We are grateful to the reader who forwarded the complete programme from Inverness 1978. We are sure it will jog the memories of all the pipers who were there.
Prizes of note include the Gold Medal going to Dr Bill Wotherspoon (Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon), the Clasp going to John MacDougall (MacLean’s March) and the Former Winners going to P/M Angus MacDonald.
John was looking to complete the ‘big four’ that year: Senior Piob., Oban, the Clasp, and both ‘big’ MSRs. A slight slip in the last part of Mrs MacPherson second time through, opened the door to P/M Angus.
The late Jimmy Hardie (pictured top with medal and trophy) won the Silver Medal, the first time it had been presented for competition under the auspices of the Competing Pipers’ Association. This was all thanks to the CPA’s first President, Jimmy McIntosh, whose idea it was.
The Northern Meeting 47 years ago was split over two main halls: the Dr Black Upper Hall and the Caledonian Hotel Ballroom, with the Old High Church Hall for the juniors. 105 senior pipers and 38 juniors entered, all masterminded brilliantly by Piping Convenor Lt Col DJS Murray.
It was standing room only at both senior venues, especially for the light music short leets and the Former Winners’ MSR.
Results in the Gold Medal: 1 Bill Wotherspoon 2 Tom Speirs 3 Ian Duncan 4 Patricia Henderson 5 Malcolm McRae; Judges: DR MacLennan, Donald MacPherson, Norman Matheson
Clasp: 1 John MacDougall 2 Jack Taylor 3 Murray Henderson 4 Jimmy McIntosh; Judges: Donald MacGillivray, P/M Donald MacLeod, Lt. Col. GB Murray
Former Winners’ MSR: 1 P/M Angus MacDonald 2 John MacDougall 3 Donald MacPherson; Judges: DR MacLennan, Capt. John MacLellan, Dr Leslie Craig
Silver Medal: 1 Jimmy Hardie 2 Dr Angus MacDonald 3 Jack Lee 4 Patrick Grant 5 Ronald Clark; Judges: P/M Ronald MacCallum, Angus J MacLellan, Ronald Morrison
March: 1 Jack Lee 2 Dr Angus MacDonald 3 Robert Wallace 4 Murray Henderson; Judges: JA MacLellan, D MacGillivray, GB Murray
S&R: 1 Jack Lee 2 Robert Barnes 3 Kelly Todd 4 Bill Boyle (NZ); Judges: D MacPherson, N Matheson, Eddie Swindle
Jigs: 1 Cpl. Iain Morrison 2 Bill Boyle 3 P/M Angus MacDonald; Judges: P/M D MacLeod, Dr L Craig, E Swindle
Dress & Deportment: 1 John D Burgess 2 P/M Angus MacDonald (Judged by Capt. John MacLellan)
U18 Juniors: 1 Alexander Elrick 2 John MacDonald 3 Donald Campbell 4 Brian Coutts; U15 Juniors: 1 Alasdair Gillies 2 Michael Morrison 3 Ann MacKenzie 4 Robin Smart; Judges for both: NA MacDonald, P/M D MacRae
The complete lists of entrants are as follows:
Classic Strathspeys & Reels – Vol. 1 (A – F)
Some of the all time great competition strathspeys and reels 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. Download your tune and then try playing along. If the tune you need is not listed email pipingpress@gmail.com.
