Lochaber Piping Society held its annual youth piping and drumming competition on Saturday, March 30, writes Ken A. Cameron (Chairman).
We had a big entry of 53 this year, welcoming competitors from a large geographical spread including Ullapool, Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Skye, Knoydart, Mull, Oban and down as far as Dumfries, with a sprinkling from the Central Belt.
Drumming was re-introduced after a lapse of a few years and entrants came from Ullapool & District Pipe Band, Lochalsh & District Pipe Band and Lochaber Pipe Band. The judges (Euan MacCrimmon, Rory Grossart, Decker Forrest, D. J. MacIntyre and Sandy Cameron covering chanter and piping, and Angus Bell covering the drumming) reported a very high standard of playing. All involved seemed to enjoy their day and have given us some really good feedback.
As always, these events can’t take place without the hard work of the organisers and helpers on the day, plus the generous support of financial and trade sponsors. This year, we were grateful for the support and generosity of: Jahama Highland Estates, The National Piping Centre, McCallum Bagpipes, Pipe Dreams, R.G. Hardie, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Bagpipecovers.com.
The principal aim of the Lochaber Piping Society is to foster piping and improve playing standards among youngsters in the area and we believe competition can help. We were delighted at the standard of playing of the local entrants this year, but seriously concerned at the lack of numbers coming forward. We will continue in our attempts to involve local players, not just through the competition.
Results:
Chanter
10 & Under – 1. Allan MacColl, Fort William; 2. Jamie Smith, Fort William; 3. Lily Jane Robertson Fort William.
14 & Under – 1. Archie Johnston, Mull; 2. Grace Kelman, Inverness; 3. Lily Jane Robertson, Fort William; 4. Jamie Smith, Fort William.
16 & Under Slow Air – 1. Hazel Whyte, Larkhall; 2. Gregor MacDonald, Oban; 3. Tomas Young, Dunoon; 4. Hector Finlayson, Kyle of Lochalsh; 5. Bobby Allen, Glasgow; 6. Alexander MacDonald, Oban.
14 & Under March – 1. Hector Finlayson; 2. Gregor Grierson Dumfries; 3. Laura Robertson, Fort William; 4. Ewan Allen, Livingston; 5. Calum Dunbar, Inverness 6. Archie Clark, Crieff.
14 & Under Strathspey & Reel – 1. Gregor Grierson; 2. Hector Finlayson; 3. Ewan Allen; 4. Calum Dunbar; 5. Laura Robertson; 6. Archie Clark.
14 & Under Piobaireachd – 1. Archie Clark, Crieff; 2. Gregor Grierson; Calum Dunbar; 4. Hector Finlayson; 5. Laura Robertson; 6. Declan Malloy, Skye.
14 & Under Jig – 1. Calum Dunbar; 2. Max Rae, Bridge of Allan; 3. Laura Robertson; 4. Gregor Grierson; 5. Declan Malloy; 6. Ewan Allen.
15-18 March – 1. Bobby Allen; 2. Gregor MacDonald; 3. Hazel Whyte; 4. Eosaph Caimbeul, Kyle of Lochalsh; 5. Tomas Young; 6. Archie MacLean, Skye.
15-18 Strathspey & Reel – 1. Bobby Allen; 2. Gregor MacDonald; 3. Hazel Whyte; 4. Tomas Young; 5. Eosaph Caimbeul; Archie MacLean.
15-18 Piobaireachd – 1. Gregor MacDonald; 2. Hazel Whyte; 3. Archie MacLean; 4. Bobby Allen; 5. Eosaph Caimbeul; 6. Ronnie McIntosh, Fort William.
15-18 Jig – 1. Bobby Allen; Archie MacLean; 3. Emma Hill, Connel; 4. Tomas Young; 5. Hazel Whyte; 6. Gilleasbuig MacVicar, Skye.
18 & Under Piobaireachd Ground – 1. Ewan Allen; 2. Alexander MacDonald; 3. Calum Angus MacKenzie, Skye; 4. Max Rae; 5. Charles MacLennan, Inverness.
Pipe Major Donald MacLeod Piobaireachd – 1. Gregor MacDonald; 2. Tòmas Young; 3. Archie MacLean; 4. Emma Hill; 5. Ciaran Kellett, Kyle of Lochalsh; 6. Calum Dunbar.
Novice Drumming (18 & Under) – 1. Bobby Allen; 2. Shonagh Mackenzie, Gairloch; 3. Izzy MacDonald, Poolewe; 4. Thomas Duncan, Skye; 5. Laura Sears, Ullapool.
Drumming (14 & Under March) – 1. Seumas Matheson, Kyle of Lochalsh; 2. Jack Davenport, Fort William; 3. Aidan McSorley, Fort William.
Drumming (15-18 March) – 1. Anna Rebecca Sears, Ullapool; 2. Holly Callus, Lochinver; 3. Megan Gough, Kishorn; 4. Alaina MacLennan, Skye; 5. Morven Aird, Lochinver.
