Dr Jack Taylor reports on Aboyne Highland Games’ innovative solo piping competition: ‘An excellent response; 32 entries. There has been one withdrawal so I am offering that place on a first come first served basis. Anybody wanting it should let me know ASAP on jackandmarytaylor@gmail.com or text 07999955386. Then complete and send the entry form https://forms.gle/noPNNJPjAboPXRYH7 – six piobaireachd, three MSRs. ‘The entries are split 2:1 UK/US, the field is high quality, so the…

If agreement can be reached the RSPBA’s World Solo Drumming will be moved to a new date for 2020, December 5. The change follows discussions between the Association’s Music Board and the hosts Glasgow Caledonian University. Interested parties are asked to offer their views on the date change by August 24. In other changes: A new Adult Section for tenor drummers will be added with the title of the tenor…

Two new books of pipe music have been published in the last few weeks. The first, ‘A Boys’ Brigade Collection of Bagpipe Music’ is by Mr John Shone and the second ‘Eat, Sleep, Pipe, Repeat’ is by Kyle Warren. All proceeds from Mr Shone’s book go towards the Boys’ Brigade, the movement founded by Sir William Smith in Glasgow in 1883. Mr Shone, a former competing piper and an active…

By Douglas Adam, Uddingston Strathclyde Executive Committee I am delighted to announce that USPB is creating an academy structure to ensure the long-term future of piping and drumming in the central belt of Scotland. With its history dating back to 1972, Uddingston Strathclyde Pipe Band has a proud heritage as a member of the RSPBA. The organisation is now embarking on a new chapter in its history to deliver a sustainable…

Piper Steve Rooklidge of the Shasta Piping Society in California has acquired a new set of pipes during the lockdown and is looking for some help with the ID. Steve writes: ‘A set of drones has come into my possession that I can’t identify and I wonder if any of your readers might know the maker by the attached photos.  ‘They are currently at Dunbar Bagpipes for restoration, and sadly no chanter…