Editor’s Notebook: John MacLellan Dinner/ Alex MacIver Book/ Scottish Championships/ Dunvegan Medal/ Blas Festival

Douglas Gardiner, President of the Eagle Pipers’ Society: ‘Would you mind publishing that we are closing the sale of tickets for the Captain John MacLellan Dinner at 23.30hrs (BST) on Sunday 14th August? ‘We have been very pleased with ticket sales so far but a few more will ensure our Treasurer can sleep easier.  ‘Tickets are priced £50 and can be bought here. The selected pipers and their tunes are…

Skye Gathering 2022 Results – Kemble Star March & S&R Added

The annual, two-day Skye Gathering piping competitions began yesterday in Portree. Twenty-six entered for the Dunvegan Medal contest for which pipers have to submit four MacCrimmon tunes. Previous winners are excluded and play for the Col. Jock MacDonald Clasp to the medal. The winner of the 2022 medal was James MacKenzie, a former pupil of the late Iain Murdo Morrison. James played Rory MacLeod’s Lament. We will add to the…

Scottish Championships/ St Columba’s, Kilmalcolm Job/ Junior Festival Solos

Solo adjudicator and former Scots Guards piper Roger Huth on the Scottish Pipe Band Chanmpionships last weekend: ‘I had the joy of wandering among the sounds of our great competing pipe bands yesterday at the Sottish Championships and seeing not a few of our superstars in action in the Grade One arena. I found rare space on a grassy rampart overlooking the hallowed spot and at 1400 the procession of…

Editor’s Notebook: BAG School/ Inveraray Games/ Judging/ Argylls Book/ US Contest/ British Legion 1971

I am in Germany for the annual Bagpipe Association of Germany School at Breuberg Castle in the Odenwald about an hour south of Frankfurt. A great team of instructors including drummer Carel Ooms who taught with me in Denmark 25 years ago, and Dixie Ingram, retired RSPBA judge and Scots Guardsman. Dixie has been coming here for 30 years and tells me he is just back from a fortnight at…

Inverness Games Results/ Stonehaven Games Results

Excellent organisation by Inverness Piping Society for the 2022 Inverness Games piping held at Bught Park on July 16, writes Archie Maclean. There were two large marquees for judges (one for MSR and another for Piobaireachd) and seating out in front near the competition boards for audiences to see/hear the competitions. Audiences were large and appreciative. The marquees could accommodate competitors and judges if weather forced the competitions indoors –…