Braemar Gathering Results – Updated with Comment, Pictures and Juniors

The final major Highland games of the summer was held in dry, overcast, but warm conditions. There were changes at the piobaireachd board with a new canopy and screen. This helped greatly in reducing extraneous noise and unwanted breezes. One minor hiccup came when Jamie Forrester put a brogue through a rotted plank on the platform. Luckily he was still tuning. It was the only foot he put wrong in…

Argyllshire Gathering at Oban Enjoys a Successful Two Days of Competition

What a jovial, jubilant, just brilliant return to form by the Argyllshire Gathering. The first major solo piping event for three years was a triumph in every sense and just reward for the stewards for their determination and ‘can do’ attitude throughout the pandemic years. They refused to allow it to halt their 150th Anniversary celebrations last year, putting on reduced events to keep the music going. By the Editor…

Some Reflections on the World Pipe Band Championships 2022 – Part 2

The following offer some general observations I noted over the two days regarding the bands which played in the main arena. The four in Juvenile played their musical medleys very well and illustrated the standard of tuition in the schools they represented.  It is just a pity the numbers in this grade have been in single figures in recent years.  Hopefully they can be expanded as the pandemic recovery continues. …

Aberfeldy Games Results/ Gala Piobaireachd Concert/ Glenfinnan Reminder

A blistering hot day for last Saturday’s (Aug 13) Atholl & Breadalbane Gathering at Aberfeldy. The Champion Piper, Bruce Erskine, is pictured above with his trophy and adjudicators Neil Mulvie (l) and Derek Fraser. Fife-based piper Brian Lamond continued his run of success in ceòl mòr at the games. Piobaireachd1 Brian Lamond 2 Chris McLeish 3 Bruce Erskine 4 Mark MacKenzie 5 Xavier Boderiou 6 Ewan Allen March, Strathspey &…

Some Reflections on the World Pipe Band Championships 2022

The 2022 Worlds took place in unusually extreme heat.  I listened to most of Grade 1 from the spectator stand on both days, although was forced to leave the stand mid-afternoon each day when I could tolerate the heat no longer. The seats in the main stand are not what you would ever describe as comfortable either! Perhaps it is due to my advancing years, but I cannot ever recall such…