Oban: The Nerve(ous) Centre of Solo Piping

This post is slightly late - we have been fairly busy over the last few days. We will record our adventures in separate posts.

Many piping and drumming people reading this post would have been to Oban before so you know that besides playing host to the piping God's and Goddesses of the solo bagpiping world annually it is a lovely port village on the south-west coast of Scotland.

Our accommodation was very central in Oban with a lovely view over the harbour, walkable to everything and right beside a restaurant Cuan Mor and good coffee shop.

The night before the event we had the traditional catch up with the other Kiwis for dinner at The Olive Garden after which it was home for an early night before the big day.

The morning of the McGregor started with a big decision - what to wear? Maggie has recently had a lovely new kilt in Spirit of Scotland Weathered arrive from St Kilda Highland in Australia. She opted to go with her Robertson ancient for the event.

Once at the venue it was a bit of a long wait for Maggie to play as she was on 13th in her heat. We listened to some other competitors, went for a walk and then it was time for Maggie to play the heat. She played the Lament for the Iolaire and was happy with her tune. This was good enough to make the final. She was very relieved to do so. She received great feedback from the judges.

Again, another long wait until she was called to play the final as she was drawn seventh. More walking, fresh air and trying to clear her mind from the pipes and keep relaxed.

For the final she played Queen Elizabeth the Second's Salute and apparently played this beautifully.

We hung around to hear the results and Maggie had absolutely no expectations of placing as they other competitors we heard were very good. The judges were away deliberating for quite some time. When Maggie's name was called as runner up she was very surprised but delighted at the same time. For Maggie she treats it as "another day at the office".

ARGYLLSHIRE GATHERING - LIGHT MUSIC

The day after the McGregor is when solo competitors play their light music, Marches, Strathspeys, Reels, Jigs. This is traditionally started off with a march from the town centre up to the games venue. We play various tunes and hope we know them. A good part of the march is up hill and can be a bit challenging to play the pipes and march quickly up hill. The winners from last year lead.

Maggie didn't place this year in her light music - she was fairly happy with things until she had a bit of a slip in the Reel but was pleased with other aspects of her performance.