My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 7

We continue with our correspondence from Robert Reid jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh. This abridged letter is dated 3rd November, 1993. There are mentions for John MacDonald, Inverness, Seton Gordon, Seumas MacNeill, Tommy Pearston and Willie Connell …. The photo you refer to [above] would be on MacLeod’s yacht, with Angus Macpherson and James Barke the Burns novelist [sic] in the background. It was taken in 1932 when my father played…

Florida Academy/ Andy Hosie/ Talk Piobaireachd

The 2024 Florida Pipe and Drum Academy is now open for registration, reports Principal Chris McKeown. The popular school will be held from 18 – 23 February in Jacksonville. The week culminates in the North East Florida Highland Games on Feb 24. Sunday 18th at 6pm is the meet and greet with classes beginning formally on Feb 19 at 8am. Holiday Inn Express is the host hotel. Event Address: Christ’s…

Army School Features in National Press/ Jimmy McIntosh Memorial Weekend Workshop

One of the UK’s largest selling newspapers, the Daily Telegraph, has a full length feature on the Army School of Piping and Drumming today. It follows last week’s story which revealed the late Queen’s concern for the school’s future. In today’s article the School’s current Director, Major Gordon Rowan, reveals he piped around the Queen’s dining table on many occasions and talks of her pride in ‘her pipers’. His second…

My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 6

We continue with our correspondence from Robert Reid jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh. This abridged letter is dated 3rd November, 1993. There are mentions for John MacDougall Gillies, James Center, Sandy Cameron, Willie Connell and Allan Dodd…. My father was approximately 18½ years with John MacDougall Gillies. As it was, Gillies was his second choice of tutor. James Center was the first but he had too many pupils at that time…

RSPBA Band Registration Fees Held for 2024

The Association has announced that there will be no increase in band membership fees for 2024. Fees are due by the end of this month (November 30). Late payment will incur a 20% penalty however. This means that an existing adult UK band could end up paying £316 instead of £264, or a Juvenile band £288 instead of £240, if band secretaries fail to pay on time. 2024 band fees…