This past summer had its ups and downs. Some highlights included winning the Overall Piper of the Day at both the Dornoch and Mallaig/Morar Highland Games. Later that week, I played for the first time at the Silver Chanter which takes place in the drawing room in Dunvegan Castle. That was a truly fantastic place to play and an amazing competition to be a part of.

I was there for the World Pipe Band Championships and thought Scottish Power's Medley was a return to form. I haven't played with the band the past two years, but their precision was sparkling and I really enjoyed the bands comparative clarity. It was a breath of fresh air.

The biggest prize of the summer was perhaps winning the senior Piobareachd at the Lochaber Gathering in Fort William. Although very cool, the Golden Axe will stay in it's case and not be used as a kilt pin as it is intended. I certainly don't want to damage it.

Oban and Inverness went well enough, but I didn't get into the prizes. Oban's performance in the Gold Medal was definitely better. I played the Park Piobaireachd No. 2 and I think got pulled up on some light crunluath work on D's. I'm continuing to work to be more articulate so the hands don't tighten up.

All in all, I'd say another successful trip, now it's time to regroup, recharge, and look towards a productive autumn and winter learning the new tunes for next year's list.