The revival of the Lochaber Gathering Festival of Piping continues apace, with enthusiasm apparent from the increased number of entries in this third year, and from the standard of performance. Once again the tireless efforts of Allan MacColl and his daughter Kirsteen, strongly supported by powerful sponsors, ensured two days of piping competitions at all levels. The sponsors were the Highland Year of Culture 2007, the MacKintosh Foundation, Clydesdale Bank, Inveran Pipe Makers, and the Clansman Garage in Fort William. The last two, and another local sponsor, Leek's Taxis, presented individual trophies.

The first day, August 3, was given over mainly to the competitions for those in the under-18, under-15 and under-age groups, who produced some very good tunes among their number.

The piobaireachd competition for pipers aged 18 and under is for a trophy called An Tuagh Umha (The Bronze Axe). The Lochaber axe, a formidable weapon with a long handle, a long blade, and a hook the other side, is the badge of Lochaber. There are three trophies, which are miniature Lochaber axes in gold, silver, and bronze.

An Tuagh Umha was won by George Stewart, from Perth, with a very good performance of MacCrimmon's Sweetheart, also known as Maol Donn (the pretty hornless one), said to refer to the loss of a favourite and valuable cow.

Second was Carolyn McKey, who gave a very nice performance of the Fraser setting of Sir Ewin Cameron of Lochiel's Salute. Raymond Kennedy took third prize, with The Lament for the Old Sword. Fourth prize went to William Brown, who played Isabel MacKay.

The judge for this event was Iain MacFadyen.

George Stewart went on to take first prize in each of the other two 18 and under competitions, the march, strathspey and reel, and the hornpipe and jig.

Carolyn McKee was also placed in all of them, taking third prize in the march, strathspey and reel and fourth in the hornpipe and jig. Raymond Kennedy was fourth in the march, strathspey and reel, and second in the hornpipe and jig. Andrew Travers took second prize in the march, strathspey and reel, and came third in the hornpipe and jig.

The judge for both events was Dugald MacNeil.

There were the same three events for those of 15 and under. The piobaireachd event, for the Dugald MacColl trophy, was won by Scott MacLean from Kilmartin in Argyll, who played The Massacre of Glencoe. The same tune was played by Billy Stewart, from Fife, for second place. Connor Sinclair, who was, I believe, for the second year, the youngest competitor, came third, playing The Company's Lament. In fourth place, David Stewart played The Lament for Donald of Laggan.

Billy Stewart took first prize in both the march, strathspey and reel and the hornpipe and jig for those of 15 years and under. Scott MacLean took second prize in the march, strathspey and reel, and third in the hornpipoe and jig. Connor Sinclair was third in the march strathspey and reel, with Ewen Henderson fourth, and Ewen Henderson was third in the hornpipe and jig with David Stewart fourth.

Both events were judged by James MacGregor.