Benderloch’s Angus blows the judges away
BENDERLOCH musician Angus MacColl was living his very own pipe dream at the weekend, when he was crowned the Glenfiddich Piping Champion for the fourth time.
Angus fought off stiff competition from 10 of the world’s most highly-acclaimed pipers to claim the title at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl on Saturday.
Now in its 42nd year, the invitational event is seen as piping’s ultimate accolade.
Angus, who is piping tutor at Oban High School, said: ‘All competitors are part of a close-knit community where we often get to compete in various piping competitions. As a result, we each know just how tough competing in the Glenfiddich Championship is going to be.
‘Everyone has worked and competed hard to earn their place here, therefore to win amongst such talent is an incredible honour. I’ll be honest, it’s still sinking in.’
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship was established in 1974 to bring together the world’s finest pipers and witness some of the finest renditions of the ancient and traditional piobaireachd (the great mu- sic) and the ceol beag (the little music).
Competitors are invited to compete having won prestigious accolades at other piping events during the last year.
All competitors are already champions before travelling to Blair Atholl, but competing in the Glenfiddich pits champion against champion as each piper competes for piping’s ultimate prize.