Another Initiative to Encourage Piobaireachd Composition

The US-based Alt Pibroch Club has sent this: The Mission of the Alt Pibroch Club (APC) is to re-extend the idiom of piobaireachd performance and composition by exploring the multitude of ancient and modern interpretations, styles, and schools of performances. making them accessible to the public. Motivated by the breadth and depth of piobaireachd expression and musicality evidenced in the primary source materials, we are creating a safe space for…

Atholl Gathering Senior & Junior Results (updated with tunes)

The Atholl Gathering took place today in the grounds of Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. Weather was dry and sunny. The Champion Piper was Angus MacColl Snr. Angus placed first in MSR and H&J. Angus is pictured with the winners’ glass tankard in the picture above by Derek Maxwell. Gordon McCready kept his good  form going with another win in the Piobaireachd to add to yesterday’s at Bathgate. In all fifty-two…

County Fermanagh Pipe Band & Drum Major Championship – updated

John Kelly reports:The County Fermanagh Pipe Band and Drum Majors Championships were held at Broadmeadow Playing Fields, Enniskillen on Saturday 26th May. Twenty three bands and 36 drum majors took part. The sound of pipes and beat of drum was heard in Enniskillen from mid day until early evening.  The event was organised by the Fermanagh Section of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland.  The Chieftain of the…

Bathgate Games Results

A warm sunny day at this small games west of Edinburgh. Pictured above are Gordon McCready and Graham Drummond winners of the ceol mor and strathspey and reel respectively. Piob 1 Gordon McCready, Battle of the Pass of Crieff 2 Callum Beaumont, Lament for Ronald MacDonald of Morar 3 Jonathan Greenlees, Lament for Donald Duaghal MacKay Judges: A Frater, T Speirs March 1 Matt Wilson 2 William Rowe 3 Gordon McCready 4…

A Look Back at Early 2018 Outdoor Pipe Band Competitions

By Alistair Aitken OBE, former RSPBA Adjudicator and not MacStig! Now that the RSPBA’s 2018 outdoor pipe band competition programme is in full swing I have been asked to give general views about some of the contest venues and observations about results etc., with a historical slant where possible.   The outdoor season started with a bang with five outdoor competitions over the same weekend – Dunbar and Bangor (Northern Ireland)…