The Scottish Pipers’ Association Professional contest is at the Piping Centre in McPhater Street, Glasgow, from 8.30 tomorrow morning and is sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society and the Competing Pipers’ Association. Admission is £5 at the door which, as President Logan Tannock says, would be a bargain at double that price.
There are contests for all levels from C grade to Premier, light music and piobaireachd. This will be the 97th iteration of this old contest. It has been regaining much of its lost glory in recent years – long may the upward trajectory continue.
I’m struggling with the names on the picture above. It’s of the first meeting of the SPA in the 1930s. I think I recognise GS McLennan far left. He must have trained it down from Aberdeen for the occasion. Sitting in the centre at the front is Bobby Reid, and to his right, our left, is Sandy Forrest of the Torphichen band, and a pupil of John MacDougall Gillies. Further info welcomed.
Listen In
If you can’t make it along to the SPA there’s some good listening to be had on the wireless. Michael Steele, presenter of the BBC’s piping programmes, writes:
‘We have the recordings from this year’s Donald MacLeod Memorial, held in Stornoway on 3rd April. Performances include Finlay Johnston’s winning MSR, Glasgow Skye Association Centenary Gathering, Inveran, Cat Lodge, Piper’s Bonnet, Drumlithie and Alick Cameron, Champion Piper. Finlay won both the MSR and Ceòl Mòr events and the overall.
‘We’ll hear Angus MacColl’s performance of ‘Salute to the Few’, one of Donald MacLeod’s pìobaireachd compositions. Angus placed second in that section.
‘Other recordings include Stuart Liddell and Alasdair Henderson in the MSR and a hornpipe and jig from Ben Duncan and Brodie Watson-Massey. Ben also received a birthday surprise as he walked onto the stage, so tune in to hear that too.
‘Timings are BBC Radio Scotland at 9pm on Saturday 11th April, and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal at 10.30am on Sunday 12th April. Programmes are available for a month after broadcast on BBC Sounds for UK listeners. Non-UK listeners can listen live by searching BBC.com.’
Lochaber Pipe Band
Congratulations to everyone at the Lochaber Pipe Band who this year are celebrating 30 years since the band was re-formed. They’re having a buffet-dance to mark the occasion:
Band Reminder
Not long now till the pipe band competition season. Register for the majors on the RSPBA website:
Book Search
Avid collector Stephen Beattie has been in touch: ‘Following a recent purchase of piping books on eBay, I also found a few loose pages of music, not belonging to the books I bought. I am keen to find out which book they are from. I list them here, with the name of the tune first, then the composer and finally the tune page:
March of the Sutherland Men/ J Mauchline/ p29
Echo of Balquhine/ JG/ p29
21st Royal NB Fusiliers/ J Mauchline/ p30
War-Pipe is Sounding/ J Mauchline/ p30
Strathpeffer/ J Mauchline/ p31
Macfarquha’s Bed/ JG/ p31
Dunvegan Castle/ J Mauchline/ p32
Rock of Dounavertie/ JG/ p32
Tarbet Ness/ J Mauchline/ p33
Falls of Truim/ JG/ p33
Earl’s Cross/ J Mauchline/ p34
Sutors of Cromarty/ J Mauchline/ p34
‘If any reader recognises the book or books they are from, I’d be pleased to hear from you. My email is stephen_beattie@yahoo.co.uk.’
‘Highland Bagpipe Music’ by Donald Morrison – digital book
This book was first produced shortly before Donald died in 1988. Languishing out of print, it surfaced in 2021 following contact between Piping Press editor Robert Wallace and Donald’s daughter Sheona. Sheona agreed that it should be offered to the piping public once more at nominal cost, the aim being to preserve her father’s musical legacy. Donald Morrison was the complete piper a fine teacher, composer and soloist. He won the Gold Medal, the Bratach Gorm and many other top…