Watson's Pipers in the News

Senior School Champion, Calum Watson (S3) continued his winning streak last weekend. On Saturday he won the 14 & Under Graeme Johnston Memorial Competition in Glasgow and collected a brand new set of McCallum bagpipes for his efforts. Cameron Stewart (S3) finished second, whilst Euan Kerr (S5) gained a creditable 6th place in the 18 & Under competition. On Sunday Calum took second prize in the prestigious Scots Guards’ Solo Piping Competition held in Redford Barracks.

Keeping Watson's in the news was Jonathon Simpson (Class of 2007) when he appeared live on the BBC playing Highland Cathedral on the Murrayfield Stadium roof to welcome the Scottish Rugby team on to the pitch on what proved to be a nail biting historic win against Australia.

25 November 2009

Internal Solo Competition

This year's Internal Solo Piping & Drumming Competition was held in the Music School on Sunday 8 November. With over 200 individual performances, competition for prizes was fierce but friendly across all 11 events. This year's Senior School Champions are Calum Watson (S3) (Piping) and Myles McIntyre (S5) (Drumming). Junior School Piping Champion is Harris Maclennan (P6) while Oliver Brown (P7) emerged victorious as the Junior School Drumming Champion. Full results can be found in our Results Page. Congratulations to all pupils for their efforts on the day.

11 November 2009

Wonderful Weekend for Watson's Pipes & Drums

Watson's Pipes & Drums finished on a high at the last Major Championship of the season at Cowal last weekend (29 August) gaining four first places. Both the Juvenile and Novice Juvenile bands claimed first place as a band and drum corps in their respective competitions.

Traditionally the Cowal Games is also where the Champions of Champions are crowned, when the pipers' and drummers' performances in all the season's major competitions are aggregated.

This year, the Novice band was crowned Champion of Champions for the first time since 2000, and their drummers also won Champion of Champions for the eighth year in succession. In a straight head to head with the Juvenile band of Boghall & Bathgate for Champion of Champions prize, the Juvenile band and drummers prevailed squeezing Boghall & Bathgate into second place in both.

The bands' last competition, in what has been a phenomenal season, will be at Peebles on Sunday 13 September. Timings can be found on the Pipe Band website.

First for Watson's

On Saturday 15 August, George Watson's College Pipes & Drums created history by capturing both the Novice and Juvenile Pipe Band World Championship Titles. Although the Juvenile band won 'the Worlds' in 2002 and 2007, this is the first time the Novice band has won this prestigious event.

This double win has rarely been achieved during the World Championship's 80-odd year history.

To cap a splendid day, the Novice drummers won the Best Drum Corps title for an incredible seventh year in succession.

The bands' reputation and phenomenal success this year has led them to be invited to perform at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo this Friday.

Mr Gareth Edwards, Principal, said after the wins, "I am constantly in awe of our bands and not just because of the superb standard of their playing. They conduct themselves - both individually and collectively - with excellent humour and with mature self-discipline beyond their years. They are a great advert for what young people can achieve with the support of dedicated instructors and enthusiastic and loyal parent-followers. Well done to everyone!"

Well done to all.

Successful Weekend for the Pipe Band

Following their successes in Canada the bands were in action at North Berwick and Perth at the weekend.

At the North Berwick Highland Games on Saturday the Novice band won both the Open and Confined competitions. Although the Juvenile band were pipped into second place in the Juvenile Competition, they secured a historic win in Grade 2. Their drummers also won this event.

The Juvenile band travelled to Perth on Sunday and results went their way. The band and drummers won the Grade 3 event and both band and drummers finished runners up in Grade 2.

11 August 2009

Successful Weekend for the Pipe Band

The Juvenile band has just returned from a successful trip to Canada, where they competed in the adult Grade 3 competition at Maxville, Ontario and captured the North American Championships.

The boys and girls also won numerous solo prizes and Mr Iain Simpson, Pipe Major, was crowned the "Over 45 North American Solo Piping Champion".

They enjoyed more solo and band success at the Montreal Scottish Festival the following day winning the Grade 3 competition.

During their trip they also visited Niagara Falls, Six Flags Theme Park and enjoyed a fabulous barbeque hosted by Mrs Martin (fondly known as Nanny Goat) who is the grandmother of Bobby Hamilton (Class of 2009). Photos will be available on the pipe band gallery soon.

11 August 2009

Watson's Blow the Competition Away

At the Scottish Championships at Dumbarton on Saturday 16 May, George Watson's College Pipes & Drums collected four Scottish Championship wins.

The Novice band and drums corps won the Scottish Championships. Although the drummers have captured this title recently, this is the first time since 2000 that the band has been placed first.

The Juvenile band and drummers completed a very successful day by winning their grade. The Juvenile band has now won the Scottish Championship seven times in the last eight years, whilst the drummers have won the event every year since 2002 making it eight in a row!

Well done to all.

18 May 2009

Junior Band Triumph at Dunbar

The Junior band achieved their best result ever last Saturday (9 May) after being placed 4th at their first outdoor competition of the season. The Novice band won their grade and the Juvenile band also won theirs. The Juvenile band also captured 3rd place in the Grade 2 competition to cap a cold, wet successful day.

Another Successful Trip to Japan

The George Watson’s Pipes & Drums has just returned from another very successful trip to Japan.

22 lucky pupils and five staff jetted off from Edinburgh airport on Sunday 26 April accompanied, as always, by their interpreter Miss Udo.

There were once again many high points during the 11 night trip. These included playing for record crowds at the Global Arena; a Karaoke evening; visiting several Japanese Shrines; lunch on a Strawberry Farm; and a day trip to the Atomic Bomb Museum in Nagasaki.

However the highlight for most was a home stay with a Japanese family on the wonderful island called Oshima. There were a few tears shed as the islanders said farewell to their 'adopted' sons and daughters as the ferry steamed out from the quayside amid hundreds of streamers.

It was an unbelievable experience.

View the photo gallery.

Pipe Band Continue Winning Start to Season

The Juvenile band continued their excellent form last Saturday (25 April) when they won the Mini Band competitions in the Juvenile Grade and Grade 2 at the Lothian & Borders Mini Band Competition at Peebles High School. Our Novice Juvenile band also won their grade making it a very successful day.

Friday 13th – Lucky for Pipe Band

The juvenile band was on top form last Friday (13 March) when they won the Glasgow Highland Club School Competition for the fourth year in succession. The novice band finished – a creditable fourth.

Watson's soloists were also on good form with Graham Horsman (S6) winning the Senior Drumming, Fraser Hood (S3) winning the Junior Drumming and Calum Watson (S2) winning the Intermediate Piping.

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