Reader Eric MacIntrye reminds us today that it is exactly 100 years since the death of the great Willie Lawrie (see Letters). Many pipers are fortunate to excel in one branch of our art either as a teacher, player or composer. Some are fortunate to master two; seldom three. But for Willie Lawrie this trinity of achievement came as naturally as mother’s milk. Genial, warm, humourous, articulate was how his contemporaries…
We are always keen to promote and publicise Army piping and drumming and especially those who work so hard in maintaining this pillar of the piping establishment. Part of that support comes in recording the history of the various regiments and their Pipes & Drums. The above photograph is from the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons) Collection and the caption tells us that it was taken at Tidworth in…
The recent WW1 commemorations brought to the fore some of the outstanding compositions by P/M John McLellan Dunoon. P/M McLellan was one of the truly great composers of pipe music with a host of melodies to his name, melodies that will endure as long as bagpipes are played. Just look at this sample list of masterpieces: The Road to the Isles (various names before being taken up by the sangsters and…
The Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA have sent this: ‘Live ‘back’ in Ireland 87 Concert at Belfast Waterfront Hall – 30 years ago, the soon-to-be World Champion Pipe Band, Toronto-based, 78th Fraser Highlanders performed and recorded the now-legendary ‘Live in Ireland’ concert. An all-star cast of guest players along with many of the original performers are once again coming together, for the final time, to celebrate the music of…
Day two in Pittsburgh began with breakfast with Jimmy and Gordon Bell, illustrious sons of the late and equally illustrious George Bell, Bishopbriggs and New Jersey. I told them that over the years I had been in regular contact with their father up until his death eight years ago. George had been taught by Bob Hardie in the Bishopbriggs Boys Brigade and in the Kenmure’s Pipe Band. Hardie would go…
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