Scotland County Highland Games A Huge Success As Live Competition Returns In the American South

Held in a region which was densely populated by Highland Scots beginning in the 18th century, the Scotland County Highland Games, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, USA, returned in great fashion after a two year hiatus.  A record crowd of almost 7,000 attendees witnessed a full day of events. It is a small Highland Games but this year quite significant as, if all our research proves to be accurate, which I…

Northern Winter School/ Balmoral Judges/ Piobaireachd Society Lessons

The Northern Winter School has confirmed that it will take place between November 5 -12 once more at Lohheide in Lower Saxony, Germany. World Champion drummer Stephen Creighton, leading tip of Grade 1 St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Dublin, has been added to the teaching faculty. Stephen has a formidable list of successes to his credit. Solo: 1989 World Junior Champion, 19 World Solo Finals, 5 Senior All Ireland titles…

Editor’s Notebook: Gordon Duncan Trust/ Robin Morton/ Barlinnie Highlander/ Piper’s Eczema/ COP26 Appeal

Chatting to Ian Duncan at the weekend he tells me in his understated way that the memorial trust for his brother Gordon has now donated more than £110,000 to help young pipers and other musicians with their lessons. Isn’t that worthy of the highest praise? A fitting tribute to Gordon too. He would have been both amazed and delighted. Though he died 16 years ago, Gordon’s spirit lives on –…

Order of Play for Captain John Contest/ Lochnell Intermediate Championship Official Preview

The draws for the Captain John MacLellan Memorial competition have been announced. The competition will take place the Army School of Piping at Inchdrewer House, Edinburgh, this Saturday October 2. It has a attracted a very high quality field with Piobaireachd and MSR competitions for all CPA grades and an Open Jig event. The order of play is as follows (use arrows to scroll through from P Grade to C):…

Editor’s Notebook: RSPBA Appointments/ Early Days of the 214/ Norman Matheson/ Book Search

I see that the RSPBA are holding elections for the jobs of Piping and Summer School Principals. This is a statutory procedure which will be carried out at the first Pipe Band College AGM in November. I understand John Nevans is standing again for the summer school job. In my view it would be remiss of the Association’s member bands and branches not to re-elect him. In John they have…