Piobaireachd Society Announce Set Tunes for 2025/ UK Champs Reminder/ Ross’s Recordings

The Music Committee of the Piobaireachd Society has recommended the following tunes for the Silver and Gold Medal competitions at the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering 2025. Gold Medal: Prince’s Salute, Lament for the Departure of King James, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute, Stewarts’ White Banner, Ronald MacDonald of Morar’s Lament, Young Laird of Dungallon’s Salute, MacLeans’ March, A Son’s Salute to his Parents. Four tunes to be submitted. Young Laird…

Major Gordon Rowan Retires as Director, with the Army School Forging Ahead

Major Gordon Rowan is due to retire as Director of Army Bagpipe Music in May. Yesterday he oversaw his final Pipe Major’s Course passing out. He can be proud of his very well schooled candidates At the bench were myself, Pipe Major Gordon Walker and Callum Moffat, the new Director of the Army’s Cadet Force Pipes and Drums, writes the Editor. Seven pipers played. They had to submit six 6/8…

Duncan Johnstone Memorial Results 2024

This competition for junior professionals was held today (Sat., March 23) at the Piping Centre, Otago Street and McPhater Street, Glasgow. There were large entries in all categories, 34 in the C Piobaireachd and C MSR, and 23 in the B Piob and 24 in the B MSR.  Despite this, all events were completed by 5.30pm and the prizegiving finished just after 6pm.  B Grade Piobaireachd, Barbara Gillies Trophy1 Luke…

Uist & Barra 2024 Review: Giving Tunes a Week Early Does Not Help Pipers or Listeners

Most highlights of the day came in a four hour period between 9am and 1pm when the ten invited pipers performed their piobaireachd. They had been given their chosen tunes, selected by the promoters from six submitted, a week in advance. I’m not sure this is a good idea. Yes, it allows a programme with prescribed tunes to be printed (costly and is it really necessary?) and it reduces the…

Uist & Barra 2024 Results

This competition was held today, March 9, at the old College of Piping building in Otago Street, Glasgow. Pipers were given their tunes one week in advance. There was a large and appreciative audience throughout the day. Ten invited pipers competed. Ceòl Mòr, Glasgow Highland Club Medal1 Callum Beaumont, £220, (above), Donald Gruamach’s March2 William McCallum, £175, Earl of Ross’s March3 Alasdair Henderson, £110, Bells of Perth4 Iain Speirs, £85, Nameless-Cherede…