Match Report – 8th January 2013

At a time of year when most pipers keep their instrument tucked away under their bed, we expected a small turnout of players tonight.  However, it would appear that sadly many Eagle members sought the comfort of their bagpipes this Christmas to provide respite from nagging in-laws and embarrassing uncles.  In all we had eight performers including two debuts.

The Hon P/M started the year in fine form opening with the little heard Loch Monar before moving into some Gaelic airs. He then played a few 9/8 marches. That was 2013 on the move and the P/M was clearly in good fettle-notwithstanding lingering worries over signs of incipient Tourette’s syndrome.

Peter Lem sip McCalister

Next up was well known vegetarian, Dr Peter McCalister.  After a festive diet of Linda McCartney “sausages” and Quorn turkey, it was no wonder Peter had self-diagnosed himself with man flu.  His playing was unaffected thankfully and he included the ground and first variation of the piobaireachd, A Welcome for Patrick Struan by Captain John A. MacLellan MBE – a beautiful tune which deserves to be heard more often.

Maree

Marie Ross made her very welcome debut next.  She was recently persuaded to marry EPS member, Robert.  This would appear to have been a good decision, at least for her piping.  Now under the tutelage of Tom Speirs she played a very musical MSR and finished with A Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick.  Marie captured the strong pulsing of this tune perfectly and brought to mind the drum beats in the version recorded by the 78^th Fraser Highlanders in 1998.

Jack Taylor

The Pre-Pie-Piper was special guest, Dr Jack Taylor, President of the Piobaireachd Society, making his first visit to Eagles.  Jack had ventured all the way from Aboyne, Royal Deeside, en route to Winter Storm, Kansas City.  Jack picked up the Hon P/M’s pipes and despite the ‘retro’ blow stick produced a lovely tone. After a couple of sets Jack played most of the classic piobaireachd, I got a Kiss of the King’s Hand with beautiful phrasing and expression.  We were left wanting more but the pies awaited kissing too.

Post-Pie-Piper was the aforementioned romantic, Robert Ross.  This was (probably) the second ever husband and wife combo to play at Eagles (answers by email for the first).   Robert treated us to a few entertaining sets finishing with his own setting of the Highland Wedding in jig time.

Mr and Mrs Ross

This was a most interesting interpretation and seemed to have evolved a little since its first outing here last year.

Christmas wasn’t all a struggle for our next piper, Lachie Dick, as Santa had left him with a new quieter instrument in his stocking.  We enjoyed some big tunes though including Colin Thomson and the Little Cascade.

High Tower

Rounding off a busy night, the final two soloists were EPS regulars Andy Gray and Donald MacLeod who both gave us performances to their usual high standards on bagpipes which have clearly not been gathering any dust.  This is particularly impressive given Donald’s new parental responsibilities.

Lachie Dick

We very much look forward to the rest of 2013.  It promises to be a good one!

Donald MMcLeod

Colin listens with interest to…………

Douglas Gardiner

2013

Starts this Tuesday 8th, ‘Sciors Gaurdsa Clun’ (Scots Guards Club) new start time of 20.00hrs.

Note: Next round of the KO competition is on Sunday 13th 16.00hrs, SGC, Callum Beaumont v Finlay Johnston.

see below for a wee reminder………….

A Pint of Whisky Too Many….

Match report 11th December 2012

Tonight’s Eagles was the last of 2012 and a good crowd turned out to send the year off, looking to squeeze a few tunes in before the true onset of Silly Season. Our Hon P/M was back on duty, and despite his illustrious career being that of an (and I quote) “International Detective fighting for truth and justice, without fear, favour, malice or ill will”, he confessed to losing his own battle with a willful instrument. This will be an all-too-familiar tale to many of us, especially at this time of year. I am trying to stick with the Little And Often approach to keeping the pipes going. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Hayley McInnes

Having braved the M8 in sub-zero temperatures, Hayley McInnes was first with her pipes out of the box tonight. Hayley is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is now teaching piping with Inverclyde Council. Hayley is also a member of the new Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band under P/M Ryan Canning and her set included a number of tunes drawn from both of these aspects of her piping career. Starting with airs including Drambuie, The Lovers’ Lament and Stornoway Bay, she continued with a superb MSR selection which included some seldom-heard tunes. The march was Jimmy Young, the strathspey was Glentruim, and the reel was Fiona MacLeod. This made for refreshing and very interesting listening.

Kiwi Ex-Pat Matt Fraser was next up playing his grandfather’s set of fine Robertsons dating from 1939. In true Robertson style they are sounding warm and rich, and Matt treated us to

Matt Wilson

an MSR of The Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band, Lady McKenzie of Gairloch and The Sheepwife. Matt is playing with Inveraray and District Pipe Band and for the last 18 months has worked very hard on establishing the extensive repertoire the band have in preparation for their Pre-Worlds Concert in 2013 entitled Ascension. He has not neglected any aspect of his playing, taking regular lessons with Dr. Angus Macdonald, and gave a commanding performance of the Ground and First Variation of The Prince’s Salute.

We then had a break to catch up while Hon P/M performed minor surgery on a set of pipes belonging to a new friend Patrick, a Hungarian student of Engineering, who hopes to be in

Patrick picking up a few tips

Edinburgh for a number of years as his studies progress.

Donald MacLeod was our Pre-Pie Piper, and never fails to stun Eaglers with a resonant bagpipe and exceptional repertoire. Tonight was Night of the Classics for Donald with John MacColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage, Delvinside and Ca’ the Ewes being aired.

Roddy Weir presented a lovely set of marches on a bold pipe before going into some standard favourites. This was Roddy’s second visit to the Eagles for a tune and he was a most welcome addition to the evening. Robert Gray was up next breaking in a new bag. He was in fine form despite recovering from recent festive activities that put paid to our communications guru Douglas Gardiner-allegedly.

Roddy Weir

The Good Doctor in fine form

The piobaireachd tonight was presented by yours truly. I had spent just enough time upstairs huddling close to the single heater to go some way to ensuring that the pipes didn’t go wildly out of tune and managed to get all the way through Lament for the Viscount of Dundee.  This is another of my Top of the Pops tunes with a magic High G. Great for a cold winter’s night.

Editorial note= Tracey gave a very musical performance on a steady instrument where the resonant drones complemented the said High G.

T stood up to the plate at short notice and is to be congratulated for trotting out such a polished tune at this time of year.

A lovely Viscount of Dundee

Little And Often Approach Progress Report: Thwarted by an incident while hillwalking which involved stepping into a snow-covered hole, falling and catching thumb on a rock. Result: bruising, swelling and restricted movement around thumb. It’s not the High A thumb though, so should be fine. .

The next round of the Scots Guards Club Knock Out is to be held this Sunday 16 December, and features Niall Stewart and Jonathan Graham. 4pm at the SGC. 

Our next meeting will be on 8 January 2013, and from this date onwards, our start time will be 8pm.

Another year comes to an end.

Wishing you all a very safe and happy festive season, from all of the Eagle Pipers’ Committee. 

 

Tracey Williams

Meeting Start Time Change

All future meetings will now start at 8.00pm.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 8th January 2013. We have decided to cancel the scheduled meeting on 25th December.

Ho ho ho.

Match Report 27th November 2012

The EPS evening of 27th November 2012 was a pleasantly warm and well attended gathering, featuring a good deal of friendly gossip and chat, punctuated by some excellent piping.
Players included:

- Matt Fraser, a Kiwi now domiciled in Glasgow, and a first timer at EPS, who opened the night in fine style with both light music and a bit of piobaireachd
- Lachie Dick, quickly becoming an EPS stalwart who it was great to hear playing so well, and finishing with some seriously fast and furious reels.
- Donald MacLeod, who has recently returned to active EPS service after a short baby-related hiatus. Donald treated us to the epic Shaggy Grey Buck amongst some other great stuff, and reportedly took the opportunity to air some newly learned tunes, which is one of the things EPS is really all about.
- Andrew Gray, another stalwart who finished the night with some lively light music and the ground of Salute to Donald, a first-rate end to the evening’s piping.

I was busy !

The intention was announced of there being a “special” EPS evening every third meeting, for example an informal competition, quiz night, guest recitalist, or other slightly out-of-the-ordinary event. The first of these was due to be on the next meeting in mid-December, however due to the purported organiser being unable to attend due to work commitments, this will be put off to the new year. The additional time for organisation will no doubt result in a spectacularly exciting occasion….watch this space for further details.

Jenny Hazzard.

Match Report 14 November 2012

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime…and back again?!

I have been away from the pen for some time, dear Match Report readers, and what better opportunity to return than when our Hon Pres, his Hon Wife and the Hon P/M are playing with jelly fish and sting rays in Australia?!

I hear tell of a particular tale from their jaunt whereby a golf match took place between certain members of the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band (NZ) and our very own Eagles Golf Pros, Pres and P/M. It was, I’m told, a hard-fought battle but the Kiwis came out on top. Clearly the Eagles are more accustomed to a good Scottish haar than blazing sunshine. Alas, this ill-fated golf match coincided with the weekend that the All Blacks (NZ) continued their 107-year winning streak at Murrayfield. It would be fair to say that the author (NZ) took a degree of satisfaction in at least one of these results.

Back in Auld Reekie, Haymarket continues to resemble a battlefield, and as we puddle-jumped our way to the Scots Guards Club, the warm and resonant pipes of Lachie Dick called us in to the throng alive with the chat from last weekend’s Scottish Piping Society of London competition. This continues to be one of the biggest on the circuit, with some of the best stories to come out as a result. The only one fit to be repeated here was told by newly appointed Secretary to the Joint Committee for Judging, Douglas Gardiner, when after stopping 4 bars into his hornpipe, he was presented with a piece of cherry cake by one of the judges as a prize for the shortest hornpipe.

Douglas had further treats in store for us tonight, when he pulled from a mysteriously shaped handbag, a set of 1800s Parlour Pipes. I last saw this set wrapped in paper towels in a lunch box, however Douglas has breathed new life into them, although confessing that “they’re not as much fun as I thought they’d be”. We thought they were tremendous fun and in fact were the source of a few giggling fits, particularly when Douglas’ tutor and Senior Judge, Tom Speirs, and the current Glenfiddich Champion and winner of the 2012 Bratach Gorm, Iain Speirs entered the room. Douglas indeed looks as if he has grown rather a lot to dwarf his pipes – either that or that he has put his pipes through a rather too-vigorous spin cycle.Douglas will bring pancakes to next Eagle Pipers to match the C on the Parlour Pipes’ chanter.

Pies seemed to come around quickly tonight, and at one stage The Pot was overheard telling The Kettle that if he didn’t eat so many pies he would be able to fit between the small gap in the chairs. This was said as both Pot and Kettle were setting about their 3rd pies. Regular readers will perhaps guess who The Pot and The Kettle might be?!
Our Hon Sec/Treas was next with pipes out. Let me tell you readers, this was a treat. Remember all those Olympic athletes in August who would do a victory lap of the stadium? Remember the relaxation, elation and loose-limbed energy that bounded from them? Perhaps Iain would say differently, but this was how he seemed to me tonight. If Iain were less of a humble, thoughtful and quietly-spoken gentleman, perhaps he would have let out a whoop of excitement. As it was, he opened the pipe case, pulled out a near perfectly-tuned instrument, and proceeded to trot out a number of small warm-up marches before launching into an effortless triple S/R set of some of the Big Classics. Flowing, apparently easy and utterly lovely. Like a marathon runner going for a light jog on a warm summer’s day, the tunes oozed off Iain’s fingers. He started into MacLeod of Colbeck’s Lament, playing the ground and first couple of variations, and then diverted again back to the Ceol Beag, ripping through his hornpipe and jig with gusto! This is enchanting listening. As a competitor I know the difference in the way I feel when I am really enjoying my playing. Not battling instrument or memory, cold weather or nerves. It was incredible to watch this in another person. A piper on top of his game and on top of the world.

What footsteps to follow, and following admirably came Cameron Drummond. Cameron decided to keep us all guessing by switching drone reeds half way through his set. Starting out with Canning reeds and then switching to Eezedrone, it was tough to tell the difference and Cameron displayed his expertise in intuitively setting reeds quickly and they both settled to harmonise quickly for his sets. We were treated again to the ground of The Unjust Incarceration which is definitely in my Top 5 Favourite Tunes of All Time.

During a break for a blether and to top up pints, we could hear the unmistakable sound of pipes, albeit distant. Two tables’ worth of Eaglers were searching and swiveling their heads trying to figure out where the playing was coming from. Tom Peterkin happened to be one of the head-swivelers and also joined in with pocket-patting. Was it his phone? No. His other phone? No. Yours? Who is this playing a very decent rendition of The Curlew? Had anyone ducked upstairs to get the pipes out? Then our dear Tam realised that Donald MacPherson had joined us for a wee tune, via his iPod and headphones which had activated when he sat on them!

After this, Tom was obliged to finish a tremendous evening, and while he left his best tuning until the end, he managed to refrain from playing 4 drones tonight.

The Hons Pres and P/M return from gallavanting next time, so do join us for tales and tunes from the Outback.

***HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!***

 Victory for Eagles in the Australian Golf Tour… Series finishes 2-1 to Hons Pres and P/M, and receive bonus points for the fact that this was achieved on borrowed clubs…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracey

 

Match report 16th October 2012

There are no words

19.30hrs and only the PM and the barmaid (nice name for a wee tune) were present. While it was a dreich night it transpired that there was still some interest to see if Scotland and the Tartan Army would be doing the samba through Rio in 2014 supporting their own team. Alas a forlorn hope and once again the Tartan Army will descend into Brazil supporting anyone but England who has any small link with God’s country (exhibit A- Jason Scotland!)

It was 0-0 at half time and time for a quick tune from the PM. A couple of 6/8s during which Belgium scored their opener. With the sound of the timbal samba beat becoming ever weaker the PM continued with some 3/4s. Belgium scored their second and the dream was over. Enough was enough and the pies were ordered to temper the disappointment of the smallish group that were now ensconced in the ‘Scots Guardsa Clun’.

Over pies it was decided that Levin was a ‘Belter’

The PPP was the Hon President himself. Colin played a wide variety of small music before trotting out the Cameronian Rant and Ca’ the Ewes. Some 2/4 marches followed including the great Angus MacPherson tune, Achany Glen. (Achany is a small hamlet in Sutherland on the river Shin and the tune was one of the late great John D Burgess’s favourites.)

Colin plays The Groat

Colin went onto to play The Groat, a smallish but lovely tune. A Groat or fuppence is the traditional name of a long-defunct English silver coin worth four English pence, and also a Scottish coin originally worth fourpence.

‘The tune celebrates the christening of an heir to MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan, perhaps circa 1570.  Some attribute this tune to lain Odhar MacCrimmon, in which case the MacLeod heir could have been either William, XIII^th Chieftain, born 1560 or his son John, XIV^th Chieftain, born 1580 (nephew of Sir Ruaridh Mor MacLeod). Iain Odhar’s son Padruig Donn is also a candidate for the title of composer. Others credit the tune to Donald Mor MacCrimmon, born 1570. It is unlikely that Donald Mor would have composed a celebratory birth tune retrospectively. If Donald Mor did compose the tune on the birth of a MacLeod heir, it could have been for Iain Mor, born 1595, or, for Roderick, born in 1635.

In any case, the tune is a celebration of new life and should be played as such’

With the evening back on track and the round ball consigned to the trashcan Nils Michaels took to the floor with a wee glint in his eye.

No Tam or Iain Speirs in the audience = Nils off the leash.

He warmed the pipe up with the 6/8 marches Martin Kessler (composed by Arthur Gillies) and Perth and Bloom. He then gave us Bonnie Ann, The Abercairney Highlanders and Jimmy Young. Nils played the little heard setting of Abercairney made famous by Tam S. some years ago.

Nils then launched into Gordon Duncan’s High Drive, followed by Phil Cunningham’s Horseshoe Reel. Not quite Guy Fawkes night by there were early fireworks on display here. He closed to rapturous applause and cheers.

And that was the evening’s evening.

Before the masses departed the President announced that he would host the second committee meeting of the Society in his house after the MacColl and MacColl recital on Sunday 21^st. Someone suggested a game of golf in the morning followed by lunch. The perfect Sunday? Almost.

It was announced that the first meetings minutes, held some two years ago, would not be available for perusal and adoption as everyone got so intoxicated that none were taken and no one could remember what was discussed.

The committee members were warned to be on their best behavior this time round and not to take advantage of the copious amounts of G and T at the Hon Pres. hoose. Jenny said she would ensure minutes were taken and diversity was observed. As adult homosapiens will power and moral fiber would be expected.

The minutes of the second meeting will no doubt be promulgated to the membership in the fullness of time.

The Perfect Sunday

Euan Anderson

Hon PM

PS I will not be with you for the next couple of meetings as I am off to Oz for a sabbatical. Please come along and support the Society.

Match Report 2nd October 2012

The evening got under way with the PM opening up with some 5 or 6 6/8 marches before moving onto a couple of slow airs. He finished off his stint with 2x 2/4 marches Hugh Kennedy and Craig-n Darroch. Having rested the pipe he set about finding his first victim of the evening……………

Robert Ross

Next up was first timer Robert Ross who is an Edinburgh lad and a product of the Craigmount High School pipe band system. Once the pipe had settled Robert gave us the MSR, The Links of Forth, Susan McLeod and McAlister’s Dirk. He then finished off with a somewhat innovative set of jigs including the Masons Apron and The Highland Wedding. Both were his own arrangements.  (He confessed later on that he hadn’t finished them yet!)   ‘Really’?

The new Ayrfir

Once I had finished with the Dyson hoovering up Robbie’s gracenotes Cameron Drummond took to the floor. Now what makes a good bagpipe great? An argument with perhaps no satisfying outcome but Rosie was on the new AyrFire chanter resplendent with a brand new silver sole. A new Colin MacLellan reed was the order of the evening and once a few bits of tape were adjusted Cameron settled into a masterful wee recital. The chanter had a Roddy McLeod-esk ring to the high A and one the benefits to this new chanter is the ability to get a piobaireachd high G without all the usual hassle.  Included in Cameron’s spot were The Braes of Castle Grant, The Marchioness of Tullibardine, Piper’s Bonnet and The Little Cascade. Arrangements were then made for a game of Sunday golf. What better way to spend a Sunday?

on fire?

Does a silver sole aid the chanter sound in any way? Oh and does it have to rattle when you shake it? Maybees aye, maybees naw but the silver sole is making a comeback-maybe?

The pre pie piper was Nils Michaels who started off with the great slow air Samantha’s Lullaby, a tune composed by Authur Gillies who taught Nils many years ago in Germany. Nils finished off with Mrs John McColl, Dorritor Bridge and The Brown Haired Maiden.

The post pie piper was Andrew Gray aka High Tower. Andrew was in fine form giving us a variety of light music before finishing with the Fred Morrison tune Mark Sheridan and another reel La Celta Nostra.

Next for shaving was James Gore whom I am pleased to say is becoming a regular visitor. Once the pipe was settled he rattled out The Knightswood Ceilidh, The Pipers Bonnet and Charlie’s Welcome. He finished with one of his own compositions P/M Norman Dodds (his teacher) followed by Kyle Warrens- Golden Brown.

James Gore

Douglas Gardiner was off match report duties this evening but on the Piobaireachd detail. Douglas tiptoed his way through several sets of light music including the MSR The Glenfinnan Highland Gathering, Caledonian Society of London and Bessie McIntyre. On a very solid pipe he then produced a lovely, musical Duntroon’s (McDonald’s) Salute. He played so well that he ran outside took off all his clothes and jumped in the sea-oh no, apologies that was Oban.

Douglas Gardiner

However the feast of piping was not over as Lachie Dick was keen to put some air through the pipe. On a big instrument he gave us a couple of 2/4 marches, The Clan McColl and Mrs John McColl and finished with a couple of jigs The Geese in the Bog and Donella Beaton.

And that was the evenings evening.

A date for the diary: Sunday 21^st October-Scots Guards Club 16.00hrs.  The father and son recital, Angus and Angus MacColl.

Hope to see you all on the 16^th.

Lothian and Borders NYC

Euan Anderson

MATCH REPORT – 18th SEPTEMBER 2012

Eagles tonight provided the perfect tonic to any post competition season blues with two very special performances.

RJ and the PM warm thing up

As usual, the Hon P/M opened proceedings having thankfully ditched the plain clothes look.

We then welcomed RJ from Las Vegas making his first public performance.  RJ has been visiting Scotland with his girlfriend Sam.  After a visit to Borreraig on Skye, Sam is now RJ’s fiancée.  Hopefully the magic of the MacCrimmons doesn’t wear off on the long flight back to the Nevada desert.

RJ (and Sam)

To break RJ in the PM had a couple of tunes with him before RJ went solo and played the 6/8s Fort Augustus Volunteers and Braemar Gathering followed by the ground of Lament for Mary MacLeod.  The latter was particularly enjoyable with RJ’s Strathmores set up beautifully.  For a debut, this was outstanding.

Robert Gray

Next up was the more seasoned and weather worn, Robert Gray.  His appearances at Eagles are becoming as regular and keenly anticipated as Chas’n’Daves’ Christmas Tours.  Robert also has a back catalogue to rival the cockney duo and gave us, amongst other tunes, Dr Ross’s 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering, Tug Argan Gap and the Seagull.

After the pie break, Dr Peter McCalister of Dunblane took charge.  The residents of Dunblane are very experienced with Andy Murray’s runner up status so it was with some excitement that they greeted Peter winning the Silver Medal at Oban in August.  Sadly no one was excited enough to ask Peter to join the open top bus parade though.

Peter was joined tonight by cellist, Iain McHugh of the Firebird String Quartet.  Iain is also a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  Peter and Iain opened with a couple of 2/4s followed by Dark Island, Islay’s Charms and Troy’s Wedding.

The Oban 2012 Silver Medalist

Their finale was Janette Montague’s piobaireachd Lament for the Old Man – probably the only piobaireachd written specifically for pipes and cello.  This was also possibly the first public performance of the tune.  The blend of the instruments (with the help of a small amp) was superb, producing a warm and rich harmonic. The tune, written about an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, captured the best of the two instruments and was a hugely engaging and enjoyable piece.  Many hours of hard work had gone into preparing for this.  Peter’s patients are obviously a fit bunch.

Peter and Iain’s performance will soon be up on our You Tube site. A very interesting listen

Douglas Gardiner

Match report 4th September 2012

With the highs, lows and jolly japes of the Argyllshire Gathering over for another year, tonight’s meeting felt a surge of adrenalin in advance of the Northern Meeting later this week.

The Hon P/M was unusually attired in plain clothes and attracted many admiring remarks over the quality cut of his suit.  Some said he had the appearance of a Royal Bodyguard.  Perhaps Prince Harry is recruiting.

Fergus

First up was our very own golfing and piping medic, Dr Fergus Perks with his harmonic Sinclairs.  The rain has obviously kept Fergus off the fairways as his playing and pipes were as good as we have heard from him.  He gave us a melodic selection of tunes including the Sweet Maid of Mull, Tug Argan Gap and MacPherson’s Lament.  His final set included the outstanding strathspey, Seonaid’s Tune, composed by Fred Morrison.  Fred has made a very welcome return to solo competitions although hopefully this doesn’t mean hanging up his reelpipes.

James Gore

Next we welcomed EPS virgin, James Gore.  James has recently moved to Edinburgh to work for a large discount retailer.  He certainly gave it Aldi tonight on a fine bagpipe showing the poise and skill expected of a member of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band.  A well controlled double MSR including Hugh Kennedy, Piper’s Bonnet and Stornoway Castle was rounded off with Gordon Walker’s Fiddler’s Rally – a tune with which James’ band have enjoyed much glory.

The Pre-Pie-(Piobaireachd-Playing)-Piper was Cameron Drummond.  Cameron is one of the strongest competitive pipers around and gave a superb rendition of one his Gold Medal tunes, The Daughter’s Lament.  Despite appearing in some manuscripts under two very different names, the tune has a keening despair that makes this title very apt.  Cameron was playing an Ayrfire chanter with a High G that was so solid you could have hung a picture of Big Angus from it. A Gold Medal is not far away.

Cameron

Amongst the non-performing ranks tonight we welcomed Honorary Member P/M Bob Kilgour and P/M Alan Clark of Ottawa.  Alan is no stranger to Eagles and this time even brought his fiancée, Cindy.  Alan and Cindy will enjoy the honour of getting married at St Margaret’s Chapel in Edinburgh Castle on Friday.

Finishing off the evening was Jenny Hazzard, also playing an Ayrfire chanter and sounding superb.  Jenny’s MSR of Bonnie Anne, Dora MacLeod and The Rejected Suitor (not Alan hopefully) bodes very well for the Northern Meeting as did her ground of The Lament for Donald MacKenzie.

Jenny

RJ and Sam. All the way from Las Vegas for a pie

Good luck to all.

Douglas Gardiner