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…

The Editor writes: Following yesterday’s Vale news I wonder if there will be sufficient Grade 1 bands at the Worlds to justify the Friday Qualifier? Possibly not.  We’ve recently had three bands downgraded from Grade 1: Denny & Dunipace Gleneagles, Buchan Peterson and Cap Caval. I understand that no New Zealand bands will be coming over next year nor will Toronto Police – and we have already had the sad news of…