Solo Piping Versus Bands and Thoughts on the B Piobaireachd at the Atholl Gathering

As you may have read, the winner of the B Grade Piobaireachd at Sunday’s Atholl Gathering was Charles MacDonald from Inverness (pictured above on his way to victory). His tune was the Lament for Captain MacDougall, writes the Editor. He had a lovely pipe as far as could be discerned through the discordant hum of the bouncy castle generator directly opposite the platform. Charles’s finger was good apart from the odd…

PP Ed’s Blog: Henderson Pipes For Sale/ Euros Promo Video/ Tartan Talk/ Queensland Ceol Mor

A beautiful set of Henderson silver & ivory pipes is offered for sale today. The pipe is circa 1900 and has been played at the highest level. Get full details here. Impressive new promo video for the European Pipe Band Championships at Forres in a few weeks: John Kelly reports from Northern Ireland: The ‘Tartan Talk’ column which ran for decades in the Belfast News Letter will resume this Saturday 20th May…

Gairloch Iain Dall Young Pipers Festival 2017

The Iain Dall Young Pipers Festival will take place in Gairloch High School on Saturday 23th September. The purpose is to encourage Under 18 pipers, from  primary school upwards, to participate in friendly and relaxed competitions. The Festival commemorates Iain ‘Dall’ MacAoidh (1656-1754) piper to Mackenzie of Gairloch, blind from the age of seven as the result of smallpox, the legendary ‘Blind Piper’. A pupil of the great MacCrimmon of…

Atholl Gathering Results

The Atholl Gathering took place today in the grounds of Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, writes the Editor. Weather was dry and pleasant – ideal for piping and it drew a large and appreciative crowd to the first major games contest of the summer. The Champion Piper was Angus D. MacColl and how pleasing for the organisers to have this master piper supporting their contest. Angus is pictured above shortly…

Bathgate Games Results

A warm day with a high standard in all events, particularly the senior light music. Piob 1 Gordon McCready, Battle of the Pass of Crieff 2 Ashley McMichael 3 Kris Coyle Judge: T Speirs March 1 Gordon McCready (pictured above) 2 Ashley McMichael 3 Graham Drummond 4 Jonathan Greenlees S&R 1 Gordon McCready 2 Ashley McMichael 3 William Geddes 4 Jonathan Greenlees Ceol Beag judge: W Cowan Junior Piob 1…