Kirkintilloch carried on their excellent 2026 contesting form with an imposingly entertaining victory at the Walker Halls in Troon.
It follows their recent victory at the British Open Senior Cup and gives the band a huge boost of confidence as they prepare to return to the Royal Albert Hall in October for their first National Final appearance since 2013.
Directed by Martyn Ramsay they claimed the Troon title for the first time since 2023 (and the seventh time since 1998) by a three-point margin from runner-up Dalmellington, with Coalburn Silver a point further back in third.
Defending champion Unite Scotland Kinneil was fourth, with the remaining top-six places in the 14-band field taken by Irvine & Dreghorn and Dunaskin Doon.
Dance
Kirkintilloch provided adjudicator Leigh Baker with a programme that celebrated the art of dance, opening with Elgar Howarth's 'Agincourt Song'. It was followed by Bryan Allen's arrangement of the Duke Ellington classic 'Caravan' and Leigh's own arrangement of 'Libertango'.
Contrast came with the excellence of the 'Best Soloist' award winner Alan Wardrope on horn with his rendition of Saint-Saen's 'The Swan', before they closed with Dimitri Shostakovich's exhilarating 'Folk Dance' and the Arabic-inspired 'Dancing on the Sand' by Etienne Crausaz, aided through
Kirky's 'Best Bass Section' also danced the night away in celebration after providing the foundation on what the band called on its Facebook page, "a great performance".
They also thanked their MD for his, "excellent preparation and commitment", and added their congratulations to their "amazing" 'Best Soloist' and "awesome" bass team.
Impressed
Adjudicator Leigh Baker was certainly impressed by what he heard — and not just by the winners. "The standard of playing has been very high," he remarked. "Some very big pieces have been chosen and there have been some exciting performances. There was a clear winner with the second and third places fairly clear."
Dalmellington bounced back after the disappointment of their Senior Cup appearance as the 2024 champion came runner-up on their first contest outing under MD Ralph Brill, whilst Coalburn claimed a third consecutive podium finish at the event under Gareth Bowman.
Most Entertaining
Meanwhile, Irvine & Dreghorn enjoyed their day as they claimed the 'Best Second Section Band' honours as well as securing the prize as 'Most Entertaining Band' for their 'Western' theme that also saw Lynsey Dunn deservedly take the 'Best Principal Cornet' accolade.
A super show from Barrhead Burgh Band took the 'Best Fourth Section Band' prize with a 'Space' set that featured their excellent 'Best Percussion' team throughout.
On what was a highly enjoyable and well run day, the organisers thanked the competing bands and said that they hoped to see them all again in 2027.
Scottish Brass Band Association President Carrie Boax also took the opportunity to ask the audience to continue reminding their politicians that music matters. "I need your help to spread the word that music is an inclusive activity and is an important part of everyday life,"she said. "And as such it should be properly funded."
With thanks to Nigel Martin
It follows their recent victory at the British Open Senior Cup and gives the band a huge boost of confidence as they prepare to return to the Royal Albert Hall in October for their first National Final appearance since 20134BR
Result:
Adjudicator: Leigh Baker
Entertainment judge: Vanessa Baker
1. Kirkintilloch (Martyn Ramsay): 193
2. Dalmellington (Ralph Brill): 190
3. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman): 189
4. Unite Scotland Kinneil (Paul Drury): 188
5. Irvine & Dreghorn (Joshua Parkhill): 187
6. Dunaskin Doon (Chris Bradley): 185
7. Johnstone Silver (Raymond Tennant): 184
8. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Friel): 180
9. Broxburn & Livingston (Caroline Farren): 179
10. Newmains & District (Robert Fraser): 177
11. Shotts St Patricks (Charlie Farren): 176
12. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good): 175
13. Barrhead Burgh (Alan Friel): 168
14. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (Amy Patterson): 165
Most Entertaining Band: Irvine & Dreghorn
Best Championship Section Band: Kirkintilloch
Best First Section Band: Unite Scotland Kinneil
Best Second Section Band: Irvine & Dreghorn
Best Third Section Band: N/A
Best Fourth Section Band: Barrhead Burgh
Best Soloist: Allan Wardrope (horn) — Kirkintilloch
Best Principal Cornet: Lynsey Dunn (Irvine & Dreghorn)
Best Bass Section: Kirkintilloch
Best Percussion Section: Barrhead Burgh
