Skye Gathering Entries Open

Entries for this year’s Skye Gathering piping – on August 5/6 – are now open. Entry form and contest information below. Places in the Dunvegan Medal are limited to 25 and entries close on May 31. A list of successful applicants will be circulated to all entrants in early June. In drawing up the list, the Skye Piping Committee will take CPA gradings and previous attendance and placings at the…

Royal Regiment of Scotland’s New Book of Pipe Music Celebrates 20 Years of SCOTS

Well, the wait is finally over and I’m pleased to say the SCOTS Pipe Music Collection Vol 1 is ready! The Royal Regiment of Scotland are proud to announce the release of its first pipe music collection to mark the 20th anniversary of the regiment founded on 28 March, 2006.  This landmark publication brings together, for the first time, the full collection of regimental music, including all battalion tunes and…

History: Argyllshire Gathering 1981, Part 3

We continue with our article from the Oban Times of early September 1981. It is by Alfred Morrison, their piping correspondent at the time. Having dealt with the Gold Medal, he now reports on the other events….. Former Winners Piobaireachd Competition: This took place in the Phoenix Cinema. Eight tunes were set and each competitor had to select four tunes, one of which he was asked to play. Eight competitors…

Editor’s Notebook: Band Sizes/ Atholl Gathering/ 214 BB/ Duncan Johnstone/ PS Conference

The RSPBA are now taking the issue of band sizes seriously. There was a commitment at last weekend’s AGM to take the matter forward via the Music Board and a consultation with the bands. The proposal is that piper numbers be cut to 22 and side drummers to 11. No apparent mention of bass and tenors. The thrust of the argument put forward was one of fairness, always an emotional…

History: Argyllshire Gathering 1981, Part 2

We continue with our article from the Oban Times of early September 1981. It is by Alfred Morrison, their piping correspondent at the time. He continues his examination of the performances in that year’s competition for the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal….. The next player was P/M Gavin Stoddart who has had a successful a successful season as a competing piper. He was asked to play the Fingerlock. He…