Highland Games Begin a Slow Revival – Updated With Results and Pictures

The first Highland games on Scottish soil for almost two years took place today. The Grampian Highland Gathering was staged in the Princes Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. The last full Highland Games were staged at Braemar in September 2019. Today’s games were a reduced event but were organised to keep interest in piping, dancing and sports alive. HRH The Prince of Wales, currently resident…

George Watson’s New Tutor/ RSPBA Summer School/ ‘World’ Online Contest/ Inverness Festival on Move

Inveraray & District’s John Dew is the new piping instructor at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. Watson’s Pipe Major, Iain Simpson, said: ‘The position of Piping Instructor has been filled. ‘I received numerous applications and after conducting some interviews, I’m happy to announce John Dew will start at George Watson’s College in August. ‘The pipe band staff are looking forward to working with John. We’d like to thank Jonathon Simpson for…

Piper Eilidh Inspires New Dance Work

A powerful and emotional musical tribute with dancers spanning the length of Britain has been unveiled in memory of Manchester Arena victim Eilidh MacLeod to support the work of the music education charity set up in her memory, writes Iagan MacNeil. Composed by musician Glenn Ross, ‘A Dance for Eilidh’ was inspired by the story of the 14-year-old from the Outer Hebrides, her creativity and love of music as well as the…

Lochaber Entry Form Now Available

Entries for the annual Lochaber Gathering piping competitions are now available. The contests will be held in person on August 27 in Fort William. There are events for ‘P&A’ and ‘B&C’ grade pipers. Places are on a first come first served basis. The competition will be the first ‘live’ open competition in Scotland this year. Entries are capped at 25 in total. There are six events: P/A Piobaireachd, P/A MSR,…

A Few Days on Mull of the Cool High Bens

Time stood still this week on the island of Mull. The sun shone on calm water and soaring summit. But the idyll belied an inner tension. The ‘tier zero’ island is confronting an influx of bug carriers, or so it thinks. It means restrictions more stringent than in covid city, Glasgow. By Robert Wallace It will be a time before we learn to live with this but we need to…