More Information on Donald Ruadh MacCrimmon and Glenelg

The mention of Donald Ruadh MacCrimmon [pro. approx. Roo -ah] in the report on the Piobaireachd Society Summer School mentions the formal attempts by the Highland Society to provide teaching through him. This is fine but only tells part of the story. I have copies of several letters by Donald MacCrimmon which add to story. I really should have got around to publishing something on them I suppose, though I…

Finlay Johnston Recital/ South East Asia Report

Finlay Johnston is in recital in Aberdeen next Friday, June 21. The event is being promoted by the city’s piping society. President Fraser Maitland said: ‘The evening will feature not just one of the world’s top pipers, but fantastic raffle prizes including an ES Session practice chanter.’ The venue is the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Viewfield Rd, Aberdeen AB15 7XH, and the start time is 7pm. Local piper Lewis Stewart, Aberdeen, will…

Piobaireachd Society Summer School on Skye

I had always wondered why the last of the MacCrimmons, Donald Ruadh, found himself on the mainland at Glenelg. Thanks to research by Dr Decker Forrest we now know that those fertile lands, directly opposite Skye on the old drove road to Mam Ratagan and the south, were owned by the MacLeods of Dunvegan. Back then the MacLeods revered their pipers, granting them land rent free on Duirinish, and would…

Strathmore Games Results (updated with Juniors)

These games were held in the grounds of Glamis Castle, Angus, today, Sunday, June 9. A clean sweep for Calum Brown, Aberdeen. The weather was mixed with a cool breeze, mostly dry. Ten played in the ceòl mòr and 12 in the light music. Judges: J Banks, R Barnes, R Clark, D Fraser. Results: Piobaireachd1 Calum Brown2 Angus MacPhee 3 Chris McLeish4 Walter Glendinning5 John MacDonald March1 Calum Brown2 Chris…

2024 USPF Piping Championship Results

Congratulations to all the participants in the 36th annual United States Piping Foundation Amateur and Professional Piping Championships, held in memory of founder Maclean Macleod on 8 Jun 2024, at the University of Delaware, Newark, DE. By Mike Rogers In the Amateur events there were 17 pipers from throughout North America, and 16 in the Professional events. Champion Piper Nick Hudson is pictured top receiving his prize from the writer….