Author: Piping Press

Readers React to Loss of Fifth Major Pipe Band Championship

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Ian Plunkett: ‘Well done to Ian Forbes for speaking up. Remember there used to be six majors if we include Cowal, which was not only a championship but a massive all day event finishing after midnight. ‘For too long all bands have been taken for granted by the organisation and I believe therein lies the problem. If all worked together there probably would be a bit more tolerance with the…

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Pipe Band News: Northern Ireland Chairman Stands Down/ Grant Cassidy Leaves Shotts

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The pipe band community in Northern Ireland has been surprised by yesterday’s resignation of the RSPBA Northern Ireland branch Chairman, Alastair Patterson, writes Gilbert Cromie. In a statement Alastair said: ‘I have taken the decision to stand down from my role as Chairman of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch. This has not been an easy decision, but the amount of time and commitment needed has been having an impact on…

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News from the Piobaireachd Society

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The Society are holding their annual conference in Perth from March 28-30. There are four illustrated talks on the Saturday (March 29). These are: ‘Gems from the PS Archive’ – Dr Jack Taylor‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald, Inverness’ – Robert Wallace‘Memorising the Great Music’ – Dr Peter McCalister‘Skye: Language, Heritage and the Silver Chanter’ – Dr J Decker Forrest The formal events are followed by a piobaireachd ceilidh…

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John Scott, Dolina MacKay and the Scottish Pipers

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Logan Tannock, President of the Scottish Pipers’ Association: ‘Thank you for the stories on John Scott. They brought back memories of my early days at the SPA club nights at the Dorchester Hotel. I remember John, Captain Alex Fraser and Dolina MacKay, and yes I remember the Thow drones and how sweet they sounded. ‘John was always willing to offer advice to me as a young player, or indeed any…

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History: A Tribute to General CS Thomason Part 2

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Major General CS Thomason was one of the great figures in piping at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. His 400-page work ‘Ceol Mor’ paved the way for the formation of the Piobaireachd Society and its seminal collection of Books 1-16. We continue with the report from the Oban Times of July 10, 1909, of a dinner given in the Major General’s honour in Edinburgh…

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