News from Across the Water: Piper of the Year/ Solo Piping & Drumming Champs./ New Leading Drummers

Saturday, September 28th saw the annual Piper of the Year competition in the Adair Arms, Ballymena. There was a decent attendance to listen to the eleven invited pipers who competed in the afternoon in the Piobaireachd section and then in the evening’s MSR and Hornpipe and Jig. The pipers played in the following order: Andrew Pattison, James Frazer, John McElmurry, Alastair Donaghy, Andrew Nelson, Kris Coyle, James Stone, Marc Warnock, Scott…

News from Across the Water: James Warnock 1919-2024/ UK Drumming/ Down Solos/ Long Service

The death took place recently of James Warnock, one of the great pioneers of the Northern Ireland pipe band scene. His area of expertise, like that of his father Joe and brother Andrew, was the manufacture of chanter and drone reeds and pipe chanters. James and his family made such an impact on both the local and world pipe band scene.  For an insight into Jim’s life in pipe bands…

It is Time for a Re-Think on the Training of Pipe Band Judges

My name is Ian Plunkett. I am 63 and competed in Grade 1 as a piper from the age of 16. I played in Red Hackle in its various incarnations, Glasgow Skye, was Pipe Major of Strathclyde Police from 1997 to 2002, and latterly played with Scottish Power. I am qualified to Level 6 with the RSPBA and I am a recognised instructor and assessor within the organisation. By Ian…

Bowhill Games Results

Here are the results from Bowhill Highland Games today [Sept.15], writes Piping Convenor Greig Canning. They were held in changeable conditions in Wallsgreen Park, Cardenden, Fife. Judges for open events were Jimmy Banks and Chris Armstrong. Judge for junior events was Jamie Elder. It was another healthy entry with 12 pipers playing in the open events, 17 in the under-15 light music and 10 in the junior piobaireachd. Mike Fitzhenry…

Pitlochry Games Results

Damp, overcast conditions but only a few light showers at Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire on September 14. The piobaireachd competition, sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society, attracted a large entry and was capped at 20. Twenty-six in the light music. Christopher Armstrong continued his good form from the Argyllshire Gathering, but the piper with most points was young Cameron May, Lesmahagow (pictured). Judges reported a high standard, particularly in the ceòl…