Two new books of pipe music have been published in the last few weeks. The first, ‘A Boys’ Brigade Collection of Bagpipe Music’ is by Mr John Shone and the second ‘Eat, Sleep, Pipe, Repeat’ is by Kyle Warren. All proceeds from Mr Shone’s book go towards the Boys’ Brigade, the movement founded by Sir William Smith in Glasgow in 1883. Mr Shone, a former competing piper and an active…

By Douglas Adam, Uddingston Strathclyde Executive Committee I am delighted to announce that USPB is creating an academy structure to ensure the long-term future of piping and drumming in the central belt of Scotland. With its history dating back to 1972, Uddingston Strathclyde Pipe Band has a proud heritage as a member of the RSPBA. The organisation is now embarking on a new chapter in its history to deliver a sustainable…

Piper Steve Rooklidge of the Shasta Piping Society in California has acquired a new set of pipes during the lockdown and is looking for some help with the ID. Steve writes: ‘A set of drones has come into my possession that I can’t identify and I wonder if any of your readers might know the maker by the attached photos.  ‘They are currently at Dunbar Bagpipes for restoration, and sadly no chanter…

Congratulations to all the participants in the 34th annual United States Piping Foundation Amateur and Professional Piping Championships, held in memory of founder Maclean Macleod, writes Mike Rogers. This year’s events were unique to say the least!  Due to the global pandemic, all events were held online, and judged via YouTube.  Perhaps due to elimination of travel obstacles, there was an unprecedented entry for this year’s competitions, with 33 Amateurs…

Reader John Maclay is offering an array of bagpipes, chanters and pipe making tools for sale. The sale includes a set of ivory pipes by Henry Starck, five ‘Brian Boru’ chanters made by Starck, a full ivory Irish warpipe by Starck (bass, baritone and tenor drones), a set of miniature pipes (metal ferrules, ivory chanter sole), plus an array of wood, ivory and pipe making tools. The whole lot is…