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 […]
By Jeannie Campbell MBE In early 1851 members of the Highland Society of London met in the Freemasons’ Tavern in Great Queen Street to discuss the annual Scottish Fête at Holland Park. The previous gatherings had lost money and there were calls to reform the Society. A committee was nominated […]
Neville and Ian MacKay – pioneers of piobaireachd in New Zealand. By John Hanning This is the story of how two brothers from the country town of Waipawa in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, together laid the foundations for organised instruction and development of the playing of piobaireachd in New Zealand. […]
1965 By Jeannie Campbell MBE The first day of the Argyllshire Gathering of 1965 was held on Wednesday, September 15. The Gold Medal was reckoned to have been a better-than-average competition, with much good playing heard. The result was: I. Neil MacEachern (The Bicker); 2. Donald Morrison (The Unjust Incarceration); […]
