Category: Comment

Editor’s Notebook: Worlds and Nat/ Old Boggies Celebrate/ Bill’s New Job/ MacKay Cairn/ Angus’s Winning Jig

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There has been quite a lot of overheated speculation about the Worlds and Nat Russell, most of it rather wide of the mark. I have gathered considerable information on what actually happened and what Mr Russell’s placings were but cannot in all honesty share it with you. Nothing would be gained by such exposure. Nat Russell is a Worlds-winning Pipe Major. He is a senior adjudicator with 60 years dedication…

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My Father, Double Gold Medallist William M. MacDonald

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A new book has been published featuring the compositions of the late William M. MacDonald, Inverness, and his son Brian. In his Foreword, Brian gives illuminating insight into his father’s life and career…. My father was born in Kingussie on 6th August 1918 and inherited his musical talent from his mother who was a Munro from Sutherland. As a boy he was first taught piping in Kingussie by Captain Norman…

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Clan MacRae Photo/ Scots Guards KO Line-Up Announced/ Mod Piping

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Reader Matthew Farrigan: In regards to correspondence back in April this year about a photo of the Clan MacRae winning the Worlds, I guess I was correct regarding the young chap centre holding the trophy was in fact Bob Burnett.  Big thanks to Iain Duncan’s part three History of the MacRae and the photo ID for confirming. I ran into Bob’s son Robbie a couple weeks ago at the local…

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History of the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band – Part 3

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It is believed that Hamish McColl MM was Pipe Sergeant when Willie Fergusson retired and he was unanimously appointed Pipe Major. McColl held the position for 18 months, a relatively short tenure, but maintained the competition standard.  For reasons unknown, he moved to the Rutherglen Rechabites band and was replaced in the MacRae by John Findlay Nicoll.  He continued the band’s incredible success and emulated Pipe Major Fergusson’s famous 1920s…

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All Ireland Solo Piping & Drumming: News, Results and Comment

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This competition was held last Saturday (Sept.16) in a school in Lusk, north of Dublin. It was very well attended by pipers and drummers from both the north and south of Ireland, writes the Editor. Hosts were the Irish Pipe Band Association. They share responsibility for the contest with the RSPBA Northern Ireland. IPBA President Con O’Conaill announced at the prize-giving that he was standing down after 47 years service….

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