The promoters of Saturday’s Uist & Barra Professional contest have issued this list of competitors and their tunes: 1 Connor Sinclair, Rory MacLoude’s Lament2 Glenn Brown, Beloved Scotland3 Alasdair Henderson, Blind Piper’s Obstinacy4 Finlay Johnston,  Battle of Auldearn No. 15 Sandy Cameron, Old Men of the Shells No. 16 Niall Stewart, Lament for the Iolaire7 Roderick MacLeod, Lament for Donald Duaghal MacKay 8 Cameron Drummond, Earl of Seaforth’s Salute9 Iain Speirs, I Got a Kiss of the…

By the Editor Pipe Major Iain Morrison, the founder and main organiser of the Donald MacLeod Memorial competition, has stepped down from his role after 25 years at the helm. His decision to stand aside came as a surprise to many in the solo piping community. The competition is held each year in Stornoway on the island of Lewis in the Western Isles. This year’s event takes place on Friday,…

Good and bad news on the music tuition front – piping and drumming included. Midlothian Council have decided to scrap plans to axe all music tuition in schools. (Incredible that they even considered this.) Well done to the councillors who saw the light and to the protesters who helped them see it. Perth & Kinross Council is apparently proposing to raise music tuition from £295 to £816 per year I’m…

Well what a week that was. Small but perfectly formed, the 2019 Florida P&D Academy went like a breeze and Jacksonville proved a perfect location. Plans are already underway for 2020. We might change the date, moving it back a week to butt on to the North East Florida Highland Games. The school could then prove attractive to those competing there and wishing to brush up on their skills beforehand….