History: Argyllshire Gathering 1981, Part 2

We continue with our article from the Oban Times of early September 1981. It is by Alfred Morrison, their piping correspondent at the time. He continues his examination of the performances in that year’s competition for the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal….. The next player was P/M Gavin Stoddart who has had a successful a successful season as a competing piper. He was asked to play the Fingerlock. He…

History: Argyllshire Gathering 1981

This article is from the Oban Times of early September 1981. It is by Alfred Morrison their piping correspondent at the time. Alfred, affectionately known as ‘old Fred’, was the father of the Gold Medallist and bellows piper supreme, ‘young’ Fred Morrison. Alfred was a native of South Uist. It was there as a young man he received his piobaireachd tuition from visiting instructor RB Nicol, one of the Bobs…

Scottish Schools Championship/ Stirling Junior Solos

Young musicians from a record-breaking 172 schools across Scotland gathered in Kilmarnock last Sunday for the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, marking the largest number of schools ever involved in the event’s 12-year-history, writes Lesley Wilkinson. Held at the William McIlvanney Campus, the Championships welcomed 51 bands and ten quartets from every corner of the country, with 90% of participating schools coming from the state sector. Organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes…

Uist & Barra 2026 Results (Updated)

This competition was held today, March 7, at the Piping Centre in Otago Street, Glasgow. There was an appreciative audience throughout the day. Eleven invited pipers competed. Invitations were based on success at the major competitions in 2025. Ceòl Mòr for the Glasgow Highland Club Medal1 Finlay Johnston, £220, Donald Gruamach’s March2 Callum Beaumont, £175, My Dearest on Earth Give Me Your Kiss3 Connor Sinclair, £110, Port Urlar 4 Angus MacColl,…

Rare Recording of P/M Donald MacLeod – Part 2

More from maestro P/M Donald MacLeod in these excerpts from the historic recording made at an impromptu recital given in Seattle, WA, in 1955 whilst Donald was on a tour of the western US and Canada. I reckon Donald would have been in his early 30s at the time of the recital. On leaving the Army he joined the firm of Grainger and Campbell in Glasgow with John MacFadyen as…