A good nights piping yesterday evening from 3 young pipers in front of 5 adults. Your stand-in blogger on duty again.
Euan Morrison
First up was young Euan who gave us his 3/4 set as a warm up (Green Hills of Tyroll, The Battles o'er, and I See Mull, followed by his MSR Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban, Capt. Colin Campbell and Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree. Good fingering and he enjoys playing, it was obvious. Some 6/8s next Farewell to The Creeks, then Angus MacKinnon, both very nicely played. At that point confusion set in, too many tunes in the head at such an early stage, that I am sure his head was spinning! But well done.
Martin Laing
Martin was keen get away and see the last quarter of the Chelsea and FC Barcelona football match on the television. But that didn't affect his playing, his composed playing of The Dark Stream followed by Bonnie Strathyre was just beautiful. His pipes were singing. Then into a couple of 4/4's Flett from Flotta and The Battle of Waterloo. Pipes became slightly unsettled, tuning not quite right, but he went nicely in the 6/8s Redwood Cottage and Ballochyle and did well. To finish off we had the jigs Donella Beaton and The Kitchen Maid, tricky stuff, but coming along nicely. Just practise and practise. Well done.
Donald Joseph MacInnes
This was Donald Joseph's second night at one of our meetings and he demonstrated just how good a piper he already is and I am sure he will go far. Ben Gullion and Macleod of Mull were his starting tunes, very nice tempo and good sounding pipes. Then into a very nice selection starting with Campbells Farewell to Redcastle and The Earl of Mansfield, followed a selection of Strathspeys and Reels: Captain Horne, O'er the Bows to Ballindalloch, The Ale is Dear and Molly on the Shore. Very, very nicely played. Finally Donald finished off his programme with two hornpipes: Mokwa and The Big Turn Out (something every Pipe Major wants!) He was just about about to leave the floor when we asked him to play his MSR set, The Young MacGregor, Susan Macleod and The Sound of Sleat. That brought a good round of applause and a big smile on the face of one gentleman who was sitting listening appreciatively, himself a MacGregor, and proud he is too!
I did play as people were arriving earlier in the evening around the 8.00pm mark. I started off with 9/8 Retreat Marches, Felicite Stewart-MacFarquhar Petters, The Heights of Dargai, and The Battle of The Somme. I could sense a restless audience. They didn't recognise that first tune, poor souls! Felicite must have been some lady, to have Pipe Major Angus MacDonald compose in honour of her! Then I had a stab at a very tricky old 6/8 The Maids of Kintail, which is in one of Willie Ross' books. I love it, but it is taking me a long time to sink into my brain and flow easily, but it will come, in another 12 months. That will make fours years I have been at it! Finally some 2/4 marches I am playing at home, but that does not mean they are ready for public consumption: The Cowal Gathering by Pipe Major John Maclellan (which I have now been practising for about two weeks) and Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band by Roderick Campbell (this tune I started learning last Saturday). I did warn the audience before I started!! You can guess how it went!
Tune of the night? It has to be Felicite Stewart-MacFarquhar Petters, by PM Angus MacDonald.
Thanks for reading, come along. Wednesday nights around 7.30pm for 8.00pm, British Legion, Huntly Street, Inverness.
I apologise, I was late. This website says 7.30pm to 10.00pm for the Society meetings. However I had my evening meal a bit late and dashed over to Inverness getting there for just before 8.00pm. Pipe Major Andy Venters and a new face - Kenny MacInnes - were chatting, and in a corner with his pipes was a young Donald MacInnes (still at school in Inverness). Donald and his dad Kenny had been here since 7.30pm and thought no one was coming... but those of us in the know have seen arrival times slip to 8.15, 8.30, 8.45 and in some cases well after 9.00pm!
Leif is not well and hopefully will be back next week... please Leif, get better! So it's me Donald Shaw, trying to work out who played what and typing this up. By the way, this is my second attempt at doing this, as around 11.45pm, my fingers hit the wrong buttons and I lost all my work .. I was on the last sentence! I hate WINDOWS, wish I had a MAC.
OK, moaning over. So first off last night was young Donald MacInnes, who gave a splendid rendition of The Young MacGregor, Susan MacLeod and The Sound of Sleat. I know someone who just loves The Young MacGregor and is always asking for it, unfortunately he wasn't there last night!! Donald finished off with Tricia's Song which was composed by Iain Morrison Jnr. This is proving to be as popular as Highland Cathedral!! Well done Donald, so much so that we signed him up for Junior Support Piper at any forthcoming recitals.
Next up was Charles MacDonald who without waiting for any prompts to play, got stuck into that lovely slow air Leaving Ireland by PM Iain Morrison. Then into Farewell to The Creeks and Angus MacKinnon, two lovely 6/8s and beautifully played on a nice sounding instrument. Charles then moved onto a MSR selection, The Highland Wedding, Cabar Feidh and John Morrison of Assynt House.. Finally, he played his version of Tricia's Song and then into The Ness Pipers and the Hornpipe Duncan Johnstone, before finishing off with the tricky jig Donella Beaton and one called Good Times. Excellent piping as usual from Charles and a terrific sounding set of pipes.
More people were arriving by the minute, and young Euan Morrison came in with his dad Donald. So Euan was next up. He really enjoys his piping and his fingering is getting better and better. Three favourites of his The Sweet Maid of Glendaurel, Pipe Major Willie Ross' Farewell to The Scots Guards and The Drunken Piper. Don't go down that road Euan, stick to fizzy water! Onto a MSR selection of Beaumont Hamel, Highland Harry and Duntroon, a very good effort with a finishing tune of The Heroes of Afghanistan. But he wasn't finished yet! There was some puff still there, so he gave us his dad's composition, the jig Euan Donald Morrison. Well done.
Pipe Major Andy Venters, who has resurrected a set of old ivory mounted Hendersons which he has been enjoying playing, got going with The Kilworth Hills, demonstrating how 3/4s should be played, not rushed. His pipes were singing. Then into The Cameronian Quickstep, Inveresk House and The Conundrum, good 2/4 marches. Andy didn't stay up for too long and finished off with the 6/8s Ben Gullion and General Hunt's Welcome to the Queen's Own Highlanders. Fine piping.
Four down and three pipers still to play! Time was running short and some sleepy eyes were heading off homewards but others stayed on and were not for leaving, not before they had heard Colin Campbell play his pipes (Naill drones this week, Strathmore chanter and Gannaway bag). Into the 4/4s Wings and The 51st Highland Division with his pipes sounding brilliant, chanter reed set at a lovely bright pitch. Then quick retune and into the great modern 6/8 Bruce Gandy's Farewell to the Iron Horse (you all know of course the Iron Horse is the name of a pub) and another 6/8 composed by that great piper from Edinburgh, John Wilson, who, as a young lad, lost a couple of digits playing around with remnants of explosive devices he had found on Arthur's Seat, the old volcanic hill in Edinburgh. The unfortunate lad chucked them into the coal fire as his Dad sat reading the Sunday paper and mum was ironing... BOOM! Minus bits of his left hand I think, he recovered and went on to win many prizes in piping and composed great tunes. The tune Colin played was The Judging Was Bad. Ok let's move on, so next we heard John MacDonald of Glencoe, MacLean of Pennycross, then The Piper's Bonnet and the reel Lochcarron. Colin's fingers were really moving by this time and he finished off with so many tunes, of which I was clueless as to their names but I was assured that they started off with the strathspeys Balmoral Castle, MacPhedran's Strathspey and somewhere along the line we heard The Broken Chanter and Bullet Train. I think Colin is going to win something this year!!
Back down to earth. Two pipers left, both feeling slightly uneasy about getting up to play after that, and more people started leaving the room. Was it all over I asked myself? The other piper made excuses about not having played for some weeks/days/months/years ! So it was left to me to consider whether I could manage to even blow the bag up, let alone move my fingers. I went for the pipes, after all, I came along to play, even though it was nearly 10.00pm. Well what do you play after some excellent piping like that? Best not try to be smart. Something slow was my answer! Tuned them up with bits of Duncan Johnstone's Farewell to Nigg, then into his Farewell to Barra. Just enough time to give the audience a bit of KULT-YOOR. I played the short piobaireachd (not short enough thought some) Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament and my drones stayed not too bad throughout. One way to clear a room ! See you all next week.
Tune of the Evening: The Young MacGregor played by Donald MacInnes
Piper of the Evening: Donald MacInnes for doing a great job on his first visit.
Snow, studies and exams, low temperatures reduced the numbers coming out to the weekly meeting of the Society. Your weekly blogger, Leif, had some matters to attend to, so yours truly, Donald Shaw, stood in...
Happy to be getting a chance to play my pipes, last night I set off, driving down our snow covered hill, waving and shouting greetings to the bemused poor cattle standing in the water logged and snowy field. The drive is about 15 miles to Inverness and takes me around 25 minutes. I went upstairs to the Cocktail Bar and unpacked my pipes, but one vital element was missing from my case. Drone Reeds! Well that puts an end to my piping for the evening, I said to myself. But help was at hand, after a quick phone call to Donald Smith, he had some old synthetic drone reeds and brought them along. WYGENT was a name you may recall from 1997 onwards, very similar to EZEEDRONE, In they went under the watchful eye of that rising star John Angus Morrison, who had also arrived.
We got the drones going but the middle drone reed was too loud, not in balance, and got the chop. Down to two drones. Fine for tonight, a few slow airs, a couple of 2/4's that I am trying to embed in my old brain, 'Dr E.G. MacKinnon' and ' The Cowal Gathering'. First time airings in public are always dangerous, but with just two other 'patient' pipers listening, I tried them out. Shaky, but I got to play my pipes.
Ronnie MacLean arrived as John Angus was setting up his pipes. John Angus had brought along his mother's drones, which I think are old Lawrie's, silver and ivory mounted. Old drones can have a very fine tolerance in tuning position. But John Angus had mum's drones going fine along with his Hardie chanter. 'The Braes of Castle Grant' and 6/8's like 'Ben Gullion' got an airing, enough to get the new chanter reed warmed up. Then it was onto that lovely Piobaireachd 'The Clan MacNab's Salute'. John Angus has a good grasp of that tune, and after a steady if not slow'ish intro, he got into the flow and was spot on with the Taorluath and Crunluath.
Ronnie took up his pipes and played some melodic pieces with his mellow sounding instrument. Tonight he gave us an airing of his beautiful Piobaireachd, 'The Menin Gate'. A tune well worth sourcing. I marvelled at how he seems so at ease with the music. It is in his genes I guess.
John Angus wound up the evening with Hornpipes and Jigs, of which I recall Jim Tweedies Sea Legs, Cabar Feidh, The Broken Chanter and The Fiddler's Rally. All well played and demonstrating his excellent fingerwork. Mum's drones had passed the test!
A thoroughly enjoyable evening, three pipers played. I would call this more of a relaxed workshop evening where we chatted about reeds, bags and drones. We even discussed bagpipe tutor APPs, but that's for another day!
Tune of the evening: two tonight, Jim Tweedie's Sea Legs played by John Angus Morrison, and The Menin Gate played by Ronnie MacLean.
As usual, the piping was underway when I arrived. I could hear the pipes outside in the warm evening, and parking was limited in Huntly Street; possibly thanks to the large audience and pipers in attendance.
When I got upstairs, the entire audience was sat in one seat, watching the lone piper:
Bill Hamilton
Bill was in fine form with some old favourite marches including The Battle of Killiecrankie, The March of the Cameron Men, Cabarfeidh, The Black Bear and Greenwoodside.
Bill continued with the Cameron Quickstep in quick time, followed by a slow air called Women of the Glen. We were treated to a few hornpipes; Bobby Cuthbertson, Crossing the Minch and Tam Bain's Lum, with Bill at the window entertaining passers-by in the street below.
Me
Next up was the second piper to arrive, and I briefly tuned my drones. These pipes are Naills and have been to the top of quite a few Munro's so far - hard as nails. I started off with The Heights of Cassino, a great 6/8 with a great story behind it, and Farewell to the Creeks. Next I tried Ass in the Graveyard and Do Mo Chara Maith, which I have never seen any music for but it's a great tune by Rosemary MacNeil.
I followed up with John McLellan of Rothesay, Donald McLean's Farewell to Oban and The Ewe wi' the Crookit... my bass drone stopped so that last tune was unfinished.
Colin Campbell
Colin was on form as usual and the pipes were singing. We had Leaving Port Askaig, The Glendaruel Highlanders, Dr Ross's Welcome to the 50th Argyllshire Gathering and Donald McLean of Lewis.
Colin can be relied on to play tunes that sound excellent but few can name. There followed an excellent rendition of Boolavogue with Casey's Jig, The Girl in the Big House and The Hungarian Fiddler.
Then it was back to the traditional with an MSR, The Royal Scottish Pipers' Society and The Smith of Chilliechassie.
I think my shorthand got a bit garbled at some point, but the final selection included Cathy's Willie, Queen of the Rushes (Jig and Hornpipe), Redondo Beach, Jim Tweedie's Sealegs and a final hornpipe whose name was lost in translation.
Colin nearly got pole position in both disciplines this week but was penalised for his tasselated tassle - someone could have tripped on that!
Piper of the Week Bill Hamilton for thinking about the external audience.
Tune of the Week Colin Campbell for Boolavogue.
The first piper up was Andy Venters, who had brought along his restored ivory mounted Henderson drones with a Strathmore chanter. These pipes were really singing, as you would expect from a seasoned Army Pipe Major. So off he went with the four part version of The High Road to Gairloch and then into 3/4s MacGregor of Rora, Talmine Bay and The 8th Argylls. Nicely played at a gentle tempo, some people (me for example?) play 3/4s too fast, I think Andy played around 72 bpm? Next on the menu were 6/8s and General Hunt's Welcome to The Queen's Own Highlanders, followed by The High Island and that firm favourite Angus MacKinnon, a great tune. Andy then finished his selection with Major Manson at Clachanstrushal, (excuse me, but I don't have my teeth in) and Clan MacColl and Beaumont Hamel, followed by The Piper's Bonnet and Miss Proud. What energy and skill!
Next up was yours truly (Donald Shaw). So I thought I would vary the introductory 3/4s and chuck in a couple that I don't often play - My Home Town (P/M JA MacLellan, Dunoon), Crossing The Po and Magersfontein. No one had heard of My Home Town, but I recommend it to you. I found it in Allan MacDonald Moidart Collection Book 1. I have a liking for P/M JA MacLellan's tunes, this week while I was re-gluing my copy of John MacFayden's book (yellow cover) I spotted The Cowal Gathering. At first I thought that looks too difficult for me, but after playing it close on 15 times on the chanter and the same on the pipes (in the space of 24hrs) I have found it to be not too bad, so maybe I will give it an airing at these weekly meetings. Back to tonight, and I next played a couple of 6/8s : Old Adam followed by Major John Maclellan of The Gordon Highlanders. Finally, as time is short these days, I finished with Ronald Cheape of Tiroran by P/M Willie Ross.
Now onto young Euan Morrison who has a nice set of McCallums (see last blog). Euan's young head is full of tunes (too many perhaps) which causes cross contamination, as it were when playing. This is a problem with young pipers who are keen to build up a repertoire, and an over keeness by some 'kind hearted' people to give them tunes before the basic tunes have bedded in. But there is no denying a musicality and ability and above all, a keeness. So onto the repertoire: starting off with the well known The Green Hills of Tyrone, The Battle's oe'r and I See Mull. No problems here, then two lovely small tunes, The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel and Pipe Major Willie Ross' Farewell to the 2nd Battalion of The Scots Guards. Next, the bane of many a teacher, The Drunken Piper, a tune which some youngsters are overly keen to learn.. mmm. Is it the title that draws kids to the tune? Comments please! Then Euan settle into Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban, Capt. Colin Campbell and Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree. Well done. Finally, Euan tried The Heroes of Afghanistan with the composer sitting in the audience. Advice: if you do that, then make sure you play the notes as written, or don't bother. Finally Euan played what at first was thought to be The Pumkin's Fancy, but turned out to be his father's composition 'Euan Angus Morrison'. OK, on to the next player.
Charles MacDonald is an excellent piper, who always has his pipes singing. Charles warmed up with a nice version of The Fair Swan, then into Angus MacKinnon. A very nice sound from these pipes (we will investigate his secrets of obtaining a sweet sound in the next few weeks). Charles played Tommy MacDonald of Barguillean very well and he followed that up with the Strathspeys Donald MacLeod and Cabar Feidh, then John Morrison of Assynt House and Col. DJS Murray. Finally the Hornpipes Duncan Johnston and Good Times (composed by Naill Matheson). Very, very good playing from a talented teenager.
Ronnie MacLean, born and brought up on North Uist, Ronnie produces a lovely resonant mellow tone from his pipes, played in a relaxed and musical style, that only the islanders seem to possess. Ronnie went through the following tunes, as was his fancy. Two Gaelic airs, Alone With My Thoughts, and A Wedding List (a tune that is very similar to I will Go Home To Kintail in many ways), then Balmoral and Lochanside. Onto a selection of Strathspeys & Reels: The Peat Gatherers, The Frolics of Youth, Sleepy Maggie and Eddie MacDonald. Ronnie finished with a selection of Jigs - The Two K's (this was one of Ronnie's own compositions), The Foxhunt and The Piper's Welcome. Finally Ronnie slowed matters down with The Hills of Kintail which I am reliably informed is a Donald MacLeod composition. Very nice playing and nice sounding tone.
So that was our evening of piping. And no Colin Campbell playing! Colin had returned from the Duncan Johnston competition, exhausted (mentally?) and had fallen out with his pipes. A sad day! I think we have all been there! Sometimes you just like to sit and listen, and why not. Hopefully some of you pipers out there who read this blog will come and play for us.
Leif could not make it tonight so Donald Shaw took over as the blog author. (Try not to be biased Donald..)
The evening started with teenager Euan Morrison, who needed to get back home quickly (school tomorrow). Euan plays bespoke McCallums (dad supplied the African Blackwood and ivory). His tunes were:
Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban, Capt. Colin Campbell, and Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree. Then onto Farewell to the Creeks, Followed by The Taking of Beaumont Hamel, Highland Harry and the reel Duntroon. Finally Euan finished with the Iain Morrison (Jnr) composition Tricia's Song and Cork Hill.
Then Bill Hamilton took to the floor playing his old Hendersons with The Atholl Highlanders March to Loch Katrine, a quick retune then onto 6/8's Cock O' the North and that ever popular John D. Burgess. Bill then broke into The Burning of The Piper's Hut, a 2/4 march which none of us are familiar with but I think it is found in the Edcath Collection (page 1, Book 3) - how sad is that knowing the book and page!! But I better check that out ASAP! Bill finished with The 74th's Farewell to Edinburgh which I remember reading that some bright spark said should be in every piper's repertoire. Mmm... I think not!
Pipe Major Andy Venters playing his steady McCallum drones with a Strathmore chanter and Chesney Warnock reed, started with 3/4's - Angela's Wedding (P/M. Iain Morrison), his own stirring composition The Heroes of Afghanistan and finally that classic Loch Maree. He moved onto Donald MacLeod compositions, the Strathspey Susan MacLeod and the reel Fiona MacLeod. Andy is a prolific composer of many fine tunes and tonight he aired three of his 6/8's which I recommend to you: Billy MacLennan, Dr. John May and Donald Shaw of Kilmorack. Andy finished with that fine 2/4 march by Dr. Bruce Thomson, Tommy MacDonald of Barguillean. A very professional performance.
Then it was my turn, and after having had a disaster last week, I was overly keen to improve. Piping in front of good pipers is no fun, but I try to tell myself, we pipers are very forgiving... mmm. I will soon put that theory to the test. But first let me tell you about my pipes. McCallum drones, Strathmore chanter with Chesney Warnock reed, Ryan Canning tenor reeds and an MG Bass inverted reed. My bag is a Gannaway zip and collar cow hide bag. Very expensive but well worth the money. I started life in my pram with a sheepskin bag, then around 2004 I moved to Gortex type bags - still in the pram :-) But this Gannaway leather bag is great, no tying-in to worry about (jubilee clips) and a Zip that is slanted to avoid discomfort. So off I went, fingers initially not doing what I wanted (nerves setting in, again!) but once settled, I was into The Kilworth Hills and The Heroes of St Valery, I felt a bit better, but fingers were still not relaxed. However, the drones were steady and now I felt brave enough to try some 6/8s, so onto nice Old Adam (P/M Donald Shaw Ramsay) and Doctor Ross' Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering. However, nerves returning and fingers tightening... I need to see a psychologist quickly!! I played two of my favourite 2/4s - John MacDonald of Glencoe (Lawrie?) and Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque (John MacColl?). Phew! Time to call a halt as the room temperature was rising, I was too warm, brain was in a spin and time was running out.
Grade B competing piper Colin Campbell from Aberlour took to the floor. Colin has Glen drones, Strathmore chanter (all credit to Murray Henderson - these are very nice chanters for soloists), I spotted Ezeedrone tenors and Colin has fitted a new Gannaway leather bag. So off he went with drones spot on and into the 9/8s Archie MacKinnon, The Battle of the Somme. Minimal re-tuning required then onto the 6/8s Mrs Lily Christie (P/M DS Ramsay) and P/S John Barclay (Iain Duncan). Colin gave us a preview of what he might play at the weekend's Duncan Johnston Competition in Glasgow - The Knightswood Ceilidh, Cabar Feidh (Strathspey) and Duncan MacPhail's Reel . Colin enjoys playing reels and his selection of Irish reels is very entertaining: included were The Swallow tail, Gravel Walk, The Silver Spear and Hugh Travers. Great stuff! The evening closed on a more sombre note with that beautiful Piobaireachd Mary MacLeod. What a night, and free too ! If you like piping then why not come along?
Tune of the week ; The Heroes of Afghanistan (email for a copy)
Tonight’s piping session had already kicked off by the time I got there with father and son heading the bill. The attendance had doubled from last week with a mix of keen proponents and enthusiasts of the Great Highland Pipe. I tried to type this up on my wife’s ipad, but after five minutes I gave up and went back to the more traditional method of using a computer. Just like the world of piping where modern and ancient technology and pipers can still be seen together. Thinking about the lineup, we may need to work on how to minimise time spent tuning, or time playing as eight players were almost too many. Answers on a postcard, please.
Donald Morrison
A stalwart of the Legion Band, Donald played 6/8’s:
Dr Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering
Ishbel T. MacDonald.
Information in my absence was provided by Mr Donald Shaw, and I must take his word for the superb performance from Donald and Euan.
Euan Morrison
Under his father’s watchful eye, Euan forged ahead with 2/4 Marches:
The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel, Pipe Major Ross’s Farewell to the Scots Guards, The Drunken Piper
Followed by an MSR:
Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban, Captain Colin Campbell, Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree
Euan finished with The Whaling Song and the Glasgow City Police Pipers.
Bill Hamilton Henderson Drones, Warmac Chanter
As I arrived, Bill had launched into 6/8 Marches, Rab’s Wedding and Kirkhill.
He followed with the 3/4’s; The Banks of Allan Water, The Bloody Fields of Flanders and The Shoals of Herring.
A rendition of Lord Alexander Kennedy completed this short selection.
Colin Campbell Glenn Drones, Gannaway Bag
Colin’s tunes were possibly calculated to test the audience’s knowledge and by the end of his set I had managed to name four of his tunes of which one was an error.
Pay the Piper, The Pikeman’s March
6/8’s Ghandi’s Farewell to the Iron Horse, The Judging was Bad
John MacColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage, Lady Loudon, The Rejected Suitor
Tommy Tully’s Air, Going to the well for water, Going to the Well for Water,
The Galway Whistler/?/ The Primrose Lass
Colin finished with Padruig Mor MacCrimmon’s: Donald of Laggan.
Donald Shaw Strathmore Chanter
Donald was putting his pipes together before Colin got into the crunluath, so it looked like he’d be ready to leap to his feet and give us a blast.
He was up to the mark and set off playing the Unknown Warrior, but suddenly there was a banjo breakdown and Donald had to open the pipes in mid-performance. It looked like he’d get going again, but he seemed to suffer a discombobulated drone and gracefully made way for the next player.
George Ashton
Young piper George Ashton got straight into action with an MSR:
The Crags of Stirling, Highland Harry, Duntroon
George finished up with the 6/8, Ballochyle.
Charles MacDonald
Charles got up with a good set of pipes and tunes.
MSR: Highland Wedding, Susan MacLeod, Cabarfeidh, The Rejected Suitor, DJS Murray
Hornpipe and Jigs: Duncan Johnston, Donnella Beaton, John Paterson’s Mare
Piper of the Week
Euan Morrison, for playing a tune whose namesake was present.
Tune of the Week
Donald Shaw for The Unknown Warrior
A great Wednesday night piping session was attended by an enthusiastic and erudite audience. The show put on by several keen pipers comprised a solo recital from each. Tonight's line-up included Donald Shaw, Charles MacDonald, Martin Laing and Colin Campbell. One other player forgot to bring his pipes as he had taken the dog for a walk and forgot to put them in the car before leaving the house.
I missed Donald's playing as he was first on and I was working while he was giving it laldy. Next week, Donald, wait for me. We don't want you to miss out on prizes that will be awarded to entertainers later in the year. Also be aware that there is also the chance to be fined for petty reasons that I'll make up as I go along.
Donald's tunes included:
Corrienessan's Salute (P), Father John Macmillan of Barra, Farewell to Nigg and Kantara to El Arish.
Next up was Charles MacDonald, prizewinner on Saturday at the NPC Solos.
Charles was in good form, and his tunes were:
Leaving Ireland, John MacDonald's Welcome to South Uist, Cabarfeidh(S), Dora MacLeod, DJS Murray, John Morrison of Assynt House.
Another young player, Martin Laing, got up to give us:
Bonnie Strathyre, The South Georgia Whaling Song, Battle of Waterloo, Flett from Flotta, Macneils of Ugadale, Redford Cottage, a march called ???, Highland Harry, Duntroon.
I think it's only fair to say that a fine may be in order for failing to name the march called ???. The excuse that it's General Somebody's Welcome or Farewell or Somesuch to Something or Other was a good answer, but next time come prepared.
Last man on stage this evening was Colin Campbell, who had an interesting bag on the pipes. I heard it said that you can't get them anymore, so I'll need to find out more next week, so I can get one.
Colin's tunes were:
Tug Argan Gap, Farewell to the Creeks, Silver Threads Among the Gold, Domhnall ???, Dawning of the Day, ???, Argyllshire Gathering, Leaving Glenurquhart, Ewe wi' the Crookit Horn, John Roy Stewart, Thompson's Dirk, The Sheepwife, Catherine's Lament (P), John Paterson's Mare, Donald Cameron's Powder Horn.
Tune of the evening had several contenders. Colin had two that I considered for the title, and any piobaireachd will always get noticed. However, tonight the title is Martin Laing's for Bonnie Strathyre. The reason is I wrote down the Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre and was kindly informed of my error.
Piper of the week Colin Campbell. Reason - that bag.
Who would be an organiser! Each year the date we plan for this competition is either not available at the venue, or there is some clash with another piping event. This year we had hoped to hold the Junior Piping Competition on 16 June 2012, but have since discovered (thanks Les) that the Inverness Local Mod 2012 piping event is on that date. A new date has been fixed for our Junior Piping Competition - Saturday 23rd June 2012
The Inverness Piping Society has always tried to promote the music of the Highland Bagpipe through recitals. Each year around January, there are phone calls enquiring when the next recital is planned. These are difficult to arrange as pipers have other engagements, some quite far away. Weather conditions are often poor and the A9 is not a joy to drive along when gales, rain, snow or ice are prevalent.
We would like to explore other avenues, but need realistic suggestions and how they might feasibly be organised.
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