New Drumming Solos Announced

A new invitational solo drumming competition is to be held in Glasgow in January. The prizemoney pool is £1,700 with £200 going to the piper accompanying the winner. The new contest represents a unique step in the development of solo pipe band drumming competition. Often there is no prize money, drummers playing for prestige and a trophy, and pipers playing to support their band colleagues. Sponsors are all believed to…

Mull Games and the Ceannloch Pipe Band

What a surprise to see and read about Mull Highland Games last week in Piping Press. By 1965, I was living in Glasgow but had purposely not signed up with any pipe band.  The Games being in July meant I was on holiday in Campbeltown (it was the annual Glasgow Fair) and for several years I remained with the Ceannloch-Campbeltown Pipe Band to maintain competing numbers.   By Iain Duncan…

Caritas Banner Grows in Stature

The Caritas Banner competition for under 18 piobaireachd playing was held yesterday, November 30, in the premises of its founders, George Watson’s College, Edinburgh. There were more than 60 young entrants from all over Scotland, and one even travelled from North Wales to take part. By Robert Wallace There were three events, Under 18 (two tunes required), 14&Under (own choice) and 14&Under Ground and Variation. Results were as follows: Under…

Caritas Banner/ Mallaig Tune/ CLASP Results

We are delighted to be hosting the 3rd Caritas Banner Piobaireachd Competition for pipers aged 18 & Under this coming Sunday (Nov.30), writes Ben Duncan. The event will be held in the George Watson’s College Music School. (See map, music school circled yellow, top left.) Doors open 7.45am for an 8.30am start in all events. They are as follows: 14 & Under Urlar and Variation; 14 & Under Piobaireachd; 18…

Lament for the Castle of Dunyveg and the Campbell Canntaireachd

Reader Tom MacKenzie has written from Canada: ‘What was your source for the typeset version of the Campbell Canntaireachd in the article on the Lament for the Castle of Dunyveg? Having the ‘scientific notation’ with the canntaireachd is, I think, an excellent idea. Now I can sing the tune with the canntaireachd. ‘I have the ‘Pipers Meeting’ book by Patrick Molard and Jack Taylor, but the tune is not in…