The Piobaireachd Society Annual Conference 2025 – Another Outstanding Success

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It is not often you get to hear two superb, vintage sets of pipes in the one day. The first was John MacDonald, Inverness’s played by Duncan MacGillivray and the second, Bob Brown’s played by Dan Nevans. Neither disappointed. The occasion was the annual conference of the Piobaireachd Society held last weekend in the Royal George Hotel, Perth. Society committees met on the Friday night. The General Committee approved grants…

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RSPBA Report on their Annual General Meeting

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The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association was held at our Washington Street Headquarters on March 8th, writes Jackie Allen of RSPBA Marketing & Media. Delegates and band representatives heard that the year focused on restoring our financial position, delivering a successful season of major competitions, and developing our education and training programs. The number of bands in membership in 2024 was 366. The Standards and…

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Piobaireachd Society Announce Recommended Set Tunes for Oban and Inverness 2026

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The Music Committee of the Piobaireachd Society has recommended the following set tunes for next year’s Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting: GOLD MEDAL – Four (4) tunes to be submittedThe Finger Lock* Pride of Barra *Lady MacDonald’s LamentMacDonalds Are SimplePort UrlarLament for Airds*Fare Thee Well DonaldLament for Captain Donald MacKenzie* Crunluath a mach required. SILVER MEDAL – four (4) tunes to be submittedLament for the Castle of DunyvegNameless, Hiharin dro…

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Some Reflections on Changes at the Worlds

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Thank you to all those who have contributed to the debate over the recently announced changes at the Worlds, the main one being the decision to hold Juvenile and Novice grades on the Friday. I have a few thoughts to share in response. The problem with making the Friday of the Worlds ‘heats’ day – as has been suggested by a number of correspondents – is overseas bands. By the…

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Editor’s Notebook: Piobaireachd Society Conference/ Uist & Barra/ Tribute Band/ Scottish Pipers

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One of the highlights at tomorrow’s Piobaireachd Society Conference will be a tune from Duncan MacGillivray. Duncan will be playing on John Macdonald, Inverness’s bagpipe (as above). It will help illustrate my talk on John Shone’s new book on Macdonald entitled ‘Life, Times and Music’. (Available this weekend on the PS webshop.) Duncan got the pipes from his father Donald. Donald was a student of Macdonald’s and the maestro gifted…

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