Category: Blog

Review: Scottish Pipers Association Professional

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I wonder about the wisdom of the C grade. I know it is popular with the Competing Pipers’ Association and the pipers, but it is a burden on contest promoters. The SPA Professional on Saturday was a case in point. Everything was done and dusted by 5pm – except for the C Piob. We eventually finished at 7pm – and this from a prompt 8.30am start. The lack of rooms…

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SPA Professional Contest 2026 – Full Results

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The annual professional competition run by the Scottish Pipers’ Association was held at the Piping Centre in Glasgow today, April 11. There was a good entry in all categories. The competition was sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society and the Competing Pipers’ Association. Champion Piper was Cameron May (pictured above). Four prizes and five places in each category. President Logan Tannock thanked the stewards who were on duty throughout the day from…

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Editor’s Notebook: Scottish Pipers/ Piping on Radio/ Lochaber Anniversary/ Book Query

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The Scottish Pipers’ Association Professional contest is at the Piping Centre in McPhater Street, Glasgow, from 8.30 tomorrow morning and is sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society and the Competing Pipers’ Association. Admission is £5 at the door which, as President Logan Tannock says, would be a bargain at double that price. There are contests for all levels from C grade to Premier, light music and piobaireachd. This will be the…

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History: The Redundant A Debate, Conclusion

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The final letter in the Oban Times correspondence of 1926 on the ‘redundant A’ controversy. It comes from a reader, Allan Thomson, from Govan, Glasgow. ‘I have been closely following the discussion in your valuable paper about taorluath and crunluath in pibroch [sic], and also crunluath a mach movements. By The Editor ‘I admire the spirit and courage of Mr Grant in backing up the piobaireachd book of Angus MAcKay….

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History: The Redundant A Debate, Part 2

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We continue with the Oban Times correspondence of 1926 on the ‘redundant’ low A controversy. GS McLennan remains adamant in his response to P/M John Grant……. ‘In referring to the ‘Piobaireachd as MacCrimmon Played It’, Mr Grant asks a number of questions regarding the way the crunluath is written in certain tunes and then says, ‘In all these instances Lt McLennan [GS’s father] gave the crunluath in what is traditionally…

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