• PART 72 •
BY JEANNIE CAMPBELL MBE.
The Gathering in 2007 was held on 22nd and 23rd August, with both days enjoying good weather and sunshine. On Wednesday the Gold Medal commenced at 8.30am in the theatre of the Corran Halls. The judges were John Wilson, John MacDougall and Ronald Clark. There were 27 competitors. The set tunes for the Gold Medal were The Prince’s Salute, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute, The Battle of Waternish, Lachlan MacNeill Campbell of Kintarbert’s Fancy, Lament for Donald Duaghal MacKay, MacNeill of Barra’s March, Lord Lovat’s Lament, Rory MacLeod’s Lament. Four tunes were to be submitted.
The Silver Medal began at 9am in the Great Western Hotel. Four tunes were required from the list of set tunes which were Lament for the Viscount of Dundee, Castle Menzies, Parading of the MacDonalds, The Bicker, MacGregors’ Salute or Gathering, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig, MacLeod of Raasay’s Salute, The Groat. There were 30 competitors. The judges were Angus J MacLellan, Tom Speirs and Neill Mulvie.
The Senior Piobaireachd began at 9.30am in the main auditorium of the Corran Halls. The judges were Jack Taylor, Ronald Lawrie and Malcolm McRae. There were 16 competitors each submitting four tunes. The set tunes were The Red Speckled Bull (or Army), Scarce of Fishing, Lament for the Duke of Hamilton, Lament for Hugh, Bells of Perth, Good Health to you Donald.
The MacGregor Memorial began at 9am in the Regent Hotel with judges Andrew Wright and Iain MacFadyen.
The Former Winners MSR was due to begin at 5pm in the Corran Halls but was delayed until 5.30pm. The last of the 24 competitors finished playing at 10.35pm. The judges were Bob Worrall, Willie Morrison and Ian McLellan. The prize giving for the first day then began.
Senior Piobaireachd: I. Gordon Walker, The Bells of Perth; 2. William McCallum, Lament for the Duke of Hamilton; 3. Alasdair Gillies, Red Speckled Bull;4. Greg Wilson, Good Health to you Donald.
Gold Medal: I. Richard Hawke, Rory MacLeod’s Lament; 2. Niall Stewart, Lachlan MacNeill Campbell of Kintarbert’s Fancy; 3. Marion Horsburgh, 4. Finlay Johnston, 5. Douglas Murray.
Silver Medal: 1. James Beaumont, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig, 2. Colin Clansey, 3. Margaret Dunn, 4. Andrew Douglas, 5. William McIntyre.
MacGregor Memorial: 1. Faye Henderson, 2. Jamie Hawke, 3. Fraser Wylie, 4. Daniel Johnstone.
Former Winners MSR: 1. Alasdair Gillies, David Ross of Rosehall, Inveraray Castle, Broadford Bay; 2. Willie McCallum, 3. Gordon Walker, 4. Angus MacColl.
The second day began as usual with the march to the field. As before the piping took place on five platforms. There were 37 competitors in the A grade and 35 in the B.
A March: 1. Margaret Dunn. 2. John Angus Smith, 3. Andrew Hayes, 4. Greg Wilson.
A Strathspey and Reel: 1. Andrew Mathieson, 2. Simon McKerrell. 3. Andrea Boyd. 4. Peter Hunt.
B March: 1. James MacKenzie, 2. Stuart Easton, 3. Fraser Wylie, 4. Alasdair Henderson.
B Strathspey and Reel: 1. Bernard Bouhadana. 2. Alex Gandy, 3. Ryan Canning, 4. Alan Johnstone.
Jig: 1. Alex Gandy, 2. Bruce Gandy, 3. Andrew Carlisle, 4. Gordon McCready.
Margaret Dunn had previously won the Strathspey and Reel so now became the first female eligible to play in the Former Winners.