Not looking good for the early pipe band season I’m afraid. Our Chancellor of the Exchequer has just confirmed that the furlough scheme which subsidises UK wages will stay in place until the end of April. Relief for beleagured businesses, but it also means that we can expect lockdown or semi-lockdown restrictions until that date at least, and this despite the vaccine coming on stream. We are back close to…

It is worth spending some time reading the wide ranging tributes to Iain that have been submitted since his death was announced on Friday, writes the Editor. I think everyone who knew him would echo the sentiments shared. I have put together this short pictorial tribute which has images from his career, through his Army days, on the boards, and there’s one at the end with him with his pupil…

I had forgotten what a superb player Jimmy Hardie was until a video recording of a recital he gave in Canada in 1985 (see picture above) was pointed out to me on Facebook. There, thanks to Jim Barrie, was Jimmy in all his musical glory playing as well as any piper you will hear today, no exaggeration. The piping stars were aligned for Jim, born unto Bob Hardie and his…

By Robert Wallace Breton piper Patrick Molard has sent me a video recording of the ground of The Piper’s Warning to His Master from the Donald MacDonald MS where it is known as MacDonald’s Warning. Those not au fait with the tune will be intrigued to know of the legend which states that the imprisoned piper deliberately misplayed the piece so that his approaching chief would know ambush awaited. Patrick…