Author: Peter McCalister

Piobaireachd Society Conference Final Details

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The Piobaireachd Society Conference at the Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling, this weekend March 27-29. This local landmark is right in the centre of town, on King Street, less than 10 minutes walk from both the bus and train stations. It has a long history, the most famous guest perhaps being Robert Burns who scratched a poem on one of the windows. By Peter McCalister, PS Vice President Stirling Castle is…

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Entries Open for Archie Kenneth Quaich

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The 34th annual amateur Piobaireachd Society competition for the Archie Kenneth Quaich will take place on Saturday, 28th February 2026, writes Peter McCalister. The venue is the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers Society, 127 Rose St North Lane, Edinburgh EH2 4BB, starting at 9.30am.  Entries and enquiries to peter.mccalister1939@gmail.com. The closing date for entries is 12th January 2026. The winner receives the Quaich and the Piobaireachd Society pipe banner….

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Review: Archie Kenneth Quaich 2023

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The ever-popular amateur piobaireachd contest for the Archie Kenneth Quaich and Piobaireachd Society Banner was held on 25th February. This was our 31st contest – and in honour of that anniversary a list of the last 30 years winners, their tunes, and the judges for each year, was posted in every room.  For 28 of those 30 years we have been the fortunate guests of the Royal Scottish Pipers Society…

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Review: ‘Jimmy – Memoirs of My Life as A Piper’ by James H McIntosh MBE

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When I was asked to review this book of Jimmy McIntosh’s reminiscences, I was delighted to be able to read the story of one of piping’s modern legends. This was the man who was the first Glenfiddich champion, still playing ‘pibroc’h en bord de la mer’ at Cancale in his 90s, a teacher of my teacher, Tom Speirs. I should also declare one other interest – my own father was…

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The Glorious Effect – A Must Watch Film for All Lovers of Ceòl Mòr

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This marvellous short film was produced by the BBC in the early 1980s, and seeks to explain piobaireachd to the wider public. Not only does it do so from a historical perspective, but also from a performer’s, and the examination of the solo scene at the time is masterful. The film is 50 minutes long and there are interviews with many famous characters, and glimpses of others who are now…

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