Ten pipers played at Scotland’s most picturesque Highland games venue at Glenfinnan on August 17. Judges were Iain MacFadyen (piobaireachd), Rona Lightfoot (light music).
Piob: 1 Jacob Dicker (Canada) 2 Duncan Beattie 3 Dan Lyden (USA)
March: 1 Scott MacLean 2 Jacob Dicker 3 Dan Lyden
S&R: 1 Jacob Dicker 2 Scott MacLean 3 Dan Lyden
17&Under Piob.: 1 Maggie McConnochie (NZ) 2 Ian MacLeod
17&Under March: 1 Maggie McConnochie 2 Ian MacLeod 3 Alastair MacKay
17&Under S&R: 1 Maggie McConnochie 2 Alastair MacKay 3 Ian MacLeod
Local March and S&R: Alastair MacKay
Lonach
Heavy rain first thing gave way to a clear blustery day at the Lonach Gathering in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, on 24th August, writes Jack Taylor. An international field of 17 adults and eight juniors made for healthy competition.
The winner of the Charles Morrison Memorial Medal and £5O0 was James McHattie from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Last year’s winner, Andrew Donlan from Washington DC, was runner-up, and overall champion of the day. Junior champion was Lachlan Rennie, Broughty Ferry, with Lucas Paterson, Canterbury, NZ, runner up.
Open Piobaireachd
1 James MacHattie (£500) – Scarce of Fishing
2 Andrew Donlon (£300) – Nameless, Hiharin Odin
3 Anna Kummerlöw (£200) – Cronan Padruig Seumas
4 Ben McClamrock – Clanranald’s Salute
5 Brodie Watson-Massie – Lament for MacSwan of Roaig
6 Bruce Gandy – King’s Taxes
March: 1 Andrew Donlon 2 Ben McClamrock 3 Bruce Gandy 4 Dan Lydon 5 John McDonald 6 A Kummerlöw
S&R: 1 Ben McClamrock 2 Bruce Gandy 3 Andrew Donlon 4 Brodie Watson-Massie 5 Dan Lydon 6 John McDonald; Best tune by Willie Grant, Strathdon: Hamish Munro
Piob. 17 & under: 1 Lachlan Rennie 2 Lucas Paterson 3 Craig Mitchell 4 Maggie McConnachie, NZ 5 Rory Menzies 6 James Fraser; March 14-18: 1 Lucas Paterson 2 Maggie McConnachie 3 Lachlan Rennie 4 Rory Menzies 5 James Fraser 6 Hamish Addison; S&R 14-18: 1 Lachlan Rennie 2 Lucas Paterson 3 James Fraser 4 Maggie McConnachie 5 Craig Mitchell 6 Rory Menzies; U14 March: 1 Larry Presslie 2 Sophie Bird 3 Aled Lynn; U14 S&R: 1 Sophie Bird 2 Larry Presslie
Strathardle
Neil Clark reports: Only three pipers played in the seniors at this small games which dates back to 1871. The clash with other games on August 24 kept the numbers low.
March: 1 Zephan Knichel, Canada 2 Neil Clark 3 Seumas Coyne
S&R: 1 Zephan Knichel 2 Neil Clark 3 Seumas Coyne
Jig: 1 Neil Clark 2 Zephan Knichel 3 Seumas Coyne
I also won the March, Strath/Reel, Slow Air and Jig at Kinloch Rannoch on August 17 but have to admit there was only me and a Belgian piper in for it.
Capt. John MacLellan Memorial Medal
Douglas Gardiner, President of promoters the Eagle Pipers Society, reports: Ian K. MacDonald, Ontario, was judged by Bruce Hitchings to have played the best tune last night [August 24] at the Captain John A MacLellan MBE Memorial Medal dinner held in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Edinburgh.
Ian played John’s tune, For My Lass, Fair, Pretty and Highland. I enclose a couple of pictures. One shows Ian being awarded the medal by George Barlow of Binghamton, NY, USA, who flew over especially for the dinner.
An important correction to Jack Taylor’s report on Lonach Gathering.
The winner of the Open Piobaireachd received the Charles Morrison Medal.
My late uncle, in whose memory I donate the prizes for the competition, was for many years a piper in the Lonach Pipe Band. Those who donate deserve accuracy in reporting.
Apologies Mr Reid. The correction has now been made. Ed.
Hi, the best tune composed by Willie grant at Lonach was won by Hamish Munro, not Hector Munro
Cheers,
Hamish