As a young man in his 20s Donald Morrison, South Uist and Aberdeen, was determined to make a name for himself in piping. He communicated by letter with some of the noted individuals of the day. This article is from a letter Sheriff JP Grant, Rothiemurchus, Piobaireachd Society editor and judge, wrote to Donald in 1957. Forthright and instructive, it makes compelling reading …. Dear Donald, To answer all your…
Piobaireachd for the Dr Calum MacCrimmon Bratach Gorm (7 tunes). This contest was held in the Caledonian Club, Belgravia, on the evening of November 5. It is open to Gold Medallists and of the London Gillies Cup for Open Piobaireachd. Eleven entered; two, John Angus Smith and Fred Morrison scratched. As regards other results please keep checking as these will be added as we get them. 1 Glenn Brown (pictured)…
In early 1972 Donald received the following letter from Bob Brown resident at Balmoral. It was prior to Bob’s trip that year to Australia to ‘check on what I taught them last year’ [1971]. During the tour he took ill and had to be flown home. Bob, pictured above left with Donald, died a few days after arriving back on Deeside. As the letter explains, Bob had been booked to…
A generation of pipe bandsmen and women has grown up since the passing of a man who was, at the time of his death, one of the best-loved personalities in the pipe band world. This is from Piper Press magazine January 1999…. The piping and pipe band world was stunned by the sudden death of Harry McAleer, former pipe major of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, at his home in Glasgow…
Gaelic music will be celebrated with live audiences once again across the Highlands and Islands as the Blas Festival returns to the stage next month – with an impressive line-up of traditional musicians and singers, writes Katie Mackenzie. Most weren’t able to perform for over 18 months due to the pandemic. Musicians including Capercaillie’s Karen Matheson, Donald Shaw and Charlie McKerron, Skipinnish front man and singer, Norrie MacIver and BBC Radio…
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