Oban and Inverness Cancelled

Both major solo contests at the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering have been cancelled for 2021, it was announced today.

Alan Forbes for the NM: ‘With great regret, the Northern Meeting Piping Committee has decided to cancel the competition again this year, due to the ongoing uncertainty created by the coronavirus epidemic. 

‘Progress with the vaccination programme and the relaxation of many of the constraints associated with the epidemic give us hope that we will be able to go ahead as normal next year and we very much look forward to welcoming you back to Inverness then.’

Oban have concurred and have said the MacGregor Memorial junior piobaireachd will be online. They are also planning a high level contest to mark their 150th Anniversary.

Torquil Telfer of the AG: ‘The Argyllshire Gathering is in accord with the view of the Northern Meetings Piping Committee that, given the current impact of the pandemic and in the interests of clarity, the principal competitions and awards at this year’s Gatherings should not take place.

‘However, given that 2021 is the 150th Anniversary of the Argyllshire Gathering, the Piping Sub-Committee of the Argyllshire Gathering will continue planning on the basis that social restrictions will reduce sufficiently to permit one off competitions (outdoor/indoor) to take place which will specifically mark the occasion of the 150th Anniversary.’

PP reported last week that it would be unlikely the contests for the Gold and Silver Medals would go ahead given the probable absence of overseas players and the reluctance of the Highland Society of London to present their Gold Medal for a reduced event.