The cream of the the world’s solo pipers gather in the West Highland town of Oban today for the annual Argyllshire Gathering competitions.
Judges meet this evening to select tunes to be played in the piobaireachd events. There are four categories, the MacGregor Memorial for pipers under 22, the Silver Medal, the Gold Medal and the Senior Piobaireachd, all held tomorrow, August 27.
Admission to these events is free to members of the Piobaireachd Society, a leading sponsor of the Gathering.
Piping Steward John Campbell, Kilberry, said: ‘Once more we have the finest pipers in the world gathering in Oban for our annual competitions. I wish them all the very best of luck and whatever the outcome, I hope they enjoy their experience.’
The march to the Games 2024:
All events are oversubscribed with a stringent selection process in place to decide who gets to play and who doesn’t. The MacGregor is over two heats with four from each going forward to a final. It is a stringent test for aspiring professionals. The draw, venue and time:
Next in seniority is the Silver Medal:
The Gold Medal draw:
The Senior Piobaireachd is for those who have already won at least one Highland Society of London Gold Medal:
The Former Winners’ March, Strathspey and Reel is held in the Argyllshire Gathering Hall at the conclusion of the Senior Piobaireachd (approx. 3pm).
The winner of the Gold Medal has the honour of acting as Pipe Major leading the pipers to the Games at Mossfield Park on the Thursday. Here there are competitions for Intermediate MSR (P/M RG Hardie Memorial Trophy) – pipers must have competed in the MacGregor Memorial.
Check out these pictures from the 2024 AG…..
For seniors there are B and A Grade March, Strathspey and Reel and Jig (Open) competitions. There is also a raft of junior and local competitions including the much prized Duke of Argyll’s Medal.
Judges: E Anderson, R Barnes, B Donaldson, I Duncan, A Forbes, D Fraser, M Henderson, P Henderson, B Hitchings, P Hunt, S Liddell, A MacDonald, R MacShannon, D MacPhee, M Robertson, J Taylor, R Wallace, J Wilson, W Wotherspoon.
The above draws are accurate as of today August 26 and take into account late withdrawals and omissions. Stay tuned to PP over the next few days for all results and reaction.
