Day Two at the Argyllshire Gathering saw the bulk of the ceol beag events taking place at Mossfield Park, Oban. The competing pipers were led there by the winner of the Gold Medal from yesterday. This year that honour fell to Ian K. MacDonald of Ontario, Canada, who was placed first with his tune Mary’s Praise. Yesterday was a great day all round for North America with the Silver Medal going…
Apologies for the delay in my second bulletin from the World Pipe Band Championships; so much going on in piping at this time of year. Before I get to it however I want to reflect on a couple of things. Firstly do you agree with me that the pipe band season is over a little early? Say what you like about Cowal, but it extended things by two or three…
There was a very high standard of performance in all grades. The above picture shows (l -r) Ben Duncan, winner of the Lochaber Gold Medal for Marches, Gordon Walker winner of the Strathspey & Reel and Callum Beaumont, winner of the Gold Lochaber Axe ‘An Tuagh Òir’. See below for comments on the playing. ‘P/A’ Piobaireachd (four own choice tunes submitted) 1 Callum Beaumont, Lament for Hugh (£300) 2 Gordon…
To Fort William tonight for the annual Lochaber Gathering competition. A strong entry of over 50 pipers from juniors to senior P/A grade. I am giving a short talk at 1.30 under the title of ‘The Judging of Solo Competition’ and hope to be able to offer some tips and advice to competitors. The contest clashes with the Glenfinnan Highland Gathering, close by, 12 miles along the A830. With Lochaber…
By Duncan Watson This year’s Ballater Highland Games gave us a day to remember for a couple of reasons. It started with a presentation to Norman Matheson MBE, a judge at Ballater for over 40 years. Norman has been a kenspeckle figure at the Deeside games, including Ballater and beyond, for, as indicated, over four decades. In his professional life he was a consultant surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He was…
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