Archive

For the first time in its 141-year history, the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban, Scotland, will be a three-day affair, as the major solo piping . . .

Leading-Drummer Graham Brown has been summarily sacked by Pipe-Major John Cairns, possibly leaving the Grade 1 Peel . . .

For the first time ever, the Argyllshire Gathering held qualifying rounds to determine finalists for the competition¡¯s Silver Medal event and, despite 21 names in each of the two heats, only 15 actually competed in their round, with five from each going through to the Wednesday contest . . .

Finlay Johnston of Glasgow won the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal, while Stuart Liddell of Inveraray, Scotland, won the other biggest prize at the Argyllshire Gathering, the Senior Piobaireachd ¨C reserved for previous winners of a Highland Society of London Gold Medal . . .

The final day of the Argyllshire Gathering saw the traditional march to the games, with 2012 Oban Gold Medallist Finlay Johnston in the pipe-major’s spot, leading some 38 fellow competitors, the Argyllshire aristocracy trundling behind. The outdoor A- and B-Grade light music competitions are held on platforms at each corner of Mossfield Park, among bouncy castles, diesel generators and track and field events.

Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia won the 2012 Cowal Pipe Band Championship, taking their second major of the year. The band also won the drumming. The championship could be the final year of the classic event’s spot on the RSPBA’s list of majors. The 118-year-old Cowal Gathering, once the de facto World Championship, may cease as a championship due to building planned on the games site.

The North Lanark Highland Games were held on a hot, sunny Saturday, bringing to an end the 2012 PPBSO Highland Games season. The event marked the last for Andy Donachie as Chief Steward of the PPBSO. In the solo piping, Dylan Whittemore was the Amateur Piper of the Day, while Erica Pulling took Amateur Drummer of the Day honours. There were no Professional solo events . . .

The Grade 1 Peel Regional Police Pipe Band has moved quickly to replace Graham Brown, who was sacked on August 20th, appointing Graham Kirkwood to the position of leading-drummer. Kirkwood . . .

Ryan Canning is the new Pipe-Major of Shotts & Dykehead, only the seventh leader in the last 75 years of the world’s most Grade 1 prize-winning band. Canning, a 16-year member of 2012 World Champions Field Marshal . . .

The final result of the Grade 2 competition at the 2012 World Pipe Band Championships is reportedly under appeal by at least four bands due to Bagad Brieg of Brittany playing . . .

Weather was sunny at times, with heavy rainstorms at others, while solo pipers battled it out for placings. Craig Sutherland, Robert Gibbs and Alan Russell took home the firsts. The prize money for a sixth was ?5, or ?7 less than the fee to participate . . .

Benoni MacTalla continued its success on the South African pipe band competition circuit with a win at the Cornwall Hill College Highland Gathering held at Cornwall Hill College . . .

We continue our exclusive interview Michael Grey, one of the most prominent and successful composers of Highland bagpipe music of the last 100 years. In Part 1, Grey discussed his piping roots and inspirations, and the early years that formed his interest in composition. In Part 2, he delves into the inner-workings of his creative mind, the challenge to be creative within a tradition-based folk-artform, and his desire to push his own musical boundaries. In this installment, Grey makes a strong correlation between the art’s most traditional music, piobaireachd, and the rich opportunities presented by the pipe band medley format.

At a competition it’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality, but for pipers competing at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on . . .

Horrendous weather. Financial constraints. Increased competition for attendance. All are creating a perfect storm for several Highland games . . .

The Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe turned in a first prize at the 2012 Kincardine Scottish Festival in warm and sunny conditions in the idyllic town on the coast of Lake Huron. Along with the City of Chicago Pipe Band, Toronto Police debuted a new medley from a draw at the line. The Ottawa Police won the Grade 2 event, and Ian K. MacDonald enjoyed a solid day in the Professional solo piping with three firsts and a second. Callum Harper of Hamilton, Ontario, had a perfect day in the Grade 1 Amateur Solo Piping, taking all four of his events . . .