Editor’s Notebook: Grading and the Games/ Glenfiddich Winner/ Northern Winter School/ SPA Juveniles

Reader Ben Greeves from Northern Ireland has commented on the recent rule adopted by the Competing Pipers’ Association whereby they will not consider results for their grading process unless these were achieved before an adjudicator accredited by Solo Piping Judges Association. I think many of the solo competitions in Ireland North and South are before SPJA judges, Ben. Recently Logan Tannock did the Piper of the Year in Ballymena and…

Capping Band Numbers: Readers Respond Part 2

This important topic continues to engage the pipe band community, writes the Editor. A further range of opinions is printed below. People are clearly very concerned at a situation which leaves Scotland with only five Grade 1 bands. Surely something must be done to arrest this ongoing decline? Thanks once more to everyone who has contributed. Andrew Young: I feel a Grade 1A and 1B would work better with a…

Capping Band Numbers: Readers Respond

A range of responses to the ongoing debate on the demise of Grade 1 bands, writes the Editor. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write. However I feel it is significant that nowhere in any of the correspondence is any alternative solution offered. Plenty of negativity but nothing positive. One readers seems happy with only six Scottish G1 bands. (It’s actually five unless Police & Federation get back…

Glenfiddich 2025 Results

The Glenfiddich Champion for 2025 is Stuart Liddell. He was placed second in MSR and third in Ceòl Mòr. Runner-up was Callum Beaumont, with Alan Bevan in third. There was a large audience in the great hall at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. Piobaireachd placings:1 Alan Bevan2 Nick Hudson3 Stuart Liddell4 Callum Beaumont5 Brodie Watson-Massey MSR placings:1 Callum Beaumont2 Stuart Liddell3 Finlay Johnston4 Nick Hudson5 Alan Bevan Other playing but not…

Editor’s Notebook: A Cap on G1 Bands/ Donald’s Powder Horn/ Winter School/ Pic ID/ Ross Miller

I’ve heard a suggestion that the RSPBA are about to survey bands to ask their attitude to caps on numbers. I hope this chatter is a matter of fact. It would demonstrate a responsible response by the authorities to the disaster of losing two grade one bands in Closkelt and Johnstone, the root cause of which is a lack of personnel. I hope the bands respond positively but am not…