As we approach August, the piping side of things for this year’s Argyllshire Gathering is in a pretty good place, writes Piping Steward John Campbell. Torquil Telfer deserves most of the plaudits on that score.
This year is a very special one for the Oban Gold Medal. Here is some information about it and a few photos.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering. The Gathering was founded in 1871 with the piping added to the programme in 1873.
The inaugural Gold Medal competition was held on the 8th September, 1875, to reward the best piobaireachd player. It was won by John MacBean who was employed as a piper and valet to Lord Middleton of Birdsall House, Yorkshire.
John MacBean’s piping pedigree is second to none. He won the Gold Medal for the second time in 1877. He also won the equivalent competition at the Northern Meeting in 1869 and thus became the only piper in history to win the medal three times.
He probably would have won more but the organisers decided that henceforth previous winners were to be ineligible.
MacBean was born in the village of Petty, about half a dozen miles northeast of Inverness on the road to Nairn. He was taught by P/M Alexander MacLennan of the Inverness Militia.
To mark this year’s milestone, the Highland Society of London have kindly donated a one-off silver drinking cup (above) along with their usual Gold Medal.
The well-known firm of Bagpipe Covers have highlighted the significance of the 150th Anniversary on the winners’ banner (above).
The company’s banners are presented to the Gold Medal and Silver Medal winners each year.
