Category: Features

Proposal to End Difficulties Over Judges and Pupils – Clarification and Reaction

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

There has been considerable response to Colin MacLellan’s recently published proposal to end the problems associated with judging and teaching which continue to plague the solo piping world. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Colin has been the recipient of several messages of support but wishes to clarify one aspect of the proposal which may have been misunderstood and adds further comment: ‘Since the publication of my judging proposal it has…

More Proposal to End Difficulties Over Judges and Pupils – Clarification and Reaction

A Spectator’s Look Back at the UK Pipe Band Championships in Belfast

Posted on      by      9 Comments

I was at the UK pipe band championships in Belfast on 13th June, 2026, where the music was enjoyed by a large crowd. Other arrangements were not so good. The competition was held at the Grove Playing Fields, a very large park with no public vehicle access and very limited access to buses and cars from the surrounding roads. The roads were restricted to basically one-way traffic with ‘only stop…

More A Spectator’s Look Back at the UK Pipe Band Championships in Belfast

Editor’s Notebook: Hypocrisy & Contradiction/ Northern Meeting Brooch/ NZ Piob./ John MacDougall 214 BB

Posted on      by      1 Comment

There have been ongoing comments since my ‘What Price Forgiveness for P/M Gordon Walker‘ essay in October 2023. It has clearly struck a chord with readers. Most have been in agreement with the sentiments contained therein. There have been ‘contributions’ by ill-informed contrarians intent on indulging their prejudices, but nothing worthy of publication. Their arguments all fell at the first level of ratiocination. The Rev. Leslie Barrett, the noted amateur…

More Editor’s Notebook: Hypocrisy & Contradiction/ Northern Meeting Brooch/ NZ Piob./ John MacDougall 214 BB

Proposal to End Difficulties Over Judges and Pupils

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

The problem of pupils being judged by teachers in piping competitions has caused much debate and division. For the past few years I have spent quite a bit of time using experiences from judging along with playing, and have formulated a plan which I believe solves these problems. By Colin MacLellan In reality, it is very simple, but perhaps appears less so when committed to paper, because every circumstance must…

More Proposal to End Difficulties Over Judges and Pupils

Major Winner P/M Emmet Conway, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia, Talks to Piping Press

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Two weeks ago P/M Emmet Conway and his Shotts & Dykehead band were proclaimed British Champions at Ingliston Showgrounds near Edinburgh. It was Emmet’s first ‘major’ success since he took over the band in 2018. Afterwards he gave this interview to Piping Press….. How does it feel to lift your first major? It feels absolutely incredible.  There’s also a real sense of relief in getting that first major title under…

More Major Winner P/M Emmet Conway, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia, Talks to Piping Press