I don’t think we ladle on enough praise to the volunteers who keep the wheels of piping progress so well oiled with their cheery energy and dedication.
A case in point was last Saturday’s Highlands & Islands Festival in Oban. For close on nine hours Convenor Iain Hurst and his team were run off their feet trying to corral youngsters to their allotted classrooms and at the same time keeping grumpy seniors on side during the occasional running order glitch.
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Then they had to contend with a couple of late but understandable call offs from judges. You ask yourself why do they do it these organisers and stewards? There is no financial gain. Yes, some have children in the game, but most do it for the love of the music and an appreciation that support for our cultural heritage is both necessary and worthwhile.
So hats off to everyone on duty at Oban High School and also to big Kevin McGlynn the photographer who patiently waited for several hours for the trophies to be presented. It’s his work you see here.
I judged the B Piobaireachd with Derek Fraser. The following brief comments are my own, and I know they will be taken in the positive light with which they are proffered. The winner was Alistair Brown from Kyle of Lochalsh playing Battle of the Pass of Crieff. Probably the best instrument we heard, certainly the best technique and definitely the best music. One small slip did not detract from the overall effect. More impetus as he moves through the three grounds and more phrasing in the variations would have further improved things.
Second went to Eddie Gaul with MacNeill of Barra’s March. Timing was good for the most part and the pipe pleasant. Eddie seemed nervous and this tightened up the hands, grips, GDEs and hiharin all suffering. Third prize went to Gordon Barclay with nice passages and phrases in Donald Duaghal MacKay. Dre, hiharin and dare need work but the taorluath and crunluath were crisply delivered.
Bobby Allen got fourth with Battle of Auldearn No2. Good pipe to begin but didn’t quite hold. Very good finger, timing needs work.
Of those not in the list, some early season rust, and some pipers feeling their way with a first go at set tunes, so perhaps this explains why several struggled to give of their best.
All were given crit sheets done turn about by Derek and I. If the pipers pay heed to the various comments they will do much better next time.
- Full results from the HIMDF here.
