Skye Gathering is underway in Portree with the hotly contested Dunvegan Medal the centrepiece. Twenty-eight pipers are vying for the award, all submitting four MacCrimmon connected tunes. The winner will be announced late afternoon.
Here is the order of play: S Klinger, M Kessler, K Bowes, S Leask, T Krogh, E Cameron, B Watson-Massey, A Kummerlöw, G Canning, G Barclay, A Hall, J Elder, C Carn, E Gaul, A MacPhee, M Pantaleoni, J Simpson, H Munro, K Shead, A Smith, C May, D Stulpner, B Duncan, D Urquhart, JA Smith, J McDonald, A Ferguson, I Simpson.
The 2026 medallist will play in the evening in the competition for former winners, the Col. Jock MacDonald Clasp. The winners of this and the winner of the Dunvegan Medal automatically qualify for next year’s Silver Chanter.
Skye also has light music competitions for 6/8 March, Hornpipe and Jig, March (Kemble Star), and Strathspey & Reel (Peter MacFarquhar Star).
The two-day feast of piping reaches its climax with the 2026 Silver Chanter being held on the island at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College, Sleat. Entry is at the door (£10), under 16s free.
The pipers are Sandy Cameron, Brodie Watson-Massey, Derek Midgley, Stuart Liddell, Alistair Brown, Steven Leask. Each has merited his place on the basis of success at either the 2025 Skye Gathering, the Northern Meeting or the Argyllshire Gathering.
The Silver Chanter is promoted and organised by the Piobaireachd Society and sponsored by Torabhaig Malt Whisky
Results from all of the above as soon as we receive them.
Morar Games
The games were held in good conditions last Sunday at Lovat Field, Morar. Several pipers used the day as a warm-up for Skye.
Piobaireachd: 1 Sandy Cameron, Earl of Ross’s March 2 Eireann Cameron, MacLeod of Raasay’s Salute 3 Calum Carn, Lament for Donald Duaghal MacKay 4 Magnus Stone, Lament for Ronald MacDonald of Morar
March: 1 Calum Carn 2 Teddy Krogh 3 Scott MacLean 4 Magnus Stone
S&R: 1 Calum Carn 2 Magnus Stone 3 Calum Craib 4 Eireann Cameron
H&J: 1 Calum Craib 2 Scot Maclean 3 Teddy Krogh 4 Calum Carn
Champion Piper: Calum Carn (NZ). Judges: L Hutt, I MacFadyen
RSPBA CEO
The RSPBA have began their search for a new Chief Executive Officer to replace Colin Mulhern who retires in March next year. They are offering an attractive salary of circa £50,000 per annum.
The Association writes: ‘We seek a replacement who can confidently steer our volunteer organisation into the next decade, ensuring that the RSPBA continues to support its membership and deliver its five major pipe band championships each year.
‘Located in our Glasgow HQ, the job will involve some travel to negotiate with partner organisations around the UK. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the Major Championships at weekends and participate in evening meetings with the volunteer management team via the internet for which ‘Time off in Lieu’ is allowable. Salary is negotiable within the range £48k-£52k depending on experience and is pensionable.
‘Applicants are invited to submit their CV along with a covering letter highlighting how their experience and personal attributes meet the requirements of the Job Description and Person Specification.’
Closing date for applications is 11th September; here is the link.
Pipes & Chanters
Click on pic for details
