Her Majesty The Queen

As pipers we will add to the tide of grief, mourning, and gratitude that has followed the death of HM The Queen. For every day of her domestic life she rose to the sound of our national instrument. She appointed thirteen different Sovereign’s Pipers during her 70-year reign. They attest to her knowledge of the tunes, and woe betide those guilty of lazy repeats. By The Editor In her support…

Braemar Gathering Results – Updated with Comment, Pictures and Juniors

The final major Highland games of the summer was held in dry, overcast, but warm conditions. There were changes at the piobaireachd board with a new canopy and screen. This helped greatly in reducing extraneous noise and unwanted breezes. One minor hiccup came when Jamie Forrester put a brogue through a rotted plank on the platform. Luckily he was still tuning. It was the only foot he put wrong in…

Editor’s Notebook: The Worlds, The Worlds, The Worlds

A few more thoughts from the Green. I must respectfully take issue with one aspect of Alistair Aitken’s excellent article of a couple of weeks ago. He wrote: ‘…..one of the main reasons for pipe bands traditionally competing in a circle as the original thinking all these years ago was that the circle contains and balances the sounds much better.‘ I am not sure there was ever any trial done…

Argyllshire Gathering at Oban Enjoys a Successful Two Days of Competition

What a jovial, jubilant, just brilliant return to form by the Argyllshire Gathering. The first major solo piping event for three years was a triumph in every sense and just reward for the stewards for their determination and ‘can do’ attitude throughout the pandemic years. They refused to allow it to halt their 150th Anniversary celebrations last year, putting on reduced events to keep the music going. By the Editor…

Argyllshire Gathering Day 1 – Complete Results and Pictures Added

Four of the major piobaireachd competitions in world piping were held today in Oban, Argyll. Gold Medal1 Jamie Forrester, Phantom Piper of the Corrieyairick, £5502 Sandy Cameron, End of the High Bridge, £4003 John Mulhearn, Daughter’s Lament, £2504 Sean McKeown, Prince’s Salute, £2005 Derek Midgley, Lord Lovat’s Lament, £150Judges: A Forbes, M Henderson, R Worrall  Silver Medal1 Calum Watson, Big Spree, £3502 Calum Brown, Nameless, Cherede Darievea, £3003 Jonathon Simpson,…