Composer and piper Karen McCrindle Warren (pictured above) is the winner of the Piping Press Lockdown Composing Contest. Judge Barry Donaldson selected Karen’s air ‘Becca’s’ from some high quality entries. She receives a voucher for the Piping Press Shop. On hearing the news Karen said: ‘That’s wonderful; I’m absolutely delighted. If you want a little background, it’s named after one of the pipers in Kilmarnock Pipe Band, Rebecca Melaugh from…

The Argyllshire Gathering has confirmed that they will not be holding Gold or Silver Medal or light music piping competitions this year. Nor will there be Senior Piobaireachd or Former Winners’ MSR contests. All events had been due to take place in Oban in six weeks time on August 26 & 27. The only competition which will go ahead is the online MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd for young professional pipers. However…

By Ian McLaren Below are details issued on behalf of Aboyne Highland Games about its decision to move some of its piping competitions online this year following the event’s cancellation due to COVID-19.  Aboyne is believed to be the first Highland games in Scotland to introduce virtual piping competitions this year, a move that will provide solo pipers with a platform to play competitively.  Demand from pipers led to the number of…

Dr Jack Taylor reports on Aboyne Highland Games’ innovative solo piping competition: ‘An excellent response; 32 entries. There has been one withdrawal so I am offering that place on a first come first served basis. Anybody wanting it should let me know ASAP on jackandmarytaylor@gmail.com or text 07999955386. Then complete and send the entry form https://forms.gle/noPNNJPjAboPXRYH7 – six piobaireachd, three MSRs. ‘The entries are split 2:1 UK/US, the field is high quality, so the…

If agreement can be reached the RSPBA’s World Solo Drumming will be moved to a new date for 2020, December 5. The change follows discussions between the Association’s Music Board and the hosts Glasgow Caledonian University. Interested parties are asked to offer their views on the date change by August 24. In other changes: A new Adult Section for tenor drummers will be added with the title of the tenor…