Author: Archie Maclean

Pipers Play a Leading Role in Historic 1956 Visit to the Western Isles by the Late Queen

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With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last year, I thought some readers might be interested in the two tunes below. They were composed to commemorate Her Majesty’s historic first-ever visit by a British monarch to Scotland’s Western Isles. The year was 1956, and Barra and North Uist were just part of her itinerary.  Accompanying her were Prince Philip and their two children at that time, Prince (now…

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Inverness Games Results/ Stonehaven Games Results

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Excellent organisation by Inverness Piping Society for the 2022 Inverness Games piping held at Bught Park on July 16, writes Archie Maclean. There were two large marquees for judges (one for MSR and another for Piobaireachd) and seating out in front near the competition boards for audiences to see/hear the competitions. Audiences were large and appreciative. The marquees could accommodate competitors and judges if weather forced the competitions indoors –…

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History: P/Sgt John Maclean, Scots Guards, the 1930 Northern Meeting and a Tribute to Mary Queen of Scots

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I was interested in the Piping Press article (6th Sept. Donald Morrison Archive) regarding the Northern Meeting piping competitions 1930, which mentioned my father John Maclean (North Uist). Only minor error in the newspaper’s report was that my father was in fact Pipe-SERGEANT, not Pipe-Major. He was later Pipe-Major 2nd Btn. HLI. In the Gold Medal he, like Nicol, played Cille Chriosd (Glengarry’s March). His fellow Guardsman, Malcolm ‘Baggy’ MacMillan was…

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The Lament for Mary MacLeod, P/M John Maclean and P/M JB Robertson

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The iconic tune, Lament for Mary MacLeod, was the subject of a Piobaireachd Society tutorial given by PP editor Robert Wallace last month. There was a good discussion during the talk, some of which centered on the playing of high A instead of high G in the variation doublings. I’m most probably in a minority, but Mary MacLeod with the high A is my personal preference. To me, the high A…

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Bygone Days at Cowal and 1947 World Championship

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It was a pity Cowal Senior Solo piping was cancelled this year due to the clash of dates with the Northern Meeting competitions – but it couldn’t be helped. Just to rekindle some memories I have attached a photo [above] which might interest piping historians. It shows four Pipe-Majors taking a break from judging duties at Cowal. They are (l – r) Ronnie MacCallum (Inveraray), my father John Maclean (North…

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