Scottish Pipers Association President Logan Tannock has announced the judging benches for the forthcoming professional contest to be held in the Piping Centre, McPhater Street, Glasgow, on April 11.
They are as follows:
Open Piobaireachd – Ronald MacShannon and Dr Bill Wotherspoon
B Grade Piobaireachd – Peter Hunt and Robert Wallace
C Grade Piobaireachd – Alan Forbes and Derek Fraser
Former Winners’ MSR – Peter Hunt, Ronald MacShannon and John Wilson
Open March – Roderick Livingstone and John Wilson
Open S&R – Roderick Livingstone and John Wilson
C Grade March – Euan Anderson and Tom Johnstone
C Grade S&R – Euan Anderson and Tom Johnstone
President Tannock said: ‘Anyone who wishes to come along on the day and listen to some great piping will be made most welcome. Admission is only £5.’
Lochaber Juniors
Despite a biting wind with frequent and heavy wintery showers, a good crowd made the journey to Fort William and gathered at Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar on Saturday 28th March for Lochaber Piping Society’s annual junior piping and drumming competition, writes Angus Nicolson, Chairman, Lochaber Piping Society.
There was a strong entry this year, with competitors travelling from as far afield as Aberdeen, Stenhousemuir and Glasgow. Islands were well represented too with entries from Skye, Mull, South Uist and Barra. After many years of slow decline in the number of local entries, we were delighted to see an increase this year. Credit must go to the enthusiasm and hard work of recently appointed school’s instructor, Angus Binnie. All at Lochaber Piping Society wish him every success in his new role.
An experienced team of adjudicators were on hand for the day. Jon Don MacKenzie, DJ MacIntyre, Les Hutt and Moira Robertson for piping/chanter classes and Brian Graham for drumming. The judges praised a high standard of playing across all events, and as always praised the hospitality too. Isabel MacPhee did a fabulous job of keeping everyone fed and watered and thanks must also go to Isabel and Linda Campbell at Caol Community Centre for providing a selection of delicious soups.
The society would like to thank all sponsors for the event who offered financial assistance and some truly fabulous prizes: The Piobaireachd Society, D Niall & Co., McCallum Bagpipes, RG Hardie, Pipe Dreams, Piping Club, Kingdom Thistle Pipe Band Supplies, the National Piping Centre, Sabhal Mor Ostaig and Highland Soap Co. Thank you all.
A well organised team of stewards kept the day flowing smoothly with the first players on by 9:30 and the last players off shortly after 3pm allowing time for a relaxed presentation of prizes and everyone was setting off home with plenty daylight to spare.
LPS held its local open night the preceding evening at the Railway Club, Fort William, where an enjoyable night’s entertainment was had. There were nine performers in total including society secretary James Rosie, and treasurer Fiona Fotheringham, DJ MacIntyre, Lochaber school’s instructor Angus Binnie and society chairman Angus Nicolson. There were also performances from competitors, James Silcock (Falkirk) and Lily Robertson (Oban). This brought to a close the society’s winter activities. There’s certainly plenty appetite for piping in Lochaber so more recitals are in the planning for the end of this year and into next.
The next scheduled event for LPS will be the Lochaber Gathering on 28th August which will follow a similar format to previous years, with the main venue being Highland Cinema on Fort William High Street. Details of entries etc to be announced soon.
A final thank you must go to all society and committee members who give up so much time to organise and plan the events. Without their dedication the events wouldn’t happen, and the success of all the various events we run are a credit to the whole team.
Chanter (March 10&U): 1 Z Porter 2 C Campbell 3 B Haberli 4 M Forrest 5 N Macdonald 6 S Macpherson; Chanter (March 14&U): 1. MI Macmillan 2 K MacNeil-Smith 3 F Kinnie 4 C Munro 5 F Lamont
Novice Slow Air 15&U: 1 K Brendon 2 R Fielden 3 J Baillie 4. P Burrows 5 A MacNeil-Smith 6 R James; Novice March 15&U: 1 K Brendon 2 R Fielden 3 P Burrows 4 A MacNeil-Smith 5 R James 6 Z Isaac
Slow Air 16&U: 1 C Erskine 2 Lily Robertson 3 L Presslie 4 J Silcock 5 J Folan 6 A Campbel
March 14&U: 1 F MacDermid 2 M Silver 3 A Bullock 4 L Presslie 5 J Folan 6 D MacIssac
S&R 14&U: 1 M Silver 2 A Bullock 3 F MacDermid 4 J Folan 5 K Folan 6 D MacIssac
Piobaireachd 14&U: 1 F MacDermid 2 J Folan 3 A Bullock 4 M Oliver 5 L Presslie
Jig 14&: 1 L Presslie 2 A Bullock 3 J Folan 4 M Silver 5 K Folan 6 E MacDonald
March 15–18: 1 S Forrest 2 L Robertson 3 E McCracken 4 C Erskine 5 J Silcock 6 A Campbell
S& R 15–18: 1 L Robertson 2 S Forrest 3 C Erskine 4 J Silcock 5 H Anderson 6 F Hughes
Piobaireachd 15–18: 1 H Anderson 2 J Silcock 3 S Forrest 4 L Robertson 5 E McCracken 6 C Erskine
Jig 15–18: 1 H Anderson 2 S Forrest 3 J Silcock 4 E McCracken 5 L Robertson 6 A Campbell
Piobaireachd Ground 18&U: 1 E MacDonald 2 CA Munro
Donald MacLeod Mem. Piob. 18&U: 1 F MacDermid 2 H Anderson 3 L Robertson 4 M Silver 5 A Bullock 6 F Hughes
Bagpiper’s Handbook – Handy Maintenance Tips
A concise yet complete handbook for all pipers. Learn how to tie in a stock, adjust your reeds, test your bag and much, much more. A handy size, the book can be kept in the pipe case for easy reference. The book comes complete with a set of video instructions which help explain each lesson. Access them: here.
‘It is beautifully presented and full of wise tips for pipers’….Fred Kew, Hong Kong
