Category: Blog

PP Editor’s Blog: Silver Chanter/ Letters/ Comments/ Games/ Nicol-Brown/ Bill Blacklaw

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Congratulations to Iain MacFadyen on completing 50 years attendance at the Silver Chanter competition held this week at Dunvegan Castle, Skye. Iain’s family has had a long association with the competition and with the island. His brother John, who had a home there, was one of the Chanters’ co-founders back in the late 60s. The family connection with the Misty Isle continues with Cameron MacFadyen, Iain’s nephew, taking over from…

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PP Editor’s Blog: Highland Games/ Scottish & Worlds/Ulva and MacArthur Pipers

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I am not sure the prestige of Inveraray Games is helped by the pipers being given their piobaireachd a week before the contest. It makes things easier all round for the competitors but is much less of a test. Compare it with Braemar where it’s eight tunes, the chosen piece given at the bench. Promoters often justify the ‘early tune’ decision by saying it cuts down the number of breakdowns….

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Revisionist Piobaireachd and the Tradition as it Has Come Down to Us

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David Hester of the Alt Pibroch website has been in touch following my article on judging and subsequent comments on Donald MacDonald. David: Two quick questions, just for the purpose of me gaining a bit of insight and better sensitivity to the idiom: 1) What is particularly poor about the fare of the MacDonald book and manuscript?  Is it missing something, for example?  Are the pibrochs chosen too massive?  Some…

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Minor Contests Poll: Overwhelming Call for Support / Roseneath Draw

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The vast majority of the hundreds of readers who responded to our poll on minor band contests are concerned about the lack of support these events are getting. And they are calling on Grade 1 and Grade 2 bands – and the RSPBA – to do more to help. In answer to our question ‘Do Grade 1 & 2 bands have a duty to support the smaller competitions and Highland…

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PP Editor’s Blog: Paisley Contest/ Ardrossan/ Antigonish

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I see that Scottish Power pipe band have entered next Saturday’s minor contest at Paisley (July 23rd). Well done to the band for that. Their presence will inspire the smaller bands and give them a chance to hear one of the best in the world. It will be a good marketing opportunity for the Power’s sponsors too and help ensure continued funding – very important.  The contest starts at 10.30am…

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