1970-1971 By Jeannie Campbell MBE In 1970, the Gathering took place on August 26-27. The set tunes for the Open and Clasp competitions were The Big Spree (including tripling and Crunluath variations), Lord Lovat’s Lament, Craigellachie, Nameless (Hiharin Odin Hiharin Dro), Clanranald’s Salute and The Prince’s Salute. Four were to […]
It was, was it not, pleasing to learn that the Irish language – Irish Gaelic – has received full status as an official language of the European Union? What a tremendous boost for the language of that fine country. Language is the principal method of human communication and this time […]
1873-76 By Jeannie Campbell MBE After the success of the Highland Gatherings of 1871 and the Scottish Fete of 1872, another gathering was planned for 1873. It took place on Saturday, June 28 at Alexandra Park, with upwards of 10,000 people present. The proceedings commenced at one o’clock with a […]
The solo piping competition organised by the Glasgow Uist and Barra Association normally kicks off the solo piping year. The 2020 competition was the 75th year of the contest. The competition didn’t take place in 2021 and it’s too early to say whether it will return in 2022. In the […]
1969 By Jeannie Campbell MBE This year was the 98th Argyllshire Gathering. The tunes set for the Open and Clasp events in 1969 were Mrs MacLeod of Talisker’s Salute, Rory MacLeod’s Lament, My Dearest on Earth Give me your Kiss, The Stewarts’ White Banner, Lady MacDonald’s Lament, Lachlan MacNeill of […]
By Jeannie Campbell MBE In February 1870 it was proposed to have a Highland Gathering at the Agricultural Hall in Islington. This building opened in 1862 with the Smithfield Club Cattle Show. Nothing appeared concerning this during the year but in 1871 a big event was held at the Crystal […]
1968 By Jeannie Campbell MBE For 1968, competitors in the Open Competition at the Argyllshire Gathering and in the Clasp Competition at the Northern Meeting were required to submit four tunes from a list of six. The tunes were: Mrs. MacLeod of Talisker’s Salute, Rory MacLeod’s Lament, MacDonald’s Salute, Lament […]
Gordon Duncan (1964-2005) inspired a whole generation of pipers in his own lifetime in a way no piper has ever done before or since. As the December 2015 edition of the Piping Times stated, his influence on the current generation is apparent even though some are perhaps too young to […]
By Jeannie Campbell MBE In June 1855, the Club of True Highlanders held its annual gathering at Blackheath in south east London. In addition to shinty, other games and sports were included and as before there was some piping. One report stated, “… the athletic exertions of a goodly number […]
Those who have bought a copy of the inaugural Piping Times Annual will have read historian, Keith Sanger’s article on the myth of pipers formerly living rent-free. One of the case studies Keith focuses on is Donald Roy MacIntyre, the Earl of Breadalbane’s piper in the late 17th century. This […]
