Testimonials

Thanks to the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, I have been able to get piping tuition with Dan Nevans from the National Piping Centre the last six months. Developing my musical capabilities and understanding has been quite a journey. Hearing the progression in my playing, the result of my lessons and practice has been surreal. Opening so many doors to new opportunities, and shutting the ones to old bad habits (or at least a lot of them).

Meeting Dan at a Highland Games made me realise what proper piping sounded like and immediately after the competition was finished my mum booked a block of lessons. However the NPC lessons are more expensive so money was tight to afford weekly 50 minute sessions, what I required to progress.

With the cost of living crisis, the probability of continuing with Dan seemed slimmer by the week. I had heard about the GDMT as Gordon is one of my biggest inspirations. His albums motivate me to push myself, he has shown me more from recordings than I could have ever thought anyone could. I would love to think that performing his pieces is keeping part of him alive and continuing the legend’s legacy. Such as when I played in Usher Hall with the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and again in Dunning, Perthshire, with Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey. And you’ll never catch me out busking without slipping in one of his tunes!

Although I’m not the same as other pipers since I’m in a wheelchair and use my hands reversed due to chronic pain, I feel that I have found acceptance within the community. Networking with fellow musicians from all across the world is something I’d be lost without.

Thank you GDMT for making this possible.

Many thanks for supporting the Vale’s junior tuition programme. Your award has helped the Association to continue to provide tuition and support for our young learners; this not only offers the chance for our young pipers and drummers to learn their instruments, but also gives many of them with opportunities that are not available at school. They form the life blood of the various Vale pipe bands – feeding into the social band and then on to the more senior competition bands in grades 3 and 4. We really appreciate your support and funding!

The GDMT supported Hoolie in the Hydro, which took place on Saturday 17th December 2022. The Hoolie featured some of the biggest and best names in the traditional music scene, including Dougie MacLean, Manran, Sharon Shannon Band, Skerryvore and Trail West.

The GDMT were represented at the 20th MG ALBA SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS at the Caird Hall, Dundee on Sunday 4th December 2022. A great evening of Scottish music and wonderful folk.

The GDMT sponsored the “Original Work of the Year” and the winner was ‘Talamh Beo-Living Land, commissioned by Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership Scheme’.  The award was presented by Chris Duncan on behalf of the GDMT.

Ian Duncan, our Chair, stood in on behalf of GDMT Trustee Ian Green of Greentrax, who sponsored the last award of the evening, the “Live Act of the Year”. Ian presented the award to the worthy winners ‘Skerryvore’.  A great cèilidh followed the awards with lots of dancing.

Bu toil leis a’ Chomuinn taing mhòr ag ràdh ri Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust a th’ air taic-airgid a chumail ri farpaisean pìobaireachd a’ Mhòid am bliadhna. Abair deagh latha a bh’ ann le tòrr pìobairean air leth tàlantach.

An Comunn Gàidhealach would like to express our gratitude to the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, who have kindly helped support the Mòd piping competitions this year as sponsors. It was a wonderful day, full of talented pipers.