Category: Reviews

Northern Ireland News

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Ulster at the Duncan Johnstone: On Saturday 21st March a number of pipers from Northern Ireland took part in the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition in Glasgow. The overall winner of the B Grade competitions was Andrew Pattison, while Scott Wallace was the Grade C winner. The B Piobaireachd was won by Rathfriland’s James Frazer who also placed fifth in the B MSR and second in the B Jig. Scott…

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Piobaireachd Society Annual Conference

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Well what a wonderful weekend that proved to be. The Piobaireachd Society Annual Conference is always an enjoyable mix of history, research and camaraderie, but this year at the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling has to be rated right up there with the best.  Maybe delegates were determined to make it a roaring success following the last minute decamp from the fire-stricken Royal George in Perth. Whatever the reason, we…

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MacColls Recital/ Pipe Idol Entries/ Kiwi Success

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Tonight Inverness Piping Society welcomes both Angus MacColl Snr. and Jnr. for the third recital of the season, writes Les Hutt. From his success in the Young Piper of the Year at Blair Castle in 1984, Angus Snr. has been one of the most consistent of the top pipers over the past 40 years. His successes make remarkable reading including five Clasps to the Highland Society of London Gold Medal,…

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History: Argyllshire Gathering 1981, Part 3

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We continue with our article from the Oban Times of early September 1981. It is by Alfred Morrison, their piping correspondent at the time. Having dealt with the Gold Medal, he now reports on the other events….. Former Winners Piobaireachd Competition: This took place in the Phoenix Cinema. Eight tunes were set and each competitor had to select four tunes, one of which he was asked to play. Eight competitors…

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Editor’s Notebook: Band Sizes/ Atholl Gathering/ 214 BB/ Duncan Johnstone/ PS Conference

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The RSPBA are now taking the issue of band sizes seriously. There was a commitment at last weekend’s AGM to take the matter forward via the Music Board and a consultation with the bands. The proposal is that piper numbers be cut to 22 and side drummers to 11. No apparent mention of bass and tenors. The thrust of the argument put forward was one of fairness, always an emotional…

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