Well done to Mike Grey for highlighting the band circle issue on his recent blog. Readers will know this is a particular hobby horse of mine. Mike writes: ‘I came across a pic today, courtesy of Barry Ewen. Here is a photo (thank you, Barry) of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band – near the beginning of the vintage of my membership – competing in a crescent-shaped stance. This was 1984….

Angus Lawrie’s funeral with be at Ayr Crematorium on Wednesday, December 19 at 1.15pm. Angus, five times winner of the Worlds crown with Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, passed away last weekend aged 88. Originally from Oban, Angus was taught piping by his father. After leaving the police he was briefly P/M of the Britoil and Johnstone Pipe Bands but then concentrated on his composing and on establishing his pipe bag…

It is with regret we report the passing of Angus Lawrie formerly of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, noted composer and pipe bag maker. Angus (88) died at home in Doonfoot, Ayrshire, yesterday morning. He had been in poor health for some time. Angus was originally taught by his father, also Angus, who had had extensive tuition from P/M Willie Ross. On leaving school Angus jnr. joined Glasgow Police in 1955…

Christmas has come early for UK bagpipemakers with the announcement that from March next year they will not have to apply for a Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) certificate for every instrument they sell. The ruling, in place since January 2017, meant that all manufacturers had to charge up to £60 on each set to pay for a licence to export their African blackwood (ABW) pipes. The process…