by PM Allan J. MacKenzie, MAaD Pipe Band
Generous prizes have recently been awarded to the winners of the Mallaig, Ardnamurchan and District (MAaD) Pipe Band Tune Composing contest. The competition, in honour of the passing of a very kind benefactor, Dr. Gordon Barr of Roshven, Lochailort, has produced a number of great new tunes. The MAaD Pipe Band intends to use some of them in their medleys and sets.
The contest rules were any time signature or tune type was accepted, and the tune submissions must be entitled Dr. Gordon Barr – Roshven.
Submissions were judged anonymously by the well-known piper and recent winner of The Raasay Piping Competition, Angus Nicolson, formerly of Sleat, Skye.
Three prizes were awarded. First prize, with his 6/8 march was Dougie Beck of Mallaig. Along with the prestige of winning, Dougie was given £150, a choice of pipe music books and a McCallum-long practice chanter. Second prize went to Graham Buchanan of Kentra, near Acharacle. He received £100 and a choice of pipe music books. Third prize went to Angus Iain Hunter of Glenfinnan, receiving £50 and a pipe music book. These generous prizes were donated by McCallum Bagpipes, the National Piping Centre, Finlay MacDonald, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig College on Skye and of course the family of the late Gordon Barr.
The awards were presented at a gathering in the Lochailort Inn on October 5th, 2024. Gordon’s family members were in attendance, as were several members of the MAaD Pipe Band who let the music flow throughout the afternoon. A framed copy of the winning tune was presented to Gordon’s family who assured everyone that it will be given pride of place at Blairs Cottage, Roshven.
