Undoubtedly the larger gaps between next year’s Worlds, Oban and Inverness will pose challenges for overseas pipers, not least of which will be the cost of attending all three.
But the search for fame and fortune always involves sacrifice. If I want to succeed at sumo wrestling, to Japan I must go.
When family budgets won’t stretch, or you don’t have the air miles, then priorities and preferences come into play. You may opt for the Worlds with your band and stay on for a fortnight to take in the Argyllshire. Or you could do the Worlds, miss Oban and come back for the Northern Meeting.
No question that for most non-UK pipers the opportunity for success have been diminished by the quirk of the calendar. But in the recent past things have worked well for them. Promoters have gone out their way to accommodate their travel needs, notably the committee at Inverness.
Most home pipers will be glad of the breathing space 2025 will afford them. The Worlds, AG and NM buttressing against one another meant mid to end of August was too congested. No time to fully enjoy or absorb one before it was on to the next.
With a more measured schedule everyone has time to readjust the head space – and competitors have time to sort those pipes if they are not going too well and to give a little more thought to tunes and presentation.
- Those dates again: The Worlds August 15/16; Oban August 27/28; Inverness September 11/12.
Drum Tutor
Piping tutor Calum Maclean: A vacancy has become available for a Drumming Tutor at Tobermory High School, for one day a week. This post has the possibility of rising to two days a week if the pupil numbers increase and funding is available. The post consists of teaching pupils from 9-18 years of age and working with the piping tutor to form a competing band. This post would be on a self-employed basis and all applicants must be PVG registered. For further details please contact me on calumaclean@gmail.com
Mick Haggerty
Christina McDonald: ‘I am the great-niece of the late Mick Haggerty who was an uncle to my mother, Catherine McDonald (known as Katie). You published an article about him. I am unsure but it spoke about a Graham Adams, Paul Ross, Rona Lightfoot and Dennis Browning and how they placed a cross on Mick’s grave.
‘The article was extremely interesting for me as I have only known ‘of’ him but my mother remembers him and speaks fondly of him. My mother actually owns a mirrored photograph of Mick and is looking to find a place for it and we wondered if you would know or put us in contact with anyone we could approach to let it have its pride of place.
‘It hung in my granny’s home for years and then my own mothers home but she has now moved in with me and we are unable to bring everything. We did have it on loan to the local museum here and when they did their WW1 and WW2 displays they had it up and it was commented on quite a bit because it really is a beautiful and unique photograph. If you can put me in touch with anyone I would be extremely grateful.’ Please contact Christina here.
Donald MacLeod Reel
I asked Peter Candy to forward me this reel after I heard him playing it at the Piobaireachd Society Summer School. I had heard it before but couldn’t remember the name. As you can see from the manuscript it was written by Peter MacLeod Jnr. and he named it for Donald MacLeod. I thought it was from a Gaelic song and went under another name but can’t be sure.
Peter writes: ‘I was given this copy of the tune in South Africa when I was still a student. Apparently it was made by Peter MacLeod when he was in the then Rhodesia, but I’m afraid I cannot now remember who gave me the tune. Chris Mullinder in Johannesburg printed a setting of it in his book ‘The Dunvegan Collection’.
