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…

Sandy’s New Chanter

The winner of the 58th Silver Chanter was Sandy Cameron, Roy Bridge. His tune was the Lament for Macleod of Colbeck. It was Sandy’s first win of the prestigious award. The recital / competition was held last night 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. By Peter McCalister Sandy qualified for…

Mull Games Results

Scotland’s ferry fiasco continues to cause severe disruption to life in the inner and outer Hebrides, writes the Editor. You cannot go about your business confident that you will be able to get off or on to a particular island at a particular time. Tobermory and Mull are no different and ‘boat issues’ meant late arrivals and early departures for many participants at the annual games held yesterday, July 24,…