Review: The Lark in The Evening, a Concert by St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band

Many people will be surprised to know that St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band has never played a high profile concert in their home city. Sure, there have been some low-key performances over the years, but nothing as significant as this. The announcement of ‘The Lark in The Evening’ was therefore a very welcome development and sold out quickly. The 400-seater Lark Theatre in the North County Dublin town of Balbriggan…

Community Outrage Overshadows Clan Donald Competition Return

The Donald MacDonald Cuach piobaireachd competition will return after six years on Friday, 30th May, against a backdrop of controversy surrounding the sale of its historic venue, Armadale Castle. Four pipers—Alasdair Henderson, Finlay Johnston, William McCallum, and Stuart Liddell—will compete at the isle of Skye landmark, which was unexpectedly put on the market in March by the Clan Donald Lands Trust (CDLT). By Alison McGillivray The competition’s revival comes amid…

Inveraray Games Entries Open/ Blairgowrie Games Info

Inveraray Piping Secretary Brian Spalding: The entry form for the 2025 piping contests at the Inveraray Highland Games is now available online. Entry form here or via the Piping Section of the games website. Please refer to the Rules and Regulations on the entry form before committing to entry and tick the relevant boxes before submitting payment via PayPal. No other means of payment can be accepted and no payment…

Gordon Castle Games Results/ James Campbell Medal

Gordon Castle Games are the first outdoor solo piping competition of the summer. They are held in the castle grounds near Fochabers in Morayshire. Seventeen entered the senior events. Piobaireachd: 1 Hamish Munro 2 Angus MacPhee, Old Men of the Shells 3 James MacPetrie 4 Hector Munro, King’s Taxes 5 Keith Bowes, Desperate BattleMarch: 1 Hamish Munro 2 Hector Munro 3 Norman Gillies 4 Keith BowesS&R: 1 Angus MacPhee 2…

Editor’s Notebook: Gourock Contest/ Kohima Tune/ Michael the Monk/ JB Robertson

No Grade 1 bands at Gourock last Sunday. Perfect weather, good transport. Where were Glasgow & the West’s Shotts, Police Federation, Scottish Power, Inveraray and Johnstone? In my day this branch was the heartbeat not only of Scotland’s pipe banding but of the world movement itself. The first contest of the year would have had the top bands clamouring for an early season run out. Was it lack of notice,…