I wonder if the new powers that be at the Competing Pipers’ Association can effect some improvement in the appearance of those who take part in their online competitions? Piping is at such a stage of degradation at the moment that it is distressing to see pipers parading in ‘dress’ which is a visual contradiction of the quality of their music. Dozens, hundreds, perhaps thousands can view these online events….

On Thursday past the Northern Ireland Pipe Band community was stunned when news filtered through of the tragic death of 17-year-old Drum Major Rachel Lowry in a traffic accident which occurred near Markethill, County Armagh. Rachel was studying Health and Social Care at the Southern Regional College’s Armagh Campus having achieved excellent GCSE results at her local Markethill High School.  A rising star, Rachel was one of a growing number…

Ross Millar, Secretary, reports….The results of the joint A&P Grade round of the CPA Online Competition are below. The winners have given permission for their winning tunes to be broadcast [see below]. A&P Grade Piobaireachd – 10 competed1st Ben McClamrock (Ronald MacDonald of Morar’s Lament) 2nd Sandy Cameron (Blind Piper’s Obstinacy)3rd Ian K. MacDonald (The Unjust Incarceration)4th Alex Gandy (Edinburgh Piobaireachd)5th James MacHattie (In Praise of Morag) A&P Grade MSR…

I’m selling my set of Inveran pipes, writes Iain Marshall, Oban. The pipes were were hand made around 2012 in the workshop of master craftsman P/M Brian Donaldson. They feature African blackwood, imitation ivory projecting mounts, hand-engraved Sterling silver slides, ferrules and ring caps and are presently fitted with a Canmore bag with a moisture control system inside. This is a fantastic sounding set of drones, which would be an…