PP Ed’s Blog: Blair Atholl/ Big Wedding/ Fintan Lalor/ Innes Smith/ Teacher Hunt

Very healthy entries for the Blair Atholl piping a week on Sunday (May 27) – at least in the seniors. Over 40 signed up across all grades. Unfortunately there are only a few forward for the under 18s and the organisers are keen to encourage as many youngsters as possible to get involved.  So if you are a junior and feel like a tune at what is effectively the first…

New CPA Boss is Elected

Glenn Brown, recent winner of the Senior Piobaireachd title at the Argyllshire Gathering (above), has been elected President of the Competing Pipers’ Association, the representative body for solo pipers junior and senior. Glenn replaces Cameron Drummond who has completed a controversial three years at the helm of the association. Callum Beaumont, another leading piper and two-time Clasp winner, is vice president. The CPA was founded fin 1976 on the initiative…

Grading of Solo Competing Pipers/PP Miscellany

The Editor: Just to add a little flesh to my earlier comments about flaws in the grading system, I do think the whole business needs re-assessed with greater involvement of the judging fraternity. After all, it is the judges who sit through lengthy contests listening intently to each player as they come forward – something the current Competing Pipers’ Association Grading Committee don’t seem to do. They operate primarily on…

Crieff Highland Games Abandons Piping Contests

In a shock move, the organisers of one of Scotland’s longest established Highland games has announced that they will no longer hold solo piping or pipe band contests during their August gathering. In a statement to the Competing Pipers’ Association they said: ‘As you will be aware the number of both participants & spectators at Crieff Games piping competitions has dwindled over the past few years. We believe that this…