Another pipe band, the Vale of Atholl Grade 2, has folded. However, the name will continue with the organisation’s newly-promoted Grade 3b band. P/M Jamie Falconer has also decided to leave the band organisation.
In a statement the Vale said the decision to disband had not been taken lightly. Focus will now be on building up their 3b band with a programme of youth development.
The statement read: ‘The decision follows a period of reflection and consideration of both internal and external factors that have made it no longer possible to continue as a competitive Grade 2 band.
‘We would like to express our sincere thanks to all those who have been part of the Grade 2 band past and present for their dedication, commitment and musicianship.’
The UK pipe band movement has recently witnessed the demise of two Grade 1 bands, Johnstone and Closkelt.
Talk Piobaireachd
The Piobaireachd Society has announced that their popular series of discussions will resume in November and run until next April. The dates are Nov. 19, Dec.17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 18, Apr. 15. The tunes will be from the 2026 Silver and Gold Medal lists.
The first two talks will be led by Peter McCalister (Nov.19) and Mike Cusack (Dec. 17), both members of the Society’s Music Committee. Peter’s tunes are Lady MacDonald’s Lament and the Battle of Bealach nam Brog. Mike’s tunes are the Fingerlock and Beloved Scotland.
These important discussions are only available to PS members. Join here.
PS Diary Dates
Archie Kenneth Quaich, RSPS Rooms, Edinburgh: February 28
Annual Conference, Royal George Hotel, Perth: March 27-29
AGM (online): April 12, 7pm (GMT+1)
PS Summer School, Skye: May 31 – June 5
Silver Chanter, Skye: August 5
St Cecilia’s Recital, Edinburgh: August 9
RSPBA Fees
The RSPBA has increased its band membership fees by 5%. Fees for UK bands (if paid before 30th November, 2025) are:
- Juvenile Band: £252
- Adult Band: £277
- New Juvenile Band: £277
- New Adult Band: £302
For overseas bands the fees are £210 (Juvenile)and £231 (Adult). If an overseas band is a member of an RSPBA affiliated association then these fees are reduced by 50%. Payments after Nov. 30 incur a 20% increase unless from a new band.
Payment can be made via the following link: https://rspba.org/band-admin/fees-registrations/
Classic Strathspeys & Reels – Vol. 1 (A – F)
Some of the all time great competition strathspeys and reels are listed here. Each is played in full on the practice chanter by Robert Wallace. Firstly he goes through the tune very slowly at a practice tempo and then he plays it a little more quickly, closer to performance speed. Download your tune and then try playing along. If the tune you need is not listed email <a href="mailto:pipingpress…
