James Campbell Memories on Post War Piping Competitions

We are grateful to reader Jack McLachlan for forwarding this BBC recording of the John MacFadyen Memorial Trust’s lecture given by James Campbell, Kilberry, in 1985. The venue was the Chapel Royal in Stirling Castle. This is the second part of a three-part lecture entitled ’50 Years of Judging’ and features the live playing of Iain MacFadyen (Old Men of the Shells) and Captain John MacLellan (Black Donald’s March). By…

Editor’s Notebook: Piob Soc Summer School/ The Worlds/ Eagle Pipers/ National Mod/ Kilbarchan PB

It was extraordinary to stand on the ground which cradled our modern piping tradition. This we did last week when the Piobaireachd Society’s Summer School participants struggled over fences and dykes and cow pats to reach the croft of John MacKay, Raasay. Here were the very stones that nurtured his son Angus, and the hills and fields that heard the boy’s first notes on the chanter. How incredible that only…

Luss Games Results (Updated with Pictures and Results)

Light rain showers interspersed dry spells at this picturesque games on the banks of Loch Lomond. It was not cold. There was an entry of 12 in the Open categories, three in the Juniors and eight in the CLASP amateur events. Judges for piobaireachd were Wille Morrison and Ronnie MacShannon, and for light music, Ian McLellan and myself, writes the Editor. Bobby Allan was worthy winner of the Open Piobaireachd…

New Pipe Band Competition for Renfrew

The local council report…. Renfrew’s Robertson Park will welcome some of Scotland’s top piping talent this July for a new event in Renfrewshire’s events calendar, The inaugural Renfrew Pipe Band Competition, taking place on Saturday 23 July, will see pipers and drummers from across Scotland fill the town with the sound of bagpipes and the beat of drums. The free-to-attend event brings a full day of family entertainment to the…

SLOT Pull Out of All Irelands/ Band Sizes/ Ulster Championships

St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band have informed the Irish Pipe Band Association of their need to withdraw from the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships, due to take place in New Ross, Co. Wexford tomorrow. The band has suffered an outbreak of covid this week with a significant number of players testing positive with others displaying symptoms. The band reported: ‘We were looking forward to defending our title which we won…