Editor’s Notebook: John Cruickshank VC/ Glasgow Skye/ Helmsdale Results/ Lorient Bagads/ Weekend Games

The death has been announced of war hero John Cruickshank VC, Aberdeen. He was 105. Readers will recall the tune competition the Royal Northern & University Club and Piping Press ran for a march to honour Mr Cruickshank’s and his remarkable bravery. The result was a fine 6/8 by South African composer and piper Dave Mason. It was presented and played to Mr Cruickshank at a dinner in Aberdeen. It…

Worlds 2025 – Review Part 1

I heard all of the Grade 1 Medleys on the Friday and all of the MSRs on the Saturday. I also heard the first half of the Medley on the Saturday. Both days were blessed with warm sunshine. I like medleys to have a powerful start – the overture – and a strong finish – the climax. FMM gave us that with their B52 set. P/M Wilson went for it,…

Review: ‘Solas’ – Shotts in Concert

Who would have believed that a band founded in a hut in the Lanarkshire coalfield 115 years ago could stage such a spectacular evening’s entertainment as we enjoyed last night? I said on Tuesday that this concert was the highlight of Worlds Week. After two hours of live pipe band music no one in the 2,000 crowd at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall could gainsay that statement. The title of the…

Editor’s Notebook: Shotts Concert/ PS Recital/ Tutors Wanted/ Fintan Lalor/ Lorient Bands

A highlight of Worlds Week is always the band concert on the Wednesday night. This year Shotts & Dykehead are on stage at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Aug 13). As expected, the concert is a sell-out and such is the paucity of briefs the band have issued a plea to those who have bought tickets but who now discover they can’t attend. In a statement Shotts say: ‘We have been…

Gala Recital of Piobaireachd in Edinburgh Tonight

As I write 61 tickets have been sold via the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Box Office for tonight’s gala recital of piobaireachd ‘Classical Pipe Music – Scotland’s Hidden Treasure’. Cash entry will be available at the door of the venue St Cecilia’s Hall, Niddry Street, Edinburgh, from 7pm. Tickets are £15 or £12 concession. By Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society There will be six piobaireachd played, three either side…