Reader Michael Dunn has alerted me to his excellent collection of early, re-mastered, piping recordings. Click on the picture of Willie Ross to hear the maestro play Captain Norman Orr Ewing and the link below for many other tunes.
There’s music from the likes of JB Robertson, Robert Reid, Henry Starck (bagpipe maker), John Macdonald, Inverness, Glasgow Police under P/M John MacDonald (1945), and many more. Full play list here and well done to Michael for his many hours of work restoring these important recordings. He’s clearly mastered the re-mastering process.
On another note, Michael, who competes in Grade 2 in North America, writes regarding Jeannie Campbell’s book ‘Highland Bagpipe Makers’.
‘In addition to my work on old recordings, I have had a deep interest in the history of bagpipe makers – particularly Peter Henderson and related Glasgow firms. Over the years, I have repeatedly encountered references to Jeannie’s work.
‘The difficulty is a practical one: I am blind, and the book has never been available in an electronic or audio format. Because ‘Highland Bagpipe Makers’ is out of print and exists only as a physical book, purchasing a copy would not make it accessible to me.
‘I am hoping for guidance on whether any accessibility-focused options might be possible, such as a private audio recording of the book, or parts of it, for personal study.’
If someone in our community could help Michael please let me know and I’ll pass on the information.
Mull Games
One month to go until the games at Tobermory. The committee has been doing a great job in upping its publicity with a whole series of posters going out on social media. Here’s one:
If you’ve never been then I think you would enjoy it – and I mean pipers and followers. Thankfully the ferries seem to be running smoothly at last.
The piobaireachd board is in a pleasant situation under a tree. The light music and juniors down the hill a bit. Both are outside the busy main arena.
Piping judges are myself, Robert Barnes and Iain Hurst and it’s three tunes in the seniors.
- Don’t forget Ceres Games and also Drumtochty Games this weekend: 27th June Ceres, Fife; Jnr./ Snr. solos; P, M,S&R; entry on field; 27th June: Drumtochty, Aberdeenshire; light music only; entries on field
Neil’s Award
Thanks to those who brought to my attention the award of the MBE to Neil Clark in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Neil, from Falkirk, is a well-known piper, ex-Scots Guards and Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. He does significant work teaching piping and raising money for charity. Hearty congratulations Neil. Very well deserved.
Worlds Tickets
Entries for the Worlds (August 14/15) close on July 1. Last year we had 207 bands about a quarter of them from overseas. Be interesting to see if we can beat that total this year.
Tickets are now on sale. For the Grade 1 arena it is £42.50 if bought in advance and £47 on the day. There is also a transaction fee to add if bought online or over the phone.
I’m not sure how prices compare with last year but here are the rates for the Saturday (you can hear G1 from outside the arena):
As Glasgow Green will be a licensed event, no drinks, alcohol or soft, or water, will be allowed past security. Take an empty flask to fill it at water stations and plenty of money if you are buying other drinks on site. Ticket info here.
