The Glenfiddich Championship – A View from a Rookie Piobaireachd Player

For those of you who are regular readers of Piping Press this will be something of a departure from the usual informed reporting you might read here. However I would hope that it is an opportunity to consider a refreshing vision of last weekend’s Glenfiddich championship. Over a long period of time I have had a passing acquaintance with piobaireachd. I have always listened to it and in the 80s…

New Book Review: ‘Grey’s Notes on a Life Around Bagpipes’

This is the recently published book penned by an esteemed piper, superb composer, internationally famous teacher, overall music master and consummate Bard. My tongue is firmly in my cheek I hear you say. Certainly not. Who am I talking about? None other than Ontario’s Michael Grey. Mike, I have you up there with the best. By Barry Donaldson This book is an autobiographical account of his life and times as…

Scotland County Highland Games A Huge Success As Live Competition Returns In the American South

Held in a region which was densely populated by Highland Scots beginning in the 18th century, the Scotland County Highland Games, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, USA, returned in great fashion after a two year hiatus.  A record crowd of almost 7,000 attendees witnessed a full day of events. It is a small Highland Games but this year quite significant as, if all our research proves to be accurate, which I…

Argyllshire Gathering Score Major Success with New Intermediate Piping Championship

The Lochnell Estate lies low on a wooded spit of land jutting out into the Firth of Lorne. Sheltered on its eastern lee sits a castle, home of the Cochrane clan for 100 years and the Campbells for centuries before. For most of last Saturday its ancient walls resounded to the call of the bagpipe. There may have been some unkind things said about the sea-going Cochranes back in Admiral…

Canada’s First Highland Games for Two Years Voted a Huge Success – Full Results and Video

The 57th Cobourg Highland Games (Ontario, Canada) – Saturday, September 11, 2021. The games were enjoyed by a large crowd in perfect weather conditions on the shores of Lake Ontario: lots of sun and a balmy temperature of 26 degrees, writes Michael Grey PPBSO President. The games featured solo piping, solo drumming and pipe band competitions, heavy events, clan stalls, vendors, Highland dancing exhibitions – and a beer tent. Ontario…