So that’s the band season more or less over for another year. The piping world now focuses on the solos with major events at Lonach tomorrow, Oban from Wednesday and Fort William next Friday.
I suppose from the solo-piper-in-a-band-perspective the calendar works out well, but I still think it is a pity the bands don’t have Cowal or at least some other important event filling out the summer. That won’t be happening any time soon unfortunately.
Entries for Lonach are still open. Prizes in the Piobaireachd are £500, £300 and £200 so a traipse over the hills might be worthwhile. The forecast is good too. Contest starts 10.30. Entries on the field capped at 22.
Still up in the north-east, the prize money at Braemar two weeks hence is also right up there. £415 for first in the Gold Medal Piob., and £210 for the Marches and S&R. Entries in the seniors are, not surprisingly, over subscribed, but there are still spaces for junior pipers. Good money here too: £55, £45, £35, £25, £20.
(Back in the day you didn’t get money in the juniors as it compromised your amateur status.) Entry form for Braemar Juniors here.
School Jobs
Edinburgh Academy School Pipe Major Jonathon Simpson: ‘We currently have two job vacancies that will be of interest to the pipe band community. The Edinburgh Academy are recruiting piping instructor and a bass & tenor drum instructor to join their pipe band staff on a self-employed basis.
‘The full adverts can be found here. Please contact myself on jns@edinburghacademy.org.uk with any questions regarding the roles, or humanresources@edinburghacademy.org.uk for any other assistance.’
Angus Award
A busy man right now, but Argyllshire Gathering Piping Convenor Torquil Telfer, has found time to send us this: ‘The Gathering Trust is delighted to announce that Angus D. MacColl has been awarded the Bruno Schroder Medal in recognition of his outstanding service to piping in Argyll.
‘Angus has long been a standard‑bearer for Argyllshire piping, admired for his musicality, leadership, and lifelong dedication to the tradition. His competitive record places him among the most accomplished pipers of the modern era, with achievements including six‑time winner of the Senior Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering, five‑time winner of the Clasp at the Northern Meeting
‘For over three decades Angus has been central to the Trust’s Primary School Piping Scheme, founded in 1996 and now investing £60,000 annually for tuition across Argyll.
‘Many of these young players continue into the Oban High School band, founded by Angus in 2005. Today the band includes over 40 pipers and drummers. They were World Champions in 2010 and Champion of Champions 2025.
‘The Argyllshire Gathering Trust is proud to honour Angus’s remarkable contribution to piping, education, and cultural life in Argyll.’ Angus will receive his award at next week’s AG.
Glasgow Police LP
A few weeks back reader Ken Lawrie, son of Angus Lawrie, the late composer and member of Glasgow and Strathclyde Police Pipe Bands, wrote asking where where he might find a vinyl copy of the ‘City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band in Copenhagen’ LP.
Ken, over for the summer from his home in Australia, remembered a snapshot from the cover I used on the front of the Piping Times back in 2011, and was keen to find a copy to use in the book of music he’s compiling.
The power of PP once more did the business. Shortly after publication of his appeal Ken wrote: ‘I received a photo of the front cover of the LP from Fraser Clydesdale. Even better, Iain Duncan contacted me yesterday, and is giving me a copy of the LP, so thanks again!’
Iain, life member of the RSPBA and its former librarian writes: ‘The initial feature and cover was March 2011. You’ll recall I took the said LP over to Otago Street quite a few years ago where you scanned the sleeve.
‘I remember it was Angus who responded giving all the background to the Copenhagen visit and naming all the band personnel. It’ll not surprise you to learn I still have the LP and I’ve since met up with Ken and he now has the LP to take back to Australia.’
A superb digital book of pipe music… click on pic to order
Order by clicking on picture…