Editor’s Notebook: John Cruickshank VC/ Glasgow Skye/ Helmsdale Results/ Lorient Bagads/ Weekend Games

The death has been announced of war hero John Cruickshank VC, Aberdeen. He was 105. Readers will recall the tune competition the Royal Northern & University Club and Piping Press ran for a march to honour Mr Cruickshank’s and his remarkable bravery. The result was a fine 6/8 by South African composer and piper Dave Mason. It was presented and played to Mr Cruickshank at a dinner in Aberdeen. It…

Worlds Underway/ Ballater Juniors/ Cortachy Games/ Weekend Games

The World Pipe Band Championships kick off in Glasgow today (Aug.15) with the first two rounds of the Grade 1 contest and the Juvenile and Novice grades. The weather is set fair but if you cannot manage to Glasgow Green here is the live-streaming link. Prizes in the junior grades are expected anytime after 7pm tonight and at a similar time tomorrow for all other grades. Things should be over…

Reflections on the Silver Chanter and Skye Gathering

It is just a week since the Silver Chanter and the important piping competitions held at Portree as part of the Skye Gathering, writes the Editor. Entries for the Dunvegan Medal topped 29 and looking down the list it seems to me that it may be time for the promoters to limit these to those graded B+ upwards. This competition really is not for anyone below that standard. Pipers without…

Editor’s Notebook: Shotts Concert/ PS Recital/ Tutors Wanted/ Fintan Lalor/ Lorient Bands

A highlight of Worlds Week is always the band concert on the Wednesday night. This year Shotts & Dykehead are on stage at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Aug 13). As expected, the concert is a sell-out and such is the paucity of briefs the band have issued a plea to those who have bought tickets but who now discover they can’t attend. In a statement Shotts say: ‘We have been…

Killin Games Results

A dry day and a very healthy entry of 25 pipers for the seniors at Killin on August 6. Champion Piper was Jonathon Simpson with three first and one third prizes. Piobaireachd1 Jonathon Simpson, Cabar Feidh gu Brath2 Ross Conner, Old Men of the Shells3 Martin Kessler, His Father’s Lament for Donald MacKenzie4 John Dew, You’re Welcome Ewen Locheil March: 1 Ross Conner 2 William Geddes 3 Jonathon Simpson 4…