Angus Nicol 1933 – 2016

The death has been reported of Angus Nicol of the Highland Society of London. He was 83. Angus died peacefully at a hospice in London. He had been in poor health for some time. A self-taught Gaelic speaker and lover of pipe music, Angus was a fixture at all major piping events throughout his life. Of an Argyll family, he first attended the Argyllshire Gathering in 1936 aged three. In…

New Recordings from John MacDonald, Inverness

Piobaireachd lovers will enjoy the new additions to the PP Audio Archive added today, writes the Editor. They are of the playing of the celebrated master piper John MacDonald, Inverness. He gives us the ground and first variation of the Lament for Donald Ban MacCrimmon, and the grounds of the Wee Spree and MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart. Of the latter, I think it is fair to say that we would seldom hear the…

New Leading Drummer For Greater Glasgow Police Pipe Band Announced

David Henderson has been appointed as the new Leading Drummer of the Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Pipe Band following the departure of long time servant Eric Ward. A statement on behalf of Pipe Major Iain MacPherson and Niall West, Band Manager, was issued to Piping Press today. It reads: ‘Following consideration of several applications for the post, Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Pipe Band are pleased to announce the appointment of…

PP Ed’s Blog: Scottie MacLean/ Gairloch Results/ Brighde Chaimbeul/ Army Contest

   London and the South branch Chairman Walter MacGregor has sent this regarding the funeral of RSPBA Hon. Vice President Scottie MacLean (left) who passed away two days ago aged 98: ‘Scottie’s funeral service is to be held at The Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Stevenage Old Town SG1 3DB on Tuesday, 11 October 2016 at 1pm. Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family  may do so by contacting  Mr D…

The Northern Meeting Highland Society of London Gold Medal 2016 – A Review

Today, in the second of our reports from the 2016 Northern Meeting piping competition, editor Robert Wallace reviews the contest for the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal…. At 8.30am on the big day I parked my backside in the main auditorium at Eden Court Theatre for an eight-hour listen to one of the most important contests in world piping. On first (not easy) was Dr Peter McCalister playing the Lament for MacSwan…