PP Lockdown Challenge…Friend and composer Eddie McGuire read of the request for paintings and artwork and reminded me of this drawing by artist John Gahagan. It’s not for the competition but might inspire someone. Eddie writes: ‘I see that you are putting up artwork featuring pipers. Here’s the excellent drawing that John Gahagan did for the front cover of the music I wrote for the Glasgow arts festival ‘Mayfest’ in…

Can anything be salvaged from the 2020 piping season? It remains to be seen whether Oban, Braemar (above) and Skye will follow the trail of cancellation evidenced yesterday by the not wholly unexpected call offs from the Northern Meeting and Cowal, writes the Editor. I hope the remaining gatherings can, at least for now, resist the temptation of making too early a decision. All of the competing pipers I have…

Another week goes by; the trial continues. But pipers (and drummers) are responding, the internet alive with endeavours and challenges. I was pleased the Piobaireachd Society’s own received such a hearty welcome. Hopefully the tunes will continue throughout the lockdown. Organiser in chief is Dr Peter McCalister and he has nominated PS member Callum Wynd to play next. Who will Callum nominate? Following a couple of queries, I must point…

Do you enjoy listening to pipe tunes on the fiddle. More especially, do you enjoy 2/4 marches on the fiddle? Read on. Douglas Lawrence has been a friend since he played with the Whistlebinkies 40 years ago, writes Robert Wallace A native of Buckie on the Moray coast, he is a brilliant fiddler, winner of major awards and a former member of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. A teacher of…

Well done to Burntisland Pipe Band for their virtual junior piping and drumming contest Matrix 2020. A great idea which will keep the fingers and wrists moving during these fallow pipe band times. A raft of top judges have been drafted in including Douglas Murray, Shauna Hilder, Lee Innes and Steven McWhirter. Performances are submitted online (by April 11 please note) and adjudicated at distance. Some great prizes too. All…