Congratulations to Kilchoman Distillery Isle of Islay PipeBand who has been nominated in Scottish Pipe Band of the Year sponsored by The National Piping Centre in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2022. Vote for Kilchoman Distillery Isle of Islay PipeBand now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Sunday 4th December in Dundee’s Caird Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Linsay of Kilchoman Distillery Isle of Islay PipeBand the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Like so many of the Hebridean Isles, the Isle of Islay has been blessed with pipe music for the past two millennia and for many years the Islay Piping Society dominated the music scene on the island. Although history shows the formation of a pipe band in the early 1950’s, it wasn’t until April 1992 that some islanders got together and decided to start the current Islay Pipe Band, It was duly formed and subsequently registered with the RSPBA.
In 2006 the band won their first trophy under the leadership of Pipe Major Nigel Morris. This was then followed by their first major championship win in 2007 in Grade 4B. Since then the band has progressed steadily through the grades. Islay Pipe Band were promoted to Grade 2 in 2017. The band currently competes at all the major championships each season.
Along the way the band has won numerous major championships such as, Scottish, British, European and UK Champions. They also received the Champion of Champions trophy in Grade 4A in 2008 and Grade 3A in 2015.
In 2002 the band attended New York’s Tartan Day Parade. Playing down 5th Avenue all the way to Central Park was a lifetime memory for all members of the band.
Kilchoman Distillery Isle of Islay Pipe Band are indebted to Kilchoman Distillery whose sponsorship since 2012 has enabled the band to continue competing each season. The band also appreciate the continued support from the Schroder Foundation and The MacTaggart 3rd Fund.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
All members of Kilchoman Distillery Isle of Islay Pipe Band are very proud to represent the Island of Islay. It is important to promote and encourage a piping and drumming culture within Argyll and the islands.
Any particular career highlights?
Grade 2
* 3rd Place at the Scottish Championships 2022
* 4th Place at the UK Championships 2022
* UK Drumming Championship Winners 2019
Grade 3A
* European, British, UK and Cowal Champions
* Grade 3A Champion of Champions
Grade 3B
* European Champions
Grade 4A
* Scottish, British, European, Cowal Champions
* British Dumming Champions
* Grade 4A Champion of Champions
Grade 4B
* European Champions
Another highlight was playing as a centre band along with Inveraray and District Pipe Band at the Cowal Games in 2017.
What are your plans for the future?
Kilchoman Distillery Isle of Islay Pipe Band will continue to work hard, aiming to win a championship in Grade 2 in the future.
Kilchoman Distillery Isle of Islay PipeBand Social Media
Website: http://islaypipeband.com
Facebook: @islaypipeband
Instagram: @islaypipeband
TikTok: @islaypipeband
The 2022 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are back to normal on the 4th December 2022! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here),Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Sunday 4th December include Elephant Sessions, Fara, Trip, Eryn Rae Trio, The Auldeners, Gordon Shand Scottish Dance Band, Irish Minstrels, Tayside Young Fiddlers, and a James Alexander Tribute.
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.
