Editor’s Notebook: Uist & Barra/ Judges Training/ Glasgow Skye/ Lochaber Juniors/ Watson’s Results

To Otago Street tomorrow for the Uist & Barra. A stellar line up of top pipers should guarantee some excellent music. Those playing are Callum Beaumont, Calum Brown, Sandy Cameron, Ben Duncan, Jamie Forrester, Finlay Johnson, Steven Leask, Angus MacColl, Sarah Muir, Connor Sinclair, and Brodie Watson-Massey.

New Piping Convenor, Innes Scullion, tells me that the invites have all been based on a transparent list of qualifying events – just as they should be. Each competitor has won or placed in either the gold medals, the senior piobaireachd events, the ‘big’ MSRs, London, Silver Chanter, or the ‘A’ MSRs at Oban and Inverness.

Six piobaireachd, four MSRs, two H&Js have been submitted by each player and selections will be given on the day. Judges are myself, Willie Morrison and Bill Wotherspoon.

Innes has confirmed that the famous U&B trophies will be on show and presented to the winners. In the recent past these have languished in a museum on the islands much to the chagrin of the photographers.

The Piobaireachd Society has given the U&B, needing a boost, a substantial grant. Doors open early and if you hunger for some live professional piping this should not be missed. Report to follow.

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Judges Training
Thanks to Jack Taylor for clarifying that the Piobaireachd Society seminar on April 19 is by invitation. These have gone out to all UK members of the solo judges association and a few others. This year’s Gold and Silver Medal tunes will be discussed.

I repeat my earlier comment about continuous professional development (CPD). No judge worth the name will want to miss this opportunity to expand his/her knowledge, especially given the eclectic nature of the 2026 lists.

We owe it to competitors to commit to CPD. Many years ago I remember Captain John MacLellan posing the idea that those who did not attend his PS seminar held at the Army School in the Castle should not be permitted to judge at the big contests. That might have been going a bit far, but we all knew what he was driving at.

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Glasgow Skye
Sorry to hear that Grade 2 World Champions Glasgow Skye won’t be on the grass this summer. The decision follows the resignation of pipe major Donald Stewart and his leading drummer.

The Skye thought that given the proximity of the season they would be best taking a year out whilst they look for replacements.

I hope the band will still be able to promote their 2026 World’s Week concert. I heard a rumour that it might be St Laurence O’Toole this year, but I stress – a rumour.

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Lochaber Juniors
Entries are now open for this competition. Secretary James Rosie writes: ‘We have got together our entry form for the Lochaber piping society junior competition which is on 28th March with a closing date of 16th March at 5pm. Syllabus here; entry here. 

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George Watson’s Results
The annual George Watson’s solo light music and band contest was held last weekend. There were 28 band performances and 151 solo entries. Organiser Ben Duncan: ‘A hugely promising sign to see so many young pipers and drummers in action, enjoying the music and making friends across the various schools.’
13&U March: 1 F Thompson, G Watson’s 2 G Lee, Erskine Stewart Melville 3 R Bowen, G Heriot’s 4 K Smith, Glasgow Acad. 5 A Hall, Fettes 6 E Wilson, Preston Lodge
15&U MSR: 1 R Forbes, G Watson’s 2 T Chapman, Dollar Acad. 3 L MacIntyre, G Heriot’s 4 O Kemp Preston Lodge 5 E Fyfe, G Watson’s 6 A Leonard, G Heriot’s
18&U MSR: 1 R Menzies, Strathallan 2 G Cohen, G Watson’s 3 L Lee, Erskine Stewart Melville 4 S Brass Dundee High 5 M McGill, G Watson’s 6 A Thomson, Preston Lodge
Junior Bands: 1 G Watson’s 2 Dollar Acad. 3 Glasgow Academy; Intermediate Bands: 1 G Watson’s 2 Dollar 3 N Lanarkshire Schools; Senior Bands: 1 G Watson’s 2 Preston Lodge 3 G Heriot’s

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Finally…. the best of luck to piper Norrie Gillies and his bride for their forthcoming nuptials. They get married tomorrow in Ullapool.

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