If you'd like to say "hello" and leave a general comment, COWAL HIGHLAND GATHERING
DCR Monkey Tries his new kilt on with Colin Hope of Teddies in Tartan
Billy Forsyth MBE M.C. for the Dancing Competitions
The event is over three days with athletics and qualifying rounds for the World Dancing Championships plus many other events taking place on Thursday and Friday. Saturday sees the final of the dancing plus it is the day that the pipe bands descend on the town.
For information about the games go to the offical website www.cowalgathering.com
To look at the offical pictures from the Gathering click on the this link http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/cairnsphotography/albums/events/
Some of the wonderful trophies up for grabs with the Argyll Shield at the front
Cowal Highland Gathering 2010
This year the games are on the 26th, 27th and 28th August with all the usual favourites and some new ones including the one that we are most excited about, that is Dunoon Community Radio will be broadcasting live from the games on all three days so if you can’t make it don’t worry as we will bring you all the atmosphere, live music and interviews with many of the musicans, officals and anybody else who will speak to us. we will also be joined by some the presenters from Celtic Music Radio. in the run up to the Gathering we will be bringing you information of the many bands and dancers taking part plus other bits of interesting news. So listen to Douglas and Victor’s Late, Late, Late Very Late Breakfast Show every night from 6pm – 7pm except Saturday to hear the latest.
Whats On This Year
Thursday
Highland Dancing Scottish National Championships
Classic Car Display Prizegiving
5K Cowal Run
Friday
Highland Dancing Scottish Championships
Solo Piping Competitions – Senior & Junior
Primary School Athletics
Heavy Athletics
Burgh Cup Competition for Solo Piping
Saturday
Cowal Pipe Band Championship
Argyllshire Highland Dancing Championship
Drum Major Dress Competition
Drum Major M & D Pre-Premier Dancing Competition
Heavy Athletics
Ceilidh Tent with Deoch ‘n’ Dorus, Gunna Sound and Skerryvore
World Highland Dancing Championship Finals
Wrestling
Kids Entertainment Tent
Drum Major’s Mace over the Bar Competition
Massing of the Bands and Cowal Pipe Band Prizegiving Ceremony
Bands march down Argyll Street
Western Ferries Fireworks Display
Cowal Highland Gathering 2009
Here are some pictures taken on Saturday in 2009.
As bands have beome more competitve the number of them marching up Argyll Street in the morning has dwindled so this year Gathering Around organised a march setting off from the Castle Gardens at 12noon.
The Hillbillies on their amazing bikes led the procession 
Following them where the Argyll Majorettes
Cowal Pipe Band resplendant in their new uniform where one of three bands to take part
The Flags of the many Nations participating in the Gathering where carried by people from their homelands
They where followed by Clan Lamont, also participating where The Cowal Knights with Robert the Bruce and members of the Veritas Veriat who had also being entertaining the audience in the Argyll Gardens.
In the park there was lots to see what with the various piping competitions, dancing competitions, heavy events, The ceildh tent and the various stalls
The Grade 1 and Grade 2 competitions in progress
The womens weight throwing competition
Skerryvore playing in The Ceildh Tent to an enrapted audience
Dunoon Argyll Pipe Band competing in the final of the Grade 4A where they came seventh. Dunoon Grammar School where also taking part and came 8th in the Novice Grade
Hi to everyone at DCR,
Thanks for the great effort you’re putting in to bring us the show all the way to Sydney. I just heard an Aussie accent (from Tassie) and didn’t it sound strange in your setting!
I hope the rain stops for you because it is just so much more enjoyable when the sun’s out and all the bands can be seen without their capes.
I wonder when there will be live vision of the stadium? Because we’re 9 hours ahead at this time of year we miss the march back down Argyll Street. As a kid it always seemed more exciting when the bands had a few drams doon their throstles – especially when the maces went skywards – to land who knew where!
All the best and thanks again.
James Douglas (ex Innellan)
Hello everyone:
I am researching the history of a small pipe band called St Patrick’s, Erinagh (a townland near Downpatrick, Co. Down, NI). They took part in the pipe band contest at the Dunoon Highland gathering sometime in the 1930s or 40s. Is there anyone I could contact who would have kept a record of old competition results of the pipe band contests at these gatherings? This is a very long shot I know, but, if you don’t ask …..! Thank you. Any help will be much appreciated.
Billy.