Local brass ensemble wins top honours in Troon
Kirkintilloch residents and supporters have reason to celebrate after The Kirkintilloch Band won the Championship section of the West of Scotland entertainment contest in Troon, South Ayrshire, on Saturday 29 August 2026. The band amassed 193 points for a varied programme that, judges said, demonstrated both ambition and musicality.
The programme opened with Elgar Howarth’s Agincourt Song, followed by Bryan Allen’s arrangement of Duke Ellington’s Caravan. The band continued to showcase contrasting styles, travelling from Argentina with Leigh Baker’s arrangement of Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango before changing mood for Camille Saint-Saëns’s The Swan, presented as a tenor horn solo arranged by Stephen Roberts.
Allan Wardrope’s performance of The Swan earned him the best soloist award and was singled out by the organisers as a virtuoso rendition. The band’s lower brass also collected the best bass section accolade. They received the William Beardmore Shield and the Renfrew 600 Cup as trophies for the Championship victory.
Podium finishers and other prizes
Completing the top three were Dalmellington, directed by Ralph Brill, who finished on 190 points, and Coalburn Silver, conducted by Gareth Bowman, on 189 points. Irvine & Dreghorn Brass won the prize for the best Second section band and were awarded the most entertaining performance on the day as judged by Vanessa Baker. Linsay Dunn of Irvine & Dreghorn also took home the best principal cornet medal.
| Position | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkintilloch | 193 |
| 2 | Dalmellington | 190 |
| 3 | Coalburn Silver | 189 |
Judgement and message from the association
Contest adjudicator Leigh Baker praised the overall standard of the day, observing that the quality of playing had been high and that several bands had chosen ambitious repertoire. He did, however, advise that some bands needed to ensure their accompaniments supported soloists more sensitively.
“The standard of playing has been very high,”
Baker added that the winner was clear and that second and third places were also fairly distinct. The contest was used by Scottish Brass Band Association president Carrie Boax to urge the audience to keep the arts on the political agenda.
“I need your help to spread the word,”
The contest offered both competitive recognition and a showcase for varied brass band repertoire, from classical arrangements to pieces with distinct world music influences. Kirkintilloch’s winning set included a blend that moved between solemnity and rhythmic drive, a balance rewarded by both the adjudicator and the specialist awards.
Local significance
The success will be welcomed in Kirkintilloch, where the band is a visible part of civic life and of the town’s cultural calendar. Winning a regional entertainment contest of this stature both raises the profile of the ensemble and affirms the standard of brass music in the local area. The awards for soloist and bass section in particular highlight individual and group strengths within the band’s line-up.
- Champion: Kirkintilloch Band — William Beardmore Shield; Renfrew 600 Cup
- Best soloist: Allan Wardrope (tenor horn) for The Swan
- Other honours: Best bass section; prizes for Irvine & Dreghorn Brass
The contest in Troon provided a platform for bands around the west of Scotland to present creative entertainment programmes. For Kirkintilloch, the result is a notable achievement and a reminder of the continuing strength of community music in the town and the wider region.
