Solo Piping Adjudicator Seriosuly Wounded in Highland Shooting

Solo piping judge John Don MacKenzie (circled) was shot and seriously wounded in yesterday’s violent incident in the the Highlands which left one man dead and three injured. John Don, an osteopath, was attacked in his home village of Dornie, Wester Ross. He is receiving treatment in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. His wife Fay, a mental health nurse, was also injured in the attack and is being treated at a hospital…

A Historic Worlds for Everyone and in Particular Ian Embelton, Retiring RSPBA Chief Executive

Tomorrow we’ll witness the first World Pipe Band Championship for three years. It will be a pared down event with the local authority sponsors, Glasgow Life, understandably keen to save money. There will be no Highland dancing, no heavy events and no hospitality tent. Band numbers are down to around 150; usually we break the 200 mark. However this should not be seen as a lack of enthusiasm for the…

Heart of Down Contest Brings Curtain Down on the NI Branch Season

Donard Park in Newcastle, County Down, was the setting for the Heart of Down Pipe Band Championships, the final event of the RSPBANI Branch outdoor competition season and also the conclusion of the 2022 Champion of Champions league calculated on the five competitions over the summer.  The competition had the largest entry of bands and drum majors at any local contest this season and there was also a largely attended…

Lorient Results: MacCrimmon Trophy and Piobaireachd

The day after securing the lucrative MacCrimmon Trophy, Northern Ireland’s Robert Watt completed a very successful visit to the Lorient Festival in Brittany by taking first in the Piobaireachd competition as well. The runner-up was once more the Province’s other outstanding piper at the festival, Andrew Carlisle. Ceòl mòr results were as follows: 1 Robert Watt, Corrienessan’s Salute 2 Andrew Carlisle, Lament for the Earl of Antrim 3 Derek Midgley,…

Newtonmore Games Results

Seven played in blustery conditions in the land of Calum Piobair. Piobaireachd winner P/M Ben Duncan is pictured with the Dr Kenneth Mackay Piobaireachd Trophy. Piobaireachd (3 tunes)1. P/M Ben Duncan (Lament for the Children)2. Angus MacPhee (Old Men of the Shells)3. Callum Wynd (End of the Great Bridge)4. Matt Pantaleoni Judge: John Don MacKenzie March (3 tunes)1. Angus MacPhee2. P/M Ben Duncan3. Matt Pantaleoni4. Callum Wynd Strathspey & Reel (3…