Maclean Highland Gathering NSW – Updated with Report and Pictures

Report from the 113th Maclean Highland Gathering held 14th April 2017 in northern New South Wales, Australia. The picture above shows winner Andrew Roach in typical Antipodean formal dress. Robert Gibb writes: For the 113th time in its long history, the annual Maclean Highland Gathering was held on Easter weekend over the 14th and 15th of April.  The Friday focusses on solo piping with all grades represented. ‘A’ grade competitors compete in the Maclean Gold Medal contest comprising Piobaireachd, MSR, Hornpipe and…

Australia’s Silver Chalice/ Govan Pipes and Drums Concert

Sunday 9th April saw the New South Wales Piper’s Society hold their long running annual Silver Chalice competition at the Presbyterian Ladies College in Sydney, Australia. Unfortunately there was a smaller than normal entry with only five competitors turning out. Despite the low turnout the guest judge, Marion Horsburgh of New Zealand, commented on the enjoyable and high standard of playing. Jason Craig was the winner for the second year in…

Kintyre Juniors

Kintyre Piping Society Junior Piping Championship was held in Campbeltown on April 8. Chanter 10 & Under – Royal Celtic Society Cup 1 William McLean, Kilkenzie 2 Calum McAllister, Campbeltown 3 Aidan Brodie, Campbeltown 4 Grace McTaggart, Campbeltown 11-14 Chanter – P/M John MacKenzie Cup 1 Euan O’May, Campbeltown 2 Jack Campbell, Campbeltown 3 Erin Cameron, Campbeltown 4 Jamie Colville, Campbeltown Pipes Novice March – Dugald McShannon Cup 1 Andrew…

Cullybackey Pipe Band Annual Solos and Kingdom Thistle Piping & Drumming Solos

Cullybackey Pipe Band 30th Annual Solos were held in Cullybackey College, Northern Ireland, on Saturday 8th April, reports John Kelly.   The senior solo piping winner was Ashley McMichael (Field Marshal Montgomery) and the senior solo drumming winner was William Glenholmes (Vale of Atholl). Ashley is pictured top with his wife Ashleigh after his victory was announced. Novice Practice Chanter: 1 Gareth Lamont (Cullybackey) 2  Sam Purvis (Tullylagan) 3 William McFarland (Tullylagan) Advanced…

PP Ed’s Blog: Composing Competition/ Dunedin Errors/ British Reminder/ Guineas Results

Entries for the Shasta Piping Society’s piobaireachd composing competition, sponsored by the Burley Bagpipe Company, have now closed. Twenty-six tunes from seven different countries have been received by the Society’s co-ordinator Steve Rooklidge. This represents a tremendous success on his, the sponsor’s and the Society’s part. The judges, myself, Bill Livingstone from Ontario and Mike Cusack from Texas now have the difficult task of selecting our favourites and finally deciding…