By Kevin McGlynn A chanter is the only playable part that is left of an instrument known to folklorists as the ‘Faery Pipes of Kinlochmoidart’. It is normally kept in a special case in the West Highland Museum in Fort William in Lochaber. The ‘enchanted’ chanter, reputedly played at Bannockburn in 1314, made a rare appearance at a clan gathering this summer, the World Gathering of MacIntyres. It took place in Oban and Taynuilt,…

Intermediate March: 1st Katie Duthie, 2nd Ewan Allen, 3rd Annabel Charlton Under 15 piobaireachd 1st Liam Brown, 2nd Bobby Allen, 3rd Cameron Stewart Under 15 MSR 1st Bobby Allen, 2nd Liam Brown, 3rd Campbell Stewart Under 15 Jig 1st Bobby Allen, 2nd Archie McNab, 3rd Fraser Robson Under 15 6/8 March 1st Bobby Allen, 2nd Katie Duthie, 3rd Fraser Robson Under 18 Piobaireachd 1st Milly Fox, 2nd Cameron May [polldaddy…

A successful competition was held at the National Piping Centre, Otago Street, in Glasgow. The main hall was busy throughout the day. Eleven competed in the ceol mor and 13 in the light music. Pipers were given their tunes one week in advance and were allowed four minutes tuning. The efficient stewarding meant a smooth-running event with good continuity and a stream of good performances. The picture above shows the main winners:…

I’m grateful to New York based piper and collector Yahya Hussein for the above picture. It is from his collection of old Highland games prints. It shows (r to l) Willie Ross, GS McLennan, unknown with white spats, John MacKay and Alexander Matheson – all Gold Medallists – leading the parade at Lochaber Gathering in 1905. There are other prints Yahya has forwarded and I’ll run them in due course….

North Lanarkshire Council report the following today…. North Lanarkshire’s schools’ pipe bands have been invited to lead this year’s Tartan Day celebrations in New York City. Both the Novice and Juvenile bands will head to America next April to take part in the annual celebration of Scottish heritage. This season our Novice Juvenile B Schools’ Pipe Band on winning the ‘Champions of Champions’ title for the best performances across all five major piping…