Tag: Bagpipe Stories

Atholl Gathering 2026 Results

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The Atholl Gathering was held today (May 24) in the grounds of Blair Castle, Perthshire. There were several call offs but still a very healthy entry with 17 in the P/A Piobaireachd. The weather was settled with some warmth and sunshine. There were graded senior contests for Piobaireachd. March, Strathspey and Reel and Hornpipe & Jig were open. The ceòl beag was split into four heats with three pipers in…

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P/M Andy Venters

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The death has been announced of P/M Andy Venters, Queen’s Own Highlanders. Andy was 90. Andy was a noted teacher of cadets and in schools and Pipe Major of the regiment and its ex-members association band. He was also a noted composer with several fine tunes to his name. Funeral details to follow.

Dollar Band Results

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Boghall & Bathgate took the Grade 1 prize in a hotly contest Dollar contest today. Straight 1s in piping from judges Barry Donaldson and Grant Walker, a second in drumming from Brian Martin and a first in ensemble from Tom Brown earned them the top spot ahead of Field Marshal. Weather conditions were perfect. Eight bands played in Grade 1 with Coalburn IOR, the Grade 2 winners, playing ‘up’. Third…

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Editor’s Notebook: Judging and Teaching/ 277 Argylls/ Perthshire League/ Strathendrick Boost/ ‘Redundant’ A

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I want to double down on one of my comments in Brad Davidson’s report on my workshop in Ontario. Any rule or legislation in piping which discourages teaching, directly or indirectly, should be deplored by all right-thinking persons. Judging and teaching should not be seen as mutually exclusive, yet we now have experts, proven winners at the top of our business, who have turned their backs on the latter in…

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Review: Piobaireachd Workshop in Ontario

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A piobaireachd workshop was held in the Sergeants’ Mess of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton, Ontario, on Sunday May 10, the day after the Livingstone Memorial Invitational Piping Competition. As someone who has received piobaireachd instruction over many years starting with P/M Donald MacLeod and his protégé, Garth Neel, to Colin Maclellan, Ed Neigh, Willie Connell, and finally John Cairns, I can attest to the value of hearing…

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