The annual Skye Gathering Piping Competitions began yesterday in Portree. Twenty played in the Dunvegan Medal contest for which pipers have to submit four MacCrimmon tunes. The winner of the 2019 Medal, Sarah Muir, is pictured above courtesy Cailean Maclean, Skye Media.
Dunvegan Medal
1 Sarah Muir, Lament for the Earl of Antrim
2 Steven Leask, Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck
3 Andrew Ferguson, Earl of Ross’s March
4 John Dew, Rory MacLoude’s Lament
5 Anna Kummerlöw, A Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick
Judges: A Forbes, M McRae, J Wilson
6/8 March
1 Derek Midgley
2 Jamie Forrester
3 Finlay Cameron
4 Jamie Elder
5 John Dew
H&J
1 Jamie Forrester
2 Brodie Watson-Massey
3 Finlay Cameron
4 Steven Leask
5 Greig Canning
Judges: I MacFadyen, I Morrison
Col. Jock MacDonald Clasp for former winners of the Dunvegan Medal
1 Jamie Forrester, Earl of Ross’s March
2 Sarah Muir, Lament for Donald Duaghal MacKay
3 Derek Midgley, MacLeod of Colbeck’s Lament
4 Simon McKerral, Mrs MacLeod of Talisker’s Salute
Kemble Star March
1 John Dew
2 Finlay Cameron
3 Steven Leask
4 Greig Canning
5 Eddie Gaul
6 Derek Midgely
Peter MacFarquhar Star S&R
1 Sarah Muir
2 Finlay Cameron
3 Steven Leask
4 Simon McKerrel
5 Connor Kellet
6 Robert Gibb
Judges for light music heats: I MacFadyen, M McRae (Heat 1), I Morrison, J Wilson (Heat 2). These judges formed the bench for the final.
Ceòl Mòr – Open Under-18
1 Archie Maclean, Edinbane, Skye
2 Eòsaph Caimbeul, Kyle
3 Thomas Young, Dunoon
Judge: Archie Maclean, Inverness.
March Strathspey & Reel – Open Under-18
1 Thomas Young, Dunoon
2 Ciaran Kellet, Kyle
3 Hector Finlayson, Kyle
Judge: Archie Maclean, Inverness.
Highland Society of London Prize (£250) for best overall piper: Sarah Muir
Dr Alan MacDonald Cup for best in light music (£200): Finlay Cameron
Finlay MacRae Trophy for best local piper: Connor Kellett