My comments on the Lament for Mary MacLeod (see British Championships 2018 – Grade 1 Review) may have baffled some non-piobaireachd players in the pipe band world but you can listen to the whole 12 minute or so tune here (scroll down the page a bit) played by maestro Donald MacPherson and you might get an idea of what I was talking about.
To pick and mix ‘tuney’ sections of ceol mor is to misunderstand what the music is about. Playing selected portions in this way renders them out of context with the whole composition. They were never meant to be played in isolation from it.
It does not encourage piobaireachd playing to do this, it demeans it. Scottish Power are not alone I have to say. At a Piobaireachd Society recital at Piping Live last year or maybe the year before, we heard the same thing with some of our top players guilty. Thus we had the ‘tuney’ variation from Lord Lovat and snatches from the Lament for the Children.
Whilst technically pretty easy to manage, piobaireachd is not easy to grasp musically. It most certainly is not slow airs dressed up with a few weird bits of technique. You need instruction to get a proper handle on it and like anything worth having it takes time and application to fully understand and absorb. We do this great music no service by cannibalising it.
Isn’t that a great picture up top? We are grateful to piping historian Keith Sanger for supplying it. Keith writes: ‘The attached picture comes from the Glasgow City archive, piping as it was in the dear green place circa 1900. Notice, apart from the pipes obviously being borrowed from a right shoulder player, the built-in air conditioning for the building.’ Here’s the full pic:
Some of us noticed the absence of Leading Drummer Mick O’Neill from the snare section of Fife Police last Saturday. I hear that Mick has been unwell but hopes to be back leading his corps at some point during the season. All the best to you Mick and I am sure the lads and lassies doing so well on Saturday will have cheered you up.
Stephen Beattie of the Black Watch Association (Stoke on Trent) Pipe Band has produced an interesting new book of pipe music. The ‘Beattie Collection’ has 47 tunes all very well laid out. There is also a selection of photographs relating to the band and the author’s family. 
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News from the games. David Girvan writes: Hello Piping Press, Girvan Attractions, the organisers of the Carrick Lowland Gathering, are holding their third Juvenile Solo Piping Competition on the 3rd June 2018. The only problem is we are two weeks away and not have one entry and some of our usual competitors are elsewhere. Is there any way you could help us get the word out there or any suggestion how we can advertise. This is our online entry form – https://www.girvanattractions.co.uk/juvenile-piping.php
P/M Ian McLellan: Just a quick message to let you know that Helensburgh Highland Games are re-introducing solo piping this year. Just light music to start with and if they get a good entry will in all probability introduce ceol mor. The date is the Sat 2nd June. The contact is Sephton McQuire, mobile no.: 07739049176. He should be able to give you more information if required.
Check out the PP Guide to the Games here. I have also heard a whisper that Crieff may be re-starting their solo contests. Can anyone confirm?
An interesting letter from Duncan Watson re the article on the John MacFadyen double at the Northern Meeting from the Oban Times. Duncan writes:…‘John W Riach was the Pipe Major. He was known as ‘Carra’, a name given to him by Pipe Major Donald Maclean of the Seaforths. Carra was a piper in the regiment and was stationed for a period at Fort George. He become close friends with Pipe Major Donald MacLeod. As a result of this friendship Carra obtained set tune tape recordings from Donald….’
Two other letters concerning the article on Charles MacLeod Williamson are also published today. Read all letters here.
John Kelly reports: Winston Pinkerton, President of RSPBANI, launched his new chosen charity, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, at its operational base in Lisburn. Collections will now take place at the Province’s band competitions throughout the season. Mr Pinkerton said: ‘The reason I chose Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is because I personally witnessed their work when my nephew had a very serious motorcycle accident. This service without doubt saves lives.’
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