Band News: RSPBA Regradings Announced/ World Solo Drumming

The Association’s Music Board have confirmed the following changes to band grades. The following 35 bands have all been upgraded for the 2025 season: Novice B to Novice A: Burntisland, Dollar Academy, High School of Dundee, Strathallan School, Scotch College No.2 (Australia) Novice A to Juvenile: Dollar Acad., George Watson’s Coll., Renfrewshire Schools, West Lothian SchoolsGrade 4B to 4A: Altnaveigh, Govan Community, Kilmarnock, City of Discovery, Moneygore, Marlacoo Grade 4B…

Lochnell Intermediate Piping Championship Results

This prestigious contest for professional solo pipers aged under 22 was held yesterday, October 19th, at Lochnell Castle, Benderloch, Argyll, courtesy the Earl of Dundonald. The overall champion, by piobaireachd preference, was Cameron May, from Dillarburn, Lanarkshire. He is pictured above with (l) Ross Conner, Campbeltown, winner of the MSR, and (r) Ruiraidh Brown, Dunblane, winner of the Ceòl Mòr. Cameron received the overall trophy and the Royal Scottish Pipers’…

Next Year Marks Significant Anniversary of Composer, John McLellan DCM, Dunoon

I am helping to promote a very famous relative of mine, John McLellan, Dunoon, who made quite an impact with his music and continues to do so today, writes Duncan MacGregor. My role has been to promote his works and his life by setting up a tribute website. I’ve spoken to my cousins, Jim and Alasdair Henderson at various times and have their support with this project. It’s the 150th…

History: P/M Angus Lawrie, Oban Pipe Band

The recent upgrading of the Oban Pipe Band from Grade 3A to Grade 2 was richly deserved after a season which saw them crowned World Champions in their grade. Their founder was Pipe Major Angus Lawrie, ‘Old Toastie’ immortalised in the hornpipe of the same name written by his nephew, also Angus Lawrie. (Old Toastie’s son was Ronald Lawrie, Gold Medallist and former P/M of the City of Glasgow Police…

Nicol-Brown Amateur Results/ Lewis & Harris Juniors Results

The 41st Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Contest was held on October 12, 2024, in Rockville, Maryland, USA. Gillian Blaney, from Lower Sackville (pictured above), Nova Scotia, was the overall champion. Gillian receives a $1,000 travel bursary donated by NHSCOT Fund, a special Nicol-Brown McCallum blackwood pipe chanter, and a new Lee & Sons pipe bag. Runner-up overall Malachi Johannsen – $500 scholarship donated by Cathi Nixon (Tennessee) in memory of her father,…