A comment has been made about Iain McLeod, five times winner of the Worlds with Edinburgh City / Lothian and Borders Police, refusing to judge for the RSPBA because he was asked to ‘quantify his experience’ as our correspondent put it.
From what I remember it was more than that. He and other leading men of the time (late ’70s, early ’80s), RG Hardie, John Weatherston, were also asked to sit exams before being allowed the pencil and clipboard.
They saw this as insulting and thus their considerable experience and knowledge was lost to the Association. There were faults on both sides. Their sensitivities should have been appreciated and an accommodation made. But JK MacAllister, the man behind the new exams regime, would hear none of it.
For their part, McLeod, Hardie and Weatherston should have realised that some form of formal training and qualification for pipe band judges was a good thing and swallowed at least part of their pride. Had they been offered a fast track then the problem could have been overcome.
I think that is the main thrust of Ian Plunkett’s article of last week. There didn’t seem to be any problem in Terry Lee and Ross Walker, Grade 1 championship pipe majors, joining the judging cadre a few years back. Thank goodness for that.
Rules may have changed since then and you might like to read Robert Mathieson’s article on the RSPBA website for clues.
Lewis & Harris News
Katie Laing: Lewis and Harris Piping Society will host a recital by 2024 P/M Donald MacLeod Invitational winner Alasdair Henderson next Friday, October 4, in the Caladh Hotel, Stornoway, at 7.30pm.
Alasdair will judge the annual Western Isles junior competition in the Sir E Scott School in Tarbert the next day, Oct 5. The competition needs to start promptly at 9am to allow those from the southern isles time to get back to Leverburgh for the last ferry home.
Next year’s Donald MacLeod competition, traditionally held on the first weekend in April, has been moved to the last weekend in March to avoid a clash with Tartan Week in New York. Two of the invitees are committed to attending the US event.
The Society plans to hold a further two recitals early in 2025. Details in due course.
RSPS 1978
Alasdair Craig: I write re your photograph with the caption, ‘Robert Frater …… can be seen third from the right in this picture of the prizewinners at the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society contest in 1978. We would be obliged if someone could forward any other names.’
The photograph features my late father Dr Leslie M. Craig to the extreme left and I believe the late Sandy MacPherson (Sheriff of Hamilton) to the extreme right.
Thank you very much for that Alasdair. Other names I may have correct are: GB Murray (3rd from left), James Burnett (5th from left), Lord Thurso on JB’s left, behind him, tallest, brothers John and Robert Frater, third from right their father Dr Frater, and to his left Ian K Murray, then Sheriff Sandy.
Letters
Chris McPheat: Firstly Robert, I would just like to thank you on your intermediate book; it has been a great help to me in my piping journey!
I remember as a young lad at my grandfather’s house in Redding, Falkirk, listening to my uncle John Rennie play the pipes. I believe he was a member of Muirheads for a short while but chose football instead of piping. Do you remember him?
Sorry Chris, no knowledge of a John Rennie at Muirheads but some other reader/ former member may have information.
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Stuart Herron: I watched World Pipe Band Championships 2024 on TV. Was the introductory tune played by the massed bands the 25th KOSB’s Farewell to Meerut? If so, my great-grandfather, Pipe Major John Balloch, wrote it.
Haven’t seen the programme yet Stuart so can’t answer. Usually the massed bands play Highland Laddie as the Salute to the Chieftain.
