PIPERS COMPETE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 4

PIPERS COMPETE

OLD CONTEST REVIVED

An ancient Highland contest was revived, for the first time since 1745 recently', when four pipers competed for the Bratach Gprm in the sixth annual piping and dancing competition, held at the London Scottish headquarters at Buckingham Gate, says the "Daily Telegraph and Morning Post."

It was the classic match of a competition lasting for twelve hours and including thirteen events. The prize, a copy of the historic 15th century banner of Alister Crotach, of the Clan MacLeod, was "given by Dr. Calum MacCrimmon, whose family were for generations hereditary pipers, of the MacLeods. Dr. MacCrimmon was unable to be present because of a serious motor accident. The last MacCrimmon piper was killed in battle in 1745 and the piping title has since been in abeyance.

Pipe Major J. B. Robertson, Second Battalion Scots Guards, the winner, was described as the finest pipe player in the world by Mrs. Flora MacLeod of MacLeod, chief jof the Clan MacLeod. After she had tied the banner to his pipes, he played again the classic MacCrimmon tune that won him 'the victory, the melancholy and beautiful "Lament for the Children." Pipe Major Robertson is thirty-two, and has played since he was ten.

KING'S PIPER SECOND.

The second prize was won by R. B. Nicol, the King's piper, who played another MacCrimmon tune, "MacDonell of Laggon." He has played since he was seven and was "finished" by the veteran piper, Angus Mac Donald.

Many of the pipers and dancers only left Scotland at midnight the day before, and at the prize-giving it was found that several winners- had returned to their native land.

A popular piper, who won many prizes, 'was Pipe Major Angus MacAulay of the Lovat Scouts, who was born in the Hebrides. Besides being expert in pibroch music, he specialises in tweeds and gives lessons in Gaelic.

The dancing was won by Bertie Robertson, of Edinburgh, who won a first prize last year and before that the world championship. He is only nineteen and works for. Edinburgh Gas Corporation. The foursome reel was won by the Ist Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, the Challenge Cup for Amateurs going to the London Scottish. Women dancers in •;this competition lacked the controlled neatness of the men, except in the case of the diminutive Elizabeth MacLachlan, of the Scottish Dancers team, who was deservedly greeted with much applause. . :■ . '. ■ ■ - . ■■-. .'■