Around 100 young pipers from across the Western Isles came together in Harris recently for the Lewis and Harris Piping Society’s Junior Competition.
The annual event included youngsters from the Southern Isles, despite initial fears that low tides would impact the Sound of Harris ferry service and stop them travelling.
Once the necessary assurances were given that the last ferry back to Berneray would run as scheduled to take them home, a group of around 50 made the trip from Uist and Barra.
The Uibhisteachs were led by their instructor Domhnall Ban MacDonald and accompanied by several parents.
They joined a similar number from Lewis and Harris for the competition being held for the second year at Sir E Scott School in Tarbert.
The competition, which took place this year on September 30, is structured to reflect age and ability and ranges from a Slow Air on the chanter for beginners to Piobaireachd – as well as march, Strathspey and Reel; Hornpipe and Jig — on the pipes.
There are two age groups for the young pipers — Under-15 and Under-18.
Overall winner for the Under-15s was Calum Beaton from Benbecula, with Calum MacNeil from Barra in second place.
Overall winner for the Under-18s was Eilidh MacDonald from Harris, with Innes Begg from Lewis in second place.
The chanter sections were judged by Euan Cowan, who also judged the Hornpipe and Jigs on the pipes but the main judge for the piping sections was Callum Beaumont.
Callum is currently one of the best pipers in the world and had given a recital in Stornoway the previous evening.
Callum said afterwards: “It was a very good competition. The standard was extremely high across all the different categories.”
He added it was “always a highlight to come over” to the Western Isles for a piping event.
Callum spoke to the young pipers directly as they assembled for the prize-giving, giving them a few suggestions about what to focus on, including trying to tune their own pipes instead of relying on the tutors.
The proceedings were then brought to a close with a brief word of thanks to all those who had contributed to the success of the day from the Chairman of the Society, Dr John Smith — especially to Youth Pipe Band Director Ashley MacDonald who
had been in overall charge of the competition.
Dr Smith said: “The competition was very well attended and we are particularly pleased that the youngsters from Uist and Barra made it to Tarbert, in time for a prompt start
at 9am, and back home that afternoon.
“It is a 45-minute drive to Leverburgh and the junior competition finished at 3.14pm, leaving only just enough time to get to the ferry at 4pm.
“I think overall, honours were more evenly distributed between the two ends of the Western Isles than in recent years when pupils from Uist and Barra have tended to dominate the competition.
“The standard of play was very high and all the pipers were very smartly turned out in Highland dress.
“In the piping section there was a wide variety of tunes played which made for an entertaining few hours for the audience.
“Credit is due to the tutors for the standard of play, that was judged by the chief judge, Callum Beaumont.”
Ashley MacDonald said it was “a successful day” for the youngsters and added thanks to the judges; the ladies of the Youth Pipe Band for keeping everyone fed; parents for baking and other provisions; behind-the-scenes helpers Liam Campbell, James Duncan Mackenzie, Eilidh Young and Donny Galbraith; the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust and McCallum Bagpipes for prizes; Woody at Woody’s Express for sponsoring medals; Murdo and the team at Sir E Scott for setting up; teachers of the competitors; and parents and guardians of the juniors.
“Last but not least, the young people themselves,” she said. “It takes practice, dedication and discipline to participate in competitions and we commend you all.
Congratulations and well done to everyone who took part.”
Full results
Beginner Chanter: 1, Patricia Mallon; 2, Callum MacDonald; 3, Maria Beaton; 4, Ethan Murray.
Novice Chanter: 1, Mairi MacNeil; 2, Shonnie Beaton; 3, Sarah MacDonald; 4, Katie MacRury; 5, Calum MacNeil; 6, Francis MacLellan.
Advanced Chanter: 1, Charlene Nicholson.
Secondary Novice Piping: 1, Ciorstaidh MacLean; 2, Liam Beaton; 3, Lena MacKenzie.
Under 15 Piobaireachd (Ground): 1, Calum Beaton; 2, Anna MacDonald; 3, Craig MacNeil; 4, Alexander MacLeod; 5, Calum MacNeil; 6, Niall MacRury; 7, Katie MacRae.
Under 15 March: 1, Calum MacNeil; 2, Calum Beaton; 3, Alan Smith; 4, Craig MacNeil; 5, Anna MacDonald; 6, Alexander MacLeod.
Under 15 Strathspey and Reel: 1, Calum MacNeil; 2, Calum Beaton; 3, Katie MacRae; 4, Alan Smith; 5, Anna MacDonald; 6, Alexander MacLeod.
Under 15 Hornpipe: 1, Alexander MacLeod; 2, Calum Beaton; 3, Alan Smith; 4, Craig MacNeil; 5, Niall MacRury; 6, Fraser Laurie.
Under 15 Jig: 1, Calum MacNeil; 2, Alan Smith; 3, Calum Beaton; 4, Craig MacNeil; 5, Niall MacRury; 6, Katie MacRae.
Under 15 overall: Calum Beaton – Benbecula 26 points; Calum MacNeil second overall – Barra 21 points.
Under 18 Piobaireachd: 1, Mairead Gailbraith; 2, Charlie Shirkie; 3, Eilidh MacDonald; 4, Ruairidh MacDonald; 5, Ian Alex MacDonald; 6, Innes Begg.
Under 18 March: 1, Charlie Shirkie; 2, Micheal MacLellan; 3, Isabel Beaton; 4, Innes Begg; 5, Eilidh MacDonald; 6, Seamus MacKay.
Under 18 Strathspey and Reel: 1, Micheal MacLellan; 2, Eilidh MacDonald; 3, Mairead Galbraith; 4, Innes Begg; 5, Charlie Shirkie; 6, Seamus MacKay.
Under 18 Hornpipe: 1, Seamus MacKay; 2, Innes Begg; 3, Eilidh MacDonald; 4, Padruig MacLean; 5, Ruairidh MacDonald; 6, Charlie Shirkie.
Under 18 Jig: 1, Seamus MacKay; 2, Innes Begg; 3, Mairead Galbraith; 4, Eilidh MacDonald; 5, Charlie Shirkie; 6, Isabel Beaton.
Under 18 overall: Eilidh MacDonald – Harris 18 points; Innes Begg second overall – Lewis 17 points.