A Never to be Forgotten Trip to Scotland

Back home in Oz and back at work. Now a brief summary of my August pilgrimage. After committing to play with the Hawthorn Pipe Band at the Worlds, it was a great relief to actually arrive in Scotland for the first time since 2004.  After dragging my sorry self (cattle class ticket) through Edinburgh Airport, it was straight to adventure number one: formally meeting Tim Gellaitry and spending the afternoon…

‘Beyond Highland Cathedral’ – Inspiring Pipers Gathering in New South Wales

Grafton District Services Club Pipe Band, New South Wales, hosted a piping get together entitled ‘Beyond Highland Cathedral’ on Saturday, June 13th. The meeting was inspired by those held a generation ago 100 miles away in Tenterfield NSW by the MacCabe family, writes Alastair McInnes. Many in Scotland will remember Lachlan McCabe and his brother who went round the games in the 80s. About 50 enthusiasts, pipers and drummers, enjoyed…

Pipers Gather to Share Memories of Iain Murdo Morrison’s Visit to Australia

A dedicated group attended Castle Dangerous (Murdo MacLeod’s manor) in Maclean, New South Wales, last week to acknowledge the passing of Pipe Major Iain Murdo Morrison two years ago, the virus having torpedoed last year’s initial anniversary.  In 1987 the local Scottish Society opened the purse strings and ‘brought out’ an unforgettable touring party: Iain, singer Kathleen MacDonald and accordionist the late Tommy Darky who died in 2021. All were…