BUTE’S Highland dancers enjoyed a hugely successful Cowal Gathering, with a string of top placings and a historic World Championship qualification for Rothesay’s Lucy Cameron.
Dancers from Rothesay and across the island made their mark throughout the prestigious three-day competition in Dunoon, collecting prizes in the Scottish National Championships, Pre-Premier Argyll Trophy and Argyll Championships.
Leading the celebrations was Lucy Cameron of Rothesay, who became the first dancer from the Speirs School of Highland Dancing to qualify for the World Highland Dancing Championships.
Lucy secured her place on the world stage after coming through Heat B of the Adult World Championship Qualifiers, before competing alongside some of the sport’s leading dancers in Saturday’s World Championship.
It was part of an impressive Gathering for Lucy, who also took third place in Event K of the Scottish National Championships.
Her teacher Margaret-Anne Speirs said the school was incredibly proud of the achievement.
She said: “Lucy’s dedication, determination and love of dance shone through to qualify on Thursday.
“Every teacher dreams of watching their student reach the top of their chosen sport and, when it finally happens, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions.
“Lucy danced again on the world stage on Saturday and gave it her all. I’m one very proud dance teacher.”
But Lucy was far from the only Bute dancer celebrating after the Gathering, with the island’s younger competitors collecting an impressive series of placings.
In the Pre-Premier Argyll Trophy, Leya McMillan of Rothesay took second place in Event 6A, behind Dunoon winner Georgia Petro.
Rachel Isabella Hunter of the Isle of Bute was also a runner-up, taking second place in Event 6C, while Bute dancers occupied two of the three podium positions in Event 7B.
Ella-Mae McInairnie of the Isle of Bute finished second in that event, with Lolajane McMillan of Rothesay taking third.
The island was also well represented in the Argyll Championships.
In Event 51, Olivia Mary Durrant of the Isle of Bute secured fourth place, while fellow island dancer Ella Docherty finished sixth.
There was a further double Bute success in Event 51A, with Sophie Mellor of the Isle of Bute taking fourth and Isabella Gray of Kingarth finishing fifth.
The results meant Bute dancers featured prominently across several levels of competition during one of the biggest events on the Highland dancing calendar, competing alongside dancers from throughout Scotland and overseas.
For the Speirs School, Lucy’s breakthrough made this year’s Gathering particularly memorable.
Margaret-Anne added: “I’m looking forward to seeing what the dance school can achieve in the future.
“All of our dancers work incredibly hard to achieve their goals and without their parents’ support this would not be possible.”
With Bute dancers collecting podium places and championship placings throughout the weekend, Lucy’s historic qualification provided the finishing touch to a memorable Cowal Gathering for the island’s Highland dancing community.
