European Pipe Band Championships 2026 Results

The North Inch, Perth, was the venue for this year’s European Pipe Band Championships, the third major of the season. 119 bands entered. Field Marshal Montgomery were crowned Grade 1 champions. The weather was dry, warm, blustery and overcast. Grade 1 bands submitted two medleys, one chosen at the line. G2 bands two MSRs one chosen at the line; G3 one medley; Juv.: MSR. Grade 1 1 FMM2 Boghall3 SLOT4…

Editor’s Notebook: Old Recordings & Jeannie Book/ Mull Games/ Neil Clark/ Worlds Tickets

Reader Michael Dunn has alerted me to his excellent collection of early, re-mastered, piping recordings. Click on the picture of Willie Ross to hear the maestro play Captain Norman Orr Ewing and the link below for many other tunes. There’s music from the likes of JB Robertson, Robert Reid, Henry Starck (bagpipe maker), John Macdonald, Inverness, Glasgow Police under P/M John MacDonald (1945), and many more. Full play list here…

RSPBA CEO Steps Down After Difficult Period in Office

That Colin Mulhern has decided to step down as RSPBA Chief Executive Officer will not surprise anyone on the inside track at the Association, writes the Editor. Mr Mulhern has had difficult times since he took over from Ian Embelton five years ago. He has offered his resignation before – before being persuaded to withdraw it. The uncertainty surrounding provision of the major championships has always been a major concern…

Editor’s Notebook: Judging & Teaching/ Plaid Brooch/ Iain Bruce/ World Cup

I cannot see any reason why Colin MacLellan’s judging/teaching proposal should not be given at least a pilot run, a properly monitored assessment over several events. If it doesn’t work, well, fair enough, it’s back to the drawing board. But gather the evidence, examine the pros and cons, and make a fact-based decision. If approved, we then leave it up to the promoters as to whether or not they wish…

Editor’s Notebook: Hypocrisy & Contradiction/ Northern Meeting Brooch/ NZ Piob./ John MacDougall 214 BB

There have been ongoing comments since my ‘What Price Forgiveness for P/M Gordon Walker‘ essay in October 2023. It has clearly struck a chord with readers. Most have been in agreement with the sentiments contained therein. There have been ‘contributions’ by ill-informed contrarians intent on indulging their prejudices, but nothing worthy of publication. Their arguments all fell at the first level of ratiocination. The Rev. Leslie Barrett, the noted amateur…