Observations on the 2026 Pipe Band Championships

The Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton last Saturday completed the first four majors of 2026. The results have been quite variable this year so it is difficult to predict who might prove to be this year’s World Championships winner – there are a variety of factors which might affect the outcome.   Firstly, however, it was pleasing to see the return of the five majors this year, there having…

Arisaig Games Results/ Games News

A blustery, overcast day on the west coast at Arisaig, but the sun came out for the last competitor on the boards. Nine played in the seniors. Two Northern Irishmen took the main awards, Peter McCalister the Piobaireachd and Andrew Hall, Champion Piper. Piobaireachd: 1 Peter McCalister, Red Speckled Bull 2 Martin Kessler, Battle of Auldearn No. 2 3 Andrew Hall, Battle of Waternish 4 Thomas Cangolosi, Battle of the…

Editor’s Notebook: Worlds Preview/ G2 Qualifying/ Games News/ Glasgow Police LP

Congratulations to Inveraray after their big win at the Scottish last Saturday. It was a much-needed triumph for the band with only three weeks to the Worlds. I’m told that they had a few of their leading players back in the ranks after their rather ring-rusty performance at the Euros at Perth. It’s clearly all to play for among the top outfits, stating the obvious I know, but with the…

Scottish Pipe Band Championships – Inveraray Triumph

Inveraray were declared Scottish Pipe Band Champions at a sunny Levengrove Park, Dumbarton, today, giving P/M Stuart Liddell his first major of the season. Grade 1 bands had to play both Medley and MSR. Nine played. The other G1 places went to: 2 FMM3 Boghall4 SLOT5 Fife Police6 Shotts with the drumming going to SLOT. Grade 2 1 Annan2 Uddingston3 Manorcunningham4 Buchan5 Bucksburn6 St Joseph’sDrumming: Annan Grade 3a1 Burntisland2 Livingston3…

Tobermory Games Results and Comment

The piping at Mull Games in Tobermory attracted an entry of 12 in the senior light music and 11 in the Piobaireachd. Conditions were grey but dry. The old ash tree at the Piobaireachd board heard some good playing – just as it has done over the last 50 plus years. First on was Ursa Beckford from Maine, USA. He offered three biggies, Laments for the Children, Anapool Laird and…