering is always the final major competition of the season for all three bands. It also never fails to deliver some unpredictable weather for everyone! The Novice Band were hoping to continue their excellent form with another top six finish. Unfortunately, they didn't quite make the prize list. The Juveniles were caught by a very heavy shower of rain just before they were due to play, creating a bit of a nightmare situation for them. The results were:
Having two bands as Cowal Champions, as well as a drum corps that is Champion of Champions is the perfect end to what has been a season of mostly positive results. Full results can be found on the RSPBA website. |
| 14th August 2010 - World Championships |
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The World Championships is the most important date in the band's calendar every year, with a whole season's worth of practice coming together for one performance. The Juveniles were first to play, giving their best performance of the season so far. Everyone (including Ian!) was happy with how they played. This meant that yet again, the Juvenile results would be impossible to predict with four bands capable of taking the top spot. The Novice Juvenile Band were next to perform. Once again, they proved that they are more than capable of putting in good performance after good performance. The band delivered probably two of their best performances at the Worlds for many years, with high marks from all adjudicators, including a first place in piping for the Medley round. Despite hopes for a top three finish, the band eventually ended up in 4th place, tied with the 2009 World Champions, Simon Fraser University, but losing out on an Ensemble preference. The drummers also capped off a fine day with 3rd place overall in drumming. Ross, Gordon and the band would like to congratulate PM Terry Tully and the St Laurence O’Toole pipe band on their first World title – a terrific achievement. The results were:
A massive well done to the Juvenile Drum Corps, who are World Champions for the second year in a row! Full results can be found on the RSPBA website. Here's BBC Scotland's recording of the Grade One Band's medley performance: The MSR performace, as well as all of the other Grade One performances can be found here. |
| Worlds Week Practice Schedule |
In preparation for Saturday's World Championships, the Grade One Band are folling a slightly different practice schedule:
BBC Scotland will be present on Friday with their cameras to film the band for the BBC Broadcast of the Worlds on the 22nd of August. Gordon and the Drum Corps are also performing on Thursday at the College of Piping at 3pm. More details to follow. |
| 14th August 2010 - North Berwick Highland Games |
North Berwick Highland Games tends to be a good opportunity to see the band at their best up close since it is the last contest before the World Championships. This year was no different, with all three bands showing improvements since Belfast. Everyone came off from their respective performaces feeling very positive, and ready to impress at the worlds in 7 days. The results were:
Full results can be found on the RSPBA website. |
| 31st July 2010 - European Championships |
The first outing for the bands after the summer break was across to Belfast for the European Championships. The Novice Juveniles were up first, ready to prove they can continue their consistently good form of the season so far. Yet again, they have shown an improvement from their last outing in June, which makes all the hard work put in by everyone clear to see. The Juvenile Band were the defending champions going in to Saturday, so they were out to retain the trophy for another year. During the warm up, the band settled in quickly meaning everyone was focused on the same objective, to win. Their performance on the park was their strongest of the season which left a very nailbiting wait for the results later on in the day. The Grade One Band were similarly fired up to impress the judges. With two of their main competitors playing on home turf, getting a top three place would require a flawless performance from each individual. A smile on the face of everyone in the circle at the end of the performance was a good indicator that it was a good one. The results were:
For the third time this season, all three bands were in the top six at a major championship, a great achievement for the whole organisation. Preparation for the World Championships is now well underway, fingers crossed for a good result at the big one! Full results can be found on the RSPBA website. |
| 26th June 2010 - British Championships |
All three bands were in Annan this week for the British Championships. The Juveniles were first to play, putting in yet another solid performance. They had the hardest competition again this week since both Dollar Academy and George Watson's College played extremely well, making predicting the outcome impossible. Next up, the Novice Juvenile Band, who were keen to continue the good results that they have been getting this season. Ideal playing conditions meant that everything settled in quickly and allowed the kids to play one of their best performances yet! The eyes of the pipe band world have been on the Grade One Band since their 2nd place at the Scottish Championships. This meant the pressure was on to produce another outstanding result this time round. Another hard month of Gala Days and extra practices meant that the band was ready to show that it wasn't just a one off result in Dumbarton, and they didn't disappoint! The results were:
A massive congratulations goes to the Grade One drummers, who are now British Champions! Having all three bands in the top six is a great achievement, and everyone deserves a bit of a break before the European Championships in a month's time. Full results can be found on the RSPBA website. |
| 19th June 2010 - Innerleithen |
The Juvenile Band were the sole representatives of the band this week, with the Novice Band busy with Gala Day duties and no Grade One contest giving the Grade One Band a chance for some extra practice time for the British Championships in a week's time. Yet again the biggest problem the band had to face was the heat while playing and the sunburn at the end of the day. This didn't put the young team off though, giving very relaxed and mature performances in both the Grade 3 and 2 contests. The results were:
It looks like 2010 is going to be another very close year in the Juvenile grade! Full results can be found on the RSPBA website. Hopefully the Juvenile Band can take the winning form from today and take it to Annan for the British Championships next week! |
| 29th May 2010 - West Lothian Highland Games |
This week saw the band competing on home turf in Bathgate for the West Lothian Highland Games, another annual event for all three bands. This week also saw the return of the Scottish weather, with sun turning to heavy rain within minutes, making less than ideal conditions for playing in. Despite this, plenty of trophies were taken home again this week. A good effort was made in the solo piping, where prizes were won by Ross Miller and Ewan Sturrock. Ross was awarded 3rd in the March and Strathspey & Reel competitions, as well as winning best under 16 local piper. Ewan was 3rd in the Pibroch and also won best under 18 local piper. All three bands picked up several prizes too, almost too many to keep track of as they were announced! However, the main prizes for the competition were:
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| 22nd May 2010 - Scottish Championships |
The Scottish Championships are the first of the five major competitions of the season. This means the months of hard work begin to pay off as the bands get to experience the atmosphere only found at the major competitions. 
The weather in Dumbarton is rarely ideal for piping and drumming in, there's either rain, wind, freezing cold or, like this year, lots of sun and heat! Whilst this makes for a great day in the sun for spectators, it turns the day into a bit of a nightmare for the bands. Warm up for too long and the heat will start to have a negative effect on the instruments, but too short a warm up means the sound might not be as good as it could be.With an early start, the Juvenile band were first to play. For the majority of the band, this was their first major in the Juvenile grade. Despite the nerves, the band played well and a bit of experience will turn a good performance into an outstanding one. 
Next out was Alvis and the Novice Juvenile Band, again a band with
a high proportion of players in their first season competing with
the band. Everyone was pleased with the performance and even more
pleased with the result!Last to play was the Grade One band, making their first performance without long standing member Neil Cranston. The band was out to do something special for Neil and his family, with everyone giving their absolute best. After the performance, the beer tent was full of positive chat about Boghall, something that's always good to hear! The final results were:
Having all three bands in the prize list at a major contest is always a great occasion for the band, and is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for after the great sadness of the last fortnight. More photos can be found in the gallery. If you have any pictures of the day you'd like to add to the gallery, please contact the Webmaster. |
| 8th May 2010 - Dunbar |
Dunbar was 2010's first competition for the Novice Juvenile and Juvenile bands. The band members braved the brisk wind to put in good performances all round. Playing in less than ideal conditions, the younger members of the band got their first taste of competing with the band. Hopefully the cold fingers haven't put them off too much! Wins from both bands on the day have helped to brighten up what has been one of the darkest weeks in the band's history after the passing away of one of our longest standing members, Neil Cranston. The results were:
Full results can be found on the RSPBA website. Fingers crossed this form can continue to Dumbarton in a fortnight for the Scotish Championships, where the Grade 1 band will be making their first appearance of the season. |
Neil Cranston
Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia are deeply saddened by the loss of fellow grade one drummer, Neil Cranston, on 5th May 2010 at 45 years old. Neil was a loyal member of the Boghall Organisation for 33 years and an incredibly popular man throughout the Pipe Band community and ceilidh band scene. Saturday 22nd May marks the first major championship of the year for all three Boghall bands. As the bands take to the competition field Neil will be remembered by each member as they pay tribute and show support for his family by proudly wearing a burgundy ribbon in his honour, the words Neil Cranston 1964 – 2010 displayed in silver writing. The colour burgundy was chosen to raise awareness of brain aneurysms and is fitting to Neil for his interest in Heart of Midlothian FC. In wearing these ribbons the band is also raising awareness of the Scottish Charity namely ‘Brain Help’. This is an organisation with an aim of providing after care facilities for brain aneurysm/haemorrhage sufferers throughout Scotland. The work of 'Brain Help' has included funding the Brain Aneurysm Foundation and the establishment of 'Drop-In Neurocare Centres' throughout Scotland. Brain Help Website |
| 24th April 2010 - Peebles Indoor Solos & Mini Bands |
Saturday saw the Novice Juvenile and Juvenile bands off to a great start to the 2010 season. Once again, Boghall players were receiving prizes in almost every event, which is a massive confidence boost for everyone in the band. The mini band results were also promising, showing that the Novice band are continuing to go from strength to strength and that the Juvenile grade should be as close as ever between Boghall and George Watson's College. Let's hope for another exciting season! A summary of the results on the day:
Full results can be found on the RSPBA website or by clicking on the following links: Mini Bands, Solos. |
| New Zealand National Championships |
Scott Birrell, LD of the ILT City of Invercargill Highland Pipe
Band wins his 2nd consecutive National Championship in New Zealand.
The newly promoted Grade 2 band has shone once again stretching
ahead of 2nd Place Temuka and 3rd St Andrews College from Christchurch.
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| 13th March 2010 - RBS 6 Nations - Scotland vs. England |
The Grade One band was back at Murrayfield to welcome the teams onto the pitch ahead of the Calcutta Cup match. The weather added to an electric atmosphere at the national stadium, with fans from both sides in high spirits. The sun brought a welcome warmth to the band members, (especially Fraser up on the roof!) but possibly worked against the Scotland players who prefer to play in more Scottish weather! The match finished with a 15 all draw which leaves Scotland hoping for a win in Ireland to get them off the bottom of the table. Best of luck to them, we know they can do it! |
| Bill McLaren Memorial, 11th March 2010 |
The Juvenile and Grade One bands were honoured to play a part in the memorial celebrations for Bill McLaren, who sadly passed away in January, aged 86. 4000 members of the public attended to pay tribute to "the voice of rugby" at Murrayfield Stadium. As well as the pipe bands, there were performances from the Welsh male voice choir and Morriston Orpheus. Rugby stars past and present also paid tribute to the world famous commentator. |
| Easter Concert, Howden Park Centre |
At 14.00 on the 18th of April 2010, Boghall And Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band will be appearing in concert at Howden Park Centre in Livingston. From the exciting raw talent of the Novice Juvenile band to the current British and European Champion Juveniles and one of the world's leading Grade 1 bands. Tickets are available direct from Howden Park Centre and are priced at £5. ***NOW SOLD OUT*** Howden Park Centre Website. Be sure not to miss a note! |
| 2010 Events Announced |
The contests and other events that all 3 bands will be attending throught 2010 can now be seen on the events page. Watch this space for updates as the season progresses. |
2009 News Archive |
2008 News Archive |
2007 News Archive |
2006 News Archive |
2005 News Archive |
2004 News Archive |
2003 News Archive |
The band has introduced Alasdair MacKenzie from Scottish Power as
PM, with limited numbers 'Big Al' has done exceptionally well to
pull off such a great result. Winning drumming and best bass section
in both MSR and Medley events, Scott said, "was an amazing feel
for a 2nd year running, thrilled to be part of such a strong team".
Invercargill was lucky to experience Gleren Meneghin of Boghall
venture South to guest with the band for the championship. Gleren
has spent the last 6-8 months in Sydney before beginning studies
back in Europe. Andrew Ray was in New Zealand for educational purposes
and played with Canterbury Caledonian Society. The Invercargill
band will continue to compete in Grade 2 building towards what will
hopefully be another successful year season ahead of them.