The Trophies
Taken from the 40th annual commemorative program.

To many, the names of the trophies offered to the winners of the various competitions at the Colonial Highland Gathering may seem somewhat unfamiliar. Each one, however, occupies a special significance in Scottish tradition.

Glencoe Challenge Targe. Glencoe is a place name — the valley of the Coe River in the western Highlands. It is the home of the Clan Donald and, according to tradition, of the poet Ossian. A targe is an arm shield worn by the Highlander. The ancient targe was a circular wooden frame covered with tough hide and bearing a spike in the center.

The Glencoe Targe is awarded to the winning pipe band in Grade I.

Dunvegan Trophy. Dunvegan is the name of the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland. Located on the island of Skye it is the seat of the Clan MacLeod.

This trophy is awarded to the winning band in Grade II.

Balnagowan Trophy. Balnagowan is the ancestral home of Clan Ross in the county of Ross and Cromarty.

Awarded to the winner of the Grade III pipe band contest.

Annandale Trophy. Annandale is a place name associated with Clan Bruce. The clan’s most famous son was that great patriot King Robert the Bruce — 1274-1329.

Awarded to the winning band in Grade IVcompetition.

Seaforth Trophy. This trophy is named for the Seaforth Highlanders; one of five regiments of the old 51st (Highland)Division.

Awarded to the best Drum Corps.

Clan Donald Quaich. Clan Donald includes all branches of the MacDonalds and MacDonnells. Quaich is taken from the Gaelic word describing the old two-handled cup or drinking vessel.

Awarded to the winner of the Piobaireachd competition it is restricted to former winners of the Boreraig Trophy and holders of the Ottawa Gold Medal.

Boreraig Trophy. The acknowledged masters of the Great Highland War Pipe were the MacCrimmons, pipers to the Clan MacLeod. Their seat of culture was at Boreraig on the Island of Skye.

Awarded to the winner of the Open Piobaireachd Competition.

John MacFadyen Memorial Trophy.

This cup is offered to encourage the amateur pipers in the art of Ceol More (Great Music) or Piobaireachd.

Airlie Trophy. Airlie is a district in Scotland associated with the Clan Ogilvy.

Awarded to the winner of the Grade I Open Piping Competitions.

Invergarry Trophy. Invergarry is the ancient seat of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. This style of headgear worn in this district became popularly known as a “Glengarry.”

Awarded to the winner of the Grade II Open Piping Competitions.

Dalhousie Trophy. This trophy is named for Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian — the principal seat of the Clan Ramsay.

Awarded to the winner of the Adult Open Highland Dancing Competitions.

Moy Trophy. Named for Moy Castle — seat of the Clan MacKintosh.

Awarded to the winner of the “13 and under” Dancing Competitions.

Toward Trophy. Toward is the castle of the Clan Lamont, Isle of Bute.

Awarded to the winner of the “11 and under” Dancing Competitions.

Glencairn Trophy. Glencairn is a place name associated with Clan Cunningham.

Awarded to the winner of the “9 and under”Highland Dancing Competitions.

 

Duart Trophy. Duart is the name of a castle — the seat of Clan MacLean.

Awarded to the winner of the Open Drumming Competition.

Cameron Trophy. Named for the Cameron Highlanders; one of the five regiments of the old 51st (Highland) Division.

Awarded to the winner of the Drum Majors’ Competition.

The George Clark Trophy. Named for one of Scotland’s foremost athletes.

Awarded to the aggregate winner of the seven heavy-weight events known as the Highland Heptathlon.

The MacCrimmon Quaich

As patrons of the MacCrimmons of Boreraig, the Clan MacLeod is pleased to present the “MacCrimmon Quaich” to the winner of the Amateur Piobaireachd Competition. Recognized as the finest pipers of all time, the MacCrimmons’ Piping College in the Isle of Skye existed for almost three hundred years. The Colonial Highland Gathering is proud to be the Clan MacLeod Mid-Atlantic Region’s choice in receiving this award for presentation in 1981.

Reprinted from the Colonial Highland Gathering Program June 6, 1981