Dysart & Dundonald Worlds Success and Readers’ Response to Historic Photos

Since the beginning of the World Championships under the (R)SPBA in 1947, there is no doubt that Dysart and Dundonald’s rapid progress and Worlds achievement was a first.  ‘The Dysart’ were upgraded to Grade 1 at the close of season 1972 and their impact was immediate.  At Ayr in 1973 they placed 5th, at Stirling in 1974 they placed 2nd, at Corby in 1975 they placed 3rd, at Hawick in…

Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band in the 1970s

Thanks to reader Peter Reilly for forwarding the above picture. It is of the famous Dysart & Dondonald pictured during rehearsals for the Worlds at either Corby in 1975 or Nottingham in 1979, writes the Editor. We are trying to confirm the date and identify all of those pictured. There is also a suggestion that Dysart won the Worlds drum corps title at Corby. All information gratefully received. Please reply…

Change of Venue for Piobaireachd Society Conference Following Hotel Fire

The Piobaireachd Society’s Annual Conference has been switched to a new venue following a fire at a hotel in Perth. A blaze in the kitchen has forced the temporary closure of the Royal George Hotel, the home for the conference for the past four years. The new venue for 2026 is the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling. All arrangements, meals, rooms etc. are as per the Royal George. The conference…

Archie Kenneth Quaich Results & Report

The winner of the 42nd Archie Kenneth Quaich competition was Andrew Robertson from Edinburgh playing the Lament for Donald of Laggan. Andrew is pictured above with the winners’ trophy and banner. The competition is for amateur piobaireachd and is run by the Piobaireachd Society. It was held last Saturday, February 28, in the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Rooms in Edinburgh. It attracted an entry of 25. Other prizes: 2 Tom Peterkin (Lament…

Successful Jimmy McIntosh Piobaireachd Workshop

The 4th Jimmy McIntosh MBE Piobaireachd Workshop was held at Carnegie Mellon University last weekend. We had 42 students, including 17 at open level, which we were delighted with, especially because it was solely a piobaireachd event… and held in a very cold Pittsburgh.  The weekend was organised by the Pittsburgh Piping Society. Instructors were all longtime students of Jimmy’s, Northern Meeting Clasp winners Mike Cusack and Nick Hudson (both travelling…