Category: Comment

P/M Donald MacLeod: New Slideshow Depicting His Life & Times

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The great Donald MacLeod died 35 years ago last month, writes the Editor. Today we mark this with a new slideshow (link at foot of column) depicting the life and times of the master piper with thanks to the unnamed reader who alerted us to this important anniversary. Donald MacLeod was born in 1917 and died in 1982.  He was one of the greatest pipers of the 20th century both…

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Harpenden Highland Games Results (Pix Added)

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Glorious sunshine and a very busy Highland Games with lots of different activities and events. Pipe Bands, vintage cars, dancers, birds of prey, rock bands and sprinting races amongst others! Possibly the most varied and entertaining Games on the circuit. Piping was at the top of the hill away from any distracting noise and with a great view of the whole Gathering. All six competing pipers were amateur status. It…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Band and Solo Judging/ G2 band not at Scottish/ SPA Juvenile

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I think I agree with correspondent Ian Forbes about the order of play affecting pipe band results. Does a stick out performance at the start of the Worlds final leave a better impression than one at the end? I think he has a point and there could be an argument for bands that are on early in the MSR being seeded to the end of the Medley. However what about…

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Glasgow Skye’s Popular Worlds Week Concert And How it All Began

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Without question the most important event in the week leading up to the World Pipe Band Championships is the major pipe band contest staged each year on the Wednesday by Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band. The concert, now held in Glasgow’s prestigious Royal Concert Hall, has showcased the biggest names in bands and invariably attracts a sell out crowd of 2,000+. The hall provides a spectacular backdrop for the bands…

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PP Ed’s Blog: John McGregor Letter/ Scots Guards Juniors/ Highland League/ Alden Biesen

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Grateful to piping historian Keith Sanger for forwarding this letter from the Blair Castle archives. It is dated 1830 and is by Perthshire piper John McGregor. It mentions his (McGregor’s) winning the prize pipe and Angus MacKay (pictured above) coming second. MacKay is intimated as piper to the Duke of Gordon which is news to me. I understood that before royal service with Queen Victoria he was with the Laird…

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