Whilst there was a disappointing entry in the P/A grade and under 18s, last Saturday’s Lochaber Gathering Festival of Piping should be viewed as a success, writes the Editor. The change in date has obviously had a detrimental effect on some grades of competitor – there were rival events at Newtonmore and at Aboyne to contend with. In 2017 the Saturday before Oban meant that 58 pipers signed up at…

Heading to Dumbarton to listen to the Grade 1 MSR contest, I arrived in time to take in the Juvenile contest which preceded it – and what an unexpected pleasure it was, writes our Special Correspondent. Aside from a few observations below, I will resist the temptation to dwell on the weather other than it had its moments for the juvenile competitors also. First on in the medley contest were Dollar…

Piping Convenor Dr Jack Taylor is pictured above with his pupil, Junior Champion Liam Brown. Dr Taylor reports….Warm, breezy day at Aboyne. Allan Russell was champion piper again, with firsts in Piobaireachd, March and S&R. The hornpipe and jig went to James Duncan MacKenzie, a welcome visitor to the North-East. 12 seniors, 10 juniors played. Liam Brown from Johnshaven was junior champion with a clean sweep in Piobaireachd and MSR. Open…

The 23rd Lochaber Gathering Festival of Piping was held today in a warm and ultimately sunny Fort William but indoors at the Nevis Centre. There were good entries in all events except in the P/A piping and under 15.  In the programme notes Piping Convenor Allan MacColl commented: ‘I am particularly encouraged by the number of local entries at this year’s competition. Lochaber has produced top pipers for centuries and I…

Courtney Williamson, Secretary of the Highland Piping Society of Canterbury, based in Christchurch, New Zealand, has sent this… The Highland Piping Society of Canterbury are honoured to announce what we believe to be a  ‘world first’ for solo piping with the appointment of an all-women judging panel for the 2018 Silver Chanter Solo Piping Championships being held on the 20th and 21st of October.  Comprising of six highly qualified judges…