Northern Ireland Pipe Band Round – Up: Part 1

The second half of the Northern Ireland competition season got underway with the Ulster Championships on July 23rd in the grounds of Ballymena Academy. It proved to be a very successful event with a large crowd and decent weather except for a heavy shower mid-afternoon. There were thirty one band entries and twenty six drum majors. A Highland dancing competition was also in full swing throughout the day such is…

The View from the Bench: A Review of the Northern Meeting Gold Clasp 2022

At just after 08.30 on day two of the Northern Meeting, Greg Wilson stepped on to the stage of the Eden Court Theatre, tuned calmly and played the ‘Big Nameless tune’ – Cherede Darievea smoothly and softly on a sweet pipe with just minor technical imperfections. The judges settled, ears agog. The audience sank into their seats, eyes half-closing already. Business as usual. Then Roderick MacLeod gave us Donald Ban….

Chatsworth Games Results

The Piobaireachd Society contributed significantly to the prizemoney for the piobaireachd event which required four tunes to be submitted – perhaps not a big ‘ask’ of the Premier graded pipers present but certainly stretching for some of the less experienced competitors who rose to the challenge.  Playing conditions were good other than the odd shower, with temperatures averaging 20 degrees Celsius throughout the day – almost perfect for both instruments…

Blairgowrie Games Results – Updated with Juniors and Locals

Rain early; dry later. Open Piob:1 Ben Duncan2 Sandy Cameron3 Innes Smith Open March:1 Ben Duncan2 Fraser Allison3 William Rowe4 Calum Brown Open S&R1 Ben Duncan:2 Calum Brown3 William Rowe4 Sandy Cameron B Piob1 William Rowe2 Calum Brown3 Eireann Ianneta-MacKay4 Callum Wynd5 Eddie GaulJudges: D Fraser, I Duncan C Piob1 Bobby Allan2 Calum Kaye3 Ross Conner4 Christopher McLeish5 James MacPetrie C Grade March1 Bobby Allan2 James MacPetrie3 Calum Kaye4 Jeffrey…

Braemar Gathering Results – Updated with Comment, Pictures and Juniors

The final major Highland games of the summer was held in dry, overcast, but warm conditions. There were changes at the piobaireachd board with a new canopy and screen. This helped greatly in reducing extraneous noise and unwanted breezes. One minor hiccup came when Jamie Forrester put a brogue through a rotted plank on the platform. Luckily he was still tuning. It was the only foot he put wrong in…