Category: Blog

PP Editor’s Blog: New Piob Recording from Donald MacPherson/ Pipe Band Formations/ Oz Results/ MacGregor Entries

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A treat for all piobaireachd lovers today. Posted on the PP Audio archive is maestro Donald MacPherson playing that beautiful tune, Lady MacDonald’s Lament. It is Donald’s winning performance from the 1977 Clan Donald competition held aboard a ship, the SS Calypso, moored off Sleat, Isle of Skye. Donald’s superb technique, extraordinarily resonant and steady pipe and masterful phrasing are all in evidence. Lady MacDonald is a wonderful piece of…

More PP Editor’s Blog: New Piob Recording from Donald MacPherson/ Pipe Band Formations/ Oz Results/ MacGregor Entries

PP Ed’s Blog: NSW Results/ U&B Recording/ Kintyre Cancelled/ Draw for the British – comment

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The New South Wales Piper’s Society ran it’s annual Silver Chalice solo competition at the Presbyterian Ladies College, Sydney, on Saturday 16th April. Results were: Silver Chalice Piobaireachd: 1st: Jason Craig – Earl of Seaforth’s Salute 2nd: Dennis Browning – Old Men of the Shells 3rd: Stephen Ross – The MacDonalds are Simple Judge: Malcolm McRae Ron Clement MSR: 1st: Adam Wishart 2nd: Charlie Hunter 3rd: Dennis Browning Judge: Aaron O’Neill…

More PP Ed’s Blog: NSW Results/ U&B Recording/ Kintyre Cancelled/ Draw for the British – comment

P/M Archie Cairns and the Sovereign’s Piper

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I was sorry to learn the other day of the passing of Pipe Major Archie Cairns. Archie was aged 87 and throughout his life piping was central to everything he did. An obituary in Canada’s ‘Your Life Moments’ reads: ‘Peacefully at home on 1 April, 2016, at the age of 87 with daughter Fiona at his side. He was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. Archie…

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PP Editor’s Blog: Willie’s Funeral/ Willie Ross/ Frazer’s Gesture/New Letters etc.

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The funeral of Willie McCallum Senior will be held on Saturday, 16 April, at 1pm at Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown.  Willie (87) passed away after collapsing after attending the Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Willie was an unfailing servant of piping, though not a player himself. He was instrumental in establishing the Kintyre Piping Society and dedicated himself to its promotion over a 60 year period….

More PP Editor’s Blog: Willie’s Funeral/ Willie Ross/ Frazer’s Gesture/New Letters etc.

PP Ed’s Blog: Thoughts on Pipe Band Judging/ Piping at Forres Tickets/ Donald MacLeod Contest/NEPADA Discount

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One fact that emerged from yesterday’s story concerning the RSPBA’s Adjudicator Panel was this: the passion and concern everyone involved has for the pipe band art. The judges themselves are dedicated to trying to get their results correct and to have in place the best system that allows that to happen. It is inevitable that there will be clashes of personality and disputes over how this should best be done. In…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Thoughts on Pipe Band Judging/ Piping at Forres Tickets/ Donald MacLeod Contest/NEPADA Discount