In preparation for this year’s Lochaber Gathering on Friday 23rd August (the day after Games Day at the Argyllshire Gathering), we have opened the Senior Entries and will hold them open until noon on 15th July, writes Ken Cameron, Chairman of Lochaber Piping Society.
We are very restricted in numbers due to the nature of the venue, the excellent Highland Cinema in Fort William, so any sections which are over-subscribed will be balloted and all applicants will be notified of their status at that point. This is to avoid the previous problems with the first-come, first-served system.
Entry will be decided by a ballot using an on-line random number generator. Access to the Entry Form will be available for two weeks.
Lochaber Piping Society will contact entrants as soon as the list is finalised to let you know if your entry has been successful. At this point we will request an entry fee of £20. If your entry is unsuccessful, you will not be asked to pay an entry fee, though you will be asked if you wish your name to be added to a reserve list. Entry form here.
There will be Junior Competitions again at the Lochaber Gathering and details will show soon on Lochaber Piping Society’s Facebook page.
Lochearnhead Games
Secretary Alex Gargolinski reports: Piobaireachd registration for this year’s games is at 10am on July 20th. Competition begins 10.30am. There are four cash prizes for seniors in Piobaireachd, March and Strathspey and Reel: £70, £55, £59 and £45 with £100 for the Champion Piper sponsored by Thomas Allan & Sons of Callander.
The winner of the Piobaireachd may also receive the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Bronze Star and £20 at the discretion of the RSPS.
The late Dr Alistair McLaren was a past Chairman of the Clan MacLaren Society. He acted for a number of years as a judge at the Games. In his memory the RSPS presented the Alistair McLaren Quaich to the Games. A miniature is awarded to the winner of the Marches.
Three tunes for each event. Light music registration is 12.30; competitions begin 1pm.
There are four prizes in Juniors: £35, £25, £20 and £15. Again three events, Piobaireachd, March and Strathspey and Reel. Junior Piping, sponsored by Sandy Stewart of Ardvorlich, commences 10.30am.
Other Games
Saturday, June 6, sees the annual games on Loch Lomondside at Luss (entries on the field at 9.45am) and at Forres in Morayshire (entries on field, Grant Park, 11am).
Luss has Piobaireachd and light music for seniors, plus Junior and Local contests. In addition there is an amateur CLASP event.
Juniors and Seniors (P, M, S&R) at Forres, plus a chanter competition.
