Success for Tain young piper

At the recent Argyllshire Gathering held in Oban, 17 year old Tain Royal Academy pupil, Cameron MacDougall, achieved unprecedented success by winning the MacGregor Memorial competition.   

This prestigious competition which was open to pipers under the age of 22, attracted 24 competitors. Having submitted a programme of four piobaireachd, the top 6 young pipers went through to the final where they have to play a different piobaireachd to the one they performed in the heat.   

A dedicated and talented piper Cameron begun learning chanter in Primary 5 at Hilton of Cadboll Primary and continues his tuition with The Highland Council’s Piping Instructor Niall Matheson.  A former member of Ross & Cromarty Pipes and Drums and currently a member of the Highland Youth Pipe Band, Cameron is the great nephew of Major John Allan, Queens Own Highlanders, former Director of Bagpipe Music at Edinburgh Castle.  

The Highland Council's Music Development Officer Norman Bolton said: “Congratulations have been sent to Cameron on his achievement.  He is obviously a very talented and hard-working piper who is a credit to the Council's Instrumental Tuition Service, his teachers and the personal and family dedication given to his piping development."  

Cameron is now eligible to compete in the senior piobaireachd competition at next year’s Argyll-shire Gathering and also the Northern Meeting competition in Inverness.  

ENDS