A dedicated teenage piper saw his massive effort to travel from the Knoydart peninsula – using ferry and roads – in a bid to compete in a major competition pay off.
Thirteen-year-old Struan Robertson caught an early 30-minute ferry crossing to Mallaig before continuing a journey of almost two hours to Fort William to attend the Lochaber Piping Society’s annual youth piping competition.
Judges and organisers were delighted by the effort, as Struan put in one of the best performances of the day to win the bagpipes novice march category.
Rona Cameron, one of the organisers of one of piping’s biggest annual events, said: “Struan made a great effort to get from Knoydart to take part.
“He put in a great performance and walked away with a winner’s prize, which is a great result and provides inspiration to others.”
Her husband Ken, chairman of Lochaber Piping Society, said: “We had a great day at Lochaber High School on Saturday, attracting entrants from as far apart as Stirling, Inverness, Oban, Skye, Dunoon and Knoydart.
“We have been running annually since 1970 and have seen some tremendous talent at the solo piping competition.
“I hope the fact that people have travelled from all over will encourage those more locally to take a shot at piping.”
The winners were:
Chanter 10 years and under March – Rosie MacLennan
Chanter 11-13 years March – Connie MacLennan
Chanter 14 years and under March – Grace Kelman
Bagpipes Novice March – Struan Robertson
Bagpipes Novice Slow Air – Struan Robertson
Bagpipes under 16 years Slow Air – Gregor MacDonald
Bagpipes under 15 years March – Gregor MacDonald
Bagpipes under 15 years March (Best Local) – Laura Robertson
Bagpipes under 15 years Strathspey and Reel – Gregor MacDonald
Bagpipes 14 years and under Piobaireachd – Gregor MacDonald
Bagpipes 15 years and under Jig – Gregor MacDonald
Bagpipes 18 years and under March – Angus MacPhee
Bagpipes 18 years and under Piobaireachd – Rhuaridh Brown
Bagpipes 18 years and under Jig – Angus MacPhee
Piobaireachd Ground – Hector Finlayson
Bagpipes Piobaireachd (Donald Macleod) – Angus MacPhee
