History: London Championship from 50 Years Ago

For the last time this year we take a look back at the London Championship and in particular the contest held in March 1969 at Buckingham Gate. Competitors in the Bratach Gorm were: The result was:1 John MacFadyen [pictured top with the Bratach], Battle of Auldearn 22 William MacDonald, Benbecula, Lament for Mary MacLeod3 John MacDougall, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute4 Hugh MacCallum, Lament for Donald Duaghall MacKayJudges were: Andrew Pitkeathly,…

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Competing Pipers Launch Survey on Silver Medal Qualification

The Competing Pipers’ Association have asked all of their 232 members to help them find a way forward on the controversial matter of qualification for the Silver Medal competitions at the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting. A questionnaire has been circulated with a closing date for return of yesterday (December 3). The introduction reads: ‘The CPA are looking to gather feedback on the [Silver Medal qualification] process from this year…

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MacRae Bagpipes Promotion

McCallum Bagpipes have sent the following…. Believe it or not it is the 5-year anniversary of the Stuart Liddell MacRae Bagpipes! To honour this, we thought we would do something special and add to the collection with a brand new SL0 bagpipe, SL4/FN bagpipe and a MacRae practice chanter! We have attached the price list and the link to the new professional photos we had taken of the new products to…

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Shotts Junior Piping Championship Results

Over 200 young pipers and drummers competed today in Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band’s Junior Championship. Events covered chanter, 13 & Under, 15 & Under and 18 & Under piping and drumming. The competition was held in Calderhead High School, Shotts. Judges were all drawn from the ranks of currently competing pipers. The competition is jointly promoted by North Lanarkshire Council and the band. Prizes on offer included full…

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From the Archives…..Advice on Working With Reeds and How to Test a Chanter’s ‘Resistance’

This article headlined ‘A Few Words for Novices’ is from ‘Piping and Dancing’ magazine of December 1935. Eighty-four years may have passed since it was written but the author’s advice still holds true today…… My last article was written with not a few misgivings. One naturally hesitates before giving advice of any kind to pipers – even to novices. Most pipers hold very definite and hard and fast ideas on…

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