Reader’s Letters: William MacLean and Lachie Bàn/ Muirheads and Bob Hardie

Russell Gault: ‘I found the article Creagorry Blend, Lachie Bàn MacCormack and P/M William MacLean very interesting [read it here]. ‘I am a descendant of P/M Willie MacLean. His father, Archibald, of Raasay, was also a piper and hotelier at the Creagorry Inn, Benbecula. ‘There are still some extremely rare bottles of ‘Old Highland Malt Whisky’ produced by Archibald MacLean (presumably in the 1890s and early 1900s) to be found…

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Editor’s Notebook: RSPBA Chief Exec/ Toronto CNE/ College Summer School/ World Solo Drumming/ Con Houlihan

All the indications are that the RSPBA has made an inspired choice in appointing Meaghan Lyons as its new Chief Executive. From what I’ve read, Meaghan has a wide business experience (especially in fund raising). We also know she is very good with people and has a thorough knowledge of the pipe band world in Canada, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Of course this last is not a pre-requisite of the…

Success of Long List of Senior Tunes for Oban and Inverness Being Assessed

In 2023 the Piobaireachd Society recommended a long list of 50+ set tunes for the senior piobaireachd events at Oban and Inverness. The five year experiment ends next year and assessment has begun. When launched the idea of a comprehensive list of tunes thought suitable for this level of competition was popular with audiences. They were guaranteed a raft of classics as they took their seats at Corran Halls or…

Editor’s Notebook: World Solo Drumming/ Dress & Deportment/ PS Website/ Stuart Recital/ Magic of Skye

Good luck to all the pipers playing for drummers tomorrow at the World Solos in Glasgow (Cally University from early on). What about the drummers I hear you say. Of course good luck to them too, but where would they be without the boys on the black sticks? I hope the judges take that on board. Drummers should be judged not only on how well they play technically, but on…

Lochnell Piping Championship Results and Report

This prestigious, invitation-only contest for solo pipers aged under 22 was held on Saturday, October 10th, at Lochnell Castle, Benderloch, Argyll, courtesy the Earl of Dundonald. The overall champion at the 6th annual competition was Thomas Fallon from Edinburgh. Thomas is 19 and this was his first appearance at the Lochnell. He is a piper with Field Marshal Montgomery. By Robert Wallace He is pictured above with Magnus Stone (l),…