Focus of World Piping on Argyllshire Gathering

Our focus turns to the Argyllshire Gathering being held in Oban today and tomorrow. The Gathering attracts the best pipers in the world in a multi-discipline series of competitions. Piobaireachd competitions are underway for the Highland Society of London Gold Medal, the Argyllshire Gathering Silver Medal, Senior Piobaireachd and MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd. These exclusive events are restricted to either the top pipers in their category or those who have qualified…

Glen Urquhart Games & Glenisla Games Results

Piping Convenor Jane Drennan reports…. Here are the piping results from Glenurquhart held on the shores of Loch Ness last Saturday, August 22. We had a strong field of juniors (13), but only three seniors. The weather was perfect. Hopefully next year’s date of August 28th will attract more seniors as it will the Saturday between the Argyllshire Gathering and the Northern Meeting. DJ MacIntyre judged the seniors and Iain MacFadyen and…

Highland Games Round-Up: Lonach & Killin

Lonach Games were held last Saturday, August 22nd. Thanks to the very attractive prize money there was a large entry in the Seniors – 28. Conditions were cool with a blustery wind. The piobaireachd competition finished at 7.15pm to the strains of the disco starting up.  A big change from a few years ago when two retired players who happened to be judging another event took the two vacant prize…

Editor’s Notebook: Bands and Solos/ Edinburgh Job/ Angus Award/ Glasgow Police LP

So that’s the band season more or less over for another year. The piping world now focuses on the solos with major events at Lonach tomorrow, Oban from Wednesday and Fort William next Friday. I suppose from the solo-piper-in-a-band-perspective the calendar works out well, but I still think it is a pity the bands don’t have Cowal or at least some other important event filling out the summer. That won’t…

The Worlds 2026: Views of a Retired Adjudicator

Unfortunately, I was able to attend only the Saturday of the World Pipe Band Championships this year.  Unlike some of the previous years the weather was pleasantly warm, free from rain and with only a mild wind, so the atmosphere was ideal for tuning and for the band performances.  Both days were well attended by spectators (estimated at around 35,000 over the two days).  The official programme showed a total…