Douglas Murray Stands Down at Fife Police

Announcement from the Leadership Team of Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band: ‘Regrettably we announce that Pipe Major Douglas Murray has informed the band of his decision to step back as Pipe Major, but will remain as a playing member to support transition of leadership. ‘P/M Murray has led the band since July 2013 establishing its reputation for excellence in music and achieving regular top six finishes in major championships in…

RSPBA History: The Hallmark of a Solo Piper is Piobaireachd, But What Use Does it Serve Pipe Bands?

We continue with our look back at the history of the RSPBA as described in an edition of the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association, demonstrates the misguided thinking which set the Association’s attitude to classical pipe music for 40 years, an attitude only overcome relatively recently. As ever, Mr Whitelaw is refreshingly outspoken, and…

The SPBA’s Post-War History: The Problem With Massed Bands and With Teaching

We continue with our look back at the history of the RSPBA. This is from the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, was appointed Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association in 1948. Mr Whitelaw was refreshingly outspoken in his assessment on how the Association needed to develop. The photo below is of the massed bands at Cowal in 1950. Before passing…

Changes Which Were Needed in the Post WW2 Scottish Pipe Band Association

This is from the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author was appointed President of the SPBA in 1947, and during the year until February 1948 carried out the duties of President and Secretary. On the latter date he was appointed Secretary of the Association. He points to a burgeoning number of contests post WW2 and the need for more money and teaching for bands. In the photograph…

Official Aboyne Games Announcement/ Early Bird Schools Offer from Piping Live!

The promoters of Aboyne Highland Games have sent this… Traditional musicians are being given the opportunity to perform this summer in virtual competitions organised by Aboyne Highland Games. The Aberdeenshire event, like most Highland Games across Scotland, has been cancelled again in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.  However, the event’s organising committee, determined to give solo pipers and fiddle players a stage on which to play competitively this year,…