Match Report April 30th 2013

The P/M opens the night

The evening started off quietly enough with the P/M opening events with a few tunes from his old Pipeband Club repertoire. Just back from a sojourn to Germany where a weekend was spent with The Clan Pipeband from Frankfurt, he was a little green round the gills from too many dunkles and drams. Not to mention the famous German sausage. You have to hide from that!

Next up was first time debutant Craig Martin. Craig is a regular attender at the Eagles but this was his first time on the floor. He opened with the classic 6/8 marches Leaving Port Askaig and Donald MacLean of Lewis. He then played the 2/4 marches Duncan McColl and Clan McColl before closing with some fine light fingered small music.

Craig Martin

The next victim was Nils ‘lover boy’ Michaels. Nils made the schoolboy error of changing his FB status and didn’t think we would spot it. We did. Nils took the banter in good spirit and opened with the famous Rabbie Burns piece ‘Ae fond Kiss’

A fond kiss, and then we sever;

A farewell, and then forever!

Deep in heart-wrung tears I’ll pledge thee,

Warring sighs and groans I’ll wage thee.

Nils Michaels

While there were no groans per say, there was no doubt that, for some reason, Nils was more relaxed than usual as he moved into Farewell to the Creeks. He then played the great Desert March followed by Mrs H L MacDonald of Dunach before closing with a couple of hornpipes.

The post pie piper was Andrew ‘High Tower’ Gray who wanted to have a run before the Highlands and Islands competition in Oban at the weekend. Once the pipe was settled he played Major Manson at Clashantrushal, Highland Harry and the reel Major Manson.

full of pies

The final player of the night was Kiwi Matt Fraser from Dunedin. Matt was up for the challenged and played some unusual but musical small music to settle the pipe. He started with a slow air The Jutland before playing the MSR, Mrs John MacColl, Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch and The Sheepwife.

He then played an immaculate Ronald MacDonald of Morar’s Lament. The pipe and high G were spot on and Matt did one of the great tunes the utmost justice

Matt Fraser

‘Ronald MacDonald of Morar, who was known as Raghnall Mac Ailein Oig, was a famous character in Highland lore, celebrated as a hero and composer of pipe music. ‘Fionn’ recordsin his ‘Historic, Biographic and Legendary Notes’ attached to David Glen’s Collection of Ancient Piobaireachd (p.20) that ‘Ronald MacDonell of Morar was famous as the composer of many pipe tunes that have stood the test of time…[he was] composer of “The Finger Lock”…and it is well known that he was the composer of the tune called “A’ Bhòilich”—The Vaunting. In addition to being a first-class piper, he was also a player of the harp and violin. He was known as Ronald of the Cross, and was the third son of Allan Og of Morar, fourth in descent from Allan, eldest son of Dougal, Chief of Clan Ranald, who was killed in1520. In a MS. history of the Clan Ranalds, dated 1700, he is referred to as “The best player upone the pype now living.’

And that was that. We bid our guests farewell including David Mclean from Alberta and his P/M who both disappeared into the night before we could chat. Drop us a line guys and let us know how your trip went.

Our Canadian Guests

James Gore is on the piob next time Tuesday 14^th May. See you then.

Euan Anderson

Hon Pipe Major

Match report 16th April 2013

While some were off sunning themselves in Corfu the rest braved gale force winds to get to the Eagles. Yes winds were gusting up to 70 mph, bridges were closed and Hibs are in the final. Is this to be their year? Our resident Hibee Mr Speirs certainly hopes so.

This is progress?

The Hon Pres. did make an attempt at using International technology while enjoying a small glass of red (a 2 litre bottle). Jenny, on the other hand impressed the locals by honing up on Greek Mythology. The myth turned out to be that Greece didn’t have as much money as they thought and that CRM cannot finish a 2-litre bottle at one sitting. He did try though.

The P/M opened proceeding with Angus MacKinnon, Rab’s Wedding and General Montgomery, a nod to the late great Donald Shaw Ramsay. He finished off with a couple of 2/4 marches before getting the batting order for the evening sorted.

Next up was young David Samson from New Jersey who wanted a tune before this Saturdays clasp competition. He did point out to the P/M that it wasn’t the real clasp in Inverness just the amateur one in Glasgow. The P/M cocked an eyebrow and said ‘Really?’

David Samson

David warmed up the pipe then knocked off the MSR, Captain Campbell of Drum- a–Voisk, Lady of Gairloch and the Rejected Suitor. David, a member of the Rampant Lion Pipe Band of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, finished off with a very nice ground-Lament for the Old Sword. New Jersey is the stamping ground of Jim Stack, who plays with the New York Metro Pipe Band. Many years ago Colin and Euan travelled to NJ to attend Jims wedding, have a few tunes and of course partake of a few drams. What could possibly go wrong? A story for another day !

Robbie entertains the P/M

Next up was Robbie Ross. Sporting a few scars from the last meetings match report Robbie brought along Mrs Ross to offer support and protect him from the P/M. Robbie played a few tunes before giving us a reprise of the now infamous strathspey. I have a feeling it is not the last time we will hear this.

The post pie piper was James Gore who was sporting his new Eagles cover. James didn’t waste much time before heading into the big stuff. Included in his performance were Caledonian Society of London and the little heard John McDonalds reel. James finished off with a couple of hornpipes, Crossing the Minch and one of his own compositions that remains nameless. Lets call it Mrs Mildred McKenzie.

James and the cover

Next for shaving was Donald McLeod who is breaking in a new reed. It is going to be a bobbie dazzler as the pipe was booming. Once the pipe had settled Donald gave us a very nice Delvinside and Major David Manson.

Donald in fine form

Chris Ross

The final piper of the night was Chris Ross who had very kindly come over from Glasgow to give us a tune. Once Chris had settled the pipe he gave us the great Craigellachie and a fine job he made of it.

‘Also known as Grant’s Gathering the composer of this piobaireachd is unknown. It is said that the tune originally celebrated an ancient battle at Craig Ellachie between the Shaws and their Grant and other allies on the one side and the Comyns on the other. A piobaireachd composed to celebrate that event was adopted by the Grants as their ‘gathering tune’.

The Grants settled mainly in the Strathspey area in a territory from which they had helped oust the Comyns (Cummings). It was there that Castle Grant, the seat of the Chieftain, was eventually situated.

At the upper end of the district southwest of Aviemore is a hill called Craigellachie, the rock of alarm that formed the Cathghairm and gave its name to the Gathering of the clan.

The Panel !

In the old Gaelic the motto of Clan Grant was Creag a Chrocainn – The Rock of Hanging – this was an overhanging rock from which criminals were hung. This is the same rock on which the motto, Stad Creag Ealichaidh – Stand Firm Craigellachie, is founded. This motto became the war cry of the clan in the old days and remains as their gathering cry in this day and age’.

And that was that. Another lovely evening. Matt Fraser is on the piob. in two weeks time so please come along and support.

Euan Anderson

Match Report 2nd April 2013

The P/M’s Diary

The Pipe Major opened the proceedings with some sprightly played small 2/4 Marches in an attempt to bring some ‘spring’ to the evening but alas coats were still on as the Scottish summer is still in hiding and the heating was refusing to cooperate.  None the less he finished off with a MSR before heading to the bar for a coffee!

Frequent attendee Lachie Dick was next up and he assured the company that work had been done on the new reed and his screaky high A had been consigned to the trash can. The pipe was robust as he gave us a fine rendition of Donald MacLellan of Rothesay/Tulloch Castle/Bessie McIntyre. Unfortunately a couple of small High A things popped out that resulted in Lachie receiving a private session from the Hon Pres. at the end of the evening!

Robbie Ross

Next up was Robbie Ross who lulled us all into a false sense of security by playing a couple of lovely 9/8 marches on a much-improved pipe. He then played a couple of 2/4 marches including Jeannie Carruthers before going into the most unusual strathspey that included C sharps, C flats and  (C)eizures. When asked by the P/M to give the provenance for the tune Robbie explained that he found the setting in an old book. The P/M instruct him to burn it.

A picture speaks a thousand words

The pies were a welcome treat and by the time they were consumed there was quite a healthy audience waiting on the next player, Joshua Townsley. A young man in fine form and full of confidence. He opened with a couple of 6/8 marches before playing the, lovely 2/4 March Mrs Duncan MacPherson, followed by Highland Harry and Bessie McIntyre.

JT on the March

He took his time tuning the pipe before playing the ground and opening variations of the Earl of Seaforth’s Salute. Very polished and nicely phrased.

Jenny Hazzard was up next and she took the evening by the scruff of the neck. Pipes straight out the box and into P/M Sandy Spence, one of the late Gordon Duncan’s compositions. It was pleasing that his brother Ian was in the audience to hear it. She followed this with another 2/4 March, Murdo MacLeod followed by MacBeth’s Strathspey/Neil Sutherland of Lairg and the reel Lochiel’s Away to France. Now that the pipe was truly settled the audience were treated to a lovely Lord Lovat’s Lament. One of the great tunes and Jenny did it justice.

Robert Gray

Jenny

The final player of the evening was Robert Gray who, with his usual aplomb, finished off an excellent evening. Included in his spot were the 6/8 marches The Heights of casino and the McNeill’s of Ugadale.

And that was the evenings, evening.

Lord Lovat himself

Note: Scots Guards KO competition Sunday 14^th semi final. Finlay Johnston v Niall Stuart.

The Vale of Athol Pipe Band has confirmed a mini band for Tuesday 11^th June 2013.

Euan Anderson

Match Report 19th March 2013

Joseba Pujana

Tonight was kicked off, not by the Hon P/M (faulty plumbing problems), but a very welcome guest from the Basque Country, Joseba Pujana, playing an MSR of Mrs MacDonald of Dunach, Lady Louden and The Rejected Suitor.  Joseba is over studying a masters degree in Edinburgh and taking lessons from Dugald MacNeill.

Colin MacNeill, Dugald’s son, made his Eagles debut next on a splendid sounding pipe.  Despite the rigours of a demanding legal career, Colin still plays a mean tune and gave us Parker’s Welcome to Perthshire and John MacColl’s Major Byng M. Wright before finishing with the beautifully melodic ground of Lament for Colin MacRae of Invereenate.

EPS regular, Cameron Drummond, took the floor next with a new set of unfinished Naill drones.  They sounded as solid as a rock and with a little vajazzle on the mounts, could look as good too.

The naked pipe

We were very honoured indeed to have as guest tonight, the aforementioned Dugald MacNeill, making his first appearance at EPS.  Dugald is not a man to worry about the progression of age having recently walked 56 miles round the Isle of Arran reportedly singing the entire Kilberry collection on the way.  An MSR of Abercairney Highlanders, Tulloch Gorm and Pretty Marion was therefore a piece of cake to a man of his constitution. We hope to see him, Colin and Joseba back at Eagles very soon.

Colin McNeill

Nils Michael, the German Casanova, was next for shaving.  Nils is a piper who always puts a lot of thought into his Eagle’s performances and tonight was no exception.  He cunningly finished his set with the reel, Duntroon.

Tonight’s piobaireachd, given by Douglas Gardiner, was Duntroon’s March.  This rarely heard piece is a 2013 Silver Medal set tune.  Whilst performed reasonably adequately, the reaction of the membership was akin to the audience at a Rolling Stones concert when hearing a song from their new album – although at EPS the rush to the loos was a little more discreet.

Dougald B McNeill

It was up to Lachie Dick to get the toes tapping again having cranked the volume on his pipes up to 11.  An MSR of The Highland Wedding, Struan Robertson and John Morrison rounded off the night.

Douglas Gardiner

Douglas Gardiner

Match Report – 5th March 2013

I wish that **** would give it a rest and let me watch the football in peace

Due to an unfortunate diary blunder, UEFA had scheduled Manchester United’s home fixture against Real Madrid on the same night as Eagles.  Notwithstanding this, they appeared to enjoy a decent crowd.  It goes without saying that so did we.

Our very own Ryan Giggs, Hon P/M Anderson, made his 1,000th appearance opening the night.  Included in his set were two magnificent 6/8s, The Sweet Maid of Mull and Captain Oldfield of Kilravock.  Rather pleasingly the two self-proclaimed pipe tune masterminds in the membership were left stumped to trying to identify them.

We then welcomed a newcomer to Eagles in the shape of David Samson of New Jersey, USA.  David, a chemical engineering student, has been sent to Glasgow University for a term to learn how best to combine jellies* and Buckfast.  He is a member (and webmaster) of the Rampant Lion Pipe Band (www.rlpb.org) and treated us to a few classics including Mrs Lily Christie, Donald MacLean of Lewis and Flett from Flotta.

James makes a welcome return

James Gore, Yorkshire’s finest musical export since Jive Bunny, was pre-pie-piper.  Being a Leeds United supporter he is not overly fond of his Manchester rivals and clearly has some subliminal powers in this regard as during his set, an MUFC player was sent off and Real Madrid scored.  James was stretching his fingers in advance of Saturday’s Duncan Johnstone contest in Glasgow.  He played a double MSR with great poise and expression.

In keeping with the footballing theme, we then welcomed former Scotland international and ex-TV pundit, big Andy Gray to play.  He played some challenging tunes including Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Highland Harry and Kalabakan proving that his studies at the National Piping Centre are really paying dividends.

High Tower

Tonight’s piobaireachd was delivered by Lachie Dick – his first such performance at Eagles.  Having warmed his pipe showing off his strong fingering, he gave us the beautiful MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart.  This tune is thought to have been composed by Donald Roy MacCrimmon and the “sweetheart” was apparently a cow belonging to an old woman that drowned (and disappeared) in a Benbecula bog – hence the contention that the tune is also called The Widow’s Grief.  It must be the finest piece of music ever to have been composed following a bovine tragedy and Lachie captured the melancholy perfectly.

Lachie on the piob

All in all a superb evening and certainly more enjoyable than watching an overpaid football team get beaten.

Douglas Gardiner

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temazepam

MATCH REPORT 19th FEBRUARY 2013

After the excitement of the Michael Grey book launch at the previous meeting, it was back to the more familiar format for tonight’s meeting, featuring a debut, a set from one of the up-and-coming young pipers and rounded off by a few tunes from another young whippersnapper by the name of MacLellan.

As usual, the Hon Pipe Major Euan Anderson kicked off the evening in his own inimitable style. I was a little late arriving and entered the room just as Euan was sounding the final note but the pipe was sounding well despite the low room temperature. The heaters went on.

Donald MacLeod

Proceedings were a little relaxed and as there didn’t seem to be any takers for the first slot (possibly due to the sub Arctic temperature in the room at this point), I was gently cajoled by the Hon PM into having a tune, and took the opportunity to test Douglas Gardiner’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the repertoire, as he was noting down the tunes for the match report at this stage. I played a couple of classic 6/8s of which he didn’t know the name, and some heavier strathspeys and reels. I finished up with a tune I’ve been polishing of late, the Piper’s Controversy by John MacDonald of South Uist, followed by The Judges Dilemma by PM Donald Macleod and finally The Skylark’s Ascension by the late Archie Lindsay, also South Uist.

Next up was our first debutant, Eddie Gaul from Dundee. Eddie informed us that he had taken a ten-year hiatus from piping, but had once again caught the bug and was back playing. Eddie is a pupil of Ian Duncan, who was also in attendance this evening. He started off with a bang, straight into Crossing the Minch, and settled into some fine playing including a couple of competition 2/4 marches and a strathspey and reel – The Caledonian Society of London and Sandy Cameron. With things warmed up, he then launched into the Groat – an unexpected but welcome surprise as he played the whole tune, demonstrating first class technique and lovely music on a very stable bagpipe. Ten year’s break has

Eddies first time at the Eagles 

clearly done very little harm and we hope to hear more from Eddie in future.

Thankfully, the pies were reaching optimal temperature by the crunluath doubling, and were served forthwith, at the bargain price of one groat per pie according the Hon. PM. The big talking point at this stage was the absence of one T. Peterkin Esq., not a man to lightly forego the chance of an Eagle Pipers’ Pie. As a side note there is of course no requirement for DNA testing; our pie man’s wares being of course 100% pure pie.

Calum Watson

Tonight, the post pie piper slot was filled by Calum Watson of George Watson’s College, also making his Eagles bow. Calum was started off by Iain Simpson at Watson’s, and now goes to Tom Spiers. So no pressure then with both his tutors in the audience. Calum clearly wasn’t too concerned and kicked off with a couple of 6/8s, then into the demanding hornpipe John MacKenzie’s Fancy followed by the Thief of Lochaber. He then played an MSR, demonstrating the form that has won many of the major juvenile prizes, with Dr EG McKinnon, Islay Ball the John MacKechnie’s Big Reel.

The pipes were settled by now and Calum gave us one of this year’s Silver Medal Tunes, Melbank’s Salute. There isn’t a great deal of narrative on this tune, other than it being composed for Kenneth MacKenzie of Millbank, Ross-shire, son of Sir Alexander MacKenzie of Gairloch, According to Fionn’s notes, “he was much respected, and was famed for his unostentatious liberality.” [Sounds like a man after our Hon PM’s heart]. Calum handled the tune very nicely, with the bagpipe bang in tune all the way through to compliment the excellent playing.

To finish the evening, our Hon. President Colin MacLellan gave us a good-going selection of light music, tonight playing the famous MacDougall bagpipe played by his father, and now his wife. The tunes included Jean Mauchline, Bonawe Highlanders, a couple of 2/4s including an interesting setting of the Braes of Castle Grant, a competition strathspey and reel set and finally some jigs, including the finger-tying “Jig by DA Campbell”, which I assume was written by DA Campbell, Glendale, Skye.

The Hon Pres

So that was just about that, with the hour approaching eleven and as we wound down proceedings and started to think about heading home, there was a “tap tap tap” on the window and lo and behold Tam Peterkin appeared ethereally out of the dark Edinburgh night, perhaps overwhelmed by some primal, ancestral urge to return, like the silver salmon drawn inexorably to the dark, swirling, eddying peat-stained highland stream of its birth, (although in this case the stream was in fact a pie). Who knows where he had been, (and whether he took home a pieman’s doggy bag – I had to leave at this point) but thankfully the natural order of things had been restored.

The pie man. So good you will want to horse them down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donald Macleod

Damed Suites and Other Music

The proud father

On Tuesday 5^th February we were honoured to be hosting Mike Grey’s “Back Door Launch” of his 6^th collection of tunes, entitled Damned Suites (“coz that’s what they are!”). This is a limited edition collection in hard back, luxuriously designed by the creative force behind The National Piping Centre’s bi-monthly magazine, Piping Today, John Slavin, and consisting entirely of Mike’s compositions both in more conventional forms and time signatures, as well as Mike’s trademark and ground-breaking suites. Sitting alongside the pieces themselves are anecdotes and whimsies that make this a unique publication indeed.

John Slavin hard at work

As part of the night’s programme, a low-key competition was staged, open to all and sponsored by Mike, with the only criteria being that one of his tunes feature in the selection. Mystery judges were set around the room, a draw made and one of the best nights of piping we have had in a long time was set.

The ‘back door’ Book Launch

Newly crowned Master of Merchandise, Cameron Drummond, created a festive array of Mike’s books, EPS book launch t-shirts, Eagle Pipers’ ties, bagcovers and “verrrrrry snazzy cufflinks”.

Modeling all of this merchandise (almost all at once) and glowing in his gold waistcoat, our Hon P/M opened the evening with a variety of tunes starting with some of Mike’s tunes from The Immigrants’ Suite, The Labour and The Landing. He then went into The Border Ballad followed by 3 of Michael’s tunes Up To The Line, Linda’s Lilt and Blustering Home. Mike was persuaded to give some background to the tunes, and while we are still none the wiser as to why Linda was lilting, we discovered that one of the judges behind the story of the latter tune was present, and indeed he gave us the next tune.

Bob in full flight at the Eagles

Bob Worrall was one of the causes of the blustering on the occasion in question, and as a firm friend of many present was warmly welcomed back to Eagles. He gave a short and enchanting set of rare tunes, including The Unst Bridal March, John Thompson of Flagstaff by Robert Watt and The Campsie Hills. Piping’s “media darling” concluded his selection with a waltz of his own composition for John and Connie Wilson’s son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Kayleigh’s Waltz, and a polka.

On with the competition, and nine pipers put their names forward, stepping up to the plate admirably. Here follows some notes (slightly edited) from the scratchings of my pencil on the night:

1st up……

Nils Michael kicked off to rapturous applause. Almost an entire MG set. Lower pitch, warm sound. 3/4-March Katie Grey’s Welcome From Scotland – MG’s niece. Reel-Asleep at the Wheel (“there is no story. I wrote it when I was 22.” Oh really !). Played with characteristic fire!

Brighde Chaimbeul. Musical airs, lovely light and lovely lilting wee strathspeys, controlled and flowing reel playing. Asleep at the Wheel. Impressive stuff.

a very worthy 4th place

Craig Sutherland, pre-pie competitor. Bold, confident playing on a first class bagpipe. In typical student fashion he had only found out about the competition a few days earlier hence he only managed to squeeze in one of MG tunes, Fleshmarket Close. He rounded off and excellent set with the Happy Onion Chopper by Andy Renwick.

Craig Sutherland

Mr. Merchandise himself Cameron Drummond was up next. Forgetting he was not at the Gold meddle he was very gently prompted by the P/M to start his selection. (“Get ****ing on with it”) Undaunted he gave the usual slick, well presented. Malkie Bowes’ Consternation, jigs including The Bottler (nervous giggling about who The Bottler might be!)

Jenny Hazzard, former pupil of MG’s. Played an adventurous and challenging selection – entirely MG’s tunes. Liz Campbell’s Welcome to the World, [something about a Halifax waltz?!] [more waltzes], and the difficult hornpipe John Cairns Double. This tune was originally named Edna Chance but Michael was not for revealing why the name change or indeed who Edna is/was!

Rosie

Donald McLeod, now that’s what I call a bagpipe! Combination of traditional and MG tunes. Nellie, Jock and J. named for J. Reid Maxwell’s grandparents who brought him up in Cardenden, Fife. Jane Grey Campbell Clark (MG’s sister). 10 parts of The Shaggy Grey Buck (pun intended???)

Joshua Townsley, 9/8 marches. Pipe sounding well. Very pleasant wee Air and Coppermill Studio.

Jenny playing her way to victory

Douglas Gardiner, presenting with military precision. Pretty wee 9/8s (“The longest set of 9/8s ever to be inflicted upon listeners at Eagles” – Hon P/M). Up To The Line, and The Fence Walker (Ken Eller). 

Taking the stage at 11pm was Lachie Dick. He spent the last set of the evening funking (lucky there was no typo there) up the time signatures. No holds barred. Malkie Bowes’ Consternation.

Donald McLeod

The mystery judges deliberated and somehow came up with a result that was handed to the PM on fine parchment (see the photo)

Results:

1^st                                Jenny Hazzard

2^nd                               Cameron Drummond

3^rd                               Lachie Dick

Commendation          Brighde Chaimbeul

JT on the March

To close the evening Michael gave a few vote of thanks and apologised, in his own inimitable way, if the evening appeared to be self serving and somewhat indulgent. Of course book launches could be seen as that however we, The Eagle Pipers’ Society, were proud to host the event and be party to what turned out to be a celebration of one of the finest modern day composer’s music.

On 9/8 number 6

Lachie playing his way to 3rd place

Off we went into the evening, cleverly taking the 1^st prizewinner with us, who very kindly bought us a nightcap!

See you in two weeks time. Oh below is the afore mentioned master results document. Enough said.

2 + 2 = ah ye ken what a mean !

Tracey Williams

Facebook-Numbers break 350

353 to be precise. Thanks to everyone for their continued support. Come along and join us when you can. Bring the pipe if you fancy a tune. Those who don’t well there’s always a pie, pint and good craic.

Match Report – 22nd January 2013

With our meeting falling the day after (apparently) the most depressing day of the year it was interesting to see how our members had survived.

Never a man to need artificial stimulants, our Hon P/M led the way with his Sinclairs sounding magnificent playing a selection of tunes from the both the solo and pipe band repertoires.

Part time piping tutor, Robbie Ross, continued the strong form on his McCallums with Jeannie Carruthers, P/M Hector MacLean and Arnish Light, a tune made popular by the Tannahill Weavers, before finishing with the catchy reels Kenmore Ladies and Captain Forbes.

It was a delight to have Jim Cooper follow with his grand Robertson drones.  Jim is a very regular attender but usually hides his piping talents in the bottom of his pint glass.  Jim played the Robert Mathieson slow air, Farewell to Camraw, written many years ago when Shotts moved from Warmac to Shepherd chanters.  Jim’s other tunes included the Glasgow Week in Hamburg and The Silver Fox written by, and named after, P/M Ian Lowther of the Scots Guards.

Tam Peterkin was next to play and looked as though rather than a couple of Prozac, he had survived yesterday with a tube of UHU and an old plastic bag.  His pipes were on fine form though and he gave us the ground of Melbank’s Salute and the lovely 9/8, Heather Grant of Strathyre, written by his boyhood tutor, P/M Jimmy MacGregor.

Just before pie break, Donald MacLeod appeared, as if by magic, like a kilted and slightly merry Mr Benn*.  Post pies he gave us a truly wonderful rendition of the piobaireachd, The Old Woman’s Lullaby.

Marie Ross followed with the piobaireachd Clan Campbell’s Gathering.  Marie is from Nantes in France and plays a set of Breton made Highland pipes in the style of Robertson.  Appropriately, she finished her selection with a set of Breton tunes, Melodie du Pays de Retz and Rond de Landeda.

Last but not least, Lachie Dick closed the evening on his “new” pipes with some excellent music including Donella Beaton.  Lachie is a medical student and it is a sobering thought that one day he could prescribe a variety of drugs to patients and himself alike.  Given the twisted smile permanently affixed to his face, this is akin to allowing a pyromaniac to work in a Swan Vesta factory.

As advertised, our next meeting on 5^th February will be Michael Grey’s book launch with Bob Worrall also coming along for a tune and a pie.

Maree assists with the match report

Douglas Gardiner

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Benn

Tuesday 5th February – Michael Grey Book Launch

The Society is pleased to announce on Tuesday 5th February we will be hosting the official launch of Michael Grey’s new book, “Damned Suites and Other Music”.

The evening will follow the usual format although there will be a competition for pipers playing one of Michael’s tunes from any of his six books during their selection.  £100 for 1st prize, £50 for 2nd, and £25 for 3rd.

Michael will be there to talk about his book, sign copies, hand out free T shirts and of course play a few tunes.

It promises to be a hugely entertaining evening.