Piobaireachd Society Summer School on Skye

I had always wondered why the last of the MacCrimmons, Donald Ruadh, found himself on the mainland at Glenelg. Thanks to research by Dr Decker Forrest we now know that those fertile lands, directly opposite Skye on the old drove road to Mam Ratagan and the south, were owned by the MacLeods of Dunvegan. Back then the MacLeods revered their pipers, granting them land rent free on Duirinish, and would…

2024 USPF Piping Championship Results

Congratulations to all the participants in the 36th annual United States Piping Foundation Amateur and Professional Piping Championships, held in memory of founder Maclean Macleod on 8 Jun 2024, at the University of Delaware, Newark, DE. By Mike Rogers In the Amateur events there were 17 pipers from throughout North America, and 16 in the Professional events. Champion Piper Nick Hudson is pictured top receiving his prize from the writer….

Corgarff Games Results

Well done to all the pipers who supported this small games in the wilds of Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, and held yesterday (June 8). The weather was cold and wet. Champion piper was Angus MacPhee (pictured). The judge was Lewis Barclay. Piobaireachd1 Angus MacPhee2 John MacDonald3 Hector Munro March1 Angus MacPhee2 Hector Munro3 John MacDonald S&R1 Hector Munro 2 Angus MacPhee3 John MacDonald 6/8 March1 John MacDonald2 Angus MacPhee3 Hector Munro Jig1…

Scottish Schools Festival/ Latest CLASP Results

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Trad Music Festival is a new open-air event running from 12th – 15th June in Edinburgh. It is supported by Edinburgh Council, the National Galleries of Scotland and the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust. There will be over 20 performances from youth pipe bands, ceilidh groups and trad music groups from Edinburgh, Falkirk, Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, and the Highlands. Daytime performances will take place on the…

Piping News from Brittany

As part of the 70th anniversary of the bagad [pipe band] Raoul II of Fougères, a piobaireachd concert was held in the small church of Beaucé, Brittany, writes Clement Gallet. The tunes were very well introduced by Pierre Gallais. He took the time to teach the general history and structure of piobaireachd, as well as introducing each individual tune and piper before they played. Five pipers played, most of them…