Highlands & Islands Festival Report

I don’t think we ladle on enough praise to the volunteers who keep the wheels of piping progress so well oiled with their cheery energy and dedication. A case in point was last Saturday’s Highlands & Islands Festival in Oban. For close on nine hours Convenor Iain Hurst and his team were run off their feet trying to corral youngsters to their allotted classrooms and at the same time keeping…

Highlands & Islands Festival 2025 Results

Another successful competition was held in the Oban High School today, Saturday, May 3, with healthy entries in all competitions. Senior Champion Piper Angus J MacColl, Benderloch, is pictured above. P/A Ceol Mor for Cooper Salver (1st) and Dugald MacColl Memorial Trophy (2nd).1 Sandy Cameron, Old Men of the Shells2 Brodie Watson-Massey, Lord Lovat’s Lament3 Angus J MacColl, MacLeod of Raasay’s Salute4 Cameron May, Lament for the Earl of Antrim…

Virginia Tattoo Band Championship/ Maj. Gen. David McDowall CBE

The North America Pipe Band Championship was held at Scope Plaza, Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, writes Alli Pereira. Weather was perfect for piping, 78 degrees (25C), with frequent cloud cover…until Massed Bands and the Senior Drum Major saying ‘By the right, quick march’. Suddenly a monsoon happened as if commanded by the D/M! Massed bands was cut off swiftly and we were able to scramble indoors to…

Honouring Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC, WW1’s Piper of Loos

The Ancre Somme Association Scotland Charity has launched a project to have a bronze bust of Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC ‘The Piper of Loos’ unveiled in his home village of Swinton, Berwickshire, writes Kevin McLean. The planned date for the unveiling is 25th Sept this year. This marks the 110th anniversary of Daniel going over the top at the Battle of Loos in 1915.  We have gained the support of…

Wheel of Fortune and Lochaber Juniors Results

Sarah Muir is the 2025 winner of the Pipe Major’s Wheel of Fortune competition, winning the medley element of the innovative contest. Ross Miller was second and Cameron Drummond third, writes Paul White. Cameron won the MSR, with Brian Lamond winning the prize for best joke. Sarah is pictured above on her way to winning the Medley. The other competitors in a posse of elite pipers were Sandy Cameron, John…