Piobaireachd authority and expert teacher, James McIntosh MBE, has announced the release of his long-awaited book on piobaireachd. The publicity release reads: Introducing ‘Ceol Mor for the Great Highland Bagpipe’, by P/M James Haddow McIntosh, MBE. This is a collection of history and teaching, and Jimmy’s original manuscripts of ceol mor, presented in the Balmoral Tradition, as taught by P/M John MacDonald, MBE; P/M R.U. Brown, MBE, and P/M R.B. Nicol. 
The 140-page book includes the oral teaching lineage, the fundamentals of Piobaireachd, Piobaireachd embellishments, and a guide to good expression and performance, amongst many other topics. The final section of the book contains 70+ piobaireachds, notated as closely as possible to how they were passed down from the Bobs of Balmoral, with lesson notes included for each tune.
Of the book Jimmy, now aged 88, said: ‘It has been my life’s work to pass on what I learned from the great masters all those years ago. I am delighted that my book has finally been issued and I hope it will be of benefit to all students of ceol mor for many years to come.
‘After the deaths of my tutors Bob Nicol and Bob Brown my mission was to preserve and carry on their teaching. I feel I have fulfilled that mission.’
Jimmy was born in 1925 in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee. He has lived in the US for 30 years and is currently resident in Anderson, South Carolina. He is still active teaching pupils anxious to benefit from his knowledge. Among the outstanding pupils he has taught are Michael Cusack, Murray Henderson, Mike Rogers and Amy Garson. The book is available via his website.
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