The Raasay/The Restitution Piping Competition- Isle of Raasay Distillery – 7th September 2024

We’re very proud to be hosting and sponsoring The Raasay Piping Competition, devised by Hamish Moore and supported by The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust. This isn’t your ‘traditional’ piping event – the aim is to reconnect piping with its Gaelic heart and soul. First prize will be a cask of Isle of Raasay whisky!

We predict this will be a lively and joyous affair, so book now and jig your socks off.

• 10.00 am. Introduction followed by a talk given by Hugh Cheape on The MacKays of Raasay.
• 10.30 – 12.00 Competition first half.
• 12.00 – 14.00 – Lunch in Raasay Distillery.
• 14.00 – 15.30 – Competition second half.
• 15.30 onwards. Drinks Reception/Whisky Tasting in Raasay Distillery during which it is hoped that a session of music will break out which will, inevitably, ‘lead to dancing’.Ferry Departures –
• 17.00 – 18.05 or even 20.30.

Piping Competition Competitors:

Piping has, over time, consistently been losing connections with its Gaelic roots. This connection was once central to, and at the heart of, how our music was interpreted and played. It is hoped that this competition will significantly contribute to reconnecting piping with its Gaelic roots and grow in popularity and significance year by year.A slow air seann nós style or a piobaireachd song followed by a selection of Dance Music (Strathspeys and Reels) to be played with a tempo and rhythm suitable to be danced to by a hard shoe percussive Scottish step dancer.