Pipers Gather for 2023 Argyllshire Gathering

The world’s top pipers have converged in the west Highland town of Oban for the prestigious Argyllshire Gathering solo piping competitions. Over 120 pipers have entered for events ranging from the Former Winners’ March, Strathspey and reel to the local March. Today (Weds.) is given over to piobaireachd with four major events taking place. These are the Senior Piobaireachd, the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal, the Argyllshire Gathering Silver…

A Review of the Worlds Day 2

My plan for the Saturday was to listen to the whole of the Grade 1 MSR and then to try to take in some of the performances in the other grades. Grade 1: I thought Inveraray were the outstanding band in the morning, again fluent and finger perfect. Boghall were good but a shade careful, though the technique in the strathspey was outstanding. FMM had a poor run with one…

A Review of the Worlds Day 1

I penned these notes a few hours after the close of play last Friday….. There is not a band that let themselves down today. The top outfits are all in the mix going into tomorrow’s last two legs, the standard among them unbelievably high. Equally in the mid table bands. The weather was kind, no rain, and the day ran to schedule as per the RSPBA’s usual efficient system, kicking…

Highland Games: Tain, Glenisla Results & Lonach News

On Saturday 12th August, we were delighted to welcome Pipe Major Gordon Walker and Pipe Major D.J. MacIntyre as our judges, along with Jean Cameron, Lairg, and Michael Baird, Bonar Bridge, as our stewards, writes Duncan MacGillivray. Apart from a couple of heavy showers, the weather was largely forgiving, with some beautiful sunny spells for those competitors lucky to coincide, which meant the majority. Ms Mackay delivered a sweet Fair…

Editor’s Notebook: Worlds All Set/ Gold Medal Hero/ Island Bands Plea/ Lonach Axemen

Well who’s your money on? Boghall, Inveraray and Field Marshal have one major each this season. SFU were brilliant by all accounts the other evening. If SLOT up their game they could figure, as could the Power. And don’t rule out Shotts taking the top prize. Remember when Ryan Canning surprised everyone not so very long ago? One thing is sure, after four legs and the opinions of 16 judges,…