Lochaber Gathering Results (further update with more comment)

Lochaber Gathering was held today in a cool, damp Fort William. Pipers and judges were glad of the indoor facility at the Nevis Centre. There were good entries in all events except in the juniors.  In the programme notes Piping Convenor Allan MacColl commented: ‘…On a less positive note the seriously depleted number of junior competitors from the Highlands is worrying. Locally, other than two highly talented entrants, no Lochaber…

Festival Interceltique Piping Results

The annual Festival Interceltique took place last week in Brittany, France, with a big piping representation. There were also contests for piobaireachd, the MacCrimmon trophy (Breton, Scots and Irish music) and for bagads (Breton pipe bands). The picture shows Lorient President Lisardo Lombardia and the winner of the gaita trophy Jaime Alvarez Fernandez with Fred Morrison winner of the MacCrimmon Trophy for the ninth time. Here is the full list of results:…

PP Editor’s Blog: Highland Band Success/ Glasgow Police/ ‘Crunluath’/ Solo Judging

What an incredible success at last week’s Worlds  for our juvenile pipe bands in the Highland & Islands area. Step forward Niall Stewart (Lochalsh Juniors Novice B World Champions), Niall Matheson (RACPADS Novice A World Champions), Angus MacColl (Oban High School Novice B runners-up), Donald Ban out in Benbecula (Sgoil Lionacleit, 6th in Nov. B)  and all the other terrific instructors doing such great work in the north and west. This…

Lochaber Gathering Draw Published

The draw for Saturday’s contest in Fort William has now been published online. Over 50 pipers, juniors and senior, have entered. The picture shows last year’s champion pipers Ben Duncan, Gordon Walker and Callum Beaumont. Piobaireached P/A Hall A:  08:30 Michael Fitzhenry, Paisley Innes Smith, Glasgow Jonathon Greenlees, Glasgow Alan Russell, Kelty Peter MacAlister, Dunblane Ben Duncan, Edinburgh Euan MacCrimmon, Inverness Callum Beaumont, Linlithgow James MacHattie, Canada Derek Midgley, USA…

Skye Gathering 2017: Dunvegan Medal Critique

A few free days before the Worlds allowed an escape to the wonderful Isle of Skye and an opportunity to listen to some top class piobaireachd, writes the Editor. Portree was sunny and pleasant when I arrived, though the venue, the Skye Gathering Hall, cool. I missed the first two tunes in the Dunvegan Medal but was fortunate to hear the winning performance by Ian K MacDonald from Toronto. No…