Gold Medal Winning Tunes from SFU’s P/M Alan Bevan

Two new recordings for the PP Audio Archive of solo piping. They are from SFU’s Alan Bevan and are his actual Gold Medal winning performances from the Northern Meeting in 2008 and the Argyllshire Gathering in 2013. Alan’s tunes are, firstly, Clan MacNab’s Salute and second, the Young Laird of Dungallon’s Salute. The recordings are free to access thanks to Alan’s generosity and your support for our advertisers and the…

PP Editor’s Blog: History/ SPA/ John Wilson/ NEPADA/ Lorient etc

Last month we had the British Pipe Band Championships at Paisley but younger readers may not know that the area hosted the same championships for many years prior to 2016. In the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s it was held at nearby Renfrew. Here’s a report from the Piping, Drumming and Dancing Journal from before WW2: British Pipe Band Championship, Renfrew The annual Pipe Band Contest organised by the Renfrew…

Piper Tom Plays On After Injury to His Birl Finger

A US-based piper has suffered an unfortunate accident to his little finger but is determined to play on after doctors pinned it back together again. Tom Hyatt plays with the US Border Patrol Pipes & Drums and is based at Marta Station in Marta, Texas. The band is made up of Border Patrol pipers and drummers from around the US. Tom takes up the story: ‘I injured the pinkie finger…

PP Editor’s Blog: Aberdeen Games/ Europeans PB Champs/ John Hughes/ George Ackroyd

Sunday ‘s Games at Aberdeen have been cancelled due to ‘heavy and persistent rain’. The venue, Hazelhead Park, is currently waterlogged and more rain is forecast until Saturday. Aberdeen City Council has made the decision to cancel the popular annual event following an inspection of the site earlier today (Wednesday 15 June). Even if the rain stops ahead of the Games the ground will not be suitable to host this large scale event….

Analysis: The Cave of Gold and a New Addition to the PP Audio Archive

Just saying the words ‘Cave of Gold’ conjures up all the imagery and romance that a modern day Ossian would have been proud of. In reality the eponymous piobaireachd, MacCrimmon by repute, is a fairly bland piece and not close to the zenith of that family’s creative canon. We can forget all idea of swooning fairies cavorting to the music of a celtic Croesus, to a melody of brilliant glister. If indeed it does…