Northern Ireland: Bands on BBC/ Ulsters/ Belfast Tattoo/ Antrim/ Big Rab

Recently there was the return of the popular series ‘The Band’ on BBC Northern Ireland television which has three episodes and should now be available on iPlayer. The series marks USA 250 by exploring the stories of people who emigrated from Northern Ireland to America and Canada and found friendship and belonging through their passion for bands.  The series follows Danielle Hamilton Cooper from Cookstown, who emigrated to Philadelphia after…

Aberfeldy Show Results (updated)

Cloudy day with a cool breeze in the Perthshire heartlands. Thirteen played in the juniors and 11 in the seniors. Champion Piper: Magnus Stone, USA (pictured above). Junior Champion: Morla Bruce (pictured below). Piob: 1 Magnus Stone, Lament for the Earl of Antrim 2 Xavier Boderiou 3 Edward Gaul 4 Martin Kessler MSR: 1 Allan Russell 2 David Bruce 3 Magnus Stone 4 Xavier Boderiou Slow Air & Jig: 1…

Silver Chanter 2026 Result (Updated)

The winner of the 59th Silver Chanter is Steven Leask (pictured above). His tune was the Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck. It was Gold Medallist Steven’s first win of the prestigious award and at his first attempt. The recital / competition was held tonight (August 5) before a large audience at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Gaelic College, Sleat, isle of Skye. The sponsors were Torabhaig Malt Whisky, the Piobaireachd Society and…

Skye Gathering 2026 Senior Results

The annual, two-day Skye Gathering piping competitions began today (Aug 4) in Portree. Twenty-eight entered for the Dunvegan Medal contest for which pipers have to submit four MacCrimmon tunes. Previous winners are excluded and play for the Col. Jock MacDonald Clasp to the medal. The winner of the 2026 medal was Angus MacPhee (pictured above with the medal, courtesy Cailean Maclean). Angus had been second in this contest for the…

Arisaig Games Results/ Games News

A blustery, overcast day on the west coast at Arisaig, but the sun came out for the last competitor on the boards. Nine played in the seniors. Two Northern Irishmen took the main awards, Peter McCalister the Piobaireachd and Andrew Hall, Champion Piper. Piobaireachd: 1 Peter McCalister, Red Speckled Bull 2 Martin Kessler, Battle of Auldearn No. 2 3 Andrew Hall, Battle of Waternish 4 Thomas Cangolosi, Battle of the…