Schoolboy’s Weekend at Winterstorm; Dougie’s Funeral

Cameron McCall (14) is in Form III at Dollar Academy and plays in their current Scottish, European and World Champion Juvenile pipe band. He was third in his category at the 2014 World Solo drumming championship. He attended the popular contest/ workshop weekend ‘Winter Storm’ in Kansas City earlier this month. As his trip involved taking time away from school, Cameron’s father imposed a condition that he must keep a diary of his experiences that he would submit to the school on his return. Cameron did just that and managed to put together a very well written piece that pretty much captures everything the Winter Storm event is about through the eyes of a young lad. It turned out to be a wonderful weekend for Cameron and he was invited to participate in the concert with some of his drumming idols, an experience any kid would love to have. Other young pipers and drummers thinking of broadening their experience outside of the Scottish circuit might find Cameron’s experience helpful and encouraging. Read his story here.


There was a packed east chapel at Daldowie Crematorium today for the funeral of ex 214 BB, Kilsyth Thistle and Muirhead & Sons piper Douglas Elmslie. They heard the celebrant describe his life in great detail and she captured perfectly what Douglas meant to his family and all who met him. Duty piper was pipingpress.com editor Robert Wallace who played Lament for the Children at the committal.