South Africa’s ‘100 Guineas’ Solo Piping 2022 – Part 2

This was a good renaissance weekend of piping, in an excellent venue, with slick stewarding, and a somewhat larger audience than usual – all this helped to produce a sense that things are getting back on track at last after the pandemic.  Like me, I am sure the organisers, the Scottish Piping Society of Southern Africa, were particularly gratified that four of the competitors in ‘100 Guineas’ were quite well…

South Africa’s ‘Hundred Guineas’ Competition, 2022

South Africa’s pre-eminent solo piping competition took place in Johannesburg at St Benedict’s College over the weekend of 26 and 27 March 2022. On-line competitions have been a wonderful way of providing pipers and drummers with a competition outlet over the last couple of years. A major advantage of these contests has been the opportunity for pipers to compete, even on an international level, without leaving home – and several…

Highlands & Islands Juniors Results

Results of the junior piping held at Rockfield Centre, Oban, on Saturday 30 April 2022. There were no senior piping events this year. Chanter (under 12) Scale and 2-part tune, Muir Trophy: 1 Yannick Embley 2 Cody McGuigan 3 Laura Reilly 4 Alasdair Bruce 5 Kelvin Campbell 6 Eliza Doksey Chanter (under 12), Argyll Print Trophy: Alex Ross Chanter 12 to 14 March, William Leslie Meikle Memorial Trophy: 1 Morla Bruce…

Atholl Gathering/ Lochaber Gathering/ Ukrainian National Anthem

Piping Convenor at the Atholl Gathering, Dr Jack Taylor: ‘There is a healthy entry so far for the Gathering (on May 29), but there is still room for a few more, especially P/A/Non CPA Piobaireachd and junior events. Entries close on Sunday 15th May. Here is the link to the entry form.   ‘It will be Gary West’s first outing as Pipe Major of the Atholl Highlanders. Ian Duncan is handing over the previous…

The Remarkable Story of Victor Herman, Piper, Boxer, Painter

It is 20 years since the death of Vic Herman. He was an extraordinary character. He was born in 1929 in Manchester the son of an immigrant cabinetmaker. The family moved to Warwick Street in the Gorbals in Glasgow when Vic was still a toddler. The Gorbals then was a byword for squalor and deprivation. By a Special Correspondent Vic’s father was obsessed with work. He worked constantly and was never…