Reflections on the Northern Meeting from P/M Ian McLellan

Time for a first look back at this year’s Northern Meeting, one of the great gatherings in world solo piping, writes the Editor. I had a chat with P/M Ian McLellan, a senior adjudicator on the Former Winners’ MSR bench. He is concerned about the homogenisation of bagpipe sound and the lack of depth in many instruments. Ian, of course, needs no introduction to anyone in the pipe band or…

Robert Burns Junior Piping, Dumfries

This annual contest was held on Saturday Sept 2 at Locharbriggs Primary School, Dumfries. The event was run for first time by Southwest Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy. Good turnout of pipers and drummers in all events. First prize winners in the piping are pictured above. Prizes were presented by Mrs Weatherall from the Hollywood Trust, a major contributor to the SWPDA. Under12 Chanter: 1 Erin Allison 2 Heather McKean 3 Joanne…

Braemar Gathering Results: Updated with Comment, Juniors and Pictures

Fifteen thousand spectarors crammed into Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar yesterday to listen to the solo piping at the 2017 Royal Gathering. It was the biggest crowd ever in the history of our music and shows just how popular it can be, especially when the benches comprise the likes of……… Gold Medal Piobaireachd 1 Anna Kummerlöw, Lament for John Morrison, Assynt House 2 Sandy Cameron, Park Piob No2…

Northern Meeting 2017 – Day 2: Full Results

Iain Speirs was the big winner on the second day of the Northern Meeting held at Inverness. Iain placed first in the coveted Gold Clasp playing Colin Roy MacKenzie’s Lament. It was his second success in this major event. Runner up was Angus MacColl with Craigellachie. The above picture shows the trophy winners and officials at this evening’s prize giving Gold Clasp 1 Iain Speirs 2 Angus MacColl 3 Stuart Liddell…

Northern Meeting 2017 – Day 1: Reaction and Full Results

P/Sgt Alasdair Henderson is the 2017 Northern Meeting Gold Medallist (above). He beat of a strong challenge from fellow Inveraray & District bandsman Cameron Drummond to take the coveted award at Eden Court Theatre today in Inverness. The result completed an amazing year for the 2017 World Pipe Band Champions and these pipers. The Silver Medallist is Stuart Easton from New Zealand. In the ceol beag, Ben Duncan of the…