By Robert Wallace The late Archie Kenneth once opined that bagpipe competition would always exist because of our thirst to see ‘blood on the carpet’. Not for us the douce, well mannered formality of the recital, we must have a WINNER! Die you LOSER! Well, I wonder if that is waning. There were scant few around for the first heat of the Scottish Pipers’ Association Knockout contest, the acme of…

A big day of solo piping sees the Scottish Pipers’ Society Knock Out First Round today and also the Highlands & Islands Festival Piping in Oban. The first leg of the SPA KO contest for the Piping Times Trophy is in the National Piping Centre, Otago Street. Contestants are Stuart Liddell, the holder, and Gordon McCready.    Entry is £10, 7 for 7.30pm and there is a bar and a raffle…

Drumming legend Alex Connell’s funeral is on Tuesday the 7th of May at 9.45am at Daldowie Crematorium, Glasgow. There is sure to be a large representation from throughout the pipe band community, his ex-Glasgow Police colleagues and his former BB Company the 214 Glasgow. Click here for a map and directions to Daldowie Crematorium. Click here to read Ian McLellan’s moving Piping Press tribute to his former leading drummer. Pleasing that the RSPBA have…

The World Pipe Band Championship for Grade 1 will go to the band with best placings over two days of competition provided the entry does not exceed 17 bands, it was announced today. At the moment bands play on the Friday for a place in the 12-band final on the Saturday. The only caveat to the change is that there must be an entry of less than 18 bands. If…

It is with great sadness that we report the passing Leading Drummer Alex Connell formerly of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. Alex’s friend Jim Collins: ‘It is with great sadness and I learned of the passing of Alex, a great drummer, mentor, tutor, and friend. He will be sadly missed by many. My condolences to Molly and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in these sad times.’…