Pipe Bands - Trophies

The Argyll Shield:
1st Place Grade 1 Bands

The trophies presented at the Cowal Pipe Band Championships have a tremendous history attached with many of them dating back to early in the last century. Probably the most coveted and famous of these is The Argyll Shield, presented to the winner of the Grade One Championships. The Argyll Shield was donated to Cowal in 1901 by HRH the Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (a daughter of Queen Victoria). Major Outram was empowered by the Committee to raise a sufficient sum by public subscription to cover the cost of the trophy, which was made by Messrs. Elkinton, silversmiths in Glasgow. It cost £43 18s 6d and in the early years was competed for solely by Army Bands.