The annual Skye Gathering Piping Competitions began yesterday in Portree. Twenty played in the Dunvegan Medal contest for which pipers have to submit four MacCrimmon tunes. The winner of the 2019 Medal, Sarah Muir, is pictured above courtesy Cailean Maclean, Skye Media. Dunvegan Medal1 Sarah Muir, Lament for the Earl of Antrim2 Steven Leask, Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck3 Andrew Ferguson, Earl of Ross’s March4 John Dew, Rory MacLoude’s Lament5…

Fred Morrison capped a great week at the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, Brittany, by taking first prize in the annual ceol mor contest. On Sunday Fred won the MacCrimmon Trophy and €1,340 and today’s win came with a first prize of €450. 1st Fred Morrison,  Scarce of Fishing 2nd Nick Hudson,  Earl of Seaforth’s Salute, €300 3rd Stuart Liddell, €200 4th William McCallum, €150 5th Andrew Carlisle, €130 Judges Ian…

The prestigious Skye Gathering solo piping events begin today in the island’s capital Portree. There are competitions for the Dunvegan Medal for MacCrimmon piobaireachd, 6/8 March, Hornpipe& Jig, Kemble Star 2/4 March and Peter MacFarquhar Star for Strathspey and Reel the last two tomorrow. We will publish results as we get them. The winner of the Medal is entitled to play in the Clasp competitionto be held this evening. For…

Fred Morrison was the winner of this lucrative prize for a record 10th time. Competitors have to play selections of Breton, Irish and Scots music before separate panels of judges. According to one commentator Fred played an ‘outstanding, well-structured selections on a first class instrument’. Runner up was Stuart Liddell. Fred scored two first for Scottish music, and one each for Irish and Breton. Overall result:1 Fred Morrison, Scotland2 Stuart…

A lovely dry, warm day on the west coast. Six played in the Juniors and seven in the Seniors. Pictured above are junior winners Andrew Orr and Laura Robertson. Piping sponsor: Mallaig Harbour Authority. Senior Piob: 1 Sandy Cameron2 William Rowe, NZ3 Archie Drennan4 Mark MacKenzie, AustraliaJohn Gillies, Bourblach, Memorial Cup: Sandy Cameron Senior March1 Archie Drennan2 James Feeney, Connecticut, USA3 Sandy Cameron4 William Rowe Senior Strathspey & Reel1 Archie…