PP Ed’s Blog: Northern Meeting/ SPA/ Wedding Piper/ MSR Playing

To Inverness today for the 2017 Northern Meeting. Proceedings begin this evening with a reception in the city’s Town House hosted by the Lord Provost with the Queen’s Own Ex-Members Pipes and Drums parading at 7.45pm. The competitions at Eden Court are tomorrow from 9am with the Gold and Silver Medals, the ‘A’ MSR and the Formers Winners’ MSR. Results will be known from late afternoon onwards so watch this…

Argyllshire Gathering – Final Thoughts and Former Winners’ MSR Review

Firstly a mention for young Lewis Russell winner of the MacGregor Memorial piobaireachd competition, writes the Editor. This is a tough challenge for the aspiring young professional. Entrants have to play once in a qualifying heat and again in the final if they make it through. Lewis (17), from Livingston, has been taught since age 10 by Andrew Frater from Uphall. Andrew said: ‘Lewis is a natural player and very…

Birnam Games Results (updated)

Sunny and humid and a long day, which started at noon and ended around 6.30. The feeling among the pipers was that the contest should probably have started earlier. As the sun dipped behind the hill, the field was deserted, everything was being taken down, and the pipers were still piping and judges still judging. Piob 1 Jacob Dicker 2 Ursa Beckford 3 Ben McClamrock 4 Jonathon Simpson 5 Callum…

Lonach Gathering Results – updated with Report from Organisers

Adjudicator Jack Taylor reports: Sunny day with a chill in the air. Eight played in senior, three juniors. Notable performance by Duncan Watson of Too Long in this Condition in the style of Donald MacDonald, against players possibly a third of his age. Stylish, musical and crisply fingered on an excellent pipe. Piobaireachd1 Eddie Gaul – The Groat2 Calum Brown – Desperate Battle3 Gordon Barclay4 Duncan Watson5 John MacDonald6 Alan…

The Argyllshire Gathering and a Look Back at Day 1- New Pic Added

Well that’s the Argyllshire over for another year, and despite the difficulties some individuals try to throw in the way of this great gathering, I think it would be fair to say it all went off with nary a hitch, writes the Editor. All credit to Piping Convenor Torquil Telfer, his assistant Jamie Mellor and their stewards.  From speaking to the judges we had the usual mix of brilliant performances…