Success in the Cowal Gathering is every Highland dancer's dream and pupils of the Delma Wilson School in Forfar made the 2008 event their own through a string of superb performances, culminating in top titles across the age groups - and a nap hand of world championship crowns for the pursuit's leading man.

Hundreds of dancers from across the globe converge on the Cowal Peninsula for three days of intense competition, climaxing in the world championship finals in front of a packed Dunoon sports stadium grandstand for an event which lays proud claim to being the most spectacular Highland Games in the world.

The confined Scottish National event is the week's traditional opener and the Wilson school's run of success stretched through from eight years to adult.

No less than five dancers made the top-six line-ups - Mairi Buchanan (sixth in eight years), Sophie Brown (runner-up nine years), Heather Buchanan (fourth in 13 years), Jade Ferries (sixth in 14 years), Linzi Black (fifth in 15 years) and Leanne Wood (third in adults).

Medal-winning performances from Holly Milne and Emma Jane Stewart in the 11 years section capped the school's auspicious start to the gathering.

The following day, the Scottish championship opened the field up to dancers worldwide and Mairi Buchanan set the ball rolling by claiming fourth-place overall in the eight years section.

Sophie Brown's scintillating form then saw her land both the nine-years age group title - repeating a winning Cowal 2007 debut in the Scottish - and the trophy for the best home-grown dancer, with a clean sweep of four Cowal gold medals unrivalled amongst the day's 600-plus participants.

A second Scottish championship then came the Wilson school's way through the talents of 13-year-old Anthea Bundy and that qualified the teenager for Saturday's juvenile world finals.

Booking their qualifying places alongside her on finals day were adult category dancers, Leanne Wood and Delma's son, David Wilton.

They all delivered top notch displays in a day of competition described by organisers as being of the highest quality, and after watching with delight as Anthea danced her way on to the trophy platform in sixth-place overall, the school principal savoured both a teacher's triumph and mother's pride when David retained his world championship in one of the most exciting finales the event has witnesses in recent years.

RSAMD student David's achievement maintains a remarkable personal run of Cowal glory, which has now seen the 19-year-old win five world titles in an unbroken sequence at junior, juvenile and adult level, cementing further his reputation amongst Highland dancing's elite.

Delighted tutor Delma said: "It was an overwhelming experience to see my dancers do so well and all the pupils from the Wilson school can be justifiably proud of the hard work they put in to prepare for Cowal.

"They all gave their best on the day and can treasure the experience and the rewards that came with all the many hours of dedication."

The school is also currently in the midst of a fund-raising push for a trip to ScotDance 2009 in Toronto next summer.

Delma is also welcoming new beginners to her class and can be contacted on 01307 461868.