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I almost never miss the Birnam Highland Games. Birnam is a nice village in Perthshire, Scotland. The place and name are well-known because William Shakespeare mentioned Birnam Wood in Macbeth. I enjoy piping at the Birnam Games because of the friendly piping stewards and nice compact Games setting. In one small grassy arena, you can enjoy the solo piping, the local pipe band, the heavy events, Highland dancing, and bicycle races. The games is also the site of the World Haggis Eating Championships. I've had some good success at Birnam over the years, starting with my first big trip to Scotland in 2000 when I won the Piobaireachd event, playing Hector MacLean's Warning. The judges were Donald MacPherson and Joe Henderson.  Donald is the most successful competing piper of all time, and a well-respected judge. After the results were announced, Donald told me "It's a pity there weren't more pipers here today, because you still would have ...