A very healthy entry of 26 pipers gathered in the Victoria Halls, Helensburgh, yesterday (July 20th) for the annual competition, a replacement event for the now defunct Rosneath Games.
Piobaireachd (three tunes)
1 Cameron May, MacLeans’ March
2 Jonathon Simpson, Desperate Battle
3 Eireann Ianetta-MacKay
4 Gordon McCready
Best Overseas Piper in Piobaireachd: Piers Dover
March: 1 Gordon McCready 2 Callum Wynd 3 Sandy Cameron 4 Bobby Allen
S&R: 1 Sandy Cameron 2 Gordon McCready 3 Callum Wynd 4 Jonathon Simpson
Best Overseas Piper in Light Music: Piers Dover
Junior March: 1 William Muirhead 2 Charles Mack 3 Ethan Campbell Black
Junior S&R: 1 William Muirhead 2 Ethan Campbell Black 3 Charles Mack
Judges: P Hunt, R Huth, R Livingstone, W Morrison
Tomintoul Games
The above event took place on July 19 with the forecast of the likelihood of heavy rain to arrive about 14.00 hrs, writes Duncan Watson. It seems that youngsters were bolder than the more mature pipers, as the number of under 15 and under 18 pipers outstripped the number of adults.
The piobaireachd competitor list numbered five, and the light music four. As a matter of interest, in 2024 the attendance was 17 in the adult lists. The rain duly started about 2pm, but just a shower at that time. However, heavy rain arrived with a vengeance later and events were reduced to a war of attrition between pipers and the weather.
Piobaireachd
1 Angus MacPhee, Prince’s Salute
2 David Stulpner, Too Long in This Condition
3 Jack Johnston, Piper’s Warning to his Master
4 Hector Munro, King’s Taxes
Hector only played the Ground and Variation 1 when rain stopped play. His prize was awarded as a reward for effort. (The fifth player did not get as far as that with his tune, as H2O flowing in the drones was the judge!)
March: 1 Hector Munro 2 David Stulpner 3 Angus MacPhee 4 Fraser Maitland
S&R: 1 David Stulpner 2 Angus MacPhee 3 Fraser Maitland 4 Hector Munro
H&J: 1 Angus MacPhee 2 Fraser Maitland 3 David Stulpner
U18 Piob: 1 Craig Mitchell 2 Callan Erskine 3 Lewis Stewart 4 Rory Menzies
U18 March: 1 Rory Menzies 2 Craig Mitchell 3 Callan Erskine 4 Lewis Stewart
U18 S/R: 1 Craig Mitchell 2 Rory Menzies 3 Callan Erskine 4 Amy Howitt
Overall U18: Craig Mitchell (pictured below)
Judges: L Barclay, G Brown, I Duncan, N Matheson, S Oliphant, D Watson
Taynuilt Games
Poor weather in Argyll last Saturday, July 19. There was a surprise in the piobaireachd, according to reports, when Angus D MacColl launched into I Gave a Kiss of the King’s Hand when he should have been playing the Red Speckled Bull.
Piobaireachd
1 Angus J MacColl, I Gave a Kiss to the King’s Hand
2 Calum Carn, Lament for Captain MacDougall
3 Greig Canning, MacFarlane’s Gathering
March: 1 Angus D MacColl 2 Angus J MacColl 3 Greig Canning
S&R: 1 Angus D MacColl 2 Greig Canning 3 Angus J MacColl
Chanter: 1 Rory Fielder 2 Eididh Reid 3 Rhuaraidh Douglas
Junior March: 1 Morla Bruce 2 Lily Robertson 3 Alistair Bullock
Junior S&R: 1 Lily Robertson 2 Morla Bruce 3 Alistair Bullock
Judges: R Barnes BEM, T MacLean, L Tannock
Stonehaven Games, July 20th
Brian Elrick: Depleted numbers in the competition this year; perhaps a soaking at Tomintoul for some the day before, torrential rain on the morning, and other events elsewhere were factors. Piping quality was not affected with some superb prize-winning performances. It turned out to be cloudy, but it remained dry, if a little humid.
U18 March: 1 Craig Mitchell, Atholl Highlanders March to Loch Katrine 2 Rory Menzies, Mrs John MacColl 3 Sam Brass, Glenfinnan Highland Gathering
U18 S&R: 1 Craig Mitchell, Blairdrummond, Duntroon 2 Rory Menzies, Arniston Castle, Drumlithie 3 Sam Brass, Doune of Invernochty, Duntroon
Open March: 1 Calum Brown, Braes of Castle Grant 2 Craig Black, John MacColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage 3 Lee Taylor, Mrs Duncan MacFadyen
Open S&R: 1 Calum Brown, Piper’s Bonnet, Broadford Bay 2 James Fraser, Shepherd’s Crook, Rejected Suitor 3 Craig Black, Piper’s Bonnet, Sheepwife
Classic 2/4 Competition Marches (H -Y) – ‘Play Along’ Lessons
More of the all time greats of the 2/4 march repertoire are listed here. Each is played in full on the practice chanter by Robert Wallace. Firstly he goes through the tune very slowly at a practice tempo and then he plays it a little more quickly, closer to performance speed. If the tune you need is not listed email pipingpress@gmail.com.