John MacDonald, Inverness, Letter; Govan Piping Initiative

Today we publish an interesting letter from John Macdonald, Inverness, to Archibald Campbell, Kilberry. It discusses two tunes, ‘Lament for the Union’ and ‘Lament for Alasdair Dearg MacDonnell of Glengarry.’ Read more here. [wds id=”3″] The newsletter of the Govan Weavers Society reports major progress with the piping initiative in this well-known, but not well off, suburb of Glasgow. It reads: ‘In July it was intimated that the Piping Initiative…

Brian Wins ‘the Wheel’ (updated with sound file)

Fife’s Brian Lamond was the winner of the popular ‘Wheel of Fortune’ piping contest held today in Danderhall Miners Welfare south of Edinburgh, writes Robert WallacBrian (pictured above celebrating at the wheel) was placed first ahead of Alasdair Henderson and Calum Beaumont in the overall contest. The MSR was won by Niall Stewart, Kyle, and the joke telling contest, for the umpteenth time, by the overall winner himself. (Too risqué…

PP Editor’s Blog 8/2/15

Last weekend, when all mayhem was meant to be breaking out in this city thanks to the first meeting of certain football clubs in three years, I found myself on Glasgow Green that same afternoon. And you know what?, a more civilised Sunday afternoon it would be hard to find in any metropolis in the world. Where was the murder, the screaming insanity the media had predicted? Was I missing…

Draw for Wheel of Fortune/ PP Miscellany/ Drumming Prizes Poll

Paul White: The City of Edinburgh Pipe Band is pleased to announce that the draw has been made for the 2015 Pipe Majors Wheel of Fortune competition. The event, which will be held in Danderhall Miners Club on Saturday 7th February, will see some of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians take part in a unique competition where musical expression and entertainment comes to the fore.   The order of play is…

P/M Ian McLellan Part 3/Murdo MacDonald/ SPA Veterans

Today we publish the final instalment in the remarkable life story of P/M Ian McLellan. This excerpt concentrates on Ian’s early years and solo career. Read it here. Murdo MacDonald, a piper in the City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band in the 1960s, has died aged 86. Murdo, from Lewis, played in the band under P/M Angus MacDonald and for a short time under P/M Ronnie Lawrie. Murdo’s funeral is…