Reflections on the Argyllshire Gathering – Part 1

I think it would be fair to say that everything went off very smoothly over the two days of the Gathering held in Oban last week. It is no easy task to organise more than 100 highly motivated pipers and more than 30 judges and stewards, so all credit to John Campbell, Kilberry, Piping Steward, and Assistant Steward Torquil Telfer and their team. Conditions could have been kinder on Games…

Lochaber Gathering Results (Juniors added)

This competition was held yesterday, August 29, in Fort William. The senior events were held in and outside the Highland Cinema and the junior events on the lawns in the town centre. The day was a great success with more than 50 pipers taking part and concluding exactly on schedule. It was a credit to new Lochaber Piping Society Chairman James Rosie. James took over from Ken Cameron earlier this…

Editor’s Notebook: John Cruickshank VC/ Glasgow Skye/ Helmsdale Results/ Lorient Bagads/ Weekend Games

The death has been announced of war hero John Cruickshank VC, Aberdeen. He was 105. Readers will recall the tune competition the Royal Northern & University Club and Piping Press ran for a march to honour Mr Cruickshank’s and his remarkable bravery. The result was a fine 6/8 by South African composer and piper Dave Mason. It was presented and played to Mr Cruickshank at a dinner in Aberdeen. It…

Worlds 2025 – Review Part 1

I heard all of the Grade 1 Medleys on the Friday and all of the MSRs on the Saturday. I also heard the first half of the Medley on the Saturday. Both days were blessed with warm sunshine. I like medleys to have a powerful start – the overture – and a strong finish – the climax. FMM gave us that with their B52 set. P/M Wilson went for it,…

Review: ‘Solas’ – Shotts in Concert

Who would have believed that a band founded in a hut in the Lanarkshire coalfield 115 years ago could stage such a spectacular evening’s entertainment as we enjoyed last night? I said on Tuesday that this concert was the highlight of Worlds Week. After two hours of live pipe band music no one in the 2,000 crowd at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall could gainsay that statement. The title of the…