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…

Worlds 2025 – Review Part 2

On Friday August 15th I attended the World Pipe Championships at Glasgow Green and due to my travel arrangements I was unable to listen to any of the Grade 1 performances. The remainder of the day was not to be wasted however, as an afternoon of Juvenile competition was about to commence and for me that began at the main arena with performances from the five entrants. By Gilbert Cromie…

Worlds 2025 – Review Part 1

I heard all of the Grade 1 Medleys on the Friday and all of the MSRs on the Saturday. I also heard the first half of the Medley on the Saturday. Both days were blessed with warm sunshine. I like medleys to have a powerful start – the overture – and a strong finish – the climax. FMM gave us that with their B52 set. P/M Wilson went for it,…

Review: ‘Solas’ – Shotts in Concert

Who would have believed that a band founded in a hut in the Lanarkshire coalfield 115 years ago could stage such a spectacular evening’s entertainment as we enjoyed last night? I said on Tuesday that this concert was the highlight of Worlds Week. After two hours of live pipe band music no one in the 2,000 crowd at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall could gainsay that statement. The title of the…

Reflections on the Silver Chanter and Skye Gathering

It is just a week since the Silver Chanter and the important piping competitions held at Portree as part of the Skye Gathering, writes the Editor. Entries for the Dunvegan Medal topped 29 and looking down the list it seems to me that it may be time for the promoters to limit these to those graded B+ upwards. This competition really is not for anyone below that standard. Pipers without…