By the Editor A celebration lunch was held at the Royal Northern and University Club in Aberdeen yesterday to honour John Cruickshank VC and the tune written for him by Dave Mason of Cincinnati and South Africa. Dave flew in specially to play the tune, spending much of his £1,000 prize money in the process. ‘I wouldn’t have had it any other way,’ he said. John and Dave are pictured…

I hear that despite this year’s time lag with the Northern Meeting (it’s a week later than usual), entries for Braemar have topped out at 30 with months to go before the big day (September 7). There were concerns that the overseas contingent, usually so supportive of Braemar, would have headed home after Inverness. Not so it seems and the attraction of the royal gathering remains as strong as ever….

By the Editor Now that we know that all four performances by Grade 1 bands at the Worlds will count towards the final outcome, is it time for RSPBA officials to have a look at the draw? At the moment a band drawn first holds that playing position throughout what was the Qualifier and into the Saturday. This was seen as being unnecessarily unfair. With the new arrangements it will…

Grade 2 and Grade 1 below; other grades here. The UKs are at Lurgan, Northern Ireland, on June 15. Grade 2 – Final1 13:15 Colmcille 2 13:24 Ravara 3 13:33 North Stratton – Canada 4 13:42 Closkelt 5 13:51 Royal Burgh of Annan 6 14:00 Buchan Peterson 7 14:09 Mackenzie Caledonian 8 14:18 New Ross and District – Eire 9 14:27 Manorcunningham – Eire 10 14:36 Kilchoman Distillery Isle of…

Final rehearsals today for tonight’s pipes and organ recital in the magnificent Paisley Abbey. Organist George McPhee is a remarkable musician. At 83 he’s been the Abbey’s man at the keyboard for more than 50 years. Another unsung musical hero from the west of Scotland. George tells me the Abbey organ is the same as the main one in Notre Dame and that thankfully the Parisian ‘kist o’ whistles’ survived…