Antrim Contest Look Back – and Look Forward to Euros at Inverness

Last Saturday the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens echoed to the sound of pipe bands as it hosted the third of the local RSPBA NI Branch’s 2022 competition programme. Twenty one bands and twenty six drum majors competed on the day and despite the absence of a number of the leading bands there was a good attendance of spectators. Closkelt once again won the Grade 1 contest unopposed however they…

Glasgow CLASP Results

We had a good turn out at The National Piping Centre yesterday for The CLASP in-person competition. The judges for the day were Simon McKerrell and Alastair Dunn. Overall winners pictured above are (l-r): Ben Hall (Grade 2), Stewart Allan (Grade 1), and Donald Morrison (Grade 3). Grade 1 Piobaireachd 1st Stewart Allan2nd Craig Turnbull3rd James Waugh Grade 2 – Piobaireachd 1st Ben Hall2nd Dorothy Moodie3rd Christopher Yeo Grade 3 Piobaireachd 1st John…

US Piping Foundation Results

Congratulations to all the participants in the 35th annual United States Piping Foundation Professional Piping Championship, held in memory of founder Maclean Macleod on 18 June 2022 in the Arts & Humanities Hall at the Community College of Baltimore, Essex. By Mike Rogers This was the first in-person event held by the USPF since 2019.  Due to pandemic-related facility limitations, no amateur events were held this year. In the professional…

Campbell McGougan 1930 – 2022

The death has been announced of Campbell McGougan who passed away on 5th June at Redwoods Care Home, Alness, Ross-shire. He was 92 years of age.  (Please see the notice below for details of his funeral which takes place next Tuesday.) Campbell McGougan, first name Neil seldom used, had a lifelong love of piping. He was born in Campbeltown where has was taught by Peter McCallum a scion of the…

Piping Live! Big Band to Return to this Year’s Festival

The Piping Live! Big Band will return for its 5th showcase at this year’s festival as pipers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the mass participation event, the Festival announced today. On Monday 8th August 150 pipers will gather, ranging from little learners playing their chanters to seasoned professionals playing the pipes in their retirement. The bespoke big band will walk the streets of Glasgow as they perform a repertoire of tunes that everyone can play.  The Piping Live!…