Champion of Champions Reaction/ Forres Games (updated)/ Australian Ladies

Below are readers responses to Ian Forbes’s article on the allocation of points for the 2025 Grade 1 Champion of Champions title. Apart from other issues raised, Ian questioned the wisdom of the RSPBA automatically giving the three bands entered for Saturday’s G1 UK Championship six, five and four points towards the CoC title. George McIntyre: ‘Why should the three bands that have entered be penalised? After all it’s not…

We Need to Rethink Champion of Champions Points for 2025

As the 2025 pipe band season gets into full swing, bands will have their sights set on two major goals. The pinnacle is clearly winning, or being placed, in the World Championships, followed closely by winning the Champion of Champions award.  This latter achievement is arguably a more meaningful measure of a pipe band’s success as it represents consistency across all the Championship competitions, confirming excellent performances in both MSR…

Kenmore Games/ Johnstone Pipe Band/ Euro Draw

Despite fluctuating weather forecast predictions, it turned out to be a warm, dry night at this week’s Kenmore Games, writes Jen Mackintosh.  Even the midgies were kind enough to hold off until nearly the end!  Although a small number of entries, it was a good competition with some fine playing, and judge Ronnie Clark was encouraging in his praise when speaking at the prize giving. Above are the winners pictured…

Ceres Games and Drumtochty Games Results

A very pleasant day of senior and junior piping in the beautiful village of Ceres in Fife on Saturday June 28. Fine weather brought good Open entries with 15 in the light music and 12 in the piobaireachd. Champion Piper was Angus MacPhee, Inverness. Piob: 1 Angus MacPhee, Stewart’s White Banner 2 Darach Urquhart, Lament for Ronald MacDonald of Morar 3 Keith Bowes 4 Hector MunroMarch: 1 Thomas Turner 2…

US Clan Donald Contest/ CLASP Results

Major Bruce W Macdonald, Chairman of the Clan Donald Trust for the Gaelic Performing Arts, Charleston, South Carolina, USA: ‘I am pleased to advise that the videos from the fifth annual Scottish Performing Arts Classic in Charleston, South Carolina, are now available for viewing on the Robert Burns Society of Charleston’s website.’  Four invited pipers each play a piobaireachd. They were Nick Hudson, Phantom Piper of the Corrieyairick, Finlay Johnston,…