Dunoon Grammar School song for War Child a hit on Social Media
Pupils in Dunoon Grammar School are celebrating the success of a song released to commemorate the centenary of World War 1. (see below to hear the fabulous song)
Arlene MacKechnie (15) and Abigail Pryde (17) from the Argyll and Bute school published a version of Eric Bogle’s iconic song ‘No Mans Land’ on Social Media on Remembrance Day, 11 November, 2014 – a version of the song that Eric himself has described as ‘truly truthful and emotive’.

The school had planned to record a video to support the song and release it on iTunes and other online music stores early in 2015 – with proceeds going to the children’s charity War Child. However, with the launch of a Joss Stone and Jeff Beck version earlier this month – a version that Eric was unaware of and has publicly criticised – the pupils decided it was time to air their very own version.

Launched on YouTube, with a link to War Child’s JustGiving donation page, the song has sparked massive interest across the country and achieved astonishing statistics on social media, including over 700,000 page impression on Twitter, 20,000 Facebook post reach and 1,750 direct views on YouTube from 30 different countries.

Many celebrities have shared the song on their twitter feeds including Jools Holland, Eddie Reader, John MacKay (STV News), ex-Scotland captain Colin Hendry, former First Minister of Scotland Lord McConnell, Dougie Vipond, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Nick Nairn, Christopher Brookmyre, Graham Speirs, Jim Gellatly and Jonathan Watson.

A highlight for the pupils was a message of good luck from Judy Murray. Judy took time out from starring on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing to congratulate the pupils:
“Great work kids!!! Love it 🙂 Dunoon’s Got Talent x”

Arlene MacKechnie who played piano on the track commented:
“We are overwhelmed with the support the song has received from our local community and amazed with the reaction nationally on social media. We would like to thank everyone who has donated to our chosen charity War Child.”

Abigail Pryde who performed vocals on the track commented:
“To get such amazing feedback from Eric Bogle relating to our interpretation to his iconic song is astonishing. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us in this project – especially the staff in the Business & Computing department in Dunoon Grammar and also our fellow musicians in our band ‘Heron Valley’ who helped us record and produce the track.”

Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar, David Mitchell added:
“We are delighted with the response the song has received and the recognition of Arlene and Abigail’s talents. We believe the Dunoon Grammar School version of ‘No Mans Land’ is a fitting memorial to former pupils of our school who lost their lives in World War 1. I would like to thank Mr Bogle for granting us permission to record his song. We are also delighted to raise awareness of the work of War Child in supporting children across the globe, innocent children who are currently caught up in conflict.

I would urge listeners who enjoyed the song to consider making a donation to this worthwhile cause through our JustGiving page”.

Donations can be made to War Child at:
https://www.justgiving.com/dgsnomansland