Queen Mary Highland Games 2012

**OC Richard** · 19th February 12, 06:32 AM

Sorry for the quality of the photos! I was running around playing in a band, no room for a camera, so these were taken with an Ipod.

In the morning, solos. A young piper plays for the venerable R Shepherd (wearing trews, odd for a piping judge). Unlike most Games, the solos at the Queen Mary are held indoors, in a salon onboard the ship, and the various competitor's pipes can be heard to great effect.

and after playing, the judge passes on some of his half-century of piping wisdom (he took over Dysart & Dundonald in 1966 and led them to Grade One Championships in 1977 and 1978)

a "lefty" competes

The LA Scots, under the guise of The Long Beach Police Pipe Band, warms up

the drum section led by ginger-haired Glennie

**grizzbass** · 19th February 12, 10:51 PM

fun times. I love the bands

**azwildcat96** · 19th February 12, 11:49 PM

I missed watching the bands, but heard them out on the field! Love the sound of the pipes!

**OC Richard** · 20th February 12, 01:30 AM

More photos!

Solos in the morning... Martha Hall tuning up before the judge

Evan MacKay warming up

a Long Beach Police Pipe Band member playing for Bob Shepherd

University of California Riverside and the Big Boat

A couple Drum Majors

Kevin MacHeffner in his Scottish Pride Grey kilt and matching hose and necktie

Some sporrans on display, very interesting high quality handmade things

And as it happened, I met their maker! Billy Lang of McClintock Saddleworks

a gent in a wonderful Jacobite outfit. Look at the fantastic shoes and buckles

And lastly the Pasadena Scots with the strange "sinking Titanic" waterslide in the background

**cessna152towser** · 20th February 12, 04:48 AM

Excellent pics, thanks for sharing.

**Tartan Tess** · 20th February 12, 06:52 AM

McClintock Saddles are the best of the best. If he builds sporrans half as good as he does saddles you have quality plus!

**grizzbass** · 20th February 12, 10:26 AM

nice shots

**Alan H** · 20th February 12, 08:36 PM

Arrrgh! THAT'S why I couldn't find the piping competitors....they were on the SHIP!

**OC Richard** · 20th February 12, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Arrrgh! THAT'S why I couldn't find the piping competitors....they were on the SHIP!

That's what really sets the Queen Mary solo piping competition apart from most Games: they're in an elegant woodpanelled salon with fantastic acoustics and you can really hear the tone of the lovely pipes.

Grades 4 and 3 solos on Saturday morning, the Grades 2 and 1 on Sunday morning. The Grade 1 MSR competition is my favourite, and draws the largest crowd.