Category: Features

The ‘Old Men of the Shells’ and a Win for Alastair Murray

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The Clan Donald Trust for the Gaelic Performing Arts, together with the Robert Burns Society of Charleston, are pleased to announce that, on 31st May 2024, Alastair Murray won the third annual Joseph MacDonald Memorial Prize for Piobaireachd, writes Major Bruce MacDonald. It is held as part of the Scottish Performing Arts Classic in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. The judge was Jack Lee of Vancouver, British Columbia. Alastair Murray was…

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Silver Chanter 2024 Details Announced

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The annual recital competition for the Silver Chanter will be held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Gaelic College, Sleat, Skye, on August 7th at 7.30pm. The Piobaireachd Society is promoting and sponsoring the gala event in association with Torabhaig Single Malt Whisky and Sabhal Mòr. The historic picture below features pipers from one of the first Silver Chanters held in the drawing room of Dunvegan Castle in the late 1960s. Left to right…

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Editor’s Notebook: Glass Chanter/ Jimmy Anderson/ CLASP Invitational/ Capt. John Dinner/ John Balloch

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Reader Les Hutt has commented on the news this week of the new trophy for the North Games. Les writes: ‘Many thanks to Andrew Grant and Jean Cameron for the new trophy. ‘The Glass Chanter was an institution for those who competed on the Northern circuit and hopefully this will inspire a good turnout in the future competitions.’ Yes, a terrific gesture by Jean and Andrew Les. I am sure…

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RSPBA NI Branch confirm contests/ Leinster Contest/ Howth Contest/ 10th Bangor BB

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The RSPBA NI Branch have now confirmed all of their venues for the 2024 season and have also confirmed that several dates have fallen by the wayside. The mini band contest which had been organised by Irvine Memorial for May 4th in Fivemiletown was cancelled due to lack of entries, whilst the NI Branch competition set for June 15th failed to find a host council and it too has been…

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Highland Games: New Trophy for North Games Champion/ Island Games Schedule Streamlined

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A new ‘Glass Chanter’ trophy has been announced for the champion piper at the North of Scotland’s Highland Games. The new trophy replaces an earlier version which has gone missing. Mrs Jean Cameron, the woman behind the idea, said, ‘The Glass Chanter has been designed by Glasstom Studios of Tain. The trophy has been funded by Mr Andrew Grant McKenzie, of the firm Highland Historian. ‘It will be awarded on…

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