Dysart & Dundonald Worlds Success and Readers’ Response to Historic Photos

Since the beginning of the World Championships under the (R)SPBA in 1947, there is no doubt that Dysart and Dundonald’s rapid progress and Worlds achievement was a first.  ‘The Dysart’ were upgraded to Grade 1 at the close of season 1972 and their impact was immediate.  At Ayr in 1973 they placed 5th, at Stirling in 1974 they placed 2nd, at Corby in 1975 they placed 3rd, at Hawick in…

Mull Games and the Ceannloch Pipe Band

What a surprise to see and read about Mull Highland Games last week in Piping Press. By 1965, I was living in Glasgow but had purposely not signed up with any pipe band.  The Games being in July meant I was on holiday in Campbeltown (it was the annual Glasgow Fair) and for several years I remained with the Ceannloch-Campbeltown Pipe Band to maintain competing numbers.   By Iain Duncan…

John MacKenzie’s Book Now Available in Digital Edition

Fifty plus years after it was first offered to the public, the P/M John MacKenzie collection of bagpipe music is now once more available as a digital download. John composed tunes all of his life, but it was in 1973, a time when new publications were infrequent to say the least, that he produced his ‘Collection of Bagpipe Music’. It was very well received, containing as it did outstanding music…

History of the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band – Conclusion

During 1967 the unrest within the ranks of the band continued and it was clear a number of members had decided to call it a day. However, to maintain continuity, the group waited till after the last competition of the season before amicably departing in as civilised a manner as was possible in the circumstances. The members were pipers James (Jimmy) MacLeod, Eddie McLellan, Finlay MacDonald, Hugh MacInnes, Donald MacLeod…

History of the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band – Part 4

The spirit of the MacRae goes back to 1880 and the 3rd Volunteer Bt. Highland Light Infantry (7th HLI), with P/M Farquhar MacRae in charge. Into 1913 it became the City of Glasgow Pipe Band, the idea of sporting Hunting MacRae tartan born from within its ranks, and then on to the final name change and the birth of the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band. Throughout the band’s illustrious existence…