Author: Robert Wallace

PP Ed’s Blog: Gold Medallists of the Queen’s Own Highlanders

Posted on      by     

Yesterday’s mention of the brilliant playing of P/M Iain Morrison, Lewis, brought to mind this famous picture of all the Gold Medallists of the Queen’s Own Highlanders attending the 1970 Northern Meeting. It features Iain standing top right. I am not sure if everyone is au fait with the individuals and their tunes, and to the modern generation these gentlemen will probably seem as mysterious as the early MacCrimmons. So, history…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Gold Medallists of the Queen’s Own Highlanders

Tommy Millar MBE

Posted on      by     

It is with sadness that we report on the passing of Tommy Millar a true stalwart of the pipe band movement in Northern Ireland throughout his life. Tommy (84) had not been in the best of health for a number of years. His funeral service was held today in his home town of Ballymena. He was known throughout the Province and was often quoted as saying that the pipe band…

More Tommy Millar MBE

Senior Adjudicator Adds Comments to MSR Tune Selection Discussion

Posted on      by     

  By  Barry Donaldson Following last week’s letter from Alex Gandy from Halifax, Nova Scotia, regarding comments on his tune selection for the Former Winner MSR event at this year’s Northern Meeting, I thought, as was one of the judges involved in the selection of the competitors’ tunes, I might be able to add something to the debate. The following are my considerations on this matter, however they are mine alone…

More Senior Adjudicator Adds Comments to MSR Tune Selection Discussion

PP Ed’s Blog: World Drumming/ Gus MacLennan/ Nick pic/Q’land Contest/ Letters

Posted on      by     

One has to be careful about treading in areas where one’s knowledge is limited, but did anyone else notice that of the top six solo pipe band drummers from Saturday’s World Solos not one is Scottish? Is this something we should be concerned about? I don’t know about other grades, but in the Adult Final we had: 1 Steven McWhirter (Northern Ireland), 2 Michael McKenna (Ireland) 3 Jake Jørgensen (Denmark)…

More PP Ed’s Blog: World Drumming/ Gus MacLennan/ Nick pic/Q’land Contest/ Letters

World Solo Drumming – Steven McWhirter is the Champion (updated)

Posted on      by     

Steven McWhirter  of the Inveraray and District Pipe Band is the World Solo Drumming Champion for 2016. He emerged with most points after two hard fought disciplines at the championships held today at Glasgow Caledonian University. It is Steven’s sixth consecutive title and his seventh in total. The prize list in the Adult Final, livestreamed to thousands of viewers around the world for the first time, was: 1st Steven McWhirter…

More World Solo Drumming – Steven McWhirter is the Champion (updated)