… and is expecting a record of 20,000 spectators this year. Big attractions are the World Championships in Highland Dancing and the Cowal Pipe Band Championships, with Scottish bands faced with teams from America, Canada and New Zealand in a total of 130 pipe bands competing over three days.
The most innovative event, for sheer daft fun, is a clever marriage of two popular activities – pipe bands and heavy sports – the Mace Over the Bar Competition for Adult Drum Majors. This is scheduled for 4.00pm on Saturday (30th August) at the west end of the main arena. Again this year, the high bar will at its highest setting. All participants will get two attempts to get their mace over the bar, catching it on its way down the other side. If more than one Drum Major manages this then the one that is judged to have done it with the most style and flourish will be the winner and will receive a gallon – yes a gallon – of whisky, £50 and a Cowal medal. The Drum Major placed second will get £30, a bottle of Cowal Gathering whisky and a Cowal medal; and third place is given £20, a bottle of Cowal Gathering whisky and a Cowal medal.
This one just has to be seen. Question is – how long will the gallon last?
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