A Short Review from the Atholl Gathering 2022

This year’s Atholl Gathering piping was run very efficiently with something for solo pipers at every level. The day started brightly but conditions deteriorated as the day went on with cloud, cold winds and rain showers. Nevertheless, everyone was glad to be back out at the Games again, though the weather quickly reminded us that a certain level of stoicism is required where the Scottish Highlands are concerned. By Robert…

Atholl Gathering Results

A cold and sometimes wet day on the Perthshire slopes at Blair Atholl for one of the first major Highland gatherings of the season. There were strong entries in all grades with circa. 50 pipers on parade over the grades. Champion Piper was Sandy Cameron, Roy Bridge. P/A/Non CPA Piobaireachd (three tunes):1 Angus MacColl, snr.2 Sandy Cameron3 Sarah Muir4 Ben Duncan5 Steven LeaskJudges: P Henderson, W Morrison B Piob (three…

The CLASP ‘Live Online’ May 7th 2022 Results

Another successful ‘Live Online’ contest ran on 7th May 2022. This competition was sponsored by R.G. Hardie & Co. The event used Zoom as the platform, and we had competitors join from all round the world as the event facilitates participation in all time zones.  Following the pandemic, CLASP has introduced a yearly series of global amatuer solo piping competitions called ‘Live Online’. Competitors connect live, and compete live, and…

Editor’s Notebook: Silver Chanter/ Piping Live/ British Championships/ Letters

For me the most significant announcement in the Piping Live press release yesterday was the news that the Silver Chanter recital/competition is to be moved back to its spiritual homeland on the island of Skye. This is something we have been campaigning for ever since the National Piping Centre took over the running of this showpiece event from cash-strapped Skye Piping Society in 2018. It was totally unsuited to Glasgow…

British Pipe Band Championships 2022 – A Spectator’s View

It was a relief to be able to attend the British Championships at Greenock last Saturday, the first time I have been anywhere near a live pipe band contest for more than two years.  The venue was perhaps appropriate for the first Major following the pandemic as Battery Park is on the Firth of Clyde, not far from where, on the ferry coming back from Cowal in 1930, the original…