Ian Tegner of Kilninver has been awarded the inaugural ‘Bruno Schroder Medal’ for outstanding service to piping in Argyll, The inscribed medal was awarded at a ceremony at Kilninver by Leonie, Bruno’s daughter, on behalf of the Argyllshire Gathering Trust.
Bruno was a founding Trustee of the Trust, which for more than 30 years has funded piping tuition in Argyll. Ian became a Trustee in 2002 and when he stepped down in 2011, the scheme was providing tuition through three tutors to 167 primary school children in 17 Argyll Primary Schools in Oban, mid Argyll, Islay and Mull, as well as making sets of pipes available for pupils to use as they progressed.
Ian receives his medal from LeonieIn 1996 the scheme started in Oban Primary Schools with Ronnie Lawrie as tutor, before expanding to other areas in subsequent years. Today the scheme, in collaboration with Argyll and Bute Council, provides funds for tuition through six tutors to 249 pupils in 30 Primary Schools in Argyll in the areas already mentioned as well as Kintyre, Dunoon, Luss and Helensburgh.
Over the years thousands of boys and girls have benefited and many have gone on to become top pipers. Argyll pipe bands have also flourished, and names like Inveraray, Mid-Argyll and of course Oban High School have become world-famous.
At the ceremony Jon Strickland on behalf of the Trust, passed on two sets of pipes (above) for use in the tuition scheme to Oban High School to Pipe Major Angus MacColl. Having recently returned with the band from Tartan Day in New York, Angus rounded up the evening with a selection of pipe tunes much appreciated by all!
Jon Strickland passing on two sets of pipes to Pipe Major John Angus MacColl
