BY JEANNIE CAMPBELL MBE.
With the Scottish Pipers Association Professional Competition coming up on 12th April, 2025, this is a good time to look back on competitions of previous years. Although the Association’s competitions began in 1920 there have been some gaps due to wars and pandemics so the 2025 competition will be the 96th.
One Hundred Years Ago
A century ago the Scottish Pipers’ Association held their annual competition in the Pearce Institute, Govan on 14th November 1925 with a large number of competitors and spectators.
Committee members at this time were, Hon President Sir Bruce Seton Bart; President PM John MacDougall Gillies; Vice Presidents PM William McLean, Lochiel Camerons; PM William Gray, Glasgow Police; PM John McKenzie, Govan; PM A McPhedran, 5th HLI. Secretary PM Malcolm McLean Currie, Treasurer Robert Mann, Working Committee PM H Graham, R McTavish, James Johnston, PM A Hutcheon, P McGregor, H McIntyre, PM Lockhart, D Blue, J Turner, J McIntyre, John McBride.
Instead of separate competitions, as in later years, for professionals, amateurs and juveniles, spread out through the year, these all took place on one day, plus there were dancing competitions and an event for drummers. The chairman was Colonel R Murray White DSO, commanding 156th West Scottish Infantry Brigade. The stewards for piping and dancing were Pipe Major J Swanson, 9th HLI and J MacIvor, Govan; the judges for piping were Pipe Majors William MacLean, Lochiel Camerons; Archie McPhedran, 5th HLI TA; David Gray, Singer’s Pipe Band; James Johnston, Govan; reserve, Pipe Major J Swanson; the judge for drumming was Drum Major F W Montgomery, 5th HLI TA. The steward for the guests was Pipe Major William Gray, Glasgow Police. The arrangements were in the able hands of Mr Malcolm McLean Currie, secretary.
The prize list was:
March, confined to boys and girls 16 years and under: 1. Miss Fitzpatrick, Partick; 2. Robert Cowie, Glasgow; 3. William McCulloch, Campbeltown; 4. R Hepburn, Bonhill; 5. J Hay, Glasgow.
Strathspey and Reel, confined to boys and girls 16 years and under: 1. Miss Fitzpatrick; 2. Robert Cowie; 3. R Hepburn; 4. William Barrie, Glasgow; 5. D Fleming, Dalmuir.
Drum Competition: 1. J Paterson, Clan Macrae Society pipe band; 2. F Moir, Glasgow Police; 3. R Ross, MacLean pipe band; 4. J Seton, Glasgow Police; 5. Laferty, 7th HLI TA.
March. Professionals: 1. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police; 2. Angus Morrison, Glasgow Police; 3. Pipe Major Donald Innes, RSF, Maryhill; 4. Philip Melville, Glasgow Police; 5. Alex McDonald, Glasgow Police;
Strathspey and Reel. Professionals: 1. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police; 2. Alex McDonald, Glasgow Police; 3. Hugh Kennedy, Tiree; 4. Angus Campbell, Glasgow; 5. Roderick McDonald, Glasgow Police.
March, Amateurs, confined to members, the Cameron Cup: 1. Cameron Hutcheson, Dalmuir; 2. A McLeod, Glasgow; 3. A Forrest, Torphichen; 4. J McLean, Glasgow; 5. Alex McNeill, Glasgow.
Strathspey and Reel, Amateurs, confined to members, the Chisholm Cup: 1. Alex McNeill; 2. Wm Walker, Glasgow; 3. Cameron Hutcheson; 4. J McLean; 5. A McLeod.
Piobaireachd, Open to Amateurs, The Farquhar MacRae Trophy: 1. A Forrest; 2. Cameron Hutcheson; 3. William Barrie; 4. A McLeod.
Best Dressed Highlander: 1. Pipe Major D Innes; 2. Hugh McTavish 6th HLI; 3. Philip Melville; 4. J Paterson, Clan Macrae.
It is interesting to see that a girl won both the under 16 events. The SPA has always been inclusive although at this time many competitions did not allow girls or women to compete. The professional events were dominated by the Glasgow Police pipers. The trophies awarded to the amateurs are still in use at the present time.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
The Professional competition in 1949 had been held in December, as it had been for several years, but in 1950 it was decided to delay the event until after the Christmas and New Year break, so the competition took place on 13th January 1951. As some thought of this as the 1950 competition, delayed by a month, some of the trophies were engraved with the names of the winners and the date 1950. From then on the competition was held in January for many years, but has since then moved on to later in the year.
The committee in 1950 were Hon President Dr Matheson, President Hamish MacColl, Secretary Calum Ferguson, Treasurer Kennedy Stove, Vice Presidents Dr Kenneth MacKay, R Reid, A MacPhedran, P MacLeod, Nicol MacCallum and committee members J Finlay, J C MacKenzie, David Lockhart, Duncan MacFadyen, Lindsay Smith, William Reid, J C MacLean, Kenneth MacMillan, A MacLeod, W MacLellan, Archd MacKay, James MacLeod, John MacRae, Alex MacIver, J Lee and Captain Muir.
The Competition took place at the Highlanders Institute, commencing 2.30pm, with 17 playing in the Piobaireachd and 19 in the March and the Strathspey and Reel.
The results were,
Piobaireachd: 1. Robert Hardie; 2. John Garroway; 3. Donald MacPherson; 4. William Connell; 5. John C Johnston; 6. John Burgess.
March: 1. Donald MacPherson; 2. Peter Bain; 3. John Burgess; 4. Ronald MacCallum; 5. Thomas Pearston.
Strathspey and Reel: 1. John Burgess; 2. John Garroway; 3. Donald MacLean; 4. John C Johnston; 5. James MacColl.
The adjudicators were George MacDonald and Archie McPhedran.
It was reported that the Piobaireachd event attracted a larger crowd than usual in the afternoon, but unfortunately nobody could honestly claim that they were in anyway treated to a piping feast. The standard of playing was much below normal standard and was in fact the poorest heard for some time. It may be, of course, that the prevalence of colds and flu was affecting people. Robert Hardie played very well. John Garroway showed a firmness and confidence which was lacking at Oban and Inverness, but there was a lack of sparkle due probably to the flu which claimed him as a victim the next day. Donald MacPherson played well in spite of a heavy cold and William Connell again showed more promise of the greatness to come. John C Johnston gave us MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart in steady fashion but for one slip and John Burgess, well, we expected champagne and he gave us lemonade, with the gas out of it.
PM Robert Reid was in the Chair and was accompanied on the platform by PM Hamish MacColl. The general organisation was in the hands of Calum Ferguson and Kennedy Stove and the stewards were John Findlay, A MacKay and Duncan MacFadyen.
Fifty Years Ago
The committee at this time was, Hon President PM Hamish MacColl, President Angus J MacLellan, vice presidents Roddy MacDonald and Fred Morrison, Secretary Flora MacNeill, Treasurer Dolina MacKay, composer John Scott, Pipe Major Logan Tannock, committee members Mrs Nancy Campbell, Mrs Margaret Fraser, Hector Campbell, Cameron Edgar, Stan Gaudin, Edward Graham, George Hill and Angus MacKay.
The 1975 Professional contest was held on April 12th at the SPBA hall, commencing 9am. The Chairman was PM Donald MacLeod and the judges were Captain Ian C Cameron, and PM Nicol MacCallum.
Event 1 was Piobaireachd for the Oban Times Challenge Gold Medal and five prizes, £15, £12, £8, £5, £2. There were 27 entries:
1. John D. Burgess, Alness; 2. Iain MacFadyen, Kyle of Lochalsh; 3. Patricia Innes, Aberdeen; 4. David Hutton, Grangemouth; 5. Murray Henderson, New Zealand; 6. L/Cpl A. Reese, Army School of Piping; 7. Cpl H. MacPherson, Army School of Piping; 8. John Wilson, Glasgow Police; 9. Robert S. Barnes, Kelty; 10. Jennifer Hutcheon, Edinburgh; 11. Norman Nicolson ,Paisley; 12. Lezlie C. Paterson, Ontario; 13. Robert Richardson, Glasgow; 14. Cpl M. Moore, Army School of Piping; 15. Ronald Lawrie, Glasgow Police; 16. Ian Larg, Dundee; 17. Garth Neel, Manitoba; 18. James McIntosh, Dundee; 19. PM James McGregor, Glenalmond; 20. Duncan MacFadyen, Johnstone; 21. Malcolm McRae, Australia; 22. Ian F. Clowe, Dumfries; 23. Hugh A. MacCallum, Bridge of Allan; 24. Andrew Wright, Paisley; 25. Tom Speirs, Edinburgh; 26. Angus J. MacLellan, Glasgow Police; 27. Arthur G. Gillies, Taynuilt.
Event 2 was the March for the Donald MacDougall Memorial Trophy and five prizes, £8, £6, £4, £2, £1, and Event 3 the Strathspey and Reel for the Duncan MacIntyre Memorial Trophy and five prizes, £8, £6, £4, £2, £1. The list of 35 entries was the same for both events:
1. John D Burgess, Alness; 2. Tom Dingwall, Killearn; 3. Iain Watson, Annan; 4. Norman Nicolson, Paisley; 5. Andrew Wright, Paisley; 6. PM James McGregor, Glenalmond; 7. Arthur G. Gillies, Taynuilt; 8. Harold McAleer, Glasgow Police; 9. PM Ian McLellan, Glasgow Police; 10. Tom Speirs, Edinburgh; 11. Jennifer Hutcheon, Edinburgh; 12. Angus J. MacLellan, Glasgow Police; 13. Hugh MacInnes, Lanarkshire Police; 14. Hugh A. MacCallum, Bridge of Allan; 15. L/Cpl A. Reese, Army School of Piping; 16. Cpl Hugh MacPherson, Army School of Piping; 17. Ian Wilkinson, Glasgow; 18. Robert Richardson, Glasgow; 19. Duncan MacFadyen, Johnstone; 20. Patricia Innes, Aberdeen; 21. Ronald Lawrie, Glasgow Police; 22. James McIntosh, Dundee; 23. Neil Smith, Glasgow Police; 24. David Hutton, Grangemouth; 25. Iain MacFadyen, Kyle of Lochalsh; 26. Malcolm McRae, Australia; 27. Cpl M. Moore, Army School of Piping; 28. Garth Neel, Manitoba; 29. Lezlie C, Paterson, Ontario; 30. Murray Henderson, New Zealand; 31. John Wilson, Glasgow Police; 32. George Steele, Glasgow Police; 33. Ian Larg, Dundee; 34. Ian F. Clowe, Dumfries; 35. Robert S. Barnes, Kelty.
The list shows a number of overseas pipers, although some were long term residents in Scotland.
The prize winners were,
Piobaireachd: 1. Hugh MacCallum, 2. James McIntosh, 3. Iain MacFadyen, 4. Duncan MacFadyen, 5. Angus MacLellan.
March: 1. Ian McLellan, 2. Arthur Gillies, 3. James McIntosh, 4. Ian Clowe, 5. Murray Henderson.
Strathspey and Reel: 1. Ian McLellan, 2. Ian Clowe, 3. Duncan MacFadyen, 4. Iain MacFadyen, 5. James MacGregor.
Mrs M Fraser presented the prizes and PM Hamish McColl gave the vote of thanks.
25 years ago
The committee members in 2000 were: President Jeannie Campbell, Vice Presidents Brian Mulhearn and Ian Sinclair, Treasurer Tom Dingwall. Pipe Major Sam Brown and committee members Bill Allison, Simon McKerrell, Craig Sked, Matthias Columbini, Neil McGiven, Bob McFie, Willie Beveridge and Gordon Walker. The position of secretary was still vacant but all the other positions were filled and there were several new young committee members. It was an international committee too, as Craig was from South Africa and was working at the College of Piping, while Matthias was from Switzerland. Gordon Walker was also working at the College of Piping at this time.
The Professional Competition took place on April 1st 2000 at the Glasgow Academy. This was the eighth year at the Academy, which continued to be the Association’s main venue until 2008, and where the use of the main school and the prep school was given entirely free of charge. The stewarding team was organised by Rona Macdonald and Bill Allison and included three young boys, Cameron Shepherd, Calum Beaton and John Mulhearn, all juvenile competitors, plus Cameron’s father Allan Shepherd. Helen Ross and Jean MacGregor were in charge of the kitchen and this year for the first time two varieties of soup were added to the usual menu of hot pies, filled rolls and home baking. Several committee members were competing, but Gordon Walker also found time to be the committee member in charge of hospitality and he did an excellent job in looking after the guests. The entry was large, with 58 pipers on the programme. The judges were Donald MacPherson, Joe Henderson, Angus MacLellan, Finlay MacNeill, Tom Speirs and Jim Hood. Dugald MacNeill had been invited to present the prizes but before taking on that duty he joined Angus and Finlay to judge the final event of the day, the MSR for Former Winners. CPA President Colin Drummond had died suddenly aged only 59 in July 1999 and his support was greatly missed. However the CPA continued their support with a cheque for £150. Three of the judges declined their fee and one of them, Joe Henderson, who thought the standard was excellent in the events which he judged also made a cash donation to provide a fifth prize in each of the B grade events and a fourth in the A March.
The B piobaireachd was for the Iain MacLeod Memorial Trophy and four Prizes, 1st £30, 2nd £20, 3rd £15, 4th £10 plus an extra 5th prize of £7. The entries were: Willie McIntyre, Bute; Archie MacLean, Inverness; Andrew Hall, Upminster; Donald Campbell, Glasgow; David Rischmiller, Tamworth; James MacPhee, Glasgow; Gary Stronach, RHF; Decker Forrest, USA; James Beaumont, Bo’Ness; Hugh Hepburn, Banchory; Ross Cowan, Annan; Kristian Clezy, Army School; Jean Morrison, Ardrishaig; Craig Sked, South Africa; David Russell, N Ireland; George Sharp, Newmilns; Ewan Boyd, Edinburgh; Allan Hamilton, Kilmarnock; Tom Dingwall, Aberfoyle; Brian Mulhearn, Troon; Edward Gotstaf, Dundee; Lorne Cousin, Edinburgh; Niall Stewart, Glasgow; Fiona Mackay, Alness; Allan J M MacDonald, Glasgow; Martin MacDonald, Army School; Chris Armstrong, Bathgate; Mark Carmichael, Dumbarton; Paul Hughes, Fife; Matthias Columbini, Switzerland; Alicia Manolas, Australia; Stewart MacLeod, Linlithgow; Stewart Paton, Army School; Lisa Morrison, Glasgow; Geoff Irvine, South Africa; Euan Cowan, Army School; Louise Hay, Inverness; Simon McKerrell, Glasgow.
The A Piobaireachd was for the Donald MacLeod Trophy and four prizes, 1st £70, 2nd £45, 3rd £25, 4th £15. The entries were: Donald MacKay, The Highlanders; Leslie Hutt, Inverness; Robert Wallace, The College of Piping; Kenneth MacDonald, Glasgow; Euan MacCrimmon, Inverness; Stuart Shedden, Bishopbriggs; Greg Wilson, Falkirk; Colin McLellan, Glasgow; William Morrison, Glasgow; Donald MacPhee, Alexandria; Iain Speirs, Edinburgh; Iain Hurst, Oban; Jenny Hazzard, Glasgow; William McCallum, Glasgow; Gregor Speirs, Edinburgh; Gordon Walker, The College of Piping.
The A March was for the Donald MacDougall Memorial Trophy and three prizes, 1st £40, 2nd £25, 3rd £15, 4th plus the extra 4th prize £10. The A Strathspey and Reel was for the Duncan MacIntyre Trophy and three prizes, 1st £40, 2nd £25, 3rd £15. The entries were: Leslie Hutt, Inverness; Peter Hunt, Irvine; Decker Forrest, USA; Colin MacLellan, Glasgow; Stuart Shedden, Bishopbriggs; Donald MacPhee (M only), Alexandria; James MacPhee, Glasgow; William Morrison, Glasgow; Lorne Cousin, Edinburgh; Chris Armstrong, Bathgate; Niall Stewart, Glasgow; lain Speirs (S&R only), Edinburgh; Euan MacCrimmon, Inverness; Jenny Hazzard, Glasgow.
The B March was for the Donaldson Barclay Quaich and four prizes, 1st £25, 2nd £20, 3rd £15, 4th £10 plus the extra prize of £7. The B Strathspey and Reel was for the Royal Bank of Scotland Trophy and four prizes, 1st £25, 2nd £20, 3rd £15, 4th £10 plus the extra prize of £7.
Entries for the B March and B Strathspey and Reel were: Donald Campbell, Glasgow; David Rischmiller, Tamworth; Andrew Hall, Upminster; Archie MacLean, Inverness; Willie McIntyre, Bute; Donald MacKay, The Highlanders; Geoff Irvine, South Africa; Iain Maclntyre, Dalmally; Fiona MacKay, Alness; Ewan Boyd, Edinburgh; Gillian Campbell, Callander; David Russell, N Ireland; Alicia Manolas, Australia; Kristian Clezy, Army School; Craig Sked, South Africa; James Beaumont, Bo’Ness; Euan Cowan, Army School; Martin MacDonald, Army School; Mark Carmichael, Dumbarton; Matthias Columbini, Switzerland; Ross Cowan, Annan; Allan J M MacDonald, Glasgow; Brian Mulhearn, Troon; Tom Dingwall, Aberfoyle; Stewart MacLeod, Linlithgow; Edward Gotstaf, Dundee; Simon McKerrell, Glasgow; Gary Stronach, RHF; Paul Hughes, Fife; Gregor Speirs, Edinburgh; Jean Morrison, Ardrishaig; Graeme Lawrie, Gartocharn; Lisa Morrison, Glasgow; Stewart Paton, Army School; Louise Hay, Inverness; Allan Hamilton, Kilmarnock; George Sharp, Newmilns.
The Former Winners’ MSR was for the Eachen Caimbeul Trophy and three prizes, lst £60, 2nd £40, 3rd £20. Entries were: Kenneth MacDonald, Glasgow; Gordon Walker, College of Piping; Iain Hurst, Oban; Iain Speirs, Edinburgh, Robert Wallace, College of Piping; Donald MacPhee, Alexandria; Jenny Hazzard, Glasgow; William McCallum, Glasgow; Greg Wilson, Falkirk.
The Prizes were presented by Mr Dugald B MacNeill. The prize winners were,
B Piobaireachd: 1. Stewart MacLeod, 2. Decker Forrest, 3. Craig Sked, 4. Chris Armstrong, 5. David Russell.
A Piobaireachd: 1. William McCallum, 2. Colin MacLellan, 3. Iain Speirs, 4. Gordon Walker.
A March: 1. Donald MacPhee, 2. William Morrison, 3. Niall Stewart, 4. Decker Forrest.
A Strathspey and Reel: 1. Jenny Hazzard, 2. James MacPhee, 3. Chris Armstrong.
B March: 1. Allan J M MacDonald, 2. James Beaumont, 3. Kristian Clezy, 4. Ross Cowan, 5. Craig Sked.
B Strathspey and Reel: 1. Allan J M MacDonald, 2. James Beaumont, 3. Simon McKerrell, 4. Gary Stronach, 5. Jean Morrison.
Former Winners MSR: 1. Gordon Walker, 2. Greg Wilson, 3. Iain Speirs.
Overall Winner – Events 1 and 7, The Famous Grouse Whisky Trophy: Gordon Walker. Overall Winner – Events 2, 5 and 6, The Duncan MacFadyen Memorial Trophy: Allan J M MacDonald.
Highest placed SPA Member, The Donald MacLean Cup: Gordon Walker.
