Archie Kenneth.

Entries are now open for next year’s Archie Kenneth Quaich amateur pibroch competition. The competition is organised by The Piobaireachd Society in memory of Archie Kenneth (1915-1989) who was a member of its Music Committee and almost single-handedly compiled Books 11, 12, 13 and 14 and most of 15.

The 2020 contest will be the 28th. It takes place, as usual, in the rooms of The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society in Rose Street Lane South, Edinburgh. The date is Saturday, February 29, 2020

Entries and enquiries should be sent to Peter McCalister at: peter.mccalister@doctors.org.uk

Competitors should submit two tunes with their entries, one of which they will be asked to play on the day. Players will receive the name of the tune selected by the judges in the Final Tuning room. Competitors may not submit any tune with which they have previously won first prize in the competition.

Conditions for eligibility are as follows:

  • Competitors must be aged 18 or over.
  • Competitors must be amateur pipers. An amateur piper is someone who has never accepted a money prize in a senior solo competition.

This competition has been increasingly popular in recent years. In the event that there are significantly more than 25 entries there will be a ballot, and the first 25 entries drawn will be selected to play, plus reserves. Those who are unsuccessful in this ballot will be definite confirmed entries for the 2021 competition, if they intend to enter that.

The ballot, if needed, will be drawn on December 14 to allow those travelling from abroad to make plans accordingly. Therefore, December 13 is the closing date for entries.

Journalist, Tom Peterkin, won last year’s competition.

Tom Peterkin centre, with the other prize winners at the 2019 Archie Kenneth Quaich.