Willie McCallum Burns Up London to Finish Outstanding 1999

London, England – 6 November 1999 – Willie McCallum of Bearsden, Scotland, firmly established that he is currently the world’s all-round greatest piper by continuing his remarkable 1999 season by winning both the Bratach Gorm piobaireachd and the Former Winners MSR at the prestigious piping competitions here today.

McCallum adds the two major victories to his list of top prizes this year, which include the Glendiddich Championship, the Open Piobaireachd and Former Winners MSR at the Argyllshire Gathering.

The Bratach Gorm (Blue Banner) is considered to be nearly on the same level of prestige as the Clasp at Inverness or the Open Piobaireachd at Oban. In order to play in the Bratach, a piper must have won a Highland Society of London Gold Medal or the Open Piobaireachd at London.

Second in the Bratach Gorm was Robert Wallace of Glasgow, Scotland, and third was Colin MacLellan, also of Glasgow.

In the other events, Gordon Walker of Cumnock, Scotland, won the Open Piobaireachd, Brian Donaldson of the Scots Guards won the Open Jig, and Michael Grey of Toronto, Ontario, won the Strachan Cup MSR.

A record entry of 87 competitors flooded Glaziers Hall beside the River Thames, and the competitions went on well into the night. Organizers have already stated that the event will be moved next year to a venue with better facilities.

J.B.Robertson March: 1st Gordon Walker, 2nd Andrew Mathieson, 3rd James Murray

Bratach Gorm: 1st Willie McCallum (Lament for Donald Ban), 2nd Robert Wallace, 3rd Colin MacLellan, 4th John Angus Smith, 5th Brian Donaldson

Former Winners MSR: 1st Willie McCallum, 2nd Andrew Mathieson, 3rd Gordon Walker, 4th Brian Donaldson

Open Jig: 1st Brian Donaldson, 2nd Gordon Walker, 3rd Roddy MacLeod, 4th Willie McCallum

Open Piobaireachd (Gillies Cup): 1st Gordon Walker, 2nd Willie McCallum, 3rd Brian Donaldson, 4th Jenny Hazzard, 5th Robert Wallace

MSR (Strachan Cup): 1st Michael Grey, 2nd Jenny Hazzard, 3rd Craig Skedd, 4th Bruce Erskine.

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