Argyllshire Gathering Day 2 Results Complete

Ceòl beag is the focus of the second day at Oban with competitions for ‘A’ and ‘B’ grade March and Strathspey & Reel and Jig. There is also the Intermediate MSR for young pipers who played in the MacGregor Memorial the day before, and local contests. Conditions were warm and sunny. ‘A’ March, Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Bronze Star1 Ben Duncan2 Ross Conner 3 Steven Leask4 Ian K MacDonald5 Greig…

Reflections on Day 1 at the 2026 Argyllshire Gathering

What a day for North America! Three of the five major prizes went to either Canada or the US with the other going to New Zealand. Scotland’s honour was saved by Finlay Johnston in the ‘big’ MSR – but with Ontario’s Ian K MacDonal right on his brogue heels. Ian’s compatriot Sean McKeown took the coveted Highland Society of London Gold Medal. This was a very popular win. Over the…

Argyllshire Gathering Day 1 Complete Results

Four of the major piobaireachd competitions in world piping, plus the Former Winners’ MSR, were held today in Oban, Argyll. Gold Medal1 Sean MacKeown, Port Urlar, £5502 Andrew Donlon, Lament for Capt. D MacKenzie, £4003 Darach Urquhart, Fair Thee Well Donald, £2504 Chris Armstrong, Lament for Capt. D MacKenzie, £2005 Connor Sinclair, MacDonalds are Simple, £150Judges: J Banks, A Forbes, J Wilson Silver Medal1 Zephan Knichel, £3502 Ruairidh Brown, £3003 Ross Miller, £1504 Bobby Durning, £1005 Andrew Smith, £60Judges: E Anderson, M…

Editor’s Notebook: Bands and Solos/ Edinburgh Job/ Angus Award/ Glasgow Police LP

So that’s the band season more or less over for another year. The piping world now focuses on the solos with major events at Lonach tomorrow, Oban from Wednesday and Fort William next Friday. I suppose from the solo-piper-in-a-band-perspective the calendar works out well, but I still think it is a pity the bands don’t have Cowal or at least some other important event filling out the summer. That won’t…

The Worlds 2026: Views of a Retired Adjudicator

Unfortunately, I was able to attend only the Saturday of the World Pipe Band Championships this year.  Unlike some of the previous years the weather was pleasantly warm, free from rain and with only a mild wind, so the atmosphere was ideal for tuning and for the band performances.  Both days were well attended by spectators (estimated at around 35,000 over the two days).  The official programme showed a total…