One thing I found striking about the report this week on the 1934 Argyllshire Gathering was the tunes played in the light music: Shepherd’s Crook, Lochcarron, Piper’s Bonnet, Glengarry Gathering, and what must have been an early run of Mrs MacPherson of Inveran.
Here we are, eight years off a century later, and these classic pieces are still what separates the great from the not so great players of ceòl beag.
Delivering them with proper phrasing, pointing and clear technique is as difficult today as it was way back then. So good are these tunes that competitors, judges, listeners never tire of hearing them played well.
Competition marches, strathspeys and reels are, just like piobaireachd, a significant contribution to world culture which Scotland can be very proud of. There’s nothing like them in any other music tradition, Celtic or otherwise.
I suppose we should thank Angus and Hugh Mackay for their ingenuity in developing the 2/4 to such a level of complex excellence back in the middle of the 19th century.
Who developed strathspeys and reels from dancing to listening music is probably lost to us now. Seeing the quickstep transmogrified into a march not for the parade ground but for the competition board, must have been an irresistible challenge to the early arrangers. The old books show many of our classics originally as light two-parters, when today we know them as challenging pieces only the best pipers can do justice to.
We can thank Willie Ross too. It was he, in his unbeatable collection for Paterson’s Publications, who corrected and improved the fingering style, setting standards followed ever since.
Funerals
P/M Andy Venters’ funeral will be on June 12 at Warrington Crematorium, Edinburgh. Andy, teacher, composer, dedicated Queen’s Own Highlander, passed away last week aged 90.
Walter Cowan’s funeral is on Monday, June 1, 12 noon, at St Andrew’s Church of Scotland, Bank Street, Annan DG12 6AA.
Letters
Piper Yannick Henry writes from Brittany: ‘I would like to know if there will be a composition competition for 6/8 soon. I have a piece I would like to submit. Thank you very much in advance for your reply.’
If anyone knows of one contact Yannick directly on machenry4@gmail.com.
Mr TJ Jewett: ‘I have just acquired a 9K gold medallion with this inscription: ‘Presented to Mr A. Campbell by the members of the band on his leaving Torphichen 1905’.
‘I have been unable to discover exactly who this gentleman was, or his relationship to the band. Any light which you may be able to shed on this mystery would be much appreciated!’
If anyone can help Mr Jewett please reply in our Comments section
Michael Lord: ‘My father won the Maxwell Scott Cup in 1947. The inscription included his service number 14780882, his rank of L/Cpl and name H Lord. He was of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
‘I was wondering if you could provide me with any background as what I’ve told you is all I have. I have a memory from childhood of a talk that he was the lone piper at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the late ’40s but I can’t find any information regarding this.
‘He emigrated to Australia in 1952 and never returned. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.’
Again, if anyone can help Mr Lord please use the Comments section.
Glenfiddich Competition
The 2026 championship will take place at Blair Castle on October 31. Tickets are on sale priced £20/£15. Tickets for the black tie ceilidh are £70 and are also on sale. Special overnight rates are available via the Atholl Palace Hotel website. Here’s a nice picture of last year’s winner Stuart Liddell:
