Piping Flourishes in North Carolina

It was a pleasure to judge the Jimmy MacIntosh Challenge competition in North Carolina last Friday evening (April 11). This continues to be organised in Jimmy’s memory by his widow Joyce, with the assistance of their son Cameron. Ben McClamrock was a new name on the piobaireachd trophy, playing Lament for Ronald MacDonald of Morar. He caught the pathos of the tune from the opening un-rushed B echo beat to…

Review: Lochnell Intermediate Piping Championship

A good day in a splendid place…..eight of Scotland’s best pipers under the age of 22 competed at Lochnell Castle near Oban for this prestigious championship. Three pipers from ‘abroad’ – Ontario, Vancouver, and Australia, were eligible but were unable to make the journey. Eligibility was dependent on this season’s results. Two trophies were on offer – in memory of Jimmy McIntosh for Piobaireachd, and William McCallum Senior for MSR….

Review: Classical Pipe Music, Scotland’s Hidden Treasure

Piobaireachd players are rare amongst classical musicians in that their entire performing career consists mainly of playing in competitions.  Those playing other instruments may compete as they hone their skills. Thereafter they perform in concerts and recitals. The Piobaireachd Society’s “Classical Pipe Music, Scotland’s Hidden Treasure” recital gives the best piobaireachd players the experience of performing as musicians in other disciplines do.  It also gives those outside piping’s small world the chance…

Aboyne Games Results

A chilly morning and a lunchtime downpour did not dampen enthusiasm at Aboyne Games on Saturday 5th August, writes Jack Taylor After a welcome by the Chieftain the Marquis of Huntly, commentator Graham Thomson gave a moving tribute to his predecessor Robbie Shepherd who died three days previously. Fiddler Paul Anderson then played his own composition Lament for Robbie Shepherd:  At the conclusion of proceedings Piobaireachd judge Malcolm McRae was…

Huge £50,000 Prizemoney Boost for Piobaireachd at Lonach Games

Lonach Games has announced that this year, and for the next 50 years, a generous donor has given £1,000 towards the Piobaireachd competitions, writes Jack Taylor. The date is Saturday 26th August, between Oban and Inverness, so is a golden opportunity for pipers from all over to come to beautiful Strathdon in Aberdeenshire. Enter here before 13th August preferably, although this year entries are accepted on the field. The winner…