Pipers hit the high notes at Lochaber festival
MORE than 50 musicians celebrated the Lochaber Gathering Festival of Piping last weekend.
The annual event took place at The Nevis Centre, Fort William, with prizes presented by Lochaber councillor Allan Henderson.
Councillor Henderson paid tribute to the event’s organisers Allan MacColl and daughter Kirsteen. He also commended lead sponsors of the event and said a special thanks to stewards Colin MacBeath, Betty and Ewen Campbell, Morag Melville and Sandy MacKenzie.
The afternoon was broken up by the annual piping lecture, presented by Robert Wallace, editor of Piping Press and vice president of the Piobaireachd society.
Junior competition results: 18 and under Piobaireachd: 1 Brìghde Chaimbeul, An Caol; 2 Harris MacLennan, Lesswade; 3 Connor Jardine, Airdrie.
18 and under, MSR Lochaber Gathering Salver and McCallum Ch: 1 Connor Jardine, Airdrie; 2 Brìghde Chaimbeul, An Caol; 3 Harris MacLennan, Lesswade.
18 and under, Hornpipe and Jig Clansman Garage shield: 1 Harris MacLennan, Lesswade; 2 Connor Jardine, Airdrie; 3 Brìghde Chaimbeul, An Caol.
15 and under Piobaireachd, The Dugald MacColl Memorial trophy and McCallum Pipe case: 1 Finlay Cameron, Roy Bridge; 2 Angus MacPhee, Inverness; 3 Calum Craib, South Uist.
15 and under, MSR McCallum chanter and music book: 1 Calum Craib, South Uist; 2 Angus MacPhee, Inverness; 3 Finlay Cameron, Roy Bridge.
15 and under, Hornpipe and Jig Lochaber Gathering medal and music book: 1 Calum Craib, South Uist; 2 Finlay Cameron, Roy Bridge; 3 Eòsaph Caimbeul, An Caol.
Youngest competitor, Neil Johnstone Memorial trophy and McCallum practise chanter: Eòsaph Caimbeul, Kyle of Lochalsh.
Senior competition results: P/A grade Piobaireachd, An Tuagh Oir: 1 Michael Fitzhenry, Paisley; 2 William McCallum, Glasgow; 3 Callum Beaumont, Linlithgow; 4 Ewen MacCrimmon, Inverness.
P/A March, The Lochaber Gathering gold medal: 1 William McCallum, Glasgow; 2 Derek Midgley, USA; 3 Colin Campbell, Inverness; 4 Jenny Hazzard, Edinburgh P/A Grade Strathspey and Reel; Leek’s Taxis trophy: 1 William McCallum, Glasgow; 2 Michael Fitzhenry, Paisley; 3 Derek Midgley, USA; 4 Callum Beaumont, Linlithgow.
B/C Grade Piobaireachd, An Tuagh Airgead: 1 Colin Campbell, Inverness; 2 Andrew Wright, Dundee; 3 Nick Hudson, USA; 4 Andrew Hall, Upminste.
B/C March, Strathspey and Reel, Clydesdale Bank trophy: 1 Ursa Beckford, USA; 2 J Ross Cowan, Motherwell; 3 Nick Hudson, USA; 4 Charles MacDonald, Inverness.
Open Hornpipe and Jig the Lochaber Gathering shield: 1 William McCallum, Glasgow; 2 Derek Midgley, USA; 3 John Angus Smith, London; 4 Jamie Forrester, London.