Author: Piping Press

John MacFadyen and Fair Hill Games / Archie Kenneth Quaich Entries Open

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

An Editor’s Notebook item last week featured results from around the Highland games in the US in 1968. One of the prizewinners mentioned was former professional piper and now senior adjudicator Al McMullin. He writes…. There are always interesting ‘stories’ that are not reflected in results. I offer the following about the ’17 and Under Piobaireachd’ noted in the 1968 results at Fair Hill, Maryland. The late, great, John MacFadyen…

More John MacFadyen and Fair Hill Games / Archie Kenneth Quaich Entries Open

The Transformative Sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe

Posted on      by      4 Comments

This reader contacted us after we published the article from Scotland’s History magazine ‘The Meaning of Bagpipe Music on the Western Front During WW1‘ My name is Robyn M Pio. I am a 70-year-old American woman raised by a German great-grandmother (who was born in Bremen, 1878). I now live in Chicago, Illinois, but my first language was German. I became a Catholic Francophile whilst living in France years ago. I am…

More The Transformative Sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe

Hope Rises for a Normal Season as Tickets for European Pipe Band Championships Go on Sale

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

As pipe bands prepare for a busy season of competitions in 2022, organisers of ‘Piping Inverness’, which incorporates the European Pipe Band Championships, are set to welcome a strong turnout next year, writes Jen Symington. After a two-year absence from major competitions, pipe bands from across the globe are ‘desperate’ to get back competing. Piping Inverness will give them the opportunity to compete when it takes place at Bught Park,…

More Hope Rises for a Normal Season as Tickets for European Pipe Band Championships Go on Sale

George Watson’s College Pipes & Drums – the End of an Era

Posted on      by      19 Comments

After 22 years of dedicated service teaching pipes at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, P/M Iain Simpson has announced that he will retire from his position in April 2022. Iain will leave an indelible mark upon the school and its pipe bands. The teaching programme has become one of the largest, and most successful, in the world.  On the competition field, Iain’s pursuit of excellence has brought many significant awards for…

More George Watson’s College Pipes & Drums – the End of an Era

Livingston Invitational Solo Drumming Competition 2021 – With Prizes for Pipers!

Posted on      by      3 Comments

My last judging outing was to the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships at Kilmarnock on the 8th of March 2020 so when my good friend and colleague Jim Baxter invited me to adjudicate at his ‘LIVI INNvitational Solos’ on Saturday, the 13th of November, I was more than delighted to accept.  The day’s events took place at Deans Bowling Club in Livingston and comprised two competitions: an MSR and an ‘anything goes’ freestyle competition.  By Peter…

More Livingston Invitational Solo Drumming Competition 2021 – With Prizes for Pipers!