Month: January 2023

History: GS, Bob Nicol and the 1926 Northern Meeting

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The results below, and the photograph above, are of undoubted interest to all pipers. The photograph is of George S McLennan and Robert B Nicol, clearly at a Highland Games. Not surprisingly, the original photograph, almost 100 years old, has faded due to age and the bottom of it has been torn off. What you see is one considerably enhanced thanks to modern-day technology. I found the picture in the effects of…

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Early Experiment on Bagpipe Scale Yields Some Interesting Comments

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In an appendix to Layard’s book on Charles Keene there are notes on experiments into the pipe scale for which Keene loaned his pipes. This research and subsequent lecture by Dr AJ Ellis, assisted by Mr AJ Hipkins, ‘On the Musical Scales of Various Nations’, was reported in the the Journal of the Society of Arts, March 27 1885. ‘The Highland Bagpipe. It will seem strange to introduce this instrument…

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The Musical Passion of a Victorian Amateur Piper – Part 3

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We conclude our illuminating article on Charles Keene, 1823 -1891 (above), the Victorian illustrator, piper and contributor to the satirical magazine ‘Punch’. Excerpts are from the ‘Life and Letters of Charles Samuel Keene’ by Georgew Somes Layard, London 1892… I have to thank you again for the loan of the books which I am packing up for you and will send off today, but I would not practice from them,…

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Archie Kenneth Quaich/ Piping Centre Teaching Fees/ EUSPBA Top Pipers

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Entries for the Piobaireachd Society’s prestigious Archie Kenneth Quaich competition have now closed. Thirty- two pipers have put their names forward for the 25 available places. Officials of the Society will now conduct a ballot to determine who can play in the competition. It is to be held in the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society, Rose Street Lane North, Edinburgh, on Saturday, February 25th. There will be a…

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Editor’s Notebook: Scott’s Competition March/ Piobaireachd Grounds/ Scottish Pipers/ Pipes Plea

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Following Dale Brown’s recent piece on the ‘same old, same old‘ pipe marches being chosen in competition, James MacHattie contacted us with regard to a less well known tune he often submits and is asked to play: Margaret Anne MacLeod. It is by the late Scott MacAulay and seems a good going piece. Following James’s message, Dale has now kindly forwarded us a copy of the tune. Could someone oblige…

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