His Majesty The King has agreed to become Patron of The Piobaireachd Society. The news was received by President Robert Wallace in a letter from Buckingham Palace last weekend. It was timed to coincide with the first anniversary of the King and Queen’s Coronation.
In a message to the Society’s 1,000+ membership Mr Wallace wrote: ‘I am delighted to be able to tell you that HM The King has agreed to become our Patron. I received a letter yesterday morning from Sir Clive Alderton his Principal Private Secretary at Buckingham Palace confirming same.
‘Following the death of the late Queen, our former patron, there was a review of all royal patronages, a thorough analysis of over 1,000 organisations. I had to apply in writing stating our case for a continuation.
‘This has now been accepted and we will now be able to add HM The King’s imprimatur to all our letterheads and to the website.
‘This is a significant honour for the Society and it is thanks to your support that your officials and committee members are able to continue our work – work that has resulted in this royal recognition from His Majesty.’
Founded in 1903, the Piobaireachd Society enjoyed the patronage of the late Queen Elizabeth II throughout her long reign. The Royal association with piping extends as far back as 1842 when Queen Victoria appointed Angus MacKay, the noted collector and editor of ceòl mòr, as the first Sovereign’s Piper.
HM King Charles III has retained this tradition and one of his first acts was to confirm the appointment of his own Sovereign’s Piper (Pìobaire an Rìgh), Pipe Major Paul Burns.
Since its founding the Society has researched and collected all available manuscripts on piobaireachd. These have been donated to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh where they can be viewed and studied by anyone with an interest in the music.
The Society has published sixteen volumes in its music collection. It also publishes the Kilberry Book of Ceol Mor, the biggest selling book of this music in history, and many other works. Members can access a considerable archive of recorded and written material.
The Society was instrumental in the founding of the Army School of Piping and this relationship continues with the President of the Society a signatory of the certificates presented to all new Army Pipe Majors.
Membership of the Society is open to all. You can join here.
