Sponsorship & Award Feedback

The following feedback was received from those who received a sponsorship award from the Trust.  If you’re interested in sponsorship, please find out how to get funded.  Our sub-group carefully considers all submissions.

The Inaugural Gordon Duncan Memorial Kitchen Piping Competition

Gary West (left) presents the trophy to Craig Sutherland

The Inaugural Gordon Duncan Memorial Kitchen Piping Competition was held on 13 July 2024 at the 28th annual Skagit Valley Highland Games at the Skagit County Fairgrounds. Sixteen Open, Grade 1 and Grade 2 pipers competed. The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, the Celtic Arts Foundation and The British Columbia Piper’s Association sponsored the event.  The judges were Callum Beaumont and our Vice Chair, Gary West.

1st Craig Sutherland, Perth
2nd Zephan Knichel, Surrey, British Columbia
3rd Cameron Bonar, Surrey, British Columbia
4th Alastair Lee, Surrey, British Columbia
5th Aaron Stone, Monroe, Washington
6th Micah Babinski, Portland, Oregon

A video of the event, including an introduction from Gary West, is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93QpJUOtsZA.

“Kitchen piping” is a name made up by the late Scott MacAulay in the 1980s to describe fun, fast and creative Highland piping often played in the kitchen at house parties.

Year of Award:2024

The Raasay Piping Competition

The Raasay Piping Competition was held on the 7th September 2024 in Raasay.  This new competition set up by Hamish Moore was sponsored by The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust.  Twelve pipers were invited to take part in this new competition: James Mackenzie, Angus Nicolson, Michael Grey, Hector Henderson, Decker Forrest, Lorne Cousin, Duncan Nicolson, Simon MacKerrell, Ben Duncan, Ailis Sutherland, Michael Steele and Ciar Milne.

A review of the event by one of the pipers, Michael Grey, was published in Bagpipe News – see “People, piping and place: an extraordinary Raasay experience“.

 

Submitted by:Hamish Moore
Year of Award:2024

Lewis & Harris Youth Pipe Band

Lewis & Harris Youth Pipe Band aspire to continue our group’s development aims by competing at and representing the Western Isles and North of Scotland at as many pipe band competitions and events as possible. As an island-based band, the costs of travel and subsistence for band players and supporters is significantly higher than for other bands that are based on the mainland. All of the costs associated with running and developing the pipe band for our youth members, including travel and subsistence, are covered through fundraising and donations to the group from our many valued supporters.

We were delighted when The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust agreed to award us £1000 to help with costs of travel to and from the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow this year. Without this support we simply would not be able to travel and take part in competitions like the Worlds, and the players would miss out on the experience, learning and enjoyment of taking part.

The band did us all proud, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the final on the day. But they all played so well and will take the experience they gained at the Worlds forward into the next competitions.

Thank you, Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust!

Submitted by:Ross MacDonald
Year of Award:2024

Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships

The GDMT supported the Scottish Schools Pipes & Drums Trust who held the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships 2024 on Sunday 10th March 2024 at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock.  A day of competition and camaraderie, and a showcase for Scotland’s talented young musicians.

For further information see https://thechampionships.org.uk/ and  https://www.facebook.com/Piping4Pupils.

Year of Award:2024

The Junior Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE Memorial Competition

All of the competitors with both Susan and Fiona Macleod.

The Junior Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE Memorial Competition was held at the Cala Inn, Stornoway, on Thursday 4th April. A fine day of piping by eight junior pipers all from the Western Isles. The Lewis & Harris Piping Society said ‘We are proud of the fantastic eight from today’s Junior Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE Memorial Competition 2024’.

The adjudicators for this competition were Ian Duncan and Iain MacCrimmond.

Here are the results:

Ceòl Mòr

  • 1st Eilidh MacDonald
  • 2nd Innes Begg
  • 3rd Seamus MacKay

March, Strathspey and Reel

  • 1st Seamus MacKay
  • 2nd Eilidh MacDonald
  • 3rd Michael MacLellan

Hornpipe & Jig

  • 1st Eilidh MacDonald
  • 2nd Innes Begg
  • 3rd Mìcheal MacLellan

Overall Winner of 2024 is Eilidh MacDonald.

Overall winner Eilidh MacDonald, pictured here with Susan MacLeod, one of Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE’s daughters, who presented the prizes.

Many thanks to our sponsors, McCallum Bagpipes Ltd, Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust and Woody’s Express Parcels.  Photos with thanks from SandiePhotos in Stornoway.

Year of Award:2024