The Catamount Pipe Band brought home to Vermont a First Place trophy from the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on July 16. This was the pipe band’s first competition of the 2022 season.
Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts was overflowing with the music of bagpipes and drums on Saturday. Catamount competed in a field of fifteen Grade V bands. They were led by Pipe Major Iain MacHarg and Drum Sergeant Scott Appel. Their first place win was announced at the late afternoon Massed Bands event, where all 23 pipe bands in attendance gathered to play. Catamount marched off the field, trophy in hand, playing their winning set that begins with “Bonnie Hoose of Airlie.”
After the win was announced, MacHarg congratulated the band saying “This is a great start to our competition season with this new set of tunes. Now it’s time to challenge ourselves to step up our performance before the next competition.” The Quechee Scottish Games on August 27 will be the next destination for the band.
The Catamount Pipe Band competes regularly throughout the region at highland games and in Scotland at the World Pipe Band Championships. They also play in many of Vermont’s local events and parades.
Next year, 2023, will be Catamount’s 25th anniversary year. Plans are in place to start the year with a Burns Night in Jericho, Vermont on January 28. This celebration will include the poetry of Robert Burns, a traditional Scottish meal, and musical performances.
