Some say his reels are more perky than pinky, his doublet is more barrack room than barathea, and that his timing is ……. out. But when he puts pen to paper there are few blooters from our man at large. Hot footing it from Inverness to Glasto, or maybe he said Glasgow, he’s the pipe band fan’s favourite reviewer, the one and only MacStig…… By MacStig The pipe band following…

By the Editor To the capital of the Highlands for the European Pipe Band Championships, the third ‘major’ of the season. The Friday was a blistering, boiling day. We pulled off the A9 for refreshment. Into the Carrbridge Hotel to find, serendipitously, adjudicator Robert Mathieson and, eventually, his colleagues Bob Worrall and John Wilson.  They were all looking forward to the Championship, talking excitedly about the prospect of hearing some…

The weather was excellent with the last played note narrowly missing a thunderstorm. Jimmy Banks judged all events. Champion piper Ben Duncan is pictured above. Piob1 P/M Ben Duncan, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig2 Anna Smart, Blind Piper’s Obstinacy3 Christopher McLeish, Tulloch Ard4 Andrew Yu, Lament for Captain MacDougall March1 P/M Ben Duncan2 Callum Wynd3 Christopher McLeish4 Darach Urquhart Strathspey & Reel1 P/M Ben Duncan2 Darach Urquhart3 Callum Wynd4 Christopher…

Bught Park, Inverness, was the new home for this year’s European Pipe Band Championships, the third major of the season. A healthy 120 bands entered and an ultimately wet but warm day ensured a good crowd – with many staying on to see Inveraray crowned Grade 1 champions. Smartest band on parade were Glasgow Skye Association. The full result in Grade 1 was:1 Inveraray2 Boghall3 FMM4 Scottish Power5 SLOT6 ShottsDrumming:…

Only a few weeks ago the youngsters of North Lanarkshire Schools brought the concourse at New York’s Grand Central Station to a halt and yesterday they were in the big time again giving a command performance in front of HM The Queen. The occasion was the opening of a new facility at Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld, part of the North Lanarkshire catchment area. Her Majesty looked delighted as the…