I write from my room overlooking the Irish Sea. Just north of Dublin. I’m here for the All Ireland Solos. Two hundred and one pipers and drummers. Yes, that’s right 201 and not a penny in prizemoney. The record entry is split 55-45% in the pipers’ favour. By Robert Wallace John Wilson and I are picked up by the Irish Pipe Band Associations’s Vice President Seamus Russell. A fiddle with…

Well that’s the solo Highland games season over for another year. I think the support has been higher than in the recent past so well done to the pipers who got out there for a tune and to all the volunteers who keep these vital events going. There’s no sign of a resurrection at Perth, Crieff or Stirling – and Invercharron looks decidedly iffy for 2020. As regards the majors…

By Robert Wallace Thanks to the competitor who reminded me that I had not recorded my thoughts on this year’s Senior Piobaireachd event at the Argyllshire Gathering. The contest, with 21 competitors, was held on August 21 in the Corran Halls, Oban. I managed to listen to the whole event apart from the last player Andrew Hayes. Here’s what I noted down in the order recorded… Dr Peter McCalister –…

Temper your relief at the lifting of CITES restrictions on blackwood pipes. Ivory is still, rightly, a hot topic. Travelling with tusk mounted pipes may still bring grief. Those precious Hendersons worth the customs risks? No; buy an imitation set from one of our advertisers and sleep easy. With the licence fees gone post November 30 these should be cheaper than before. Journalist and piper Tom Peterkin has been in…

By Robert Wallace Bagpipemakers and other musical instrument manufacturers have finally won their battle over the use of African blackwood (ABW). For almost three years UK pipe makers have had to apply for costly licences for every set of pipes they export outwith the EU. These costs have had to be passed on to customers.  An earlier announcement that restrictions were to be lifted last March was put on hold…