Category: Comment

Editor’s Notebook: Fifth Major/ Piper Search/ Stirling Juniors/ Ozzie Reid/ T&C Singlings

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I understand the RSPBA are very close to announcing the venue and date of the elusive fifth Major Championship for 2027. Rumours abound that this Championship, the UK, is heading for either Belfast or Ayr (hot money). The date is likely to be the weekend of 26th June. Already fixed up are the British on May 29 at Ingliston, the Scottish at Dumbarton on July 27th, the Euros at Perth…

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History: How it All Began for the RSPBA

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Piping Press recently published information about the formation in 1930 of the Scottish Pipe Band Association (SPBA), which we now know as the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), ‘Royal’ status having been bestowed on the Association in 1980. Over the years the Association has undergone several changes, many of which are described in the, ‘How it all began; and the first 75 years’ booklet published by the RSPBA in…

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‘Masters of Piping’, a Masterwork by Seumas MacNeill

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A new edition of writer Seumas MacNeill’s celebrated book, ‘Masters of Piping’, has been published by the Piobaireachd Society. The original work was issued in 2006 sponsored by the Society in honour of Mr MacNeill, for 20 years its Honorary Secretary. It was based on a radio series he made for BBC Radio Scotland. The new revised edition has been produced in co-operation with his son Rory and PP Editor…

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Editor’s Notebook: RSPBA Chief Exec/ Toronto CNE/ College Summer School/ World Solo Drumming/ Con Houlihan

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All the indications are that the RSPBA has made an inspired choice in appointing Meaghan Lyons as its new Chief Executive. From what I’ve read, Meaghan has a wide business experience (especially in fund raising). We also know she is very good with people and has a thorough knowledge of the pipe band world in Canada, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Of course this last is not a pre-requisite of the…

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My First Trip to Canada for the Scottish Tattoo at the CNE Toronto

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The Scottish Tattoo at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) was held in the early 1970s in Toronto. It featured the leading Grade 1 bands from Scotland and Northern Ireland and a few from Grade 2, plus all the top local bands and others. Here Eddie Gorman, then a piper with Muirhead & Sons, reminisces… a Glasgow boy on his first trip to North America. The Toronto he describes may seem…

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