Thoughts on the 2017 Uist & Barra Ceol Mor

Some members of the old guard may be beating a selective and not too dignified retreat from the professional solo board, but any idea that the two late withdrawals from Saturday’s invitational Uist & Barra competition would somehow leave an unfillable  performance vacuum should be dismissed forthwith. There is a phalanx of excellence taking over the solo piping scene; a new generation of expert pipers is abroad, young, keen and able. Whilst…

Army Piping & Drumming Championships 2017

This comprehensive series of contests was held today at Inchdrewer House, Edinburgh, under the authority of the Director of Army Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, Major Gordon Rowan. The picture above features Col. Wallace, Deputy Commander,  Champion Piper P/M Peter MacGregor- 4 SCOTS, and Champion Drummer Sgt. Marr, Royal Military Police. Army Piping and Drumming Championships 2017 Results 2  

George Watson’s Invitational Competition Results

Following hot on the heels of the Glasgow Highland Club competition on March 3rd, several bands moved on to the annual Watson’s indoor Juvenile/Novice competition on Sunday 5th. Just a week before the largest gathering of school bands compete in the Scottish Schools competition, this gathering had ten ‘junior’ bands playing in a march set competition, like the upcoming Novice Juvenile B, and seven ‘senior’ bands in a March, Strathspey…

Uist & Barra Professional Results – Callum is Triumphant

A very successful competition was held today at the College of Piping in Glasgow. The main hall was very busy throughout the day and hundreds watched this showpiece event live on Livestream. Piping convenor: John Angus Smith; Announcer Catriona MacPhee. The picture above shows the three principal winners Cameron Drummond, Callum Beaumont and Finlay Johnston. This was the second year in a row Callum and Finlay had won their respective…

Scottish Schools Pipe Band Invitational Results – Comment Added

Glasgow Highland Club Schools Invitational Competition  March, Strathspey & Reel 1st. Dollar Academy (pictured)- Juvenile, John MacDonald of Glencoe, Shepherd’s Crook, Major David Manson 2nd. George Watson’s College – Juvenile, Argyllshire Gathering, Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch, Lochcarron 3rd George Heriot’s School – Juvenile, Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band, Maggie Cameron, Lochcarron 4th Dollar Academy – Novice A, Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban, Maggie Cameron, Alick C MacGregor Other schools participating; Strathallan, Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh Academy, Glenalmond, Erskine Stewart Melville.  All Juvenile eyes…