Oh the tears, the happiness…..there was the new Gold Medallist Stuart Easton crying his eyes out, consoled, (consoled!) by his Kiwi colleagues. Stuart had just phoned home to tell his wife that all that travel and expense had been worth it. He was a Gold Medallist.  Mid sob Stuart was able to blurt out a few words: ‘I’ve worked so hard for this’ sniff, ‘I can’t believe it’, sniff, ‘it’s…

Four of the major piobaireachd competitions in world piping were held today in Oban, Argyll. Stuart Easton from New Zealand became the seventh winner of the coveted Gold Medal from that country. Winner of the Senior Piobaireachd was Stuart Liddell (pictured above). Darach Urquhart from Kyle won the Silver Medal. All results below. Andrew Ferguson, a piper with Dollar Academy, won the MacGregor Memorial for intermediate ceol mor. Other results as…

All piping eyes today turn from the World Championship and Glasgow Green to the West Highland town of Oban where the first of piping’s two most important solo gatherings gets underway. The Argyllshire Gathering hosts four major piobaireachd competitions: the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal, the Silver Medal, the Senior Piobaireachd and the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd for intermediate level. Success in these events are highlights in every piper’s career….

This summary review of the performances in the Grade 1 Finals at the 2018 World Pipe Band Championships (WPBC) is based on what I heard from my seat in the main arena stand. As already reported this was the 71st WPBC under the auspices of the RSPBA and the 70th anniversary of the first time the event was held in Glasgow. Overall the Championships attracted a total of 214 pipe band entries…

Some say his top hand is bigger than his bottom (and say so in less delicate terms), others that his predictions are too close for comfort……..All we know is his coverage of Grade 2 is what you are after and in this final review of the summer MacStig brings his own inimitable commentary to what was an exciting end to the 2018 outdoor season……… Glasgow Green was damp and grey…