Category: Comment

Mallaig Games Cancelled

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Mallaig Games, due to take place on Sunday (Aug 7) have been officially cancelled. Appalling weather in the north-west Highlands, heavy rain and wind, has led to widespread flooding and waterlogged fields. The forecast for the next two days is no better so there is no prospect of grassy areas such as the venue, the Lovat Memorial Field, drying out in time. Games organisers are increasingly worried about insurance costs that…

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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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A Look Back At The Grade 1 Contest at the Scottish Championships

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I didn’t think Saturday’s Grade 1 contest was reflected in the way the summaries eventually showed. For me there were three bands in the mix for first at Dumbarton: Field Marshal, St Laurence and Inveraray. The title could have gone to either one and no one could have complained. That said, Inveraray’s four straight first places tells its own story and I bow to the superior insight and positioning of…

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Inveraray Proclaimed Scottish Champions

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Inveraray & District Pipe Band picked up their second major title of the season when they  took first place at the Scottish Championships Grade 1 contest held today at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton. Previously P/M Stuart Liddell’s band had won the first major of the season, the British at Paisley. Today, a total of 141 bands competed on what was a briefly showery but cold day on the banks of the River…

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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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