A new edition of writer Seumas MacNeill’s celebrated book, ‘Masters of Piping’, has been published by the Piobaireachd Society.
The original work was issued in 2006 sponsored by the Society in honour of Mr MacNeill, for 20 years its Honorary Secretary. It was based on a radio series he made for BBC Radio Scotland.
The new revised edition has been produced in co-operation with his son Rory and PP Editor Robert Wallace who is also President of the Society.
The book has 226 pages and covers the full history of piping from the earliest times of the legendary MacCrimmon piping family 500 years ago. From relatively more recent times, the stand out figures whose lives and careers are covered are:
John MacKay and his son Angus, John Ban MacKenzie, Donald Cameron and sons, Calum ‘Piobair’ Macpherson, John MacDougall Gillies, John MacColl, John Macdonald, Inverness, John McLellan, Dunoon, Willie Ross, Willie Gray, GS MacLennan and Robert Reid.
Each has a separate chapter with other pipers who were their noted pupils covered as well. For instance there is reference to the Bobs of Balmoral in the John Macdonald chapter and to RG Hardie in the Robert Reid chapter.
The new book also has a chapter from Rory MacNeill in which he describes his father’s work for piping from the family’s perspective, their home in Bearsden littered with magazine and book proofs, constant phone calls. Rory also recounts how his father’s honeymoon was spent in Oban during the Argyllshire Gathering.
Seumas MacNeill (1917-1996) made an outstanding contribution to piping. He edited the Piping Times for almost 50 years, was integral to the setting up of the College of Piping in 1944, taught hundreds of pipers and started the spread of summer schools in North America.
Through his work for the Society he helped launch the Annual Conference which has continued ever since. With John MacFadyen he founded the Silver Chanter recital/competition, and in 1974 started the Grants Championship, now known as the Glenfiddich.
Robert Wallace said: ‘Apart from Seumas’s other attributes as a Gold Medallist and winner of the four major light music prizes at Oban and Inverness, he was a celebrated writer and his fluent style is evident throughout ‘Masters of Piping’.
‘The BBC radio series of the same name was a high point in the corporation’s coverage of the national music. The scripts Seumas researched and wrote were the source material for book.
‘A new generation of pipers has emerged since its first publication. It is essential reading for anyone interested in piping history – as all pipers worthy of the name should be.’
Rory MacNeill said: ‘My father would be delighted at the re-releasing of his book as a tribute to him and as a lasting work of historical significance.’
- ‘Masters of Piping’ by Seumas MacNeill, edited and designed by Robert Wallace, is available from the Piobaireachd Society here. All sales go towards Society funds.
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