The Army’s Scott McCaskill (pictured) won through to the next round of the Scots Guards KO contest held yesterday at the SG Club, Haymarket, Edinburgh.
The large crowd narrowly voted Scott through against his opponent Ross Conner, Campbeltown.
Graeme Johnston Contest
The West of Scotland Branch of the RSPBA attracted a large entry to their annual juvenile contest held in memory of pipe band stalwart Graeme Johnston. The event was held in RSPBA HQ in Washington Street, Glasgow, last Saturday. The judge was John Nevans.
Results:
Chanter: 1 Cash Maclean 2 Jaxon Grant 3 Hugo Jamieson 4 Alyvia MacDonald
14 & Under 4 part March, 2 part S&R – 24 entries): 1 Travis McKenna Johnston (Dumfries PB) 2 Rory Forbes (George Watson’s) 3 Shaun Weir (Renfrewshire Schools) 4 Archie Leonard (George Heriot’s). Travis received a set of McCallum Bagpipes courtesy the sponsor:
15-18 Years 4 part MSR – 14 entries: 1 Charlie Mack (Fife Police) 2 Eva Graham (Dumfries PB) 3 William Muirhead (George Watson’s) 4 Harris Morford (Dumfries PB)
China Contest
GUANGZHOU, China – January 25, 2026, marked a historic moment in China’s piping scene as its first ever competition, aptly coinciding with Burns Night celebrations, was held, writes Bohan Cheng.
The event drew pipers from across the Greater Bay Area, including Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, as well as from Shanghai and Malaysia.
Organised by the University of Glasgow Guangzhou Alumni, in partnership with China Bagpipe, founded by Guangzhou-based piper Bohan Cheng, and supported by Catriona Radcliffe, Head of the Scottish Government Office in China, the championship turned into a vibrant celebration of Scottish music and culture on Chinese soil.
The judging panel featured esteemed figures in the regional piping community: P/M Cary Chung, former leader of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Pipe Band, and Tony Ma, P/M of Hong Kong’s Oriental Pipes & Drums and currently a trial judge for Pipe Bands Australia.
Participants reflected the growing enthusiasm for piping in China and beyond. Among them were promising mainland newcomers such as Khalessi Chen from the Nord Anglia Chinese International School, Shanghai Youth Pipe Band—China’s first youth pipe band—alongside experienced international players like Ronnie Hein and Pipe Major Inderjit Singh, both from Malaysia.
Despite piping still being a developing art in mainland China where regular access to instructors and Highland traditions can be limited, contestants displayed notable dedication and skill. Many Chinese pipers balance training with academic or professional commitments, often relying on digital resources and occasional workshops to refine their technique.
It is thrilling to see solo competitive piping take root here, bringing together local talent with overseas players on Burns Night created something truly special.
Following the competition, attendees joined in a traditional Burns Supper, complete with hearty food, poetry recitals, singing, and dancing—blending Scottish heritage seamlessly with Guangzhou’s cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The event was widely praised for its organisation and warm community spirit, signalling a promising future for competitive piping in China.
Results – Novice: 1 Howell Tse (Hong Kong) 2 Khalessi Chen (Shanghai) 3 Zeng Si Ao (Shenzhen) & Zhang Zhi Tian (Macau University)
Open: 1 Ronnie Hein (Malaysia) 2 J Joseph (Hong Kong) 3 Inderjit Singh (Malaysia)
Bagpipes – DN1, High Quality Instrument
The DN1 bagpipe by David Naill is a high quality, entry-level bagpipe in African blackwood, fully beaded and combed with beaded nickel ferrules and caps, imitation ivory projecting mounts, polypenco pipe chanter, Canmore synthetic bag (zipper bag extra – hide bags on request), with velvet cover and silk cords.
