MacGregor Finalists Announced by Argyllshire Gathering (Updated with Videos of Winning Tunes)

Judging for the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd was completed this weekend after the deadline for submissions of July 29. The eight young pipers selected to go forward to the final are: Ross Conner,  Campbeltown.Luke Kennedy,  Strathaven.Liam MacDonald, Wellesley, Ontario, Canada.Angus MacPhee, Inverness.Henry Paluch, Aorora, Ontario, CanadaAnna Smart, Dunfermline.Hazel Whyte, LarkhallCampbell Wilson. Christchurch, New Zealand. Piping Convenor Torquil Telfer: ‘All recordings submitted were of good quality. Highland dress was always worn. Details…

Silver Chanter Draw/ Remembering Tommy/ Shasta Piobaireachd

The draw for next Saturday’s Silver Chanter (Aug 8) has been announced as follows: 1) Connor Sinclair – Lament for Donald Ban MacCrimmon2) Stuart Liddell – Lament for the Children3) Sarah Muir – Lament for the Earl of Antrim4) Callum Beaumont – Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck5) Iain Speirs – Lament for MacSwan of Roaig6) Fred Morrison – Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon More details here. The editor has compiled this memorial to his…

New Radio Programme About P/M Alex M MacIver and 214 BB Pipe Band

Pipe Major Alex M MacIver was one of the men behind the incredible success of the 214 Boys Brigade Pipe Band in Glasgow. He led the band to unprcedented success for a juvenile band at the time from post WW2 until 1980. A soldier, piper, pipe tutor and life long supporter of the Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association, Alex is now the subject of a radio programme about his life….

Argyllshire Gathering Composing Contest Winner Announced

The composing competition for a tune to mark next year’s 150th Anniversay of the Argyllshire Gathering has been won by ex-Scots Guards Pipe Major Iain Lowther. Iain receives the only prize of £1,000 and a certificate marking his achievement. His tune was the unanimous choice of the judging panel comprising P/M James Banks MBE, Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society and Editor of Piping Press, and John Wilson formerly…

Chanter Only Festival of Juvenile Piping to Go Ahead

One of Scotland’s most popular competitons for young pipers will go ahead this October but only for those on practice chanter. Jon Gerard McClumpha of the promoters, the Caledonian Piping Club, has sent the information below. ‘As everyone knows – we are all in uncharted times & waters, and finding it difficult to steer an easy way out. Nothing is immune to the rippling effects emanating from this terrible virus,…