Category: Bagpipes

Editor’s Notebook: Medals Find/ Bands and Piobaireachd/ EUSPBA Go Ahead/ Set Tunes

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Reader Robert Baker in Australia writes: ‘I recently secured two piping medals at auction in the UK. They mention the Lorn Ossianic Society and the ‘Loch Lubnaig Gathering’. ‘These very interesting pieces are now on their way to me in Australia. Once I receive them, further research will have to be undertaken. ‘I also picked up a ‘Silver Star’. I will keep you updated as I will eventually will find a…

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RSPBA History: The Hallmark of a Solo Piper is Piobaireachd, But What Use Does it Serve Pipe Bands?

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We continue with our look back at the history of the RSPBA as described in an edition of the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association, demonstrates the misguided thinking which set the Association’s attitude to classical pipe music for 40 years, an attitude only overcome relatively recently. As ever, Mr Whitelaw is refreshingly outspoken, and…

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The SPBA’s Post-War History: The Problem With Massed Bands and With Teaching

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We continue with our look back at the history of the RSPBA. This is from the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, was appointed Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association in 1948. Mr Whitelaw was refreshingly outspoken in his assessment on how the Association needed to develop. The photo below is of the massed bands at Cowal in 1950. Before passing…

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Editor’s Notebook: Piping’s Poor Show/ Willie Ross/ Piping Live/ Controversy of Pipers

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Chatsworth Games in the south have now been officially called off, organisers citing Boris Johnson’s four-week delay to ‘Freedom Day’ as the reason. There will be no band or solo contests in England this year. Here, the authorities in Inverness have confirmed that ‘Under Canvas’, an outdoor summer music festival co-curated with Fèis Rois, will run from 1 July – 30 September, providing ‘a three-month programme of music on the…

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Changes Which Were Needed in the Post WW2 Scottish Pipe Band Association

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This is from the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author was appointed President of the SPBA in 1947, and during the year until February 1948 carried out the duties of President and Secretary. On the latter date he was appointed Secretary of the Association. He points to a burgeoning number of contests post WW2 and the need for more money and teaching for bands. In the photograph…

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