Scottish Schools Festival/ Latest CLASP Results

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Trad Music Festival is a new open-air event running from 12th – 15th June in Edinburgh.

It is supported by Edinburgh Council, the National Galleries of Scotland and the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust.

There will be over 20 performances from youth pipe bands, ceilidh groups and trad music groups from Edinburgh, Falkirk, Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, and the Highlands. Daytime performances will take place on the Mound Precinct in Edinburgh city centre.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said: ‘The festival a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain experience in performing to the public and showcase national and traditional instruments in an iconic surrounding.

‘Next week our Education Committee will consider proposals to employ two instructors over the next three years who will teach piping and drumming. This is thanks to our partnership with the Scottish Pipes and Schools Drum Trust, and demonstrates our commitment to traditional Scottish music.

‘My own school, Preston Lodge High School, is actually one of the best in the country for their pipe band and I want Edinburgh’s young people to have this same opportunity to learn our national instrument.’

The full programme is available to view on the SSPDT website. It is a free event. Donations will be encouraged during performances, with proceeds distributed to the participating groups to help with expenses.

CLASP RESULTS

We had a very well attended in-person CLASP competition at the National Piping Centre on Saturday, 1st June, writes Margaret Houlihan.

Overall winners were, Grade 1 Eddie Boland, Grade 2 Donald Morrison, Grade 3 Kathryn MacEwan 

Grade 1 Piob: 1 Eddie Boland  2 Graham Farr 3 James Carnegie; G1 March: 1 Jamie Gallagher 2 Conall MacNamara 3 Eddie Boland; G1 S&R: 1 Conall MacNamara 2 Jamie Gallagher 3 Douglas Small; G1 6/8: 1 Conall MacNamara 2 Jamie Gallagher 3 Eddie Boland 

Grade 2 Piob: 1 Jamie Gallagher  2 Donald Morrison 3 Alistair Robinson; G2 March 1 John Nevans 2 Colin Bathgate  3 Jack Lang; G2 S&R: 1 Colin Bathgate 2 Jack Lang 3 James Carnegie; G2 6/8: 1 John Nevans  2 Jack Lang 3 Donald Morrison 

Grade 3 Piob: 1 Kathryn McEwan 2 Adam Aitchison 3 Joe Moore; G3 March: 1 Sophie Stringer 2 Laura MacEwan 3 Kian Mun Khoo; G3 S&R: 1 Sophie Stringer 2 Kian Mun Khoo 3 Alistair Robinson; G3 Jig: 1 Anthony MacLachlan 2 Kathryn MacEwan 3 Laura MacEwan