Northern Ireland Round-Up: Belfast Tattoo/ Pipe Band College/ World Solo Drumming/ Blackthorn/ All Irelands

After two years absence, the Belfast International Tattoo finally returned on September 2nd and 3rd with three shows at the SSE Arena. The cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 shows placed many challenges at the door of the organisers. I was present on the Saturday night when there was a very good attendance and I understand that was the case across the other two shows. This has obviously encouraged the…

The View from the Bench: A Review of the Northern Meeting Gold Clasp 2022

At just after 08.30 on day two of the Northern Meeting, Greg Wilson stepped on to the stage of the Eden Court Theatre, tuned calmly and played the ‘Big Nameless tune’ – Cherede Darievea smoothly and softly on a sweet pipe with just minor technical imperfections. The judges settled, ears agog. The audience sank into their seats, eyes half-closing already. Business as usual. Then Roderick MacLeod gave us Donald Ban….

Blairgowrie Games Results – Updated with Juniors and Locals

Rain early; dry later. Open Piob:1 Ben Duncan2 Sandy Cameron3 Innes Smith Open March:1 Ben Duncan2 Fraser Allison3 William Rowe4 Calum Brown Open S&R1 Ben Duncan:2 Calum Brown3 William Rowe4 Sandy Cameron B Piob1 William Rowe2 Calum Brown3 Eireann Ianneta-MacKay4 Callum Wynd5 Eddie GaulJudges: D Fraser, I Duncan C Piob1 Bobby Allan2 Calum Kaye3 Ross Conner4 Christopher McLeish5 James MacPetrie C Grade March1 Bobby Allan2 James MacPetrie3 Calum Kaye4 Jeffrey…

Braemar Gathering Results – Updated with Comment, Pictures and Juniors

The final major Highland games of the summer was held in dry, overcast, but warm conditions. There were changes at the piobaireachd board with a new canopy and screen. This helped greatly in reducing extraneous noise and unwanted breezes. One minor hiccup came when Jamie Forrester put a brogue through a rotted plank on the platform. Luckily he was still tuning. It was the only foot he put wrong in…

Northern Meeting Complete Day 2 Results

Highlight of the second day at Inverness is the Gold Clasp competition, which, with the Senior Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering, is the most prestigious ceòl mòr prize in world piping. It was a major win for Angus MacColl adding to his Senior Piobaireachd title at Oban. Angus capped a super day by taking first in Hornpipe & Jig as well. Gold Clasp1 Angus D MacColl, £1,000, Nameless, Cherede Darievea2…