PP Ed’s Blog: Northern Meeting/ SPA/ Wedding Piper/ MSR Playing

To Inverness today for the 2017 Northern Meeting. Proceedings begin this evening with a reception in the city’s Town House hosted by the Lord Provost with the Queen’s Own Ex-Members Pipes and Drums parading at 7.45pm. The competitions at Eden Court are tomorrow from 9am with the Gold and Silver Medals, the ‘A’ MSR and the Formers Winners’ MSR. Results will be known from late afternoon onwards so watch this…

Review – ‘Jock’s Jocks’, A One Act Play by Gary West

National Piping Centre, 8th August………….. Those who survive war often say nothing of their experience, writes Dr Jack Taylor.  So Gary West’s discovery that Jock Duncan, father of P/M Ian and the late Gordon, had taped, then typed out, reminiscences of some 60 World War 1 survivors over 50 years is a precious one, especially as it was done in dialect, mostly the Doric of Jock’s Aberdeenshire.  They could speak…

Help Graham Brown

Top drummer Graham Brown is facing difficulties thanks to Hurricane Harvey. Never good to hear about someone losing out. Maybe the PP readership can assist?  Graham, brother of famous piper Glenn, teaches drumming at the St.Thomas Episcopal School in Houston. His house has been hit head-on by Harvey and he’s in the unfortunate position of facing the loss of all of his belongings. Please consider donating to the GoFundMe campaign that…

Argyllshire Gathering – Final Thoughts and Former Winners’ MSR Review

Firstly a mention for young Lewis Russell winner of the MacGregor Memorial piobaireachd competition, writes the Editor. This is a tough challenge for the aspiring young professional. Entrants have to play once in a qualifying heat and again in the final if they make it through. Lewis (17), from Livingston, has been taught since age 10 by Andrew Frater from Uphall. Andrew said: ‘Lewis is a natural player and very…

The Argyllshire Gathering and a Look Back at Day 1- New Pic Added

Well that’s the Argyllshire over for another year, and despite the difficulties some individuals try to throw in the way of this great gathering, I think it would be fair to say it all went off with nary a hitch, writes the Editor. All credit to Piping Convenor Torquil Telfer, his assistant Jamie Mellor and their stewards.  From speaking to the judges we had the usual mix of brilliant performances…