New Gala Piping Recital in London

The inaugural ‘London Recital’ will be held on 25 September 2025 and will feature two of the outstanding pipers of today, Iain Speirs and Angus MacColl. This new landmark event will be an evening of piobaireachd and light music held in one of London’s most historic Scottish venues. By Gordon Tughan-Jones On 25 September 2025, invited guests, all with connections to piping, will gather at Dover House, Whitehall – the…

Competition Updates: Inveraray, Kenmore, Oban

Inveraray Games: Piping Convenor Brian Spalding has advised the following, ‘The Solo Piping Committee wish to thank all who have so far entered for the contests at this year’s Games, on Tuesday 22nd July.  ‘The response since opening entries on the 19th May has been unprecedented and we are already at capacity for entries in each discipline of Senior Grades B and C. We already have a number of reserves…

Advertising Feature: McCallum Bagpipes

In just over 25 years McCallum Bagpipes, based near Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, have become probably the biggest quality bagpipe manufacturers in the world. Their instruments go to all pipe-playing nations in North and South America, Asia, Oceania and Europe. Their factory is leading the way in using robotic manufacturing equipment to take much of the tedium out of the pipe making process. The firm employs 32 people, some part time,…

Atholl Gathering 2025 Full Results – Updated with Comment and Pictures

The Atholl Gathering was held yesterday (May 25) in the grounds of Blair Castle, Perthshire. Seventy-three solo pipers, junior and senior, entered meaning an early 9.30am start. The weather was a mix of cold wind, heavy rain and sunshine. There were graded senior contests for piobaireachd. March, Strathspey and Reel and Hornpipe & Jig were open. The ceòl beag was split into four heats with four pipers in each progressing…

Review: The Lark in The Evening, a Concert by St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band

Many people will be surprised to know that St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band has never played a high profile concert in their home city. Sure, there have been some low-key performances over the years, but nothing as significant as this. The announcement of ‘The Lark in The Evening’ was therefore a very welcome development and sold out quickly. The 400-seater Lark Theatre in the North County Dublin town of Balbriggan…