A Historic Worlds for Everyone and in Particular Ian Embelton, Retiring RSPBA Chief Executive

Tomorrow we’ll witness the first World Pipe Band Championship for three years. It will be a pared down event with the local authority sponsors, Glasgow Life, understandably keen to save money. There will be no Highland dancing, no heavy events and no hospitality tent. Band numbers are down to around 150; usually we break the 200 mark. However this should not be seen as a lack of enthusiasm for the…

Heart of Down Contest Brings Curtain Down on the NI Branch Season

Donard Park in Newcastle, County Down, was the setting for the Heart of Down Pipe Band Championships, the final event of the RSPBANI Branch outdoor competition season and also the conclusion of the 2022 Champion of Champions league calculated on the five competitions over the summer.  The competition had the largest entry of bands and drum majors at any local contest this season and there was also a largely attended…

Lorient Results: MacCrimmon Trophy and Piobaireachd

The day after securing the lucrative MacCrimmon Trophy, Northern Ireland’s Robert Watt completed a very successful visit to the Lorient Festival in Brittany by taking first in the Piobaireachd competition as well. The runner-up was once more the Province’s other outstanding piper at the festival, Andrew Carlisle. Ceòl mòr results were as follows: 1 Robert Watt, Corrienessan’s Salute 2 Andrew Carlisle, Lament for the Earl of Antrim 3 Derek Midgley,…

Newtonmore Games Results

Seven played in blustery conditions in the land of Calum Piobair. Piobaireachd winner P/M Ben Duncan is pictured with the Dr Kenneth Mackay Piobaireachd Trophy. Piobaireachd (3 tunes)1. P/M Ben Duncan (Lament for the Children)2. Angus MacPhee (Old Men of the Shells)3. Callum Wynd (End of the Great Bridge)4. Matt Pantaleoni Judge: John Don MacKenzie March (3 tunes)1. Angus MacPhee2. P/M Ben Duncan3. Matt Pantaleoni4. Callum Wynd Strathspey & Reel (3…

The 70s Tribute Band and How the Idea Was Formed

The official press release on the 70s Tribute band, reported on PP earlier, was released today….. Some time ago an idea was hatched, by a few people who had competed during the 1970s, to acknowledge the initiative of the members of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association who introduced a Medley competition as the format for the World Pipe Band Championships in 1970. By Ken Stewart Prior to this all…