Piobaireachd Society Summer School/ Uist & Barra/ Highlands & Islands Festival

The first Piobaireachd Society Summer School of Ceòl Mòr has now been confirmed. It will be held on the isle of Skye, the home of piobaireachd, from June 26 untuil July 1. The venue is Sabhal Mòr Ostaig the Gaelic medium college situated on the Sleat peninsula which is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. The school is only open to Society members and places are limited to…

Pipes for Aberdeen Pupils/ Lochaber Juniors Contest Entry

Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust: Aberdeenshire pupils are on the road to a life-time of piping success, thanks to an award of new, on loan pipes. Fifteen pupils at Meldrum Academy and Rayne North Primary will benefit from the award. Pictured are some of the pupils at Meldrum Academy with their new pipes, alongside their piping tutor Andrew Gray.  Linda Moggach, Faculty Head of Performing Arts at Meldrum Academy…

Senior Piper Claims Age Discrimination After Solo Contest Upholds Rule on Mandatory Jig Entry

Piper Brian Mulhearn is claiming he has technically been barred from taking part in next month’s Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition on grounds of his age. Brian (69) is pictured above. He says he only wants to enter the Piobaireachd section. The Duncan Johnstone has a rule that all competitors must play in the Jig events too. This rule was instituted several years ago to ensure pipers stuck around for the…

History: Pipe Band Association Meeting that Marked the Beginning of the International Movement

This article is based on the minutes of a meeting held on Sunday, June 30th, 1968, at the Leapark Hotel in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire. The industrial town had been the venue for the World Pipe Band Championships the day before. The picture above shows the Robert Armstrong Memorial Pipe Band, Northern Ireland, on the contest field that day. All the big names from the then Scottish Pipe Band Association were in…

World Online Contest Entries Open/ New Tune for Norman

Jori Chisholm has launched the spring edition of his ‘World Online’ competitions for pipers and drummers. To enter the band/ duet contest click here. To enter the solo contest click here. Here’s how the online competitions work:• Register by March 8, 2022• Video entries by March 23• Judges watch videos and write comments for every performance• Results and winning performances posted online March 30 Prolific composer Niall Matheson has written…