Judging for the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd was completed this weekend after the deadline for submissions of July 29. The eight young pipers selected to go forward to the final are:
Ross Conner, Campbeltown.
Luke Kennedy, Strathaven.
Liam MacDonald, Wellesley, Ontario, Canada.
Angus MacPhee, Inverness.
Henry Paluch, Aorora, Ontario, Canada
Anna Smart, Dunfermline.
Hazel Whyte, Larkhall
Campbell Wilson. Christchurch, New Zealand.
Piping Convenor Torquil Telfer: ‘All recordings submitted were of good quality. Highland dress was always worn. Details of final will follow. All competitors made a great effort. Critique sheets will be forwarded for each performance. We are hoping to show videos of the qualifiers on AG website.’
View and listen to the eight finalists’ performances here.
Adjudicator Bill Livingstone: ‘All the entrants in my heat played to a very high standard. It was a pleasure to listen to.’
Captain Stuart Samson, MBE: ‘The overall standard was very high and to be honest every performance impressed me in some way. All the competitors who have taken part should be congratulated on their performances and it is very satisfying to see the future of piobaireachd is healthy with the young talent coming through.’
The final has a good mix with four home players and two from New Zealand and two from Canada.
The final will also be by video submission via YouTube with two fresh judges. Deadline for submission to be announced and the pipers will, of course, be given a different tune to play.
Heat A – Judge Bill Livingstone
Jordan Ednie, 19, Monifeith – Battle of Auldearn No 2
Hazel Whyte, 17, Larkhall – The Groat
Chris Happs, 17, Gorebridge – Lament for Mary MacLeod
Hamish Drennan, 19, Drumnadrochit – Old Men of the Shells
Ian Hamilton, 18, Paisley – MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart
Anna Smart, 19, Dunfermline – Too Long in This Condition
Ross Conner, 17, Campbeltown – Lachlan MacNeil Campbell of Kintarbert’s Fancy
Abbas Manchandi, 18, Brisbane – Lament for Donald of Laggan
Andrew Orr, 17, Fort William – Battle of the Pass of Crieff
Lewis Maxwell, 14, Alva – Catherine’s Lament
Bobby Allan, 17, Chryston – Lament for the Viscount of Dundee
Bede Patterson, 19, Balmain, NSW – Wee Spree
Finlay Frame, 20, West Kilbride – The Vaunting
Kyle Shead, 21, Selby, N Yorks. – Rory MacLoude’s Lament
Thomas McCollom, 15, Deerton, USA – Sir James MacDonald of the Isles’ Lament
Tomas Young, 17, Dunoon – Lament for Donald of Laggan
Henry Paluch, 16, Ontario – Black Donald’s March
Eala Niamh McIlhinney, 15, Duntocher – Struan Robertson’s Salute
Heat B – Judge Stuart Samson
Kevin Darmadi, 18, Houston, TX – MacDougall’s Gathering
Owen Muir, 21, Lockerbie – Wee Spree
Alistair Williams, 15, Dunblane – Cabar Feidh Gu Brath
Gregor MacDonald, 17, Oban – MacFarlane’s Gathering
Cameron May, 17, Lesmahagow – Lament for Captain MacDougall
Campbell Wilson, 17, Christchurch, NZ – Old Men of the Shells
Dugald MacKechnie, 15, Bridge of Allan – Too Long in This Condition
Archie MacLean, 17, Edinbane – Lament for the Viscount of Dundee
Luke Kennedy, Strathavon, 17 – Lady MacDonald’s Lament
Eosaph Campbell, 17, Kyle – Earl of Seaforth’s Salute
Kyle Cameron, 15, Rosemarkie – Lament for Donald of Laggan
David Stulpner, 17, Perth, Australia – Corrienessan’s Salute
Brodie Watson-Massey, 17, Edinburgh – King’s Taxes
Harris MacLennan, 21, Polton – End of the High Bridge
Connor Kellet, 21, Kyle – MacLeod of Raasay’s Salute
Aiden Bestwick, 21, Sydney, Kinlochmoidart No 2
Angus MacPhee, 19, Inverness – Battle of Auldearn No 1
Liam MacDonald, 19, Ontario – Marquis of Argyll’s Salute
