Gourock Draw & Times/ London Busking Problem for Pipers

The revised draw and playing times for the Gourock Pipe Band Competition to be held a week on Sunday (May 10) has now been posted on the RSPBA website. The revision was due to a number of late entries. Adjudicators: Arena 1 – (Piping) John Wilson & Ronnie McShannon, (Drumming) Jim Baxter, (Ensemble) Gordon Lawrie; Arena 2 –  (Piping) Richard Parkes & Robert Shaw, (Drumming) Mick O’Neill, (Ensemble) Joe Noble.   PP…

Silver Chanter 2015, Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye

Details of this year’s Silver Chanter Recital/ Competition have been announced. Pipers invited are William Geddes, Douglas Murray, Roderick MacLeod, Stuart Liddell, Iain Speirs and Callum Beaumont. They have all accepted. Cailean Maclean, Chairman of the Skye Piping Society, is now the main organiser and takes over from Mrs Emily MacDonald. The competition takes place on Wednesday 5th August in the historic drawing-room at Dunvegan Castle, seat of Clan Macleod. The…

PP Editor’s Blog: GWoS Indoor, RSPS Champion, Spring Gathering, New England camp, Rab Mathieson

Here are a couple of pictures missed from the report on Saturday’s successful Glasgow & West Indoor contest at Coatbridge. They are of Adult Section drumming champion Craig Lawrie (below) of Lomond & Clyde PB and the other trophy winners (above). Good to see one of the ‘old stagers’, Eric Ward, putting his reputation on the line against the younger generation. I am sure the promoters appreciated his support for…

RSPBA Glasgow & West Inaugural Indoor Contest

This was a very successful day with a large crowd filling the main auditorium at Coatbridge High School, Lanarkshire, for the inaugural championship. In his address Branch Chairman Gordon Hamill thanked the local authority, North Lanarkshire Council, and in particular Mr Jim Park, Head of Music, for the use of the excellent premises and Mr Brian Robinson of Robinson Jewellers for donating the trophies. Mr Hamill added: ‘If you have enjoyed…

RSPBA Glasgow & West Branch Solo Drumming 2015

The winner of the inaugural championship held today in Coatbridge High School, Lanarkshire, was Craig Lawrie of Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band.  A delighted Craig received his trophy from Branch Secretary Maureen Gilmour.  Runner up was Eric Ward of Greater Glasgow Police who won the MSR section. Results: Overall – 1 Craig Lawrie 2 Eric Ward 3 Mark Hastings, Denny & Dunipace 4 Cameron Ward, Greater Glasgow Police MSR –…