We are pleased to announce that we have just initiated a small annual donation to the Highland Society of London as a thank you to the Highland Society for sponsoring the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd competition. The competition is open to pipers under the age of 22 years.
Background
The first competition was held by the Highland Society in 1781 at a time when the highlands were still suffering from the reprisals imposed after the 1745 rising. The competition was held in Falkirk and both John MacGregor, who had been personal piper to Prince Charles Edward Stuart, and his son Patrick, took part. Patrick won first prize and John won third.
In 1981 the Highland Society decided to commemorate the competition and was given a very generous donation by Mrs. Audrey Jamieson, great-great-great-great granddaughter of John MacGregor. Since then, and with the help of other donors, the competition has gone from strength to strength. It takes place each year at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban.
We strongly urge young pipers world-wide to visit the Highland Society’s and the Argyllshire Gathering’s websites to obtain full details.