Reflections on the Northern Meeting Part 2

Friday, after attending to duties with the juniors, I headed into the Clasp. The music and instruments heard here were alone worth the £27 admission, writes the Editor. I heard all but the first four performances. The top three were hard to split. Callum Beaumont had, for me, the sort of bagpipe you encounter but rarely. The top hand had a bell-like quality, chiming with the drones throughout the Daughter’s…

Reflections on the Northern Meeting Part 1

As I said in my short prelim piece, the Northern Meeting in Inverness is about more than just the piping. From the reception in the Town House last Wednesday to the Eden Court prizegiving on the Friday evening, fraternal feelings mixed with high elation and consolation. By the Editor It was heartening to see it. Though pipers grumble in private, in public they act with the best of manners and…

Pitlochry/ Bowhill/ and Recital Dinner Results

Damp conditions and the proximity of the Northern Meeting reduced entries at Pitlochry Games held on Saturday, September 13. From a fully subscribed list of 20 only 13 played. The Champion Piper was Ross Conner, Campbeltown, with three first in the light music. Ross is pictured above with his trophies. The ceòl mòr is sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society. Piob (three of each): 1 Angus MacPhee, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute…

Jack Lee Retires from Simon Fraser University Pipe Band

Pipe Sergeant Jack Lee, in an email to band members, announced that he is retiring from the Simon Fraser University competition pipe band. Said Jack: ‘It was been a terrific 50 year run but I have decided to retire from the competition band. I think the band is in a very strong position to move ahead and I anticipate more amazing moments in the future. I will be cheering you…

Braemar Results and Report/ Blairgowrie Results

The Braemar Gold Medallist for 2025 is John McDonald, Aberdeen, (above). He gave a fine rendition of the supposedly MacCrimmon tune, the Glen is Mine, on a steady, tuneful instrument, writes the Editor How appropriate that a local man should win the medal with this tune. The first few bars of it are inscribed on the memorial cairn to the Bobs of Balmoral only yards from the piobaireachd board. As…