Highland Championships

FREMANTLE HIGHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021

Stuart Bradford - FSC Pipe Major

Obstacle after obstacle after obstacle, but we were determined and we prevailed. Never in the nine years of hosting the Fremantle Highland Championships have we had so many complications to address. Fremantle Sailing Club Pipes and Drums have been hosts to the Highland Championships since 2012. Last year was the first year we couldn’t hold this annual event due to Covid-19. We all thought WA was past the worst of this worldwide virus and events could continue with little care…but the little sucker got past our border and WA was thrown into lockdown just as we were about to hold the Highland event.

A delay of three weeks and we were up and running again, ready to take on the world on 26 May 2021. Then, mother nature wanted to see if we could handle her weather. This wasn’t just standard drizzly Scottish weather; this was a full-blown storm she had planned!

One of the wonderful things about our club is that we have options. We usually hold the solo competition tables in the outdoors, creating an energised highland atmosphere. We quickly made plans to hold the solo competitive tables inside, using the Bridge, the Stateroom and the Wardroom.

The solo events were judged by the highly qualified Adam Britten, Viv Riley, Samantha Cowie, Emlyn Brown and James Murray. Competitors demonstrated their best in various levels, from Beginners through to A Grade and ages from juveniles to veterans.

We had highland dancers join us once again as they competed in their Doodemeade Competition. This year we welcomed the competitors from the Highland Games, demonstrating their skill in the heavy events. Hopefully next year the weather will be better for their outdoor events.

The Pipe Band events held in the afternoon risked the inclement weather to compete on the Dinghy Lawn. All band events were able to proceed as planned with the exception of the Massed Band due to the approaching weather as pictured. As the results were being collated, competitors and spectators were entertained by Jim MacGuire in the Club Bar.

I’d like to thank the sponsors of this event; without their support, this event would not be possible. Thank you Fremantle Sailing Club, Perth Bagpiper, Scotty’s Café, Prime Trophies, Western Australian Metropolitan Regional Committee of Highland Dancing Inc. (WAMRCHDI), Highland Games WA and Pipe Bands WA.

PERPETUAL TROPHY WINNERS

Coastal Scottish Pipe Band - Pipe Major Hamish Cotton

Perth Highland Pipe Band - Pipe Major Malcolm Maclean

Perth Metro Pipe Band - Pipe Major Stuart Bradford

Grade 3 Grade 4A Grade 4B A Grade Piping B Grade Piping C Grade Piping D Grade Piping Novice Piping Veteran Piping Piobaireachd (Urlar) Piobaireachd (Full) Perth Metro Pipe Band #2 Perth Highland Pipe Band Rockingham City Pipe Band David Stulpner Charles Barblett John O’Toole Helen Lovegrove Noah Williams George Alexander Reagan Jones David Stulpner

A Grade Drumming

Danny Bowles B Grade Drumming John Christensen Games Competitors of the Day Jenny Hall / Cameron Ford Highland Dancer of the Day Tessa Van Bueren