Author: Robert Wallace

Rare Picture, Campbells of Kilberry and the Founding of the Piobaireachd Society

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Together the two individuals in the above image helped change the course of piping history. Can you guess who they are? The handsome woman on the left is Lady Elspeth Campbell, and on the right John Campbell, Kilberry. I am indebted to his great-grandson, also John, and now the Piping Steward at the Argyllshire Gathering, for forwarding the photograph from his family collection. By Robert Wallace ‘It shows Lady Elspeth…

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Editor’s Notebook: ‘Missing’ Majors/ Irish in Spain/ Split Stock / Wiltshire Piper/ Edinburgh Police Solos

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Thanks to the many readers who have contributed to the debate on the RSPBA’s ‘missing Majors’. I agree with much of what has been said, in particular that the Association need to be pro-active in encouraging Cowal and the All Ireland promoters to help out. They may already have been in touch, I don’t know. With only the Worlds and the Scottish secure for next summer, we should not be…

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RSPBA Writes to All Bands Regarding 2024 Major Championships and the Editor Responds

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A letter to all bands issued yesterday by Mr Kevin Reilly, Chairman of the RSPBA, confirms that so far only two major championships have been secured for the 2024 pipe band competition season. The letter follows a Board of Directors meeting last weekend. The letter reads: To the members of the RSPBA….I said I would get a message to you as soon as it became clearer to the Board of…

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Editor’s Notebook: Peter MacFarquhar/ Joint Committee/ J MacDonald Chanter/ Solo Drumming

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Reader Lawrence Macduff has forwarded this fine picture of Peter MacFarquhar, subject of our earlier story, and well known to pipers as the composer of the popular jig, Kenny Gillies of Portnalong. Lawrence writes: ‘Here’s the image of Peter and his second wife Jean, taken as I recall near Kensaleyre on July 4th, 1970, when I was visiting them at their home. ‘Peter, having retired from seafaring around 1969 (I…

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Editor’s Notebook: Pitlochry Piobaireachd/ JB Robertson/ Eden Court/ Manilla Piper/ Glasgow Transport PB

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When we were trying to convince the committee at Pitlochry Games to hold a piobaireachd event I mentioned the fact that before WW2 there had been such an event at these games. I’d seen a poster somewhere but unfortunately could not produce the evidence. The Committee thankfully went ahead anyway but now after a bit of research I have that evidence. Results from Pitlochry Games September 5th 1931:Piobaireachd: 1 Malcolm…

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