Category: Comment

Piper Eilidh Dies in Manchester Terrorist Outrage – Updated

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Piper Eilidh MacLeod, aged 14, from Barra in the Outer Hebrides has been named as a victim of the Manchester bombing atrocity. In a statement released through Greater Manchester Police, her parents said: ‘Our family is devastated and words cannot express how we feel at losing our darling Eilidh. ‘Eilidh was vivacious and full of fun. She loved all music whether it was listening to Ariana or playing the bagpipes…

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Atholl Gathering Draws and Judges Announced

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The forecast looks good for the first of the big outdoor solo competitions at the Atholl Gathering in the grounds of Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, on Sunday. All piping events start at 10.30. Fifty-three adult and 12 junior pipers will be judged by 12  judges. The Army School of Piping has kindly provided the stewards. They are all full-time soldiers on a six-month course to learn piping from scratch. Darach Urquhart…

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Review: Grade 2 at the 2017 British Pipe Band Championships

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This summary of the performances at the Grade 2 British Championship follows last week’s prelim piece from our Special Correspondent. Here he gives us his thoughts on a hard-fought Grade 2 contest last Saturday at Paisley…. From Arena 4, the one nearest the motorway and the airport take off path. Brightening sky with the earliest contests facing rain just an hour or so earlier. During the grade the clouds ebbed and flowed,…

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TEAM McCALLUM – EDINBURGH HALF MARATHON

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Leading bagpipe makers McCallum have sent the following. Please support this worthwhile cause if you can:  On the 28th May 2017, 17 members of staff and some of their friends and family will be running in the Edinburgh Half Marathon. The guys and girls will be running in aid of SAMH mental Health Charity and Yorkhill Sick Children’s Hospital. All funds raised will be split 50/50 between the two. They would…

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More Memories of Donald Mackinnon, Skye & Queensland

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Reader Catherine Herzig has kindly shared her recollections of life and times with war hero and piper Donald Mackinnon. This is  a warm, personal memoir which gives a real feel for the man’s humanity and dedication to his music. We are grateful to Cath for sharing it with us. The picture above is of Donald in KOSB rig piping during the Korean War. I was 12 when I had to take…

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