Author: Robert Wallace

Editor’s Notebook: BAG School/ Inveraray Games/ Judging/ Argylls Book/ US Contest/ British Legion 1971

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I am in Germany for the annual Bagpipe Association of Germany School at Breuberg Castle in the Odenwald about an hour south of Frankfurt. A great team of instructors including drummer Carel Ooms who taught with me in Denmark 25 years ago, and Dixie Ingram, retired RSPBA judge and Scots Guardsman. Dixie has been coming here for 30 years and tells me he is just back from a fortnight at…

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Tobermory Games Results (Comment Added)

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A fine day at Erray Park above Tobermory Bay. Fifteen pipers played in the senior events (13 in the Piobaireachd) and 16 in the juniors. Champion Piper Ben Duncan is pictured above. Judges reported a high standard. Comment on the piobaireachd below. Three tunes were asked for in all senior competitions. Piob: 1 P/M Ben Duncan, Beloved Scotland2 Angus MacColl Snr., I Gave a Kiss to the King’s Hand3 Christopher…

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Tribute Band to Mark Shotts & Dykehead’s Worlds Winning Medley in 1970

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In a little over three weeks I hope to play at the World Pipe Band Championships for the first time in 44 years. I have been asked to be part of a ’70s Tribute Pipe Band’ formed to celebrate the introduction of the pipe band Medley in 1970 and honour the bands that pioneered the format. By the Editor The Tribute band was due to play in 2020 on the…

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Editor’s Notebook: Worlds Grade 1/ Worlds Tickets/ RSPBA Jubilee/ Duncan’s Forgotten Piobaireachd/ Brisbane Beers

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So it is a fact that this year’s World G1 title will be decided over four competitions involving a total of 16 judges. No one will be able to gainsay the winner after that. However I do not feel it necessary to go to such lengths. Eight judges stout and true can do the job perfectly well as they have shown in the past. Sixteen should not become the norm….

More Editor’s Notebook: Worlds Grade 1/ Worlds Tickets/ RSPBA Jubilee/ Duncan’s Forgotten Piobaireachd/ Brisbane Beers

Editor’s Notebook: Worlds Draw/ Sons of Holyland Success/ New Argylls Book/ Ian C Cameron/ Cowal 1983

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Can someone explain why it is necessary to have Grade 1 qualifying on the Friday of the Worlds? From what my small brain can detect there are perfectly adequate timings for the Saturday for all 14 bands. No crush to get them all in. Why have them all playing on the Friday as well? Seems unnecessary and added expense. Who goes through? Are those who don’t make it discarded from…

More Editor’s Notebook: Worlds Draw/ Sons of Holyland Success/ New Argylls Book/ Ian C Cameron/ Cowal 1983