Argyllshire Gathering – Preview of One of the Great Piping Events (Updated with Full Lists & Pix)

A week from now pipers from all over the world will converge on the town of Oban in the West Highlands for the annual Argyllshire Gathering piping competitions. Wednesday, August 26, sees the piobaireachd competitions with categories for the young professional, the MacGregor Memorial, the Silver Medal, Gold Medal and Senior Piobaireachd for previous winners. In the evening we hear the peak of professional ceol beag with the Former Winners’ March,…

Skye Gathering (Updated with Weds Results)

Complete results from the Gathering.  Dunvegan Medal 1 C Drummond, Lament for the Earl of Antrim 2 A Henderson, Rory MacLoude’s Lament 3 D Urquhart, Lament for Donald Duaghal MacKay 4 J Forrester, Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon 5 C Campbell, Too Long in this Condition Judges: I Morrison, M McRae, D McNeill Col. Jock MacDonald Clasp (for former winners of the Dunvegan Medal) 1 C Drummond, Rory MacLoude’s Lament…

Review: USPF Annual Solo Piping Competition

Piping trips to the US are invariably characterised by superb hospitality, friendship and good music. Last weekend, at the United States Piping Foundation Maclean Macleod Memorial, was no exception. The contest was held at the University of Delaware. The organising committee led by Arthur McAra, Mike Rogers and Peter Kent, could not have been more accommodating. Visiting adjudicators, as I was, are given the kind of warm welcome that quickly banishes the…

Strathmore Games/ Brown Cup, NZ

A sunny day with a cold easterly wind. Thirteen played. Piob 1 Graham Mulholland, MacDougall’s Gathering 2 Mike Fitzhenry, Park No2 3 Allan Russell, Mary’s Praise 4 Gordon McCready, Lord Lovat’s Lament 5 Ben Duncan, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig Judges: D Watson, G Clark March 1 Gordon McCready 2 Ben Duncan 3 Allan Russell 4 Mike Fitzhenry 5 Edward Gaul S&R 1 Gordon McCready 2 Ben Duncan 3 Mike…

PP Academy: Meddling With Competition Pipe Marches

Readers could be forgiven for thinking I had a downer on Roderick Campbell’s fine tune ‘The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society’. I don’t. I think it a wonderful composition and I am sure the eponymous Society is delighted with a tune that has guaranteed their immortality. However, as I said in my crit on the British Pipe Band Championships, I do not think it is of sufficient difficulty for Grade 1…