Reflections on the Northern Meeting Part 2

Friday, after attending to duties with the juniors, I headed into the Clasp. The music and instruments heard here were alone worth the £27 admission, writes the Editor. I heard all but the first four performances. The top three were hard to split. Callum Beaumont had, for me, the sort of bagpipe you encounter but rarely. The top hand had a bell-like quality, chiming with the drones throughout the Daughter’s…

Reflections on the Northern Meeting Part 1

As I said in my short prelim piece, the Northern Meeting in Inverness is about more than just the piping. From the reception in the Town House last Wednesday to the Eden Court prizegiving on the Friday evening, fraternal feelings mixed with high elation and consolation. By the Editor It was heartening to see it. Though pipers grumble in private, in public they act with the best of manners and…

Pitlochry/ Bowhill/ and Recital Dinner Results

Damp conditions and the proximity of the Northern Meeting reduced entries at Pitlochry Games held on Saturday, September 13. From a fully subscribed list of 20 only 13 played. The Champion Piper was Ross Conner, Campbeltown, with three first in the light music. Ross is pictured above with his trophies. The ceòl mòr is sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society. Piob (three of each): 1 Angus MacPhee, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute…

Braemar Results and Report/ Blairgowrie Results

The Braemar Gold Medallist for 2025 is John McDonald, Aberdeen, (above). He gave a fine rendition of the supposedly MacCrimmon tune, the Glen is Mine, on a steady, tuneful instrument, writes the Editor How appropriate that a local man should win the medal with this tune. The first few bars of it are inscribed on the memorial cairn to the Bobs of Balmoral only yards from the piobaireachd board. As…

Worlds 2025 – Review Part 3

This year the weather was fair and warm both days and the new ‘junior’ format on the Friday appeared to be well received despite criticism when it was first announced.  Unfortunately, the Novice Juvenile B Final finished rather late, so that probably needs to be addressed by the RSPBA if the format is to be continued next year.  One bonus, however, was that the Saturday was less cluttered for the…