Category: Comment

High Spirited End to the Norhern Ireland Pipe Band Season at Portrush

Posted on      by     

The Ulster pipe band season came to an end on Saturday last when the Recreation Grounds, Ramore Head, Portrush, provided the background for the North West Championships and the end of the Champion of Champions season-long competition. In the picture above Lauren Hanna (Senior Drum Major) is pictured leading the ‘Salute to the Chieftain’ during the Massed Bands at the end of the day. While it was essentially dry it…

More High Spirited End to the Norhern Ireland Pipe Band Season at Portrush

Lochaber Gathering Results (further update with more comment)

Posted on      by     

Lochaber Gathering was held today in a cool, damp Fort William. Pipers and judges were glad of the indoor facility at the Nevis Centre. There were good entries in all events except in the juniors.  In the programme notes Piping Convenor Allan MacColl commented: ‘…On a less positive note the seriously depleted number of junior competitors from the Highlands is worrying. Locally, other than two highly talented entrants, no Lochaber…

More Lochaber Gathering Results (further update with more comment)

PP Editor’s Blog: Highland Band Success/ Glasgow Police/ ‘Crunluath’/ Solo Judging

Posted on      by     

What an incredible success at last week’s Worlds  for our juvenile pipe bands in the Highland & Islands area. Step forward Niall Stewart (Lochalsh Juniors Novice B World Champions), Niall Matheson (RACPADS Novice A World Champions), Angus MacColl (Oban High School Novice B runners-up), Donald Ban out in Benbecula (Sgoil Lionacleit, 6th in Nov. B)  and all the other terrific instructors doing such great work in the north and west. This…

More PP Editor’s Blog: Highland Band Success/ Glasgow Police/ ‘Crunluath’/ Solo Judging

Skye Gathering 2017: Dunvegan Medal Critique

Posted on      by     

A few free days before the Worlds allowed an escape to the wonderful Isle of Skye and an opportunity to listen to some top class piobaireachd, writes the Editor. Portree was sunny and pleasant when I arrived, though the venue, the Skye Gathering Hall, cool. I missed the first two tunes in the Dunvegan Medal but was fortunate to hear the winning performance by Ian K MacDonald from Toronto. No…

More Skye Gathering 2017: Dunvegan Medal Critique

Worlds – Grade 2 Review and Thoughts on the Day at Glasgow Green

Posted on      by     

Some say he wears a glengarry with his pyjamas….others that his kilt was at Culloden….yet more that his dress sense is more Prince, than Charlie. All we know is that he is called MacStig……. The climax of the 2017 Pipe Band Season arrived last Saturday at Glasgow Green, the home of the World Championships, with cold, overcast conditions, rain at times yet brightening towards evening. But enough of the weather………

More Worlds – Grade 2 Review and Thoughts on the Day at Glasgow Green