Register Now to Commemorate the End of WW1 100 Years Ago

The ‘Battle’s Over – A Nation’s Tribute’ is a project giving pipers an opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifice of pipers and their comrades who lost their lives in World War I. It is the brainchild of Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR Pageantmaster. He writes: ‘I would like to invite you to take part in Battle’s Over – a Nation’s Tribute, which on 11th November 2018 will commemorate the 100th anniversary of…

PP Ed's Blog: WSJ/ Celtic Conns/ Letter/ Burgess Bagpipes/ South Florida Sell Out/ Sheila Finlay

Wasn’t it great to se the Wall Street Journal – of all people – taking an interest in pipe bands with their comprehensive story on band numbers yesterday? And it wasn’t because the reporter concerned played in a band either. In the best traditions of good journalism he had picked up the story from someone, did his research and produced a balanced article as a result. It was the same with…

Wall Street Journal Joins the Debate on the Number of Pipers in Bands

The prestigious Wall Street Journal is used to frenzied activity, head to head battles, bears and bulls and all that. But this is as nothing to the fervid pipe band world they enter today with the following article on piper numbers. The article features comments from our Editor and other luminaries such as P/M Bill Livingstone formerly of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band. Bill’s band is pictured above, so big that…

Field Marshal Live on Facebook from 1pm/ Highlands & Islands Launch Syllabus

Those following Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band may like to tune in to their live practice for the Irish Oscars today at 1pm. Here’s the link. FMM are to receive a special award for their contribution to Irish music.  The  band will be presented with the award at the Gradam Ceoil concert and awards ceremony at Belfast Waterfront tomorrow live on television channel TG4. A local newspaper reported: ‘Widely regarded…

PP Ed's Blog: Skye Under Fire/ Geoff's Collection/ SPA/ Ulster Charity Concert

US broadcaster CNN has handed the island of Skye the unwelcome tag of one of the top 12 global tourists destinations to avoid this summer. The list also includes Barcelona, the Taj Mahal and Mount Everest. The report states that the infrastructure of Scotland’s largest island ‘creaked under the pressure last year as thousands of tourists in coaches and cars plied its narrow lanes resulting in widespread snarl-ups. Eventually the residents…