Two sets of ivory pipes plus other instruments and chanters are on offer from reader Tom Smith. Get more information here.
Pictured above is a detail of the Lawrie set.
Pitlochry Games
The final Highland Games of the summer will be held at Pitlochry on Saturday (Sept.10). The new piobaireachd event sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society has a full complement of entrants, capped at 15. The organisers have opened a waiting list on their website in case anyone withdraws.
In addition to the ceol mor there is a full slate of light music events both junior and senior with good prize money in March, Strathspey & Reel, Jig and 6/8 March, six prizes in each.
New Zealand PB Champs
Liam Kernaghan: Entries are open for the 2024 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships to be held in the country’s largest city, Auckland. The ‘Nationals’ provides bands from across New Zealand, Australia, and from around the world the perfect opportunity to enjoy first-rate pipe band competition.
The 2023 offering in Christchurch exceeded our expectations. 48 bands competed across all the grades in what was the best standard heard in New Zealand for some time. We are hopeful that the 2024 event will build on that.
Auckland was due to host the 2022 Championships but, due to the pandemic, was cancelled. It is the perfect location for the Championships with fantastic venues and array of hospitality options, and is New Zealand’s major domestic and international travel hub.
For those unable to attend the event our world-class live stream will be available once again thanks to our partnership with 5Stream and Brassbanned.
The contest will be held 15/16 March, 2024, and bands can register their interest here.
- The reigning NZ G1 champions are Canterbury Caledonian from Christchurch. A list of the other winners is available here.
- The contest is for all grades and all bands must compete in the Street March competition – unique to the Southern Hemisphere.
- Flights ex Melbourne start at $700 return, ex Vancouver at $2,200 return, and ex Glasgow at $3,000 return (NZD).
- For more information contact RNZPBA Executive Officer, Penny Wilson: info@rnzpba.com
Captain John Contest
Douglas Gardiner: I am writing just to let you know that Iain Speirs won the Captain John A MacLellan MBE Memorial Dinner which took place on August 26. It was Iain’s fifth win in this competition. It was a very successful evening with a record number of guests. Iain played The Edinburgh Piobaireachd, rather appropriately. See attached a photo of him in action.
The Bagpiper’s Handbook…a must have for all pipers
