Category: Blog

Uist & Barra Line Up/ Northern Ireland Band News

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The first major professional solo contest of the year, the Uist & Barra, takes place in the old College of Piping building (now part of the Piping Centre) in Otago Street, Glasgow, on March 9th. Piping Convenor John Angus Smith has confirmed the following line-up, playing order, and tunes for the Ceòl Mòr: Finlay Johnston – My Dearest on Earth Give Me Your KissCraig Sutherland – MacLeod of Colbeck’s LamentWilliam…

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History: A Lament for GS McLennan

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This is from a late 1970s article by journalist Alistair Campsie. Though often a controversial figure, Mr Campsie was a good writer. Some readers will know him through his entertaining but largely discredited book, ‘The MacCrimmon Legend: the Madness of Angus MacKay’. …. Just over 50 years ago, one of the biggest funeral processions ever seen in Aberdeen jammed the city centre with 20,000 mourners, three pipe bands and a…

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Archie Kenneth Quaich Result/ CLASP Online Results

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The Archie Kenneth Quaich 2024 was held in the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers Society last Saturday, 24th February. The winner was Arran King who is pictured above. The competition is promoted by the Piobaireachd Society. A large entry of 38 was reduced to 25 by ballot. Twenty-one played. Result: 1 Arran King, MacFarlane’s Gathering2 Edmund Boland, Andrew MacNeil of Colonsay3 Owain Woodman Carr, Little Spree4 Graham Farr, Catherine’s…

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Editor’s Notebook: PPBSO Suspension/ Watson’s Contest/ Florida Academy/ Lewis Recital

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The Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario have suspended one of their prominent members for 12 months, according to several reliable sources. I understand the suspension is in response to this individual’s consistently belligerent attitude towards the RSPBA with whom the Society have always had a good working relationship. The Society has been embarrassed into taking action but are refusing to discuss it. Well done to them for keeping…

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P/M Richard Parkes Master Classes/ SLOT’s Famous Bass Drummer Retires

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The Ulster-Scots Agency is an organisation whose aims are to promote the study, conservation, development and use of Ulster-Scots as a living language; to encourage and develop the full range of its attendant culture; and to promote an understanding of the history of Ulster-Scots. Since it was established in 1999 it has funded annual tuition programmes generally promoted by individuals bands of all types with piping, drumming and drum majoring…

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