Piobaireachd Society Approached Regarding Running of Silver Chanter

There is uncertainty over the future of the prestigious Silver Chanter recital competition. The National Piping Centre has run it for the last five years after taking over from Skye Piping Society. It was initially moved from Skye to the Centre in Glasgow but last year was held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on the island. The Centre has stated that due to funding cuts they can no longer…

New Online Championship for Amateur Pipers Announced by the Piping Centre

The Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP) was set up by the National Piping Centre in 2003 to give adult amateur pipers a competition platform through a series of grading competitions held yearly throughout Scotland and the UK. In its 20 years, CLASP has evolved, gaining a global membership base. To celebrate this milestone, CLASP is working with other events across the world to create a premier amateur solo…

Mystery Reel Played by Bob Nicol Revealed as a Composition of GS McLennan

We had a very good response to to yesterday’s story on the playing of RB Nicol and in particular the unidentified tune mentioned. Thanks to everyone who took the trouble. Duncan Watson: Aha! That reel that Bob was recorded playing is called Anon and is a composition of GS McLennan. Anon spelled backwards comes out as ‘Nona’ which was the name of GS’s wife. He also composed a slow air…

More Light Music Recordings of Bob Nicol Courtesy Patrick Molard, Brittany

Following the article of a couple of weeks back, we asked Breton piper Patrick Molard how he came to have such excellent recordings of Bob Nicol, Balmoral, playing light music. Patrick responded promptly and, we are delighted to say, also supplied us with several other recordings from his archive. Thank you Patrick! He wrote: It is such a long time ago (51 years!) that it is difficult for me to…

Atholl Gathering 2023 Results: Updated with Juniors, Pictures and Comment

The Atholl Gathering was held today (May 28) in the grounds of Blair Castle, Perthshire. More than 60 solo pipers, junior and senior, competed. There were graded senior contests for piobaireachd. Light music events for March, Strathspey and Reel and Hornpipe & Jig were open. The ceòl beag was split into four heats with four pipers in each progressing to the final. Three tunes were asked for in ceòl mòr…