PP Ed’s Blog: Monktonhall ’72/ Perth Games/ West Fife Schools/ SPA/ Alt Piob

What about this blast from the past from Donald McBride. Donald writes, ‘This was taken in 1972 after we got back from the CNE Festival in Toronto. Barry Donaldson is second from the left back row. ‘Dad [P/M Willie McBride] is far left middle row and next to him is Jennifer Hutcheon and, next to Jennifer, Les Hutt.’ Jennifer is now an RSPBA adjudicator after years of sterling work at…

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Fears Grow For Solo Piping at Perth Highland Games

By the Editor I have heard a rumour that Perth Highland Games have excised all solo piping competitions from their programme for 2019. If this is the case, and I have no reason at the moment to doubt my information, it is another worrying blow to our Highland games tradition. I have contacted Perth Games Committee seeking confirmation, or as I sincerely hope, contradiction. However the Perth Games website has…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Piob Soc Conf./ RSPBA Summer School/ SPA Professional

To the BBC for a ‘Pipeline’ interview ostensibly about the forthcoming Piobaireachd Society Conference. First time I had been in their Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow and very impressive it is too. That said, it lacks some of the homely feel of Queen Maggie Drive in the west end and that warren of studios known to so many pipers and pipe bands over the years. Interviewer Gary West tells me…

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Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering Competition Lists Announced With Rule Changes

Helen Urquhart, Secretary of the Competing Pipers’ Association, has sent this: The Eligibility Committee, made up of representatives from the Northern Meeting, Argyllshire Gathering, Competing Pipers’ Association and Senior Judges met in Perth on Sunday 24th February. Lists for this year’s Gold and Silver have been confirmed at both events and players have been notified. The full lists of competitors are attached to this press release.  At the meeting a…

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PP Ed’s Blog: U&Barra/ Donald MacLeod/ Bruno Schroder/ St Cecilia’s Recital

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…

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