Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Darach Urquhart


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.  

The result was Keep split decision on balance as pipesdrums is a commonly used source in other pipe articles like Ryan McFarland, the coverage is sufficient to address WP:MUSIC requirements. Gnangarra 15:58, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

Darach Urquhart

 * – (View AfD) (View log)

Non-notable piper who does not seem to have come first too often in any regional competitions, let alone major ones.--MacRusgail (talk) 18:31, 8 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Delete - does not appear to meet any criteria of WP:MUSIC PKT (talk) 22:43, 8 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Weak keep as references have been added. Bearian&#39;sBooties (talk) 03:51, 9 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Delete - NN and doesn't meet WP:MUSIC. Spawn Man Review Me! 11:44, 10 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Strong Keep. Urquhart has won numerous important prizes at a world class international level and is ranked well within the top 100 pipers in the world.  Both PKT and Spawn Man have suggested that this article be deleted as it does not meet  WP:MUSIC.

If these two individuals had taken the time to follow the links and research the notability of this article they would have indeed found that this article does meet WP:MUSIC. Particulary as the information needed to establish notability can be found right here on wikipedia I’m quite surprised that this article is up for deletion in the first place! Please see ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Meeting The Wiki Page). Then look at (http://www.northern-meeting.org The Northern Meeting Official Site)

Taking, for example the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban. Firstly this is an International competition reserved only for the world’s finest competitive pipers. To qualify for this competition in itself is a tremendous achievement as it is for the Northern Meeting, and places Urquhart well within the top 100 pipers in the world.

Entry to the Argyllshire Gathering see, one of the premier piping competitions in the world has rigorous entry testing based on track record of past results and there is no question it meets (criteria 9) and WP:MUSIC.

Now, not to mention qualifying for this prestigious competition several times Urquhart has placed 5th in the B Strathspey & Reel and finished Runner-Up in the prestigious Silver Medal for Piobaireachd. This gained him acceptance to the Gold Medal competition as he would have been graded A, after his fantastic result in the Silver Medal Competing Pipers Association.

Now please also notice that Urquhart has also been a regular prize-winner in the CPA William Grant & Sons B & C Piobaireachd league. He has placed many times in this prestigious competition beating off international opposition. See various links. Not only so but indeed Urquhart was victorious at the the CPA William Grant & Sons B & C Piobaireachd at Perth Highland Games in 2003.

Please also notice that quite a few of the links are to Pipes Drums Magazine. This is the world’s largest Piping Publication and is totally independent! If MacRusgail had taken the time to look through the links thoroughly he/she would have found this. To be an individual who gets published on PipeDrums Magazine clearly defines that individual as notable and newsworthy.

Now let's discuss MacRusgail’s comments and “reasons” for recommending this article for deletion. MacRusgail quoted “Non-notable piper who does not seem to have come first too often in any regional competitions, let alone major ones” Lets take the “Non-notable piper”. It is quite clear form the evidence I have presented in this discussion that Urquhart is indeed a notable piper! Don’t take my word for it just look at the links and make your own mind up. Now, let's take the second half of MacRusgail’s argument. “who does not seem to have come first too often in any regional competitions, let alone major ones” Again it is quite clear that Urquhart has won several major prizes at the premier piping competitions in the world. Again look at the evidence presented and the links provided to make up your own mind about this.

Whilst the competitive bagpiping world may be geographically contained, achievements within it are no less notable for that. I do believe the subject to be worthy of inclusion; in amongst the list of  achievements are prizes at Highland and Island Young Piper of the Year, an event which the BBC describes as 'prestigious' in a note about a previous winner - Griogair Lawrie  I think this alone qualifies this particular sompetition as "major music competitions" and is enough to satisfy criteria 9. Again look at the links to see descriptions of the other major competitions Urquhart has had major success at.

In conclusion I think MacRusgail, PKT and Spawn Man have all presented extremely weak arguments which are not thoroughly researched. I have proved every one of their points wrong here in this discussion! Don’t take my word for it, just look at the cited sources and you will see for yourself. A Strong Keep.Fing Yon —Preceding comment was added at 20:15, 14 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Comment: I used to be involved peripherally in the piping world. I have to say I'm not convinced. Thanks for the information, but I think you could have put it somewhat more succinctly... --MacRusgail (talk) 20:22, 14 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Comment: I have presented evidence which clearly defines Urquhart as one of the premier pipers in the world. Whether that is line with your ‘opinion’ or my ‘opinion’ is irrelevant and I will not be drawn on a childish “he said, she said” discussion.  Thank you and all the best. Fing Yon  —Preceding comment was added at 20:35, 14 December 2007 (UTC)


 * My opinion (and yours) is entirely relevant in a vote like this. --MacRusgail (talk) 22:06, 14 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Perhaps my last comment was a little ambiguous and did not communicate it's intended meaning. Let me put it another way, I prefer to let the facts do the speaking and from there, people can make up their own minds. We can all talk until we are blue in the face about what should and shouldn’t be on wikipedia but without backing up those claims with solid fact and evidence of notability or solid evidence to the contrary, our comments are irrelevant. I have merely presented the facts and evidence of notability through the links provided. Anyways, thanks again and all the best in the future. Fing Yon


 * Keep based on Fing Yon's compelling analysis. Fromseatoshiningsea (talk) 00:02, 16 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Delete Not saying bag-piping isn't notable, or that there are notable bag-pipers who have contributed to the field, however, in reviewing your analysis and article, I am not convinced that this individual is notable. Mbisanz (talk) 10:46, 16 December 2007 (UTC)


 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.