Northern Ireland Pipe Band Round-Up: Parades, Contests and Exhibitions Keep Tradition Alive

Over here in Northern Ireland the traditional parading season will wind down over the next month. On Saturday the 28th August the parades of the Royal Black Institution took place on a local basis. These parades have traditionally featured a significant proportion of our pipe bands, many of which will take their autumn break before resuming winter practices, and in most cases the tuition of learner classes supported by grants…

Tonight! In Glasgow! Come and Listen to Some Superb Piping/ Cycle for Tommy – Finlay and Gordon Have Made It!

The Piobaireachd Society’s annual recital ‘Classical Pipe Music – Scotland’s Hidden Treasure’ takes place tonight, August 29, in the National Piping Centre’s Otago Street building in Glasgow. Time is 7 for 7.30pm.  Society President Robert Wallace: ‘This is a wonderful opportunity to hear four expert pipers tackle music of real quality. ‘Half of the programme is made up of modern tunes and the other of classic tunes in the repertoire.’…

Argyllshire and Lochaber Gatherings Prove There is No Substitute for Live Piping

Three days of ‘live’ piping. Yes, you read that correctly. You don’t know what you have until it is gone and this week’s gatherings reminded us all of what we have been missing. There was a genuine sense of relief, freedom, exuberance among the pipers at Oban and Fort William. And we listeners were able to enjoy our favourite music without transmission technology and its homogenising barrier. By Robert Wallace…

Argyllshire Gathering 150th Anniversary Competition Results – Updated with Comment and Pictures

The Argyllshire Gathering have announced the winners of their anniversary competitions. They were held in the Gathering Halls, Oban, before a large, appreciative audience. Results: Ceòl Mòr:1 Stuart Liddell, £300 2 Alasdair Henderson, £200 3 Finlay Johnston £100Judges: I MacFadyen, Dr A MacDonald, C MacLellan MSR:1 Angus MacColl, £300 2 William McCallum, £200 3 Stuart Liddell, £100Judges: B Donaldson, I Duncan, J Wilson MEDLEY:1 Stuart Liddell, £300 2 Sara Muir,…

2021 MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd Results

The winner of the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd for 2021 is Brodie Watson-Massey, Edinburgh. His tune was Lachlan MacNeill Campbell of Kintarbert’s Fancy. He receives the College of Piping Trophy and £100. The competition is one of the most prestigious for young pipers in world piping. It is promoted by the Highland Society of London and run by the Argyllshire Gathering. The other places: 2 Cameron May, Lesmahagow, Lament for Captain…