Reader’s Letters: William MacLean and Lachie Bàn/ Muirheads and Bob Hardie

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Russell Gault: ‘I found the article Creagorry Blend, Lachie Bàn MacCormack and P/M William MacLean very interesting [read it here]. ‘I am a descendant of P/M Willie MacLean. His father, Archibald, of Raasay, was also a piper and hotelier at the Creagorry Inn, Benbecula. ‘There are still some extremely rare bottles of ‘Old Highland Malt Whisky’ produced by Archibald MacLean (presumably in the 1890s and early 1900s) to be found…

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Band Fees for Next Season/ SPA Juveniles/ CLASP Practice Chanters

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The RSPBA has announced its band fees for 2027. There has been no increase from this year.  Registrations are open and fees must be paid by November 30th or a 20% surcharge applies. Rates are £277 per band. This drops to £252 for juveniles. A new adult band must pay £302 to register and a new Juvenile band £277. Fees for overseas (non-UK) bands are £231 and £210 (Juv.) If an…

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Editor’s Notebook: RSPBA Chief Exec/ Toronto CNE/ College Summer School/ World Solo Drumming/ Con Houlihan

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All the indications are that the RSPBA has made an inspired choice in appointing Meaghan Lyons as its new Chief Executive. From what I’ve read, Meaghan has a wide business experience (especially in fund raising). We also know she is very good with people and has a thorough knowledge of the pipe band world in Canada, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Of course this last is not a pre-requisite of the…

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My First Trip to Canada for the Scottish Tattoo at the CNE Toronto

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The Scottish Tattoo at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) was held in the early 1970s in Toronto. It featured the leading Grade 1 bands from Scotland and Northern Ireland and a few from Grade 2, plus all the top local bands and others. Here Eddie Gorman, then a piper with Muirhead & Sons, reminisces… a Glasgow boy on his first trip to North America. The Toronto he describes may seem…

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Northern Ireland: Major Sinclair/ Irvine/ Banbridge/ Tullintrain/ Jack Seaton

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Major Sinclair Memorial have announced that Glenn Cupples (pictured above) will lead the band as Pipe Major for the 2027 season.  This follows an announcement from P/M Nigel O’Neill that he is stepping down from the role. In a statement the band expressed their gratitude to Nigel for his commitment and expertise over the last five years which has seen the band go from strength to strength. He ends his…

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