Silver Chanter Result

The winner of the 57th Silver Chanter was Angus MacColl, Benderloch. His tune was the Lament for the Children. It was Angus’s third win of the prestigious award. The recital / competition was held before a large audience at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Gaelic College, Sleat, isle of Skye. The sponsors were Torabhaig Malt Whisky, the Piobaireachd Society and the College. Other pipers and their tunes: Derek Midgley, Lament for Patrick…

Mallaig & Morar Games Results

An overcast day [Aug.4] with a cold wind at times. The rain held off until the last few competitors finished their H&J. A total of 17 competed in the Open competitions. Champion Piper was Decker Forrest (pictured above). Piob: 1 Sandy Cameron 2 Josh Chandler 3 Decker Forrest 4 Fraser Allison 5 Liam Nicolson March1 Finlay Cameron2 Decker Forrest 3 Piers Dover4 Louis Davis S&R1 Decker Forrest2 Liam Nicolson3 Finlay…

Editor’s Notebook: Juvenile Bands/ Piper Appeal/ Morar Games/ Renfrew Band Appeal/ Ken Eller

We don’t give prominence to anonymous commentary unless it has some sense or truth about it. Here’s one on the dearth of bands in our Juvenile grade. We received it this week following Alistair Aitken’s review of the Scottish Championships: ‘Until those running the best Novice A bands have the courage to accept promotion when it’s awarded, I think the Juvenile category will remain fairly sparse. ‘A few observations to…

Scottish Pipe Band Championships Review Part 2

At the Editor’s request I have recorded some thoughts on the Grade 1 performances at the Scottish Championships from a drumming and ensemble perspective.  I would emphasise that the views expressed are personal.  I was standing in a position at the head of the bands.  It is quite possible that things could have been happening at the drum corps end of the bands which I would not see or hear…

Scottish Pipe Band Championships: Grade 1 Review Part 1

I have railed already about the dearth of good strathspeys among our bands. At Dumbarton, some pipe corps fought manfully against the 12/8 drumming tide, notably Inveraray, the Power, and Field Marshal, but the ‘band strath’ was in evidence throughout the Grade 1 contest. The other great carbuncle on the handsome face of today’s bands is a form of tune soup, or melody salad, that we are hearing at the…