Category: Reviews

Hugh ‘Baggy’ MacMillan/ Duncan MacDiarmid/ Side Lights Review

Posted on      by     

We regret to have to report the passing of London stalwart Hugh ‘Baggy’ MacMillan and of Duncan MacDiarmid, of the Atholl Highlanders. On Hugh, Roddy Livingstone of the Scottish Piping Society of London has sent this: ‘Former SPSL President Hugh ‘Baggy’ MacMillan passed away after a short illness in Croydon University Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday 7th September. ‘He was born into a piping family, his father Malcolm…

More Hugh ‘Baggy’ MacMillan/ Duncan MacDiarmid/ Side Lights Review

Northern Meeting 2016 – The Former Winners’ March, Strathspey & Reel

Posted on      by     

Our first report from this year’s Northern Meeting covers the premier ceol beag event, the Former Winners’ March, Strathspey and Reel held in Eden Court Theatre on the evening of the first day of the Meeting. Just to qualify to play in this competition is a considerable achievement – you must have won the now amalgamated  ‘A’ grade MSR or the previously separate Northern Meeting ‘A’ March or ‘A’ Strathspey &…

More Northern Meeting 2016 – The Former Winners’ March, Strathspey & Reel

Reflections on the Argyllshire Gathering 2016 – Silver & Gold Medals

Posted on      by     

I judged the Oban Silver Medal with Ian Duncan and Malcolm McRae. I remind readers of the statement top left on this page. The standard has been better. I don’t know if it was the tuning facility in the rather dank Ceilidh House, but too many pipers just didn’t have settled instruments on which to demonstrate their prowess. As stated earlier, the winner was Nick Hudson, Pittsburgh, USA. His tune…

More Reflections on the Argyllshire Gathering 2016 – Silver & Gold Medals

Reflections on the Argyllshire Gathering 2016 – Part 1

Posted on      by     

The 2016 Argyllshire Gathering should be described as nothing less than an outstanding success, writes the Editor. Of course the fine weather helped with pipers able to stop and chat in the Oban sunshine about all the usual things: drones going off, rotten reeds, crooked judges. The gathering was helped by having popular winners in all the main piobaireachd events. Pride of place must go to Ian K. MacDonald of…

More Reflections on the Argyllshire Gathering 2016 – Part 1

A Special Day for Judge Norman at Ballater Highland Games

Posted on      by     

By Duncan Watson This year’s Ballater Highland Games gave us a day to remember for a couple of reasons. It started with a presentation to Norman Matheson MBE, a judge at Ballater for over 40 years. Norman has been a kenspeckle figure at the Deeside games, including Ballater and beyond, for, as indicated, over four decades. In his professional life he was a consultant surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He was…

More A Special Day for Judge Norman at Ballater Highland Games