Northern Meeting at Aviemore a historic move

The 2005 Scottish solo season culminates for all but 10 competitors at the annual Northern Meeting Piping Competitions September 7-8 at Aviemore, Scotland, the first time in the contest’s 150-year-plus history that the venue has not been in Inverness, Scotland.

The competitions had to be moved from the usual Eden Court Theatre venue because of substantial renovations.

The two highlight piobaireachd events are the second of the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal competitions and the Clasp, reserved for previous winners of the Gold Medal at either the Argyllshire Gathering or the Northern Meeting.

Earlier at Oban, Euan MacCrimmon of Skye won the Argyllshire Gathering’s Highland Society of London Gold Medal, making Aviemore a chance for MacCrimmon to gain the rare “Double,” a feat accomplished only 11 times before.

Entry to the Aviemore Gold Medal event was restricted this year to only 25 competitors due to the venue’s smaller size, down from the usual 30.

Organizers have indicated that, if Aviemore is a success, the competition may relocate there permanently.

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