THE SOCIETY'S FIRST COMPETITION WILL BE HELD IN THE SCHOOL OF SCOTTISH STUDIES, 27 GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH, ON SATURDAY, MARCH 3.

Quaichs, medals and other prizes will be awarded in the competition which, to our knowledge, is the  first time such an event has been held for Lowland/Border pipes, apart, of course, from competitions for the Northumbrian Half-Longs which consisted largely of Northumbrian music.

This first competition will be open to members of the society only, although we hope to make future contests open to all comers. There will be four classes:-

Open solo—for the Hamish Moore Quaich.

Novice solo—for the Heriot & Allan Quaich.

Duet for pipes--brooches to be awarded.

Duet for pipes and other instrument, (other musician does not have to be a member)--Mains Castle Medals to be awarded.

Bagpipes used must be bellows-blown, with drones from a common stock, and open ended chanter, and should be of Scottish Lowland/Borders origin. Competitors must play a selection lasting a maximum of 5 minutes, playing being continuous with at least two tempos. This does not

apply to the novice competitors.

For the purposes of the competition, a novice is defined as being someone who has never before played in a solo or band piping competition, (subject to judges’ discretion).

Competitors should note that points will be awarded for appropriateness of repertoire, bearing in mind that it is a Lowland/Borders piping competition.

The judges will be Peter Cook of the School of Scottish Studies; Roderick Cannon, author of a comprehensive bibliography of piping; Jimmy Wilson, the society's Hon, President; and Colin Ross, pipe-maker and musician.

For any further details of the competition (for which there will be a nominal entry fee), contact any of the society office bearers listed in this newsletter