This was the third year in which the Northern Meeting piping competitions were held at Aviemore, the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness not yet being ready for business, although a notice in the programme advertised a coming performance of Peter Pan opening on December 6. However, in his closing remarks, Richard Cameron, Piping Convener, left a question mark over next year’s venue. Time will tell.

The second of the competitions for the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal has been a feature of the Northern Meeting since 1887. This year, at the Northern Meeting all the eight tunes in the set list were heard three or four times each, but as it happened only three tunes figured in the prize-list.

The winner was Iain Speirs, who gave a very good performance of Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute. The next three prizewinners were, second, Niall Stewart, with Neil Smith third and James Murray fourth. These had all played The Lament for Donald Duaghal MacKay. In fifth place, James MacHattie played MacNeill of Barra’s March. The judges were Angus J. MacLellan, Iain Morrison, and John MacDougall.

The Silver Medal was won by Margaret Dunn, who played The Bicker, yet another tune of unknown origin. A “bicker” (Gaelic meadar, the Gaelic title being Port a’ Mheadair) is a beaker or drinking vessel, but the tune has other names as well which seem to link it with the Sinclairs of Caithness. Second prize was won by Gareth Rudolph with his performance of Castle Menzies.

In third place, Jamie Forrester played MacGregor’s Salute, which may have been the composition of one of the MacGregors of Druim Charraig, one of whom was Prince Charles Edward’s piper in 1745-46 (see the account of the Argyllshire Gathering). The same tune brought Andrew Douglas fourth prize. Fifth prize was taken by Steven Watterson, with MacLeod of Raasay’s Salute.

The judges were Malcolm MacRae, Dr. Jack Taylor, and Iain Duncan.

The first day of the Northern Meeting also includes the A grade march, strathspey and reel. This was won by Niall Stewart.

The first day ends, as at Oban, with the march, strathspey and reel for former winners. Again, this is ceol beag at its best. Each competitor had to play two tunes in each category, which made a splendid concert of light music. The winner was Jack Lee.

The principal event of the second day is the Northern Meeting Gold Clasp to the Gold Medal, which is open only to those who have already won the Gold Medal either at the Northern Meeting or at the Argyllshire Gathering. This year there were superb performances to be heard of the formidable tunes in the list (see account of the Argyllshire Gathering).

During the interval for lunch, one of the judges said that each performance they heard made their task the harder. Stuart Liddell gave a beautiful performance of The Lament for Hugh, which he finished by repeating the whole of the urlar, instead of just the customary first line. This was a most effective completion to a great tune. Angus MacColl played The Lament for the Duke of Hamilton.

I doubt if that tune could be played better; in Angus’s hands it became really musical. It must have been a very difficult decision, to determine which of those two should win first prize. The judges decided in favour of Stuart Liddell. Niall Matheson took third prize also with The Lament for the Duke of Hamilton. Murray Henderson also gave a very good performance of The Lament for Hugh for fourth prize. Jack Lee came fifth, with The Bells of Perth. The judges were Iain MacFadyen, John Wilson, and William Livingston.

Iain MacFadyen won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting 50 years before, in 1957.