Press release from The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust……..  A schools’ pipe band competition is going ahead in March – even if schools stay shut. Normally hundreds of players and supporters converge for the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships – but this year it is going online.  Prizes total over £2,500 from a judging panel made up of some of the biggest names in traditional music.  The event is being…

Thanks to the technical wizardry of St Laurence O’Toole piper Ronan Maguire, Piping Press is now able to publish enhanced and coloured images of important historical figures in piping and pipe bands. Two examples of Ronan’s work are published today with more to follow. To give readers an idea of the expertise involved Ronan says of the picture above: ‘The band pic is SLOT from 1956, before restoration (below) and…

There was a lengthy and heartfelt response to the news last week that P/M Tony Crease of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards had passed away. Here are a few: ‘A great man. Loved by all the staff of Cambria Officer’s Mess. We are left with many happy memories,’ Mary McCullough MBE and staff. ‘I had the honour to serve under Pipe Major Tony Crease in our Pipes & Drums from…

The 2021 Florida Pipe & Drum Academy, scheduled for February 21 -26 in Jacksonville, has been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic. Academy organiser Chris McKeown said: ‘We really had no option given the current travel difficulties between the US and the UK. We are disappointed but there is nothing we can do. ‘We are exploring alternative dates for July and once we have settled on a way forward we…

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association have affirmed that they are determined to have a 2021 pipe band season if it is at all possible. Their top level planning groups met continuously during the latter part of 2020 and further meetings are scheduled for this month. The hope is that the UK’s rapid vaccine roll out will save the season, or at least part of it. The Association say the…