The Northern Ireland Piping Society hold their annual competition today. Competition Convenor Ken Stewart writes: ‘The annual Piper of the Year competition is being held today, Saturday 12th October, in the Adair Arms Hotel Ballymena. ‘Fourteen invited players will compete in both Piobaireachd and MSR events with the trophy being awarded to the competitor with the highest aggregate score from both. ‘Adjudicators for the competition are Alastair Dunn, Glasgow, and…

This weekend sees the start of the Royal National Mod 2019 which is to be hosted in Glasgow for the first time in 29 years. Kicking off the week long competition schedule will be the Senior and Junior piping competitions which are to be held in the Glasgow Royal Concert hall on Saturday 12th October with competitions starting at 9:30am. This year entry numbers for the senior competitions have increased…

Seller Allan Russell writes: 1965 RG Hardie Silver & Ivory African Blackwood Bagpipes, thistle engraving, fitted with Canmore pipe bag Eezedrone drone reeds, Moose valve, Naill pipe chanter, wooden pipe case, spare set of Eezedrones, corks and hemp included. Price: £3,000 Contact Allan Russell on 07754 702078 Or e-mail arussellbagpipes@lycos.com Do you have pipes, chanters, uniforms, books or any other piping accessory to sell? Then why not take advantage of the…

We conclude our report taken from the Oban Times of almost 50 years ago. The article is unattributed. We would be interested to hear from anyone who was at this gathering featuring as it does some of the great names of the past and present…. Forty-six competitors had entered for the Strathspey & Reel competition, however some were unable to be present and others were unable to complete their tunes….

The Editor: We continue with the second excerpt of the Oban Times report from Inverness of almost 50 years ago. Thanks to those who have been in touch regrading our quest for the writer’s identity. One described him as a ‘big tall guy who as far as I recall walked with a bit of a limp. He often wore the kilt and seemed to turn up regularly. I can picture him fine, but…