Category: Features

Change of Format a Possibility at the European Pipe Band Championships

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I hear that bands competing for the Grade 1 title at the European Championships will face a more stringent test than at the other majors – the Worlds excepted. If my information is correct, bands at Perth on August 9th will have to play an MSR in the morning (four parts) and then submit two medleys for an afternoon run. I stress that this has yet to be confirmed officially….

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Pipe Band News: Northern Ireland Chairman Stands Down/ Grant Cassidy Leaves Shotts

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The pipe band community in Northern Ireland has been surprised by yesterday’s resignation of the RSPBA Northern Ireland branch Chairman, Alastair Patterson, writes Gilbert Cromie. In a statement Alastair said: ‘I have taken the decision to stand down from my role as Chairman of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch. This has not been an easy decision, but the amount of time and commitment needed has been having an impact on…

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Background to Historic Juvenile Trophies Explained

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Piping historian Jeannie Campbell has sent this following the recent mention of two famous Scottish Pipers’ Association trophies….. On 6th November 1920 the Oban Times announced that the Clan Macrae Society had presented a trophy (above left) in memory of the late Pipe Major Farquhar MacRae to the Scottish Pipers’ Association. The SPA were to manage competitions in connection with the trophy. They also received two other trophies formerly used by…

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News from the Piobaireachd Society

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The Society are holding their annual conference in Perth from March 28-30. There are four illustrated talks on the Saturday (March 29). These are: ‘Gems from the PS Archive’ – Dr Jack Taylor‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald, Inverness’ – Robert Wallace‘Memorising the Great Music’ – Dr Peter McCalister‘Skye: Language, Heritage and the Silver Chanter’ – Dr J Decker Forrest The formal events are followed by a piobaireachd ceilidh…

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College Band/ Inveraray Dinner/ Balvenie Medal

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Scott Bennett replies to last week’s article on the College of Piping band. He writes: Yes that was Evan MacKay behind the pipe major in photo of the CoP band in Brittany in 1953. And if you look very carefully you can see me – the small boy behind the Pipe Sergeant. The P/Sgt was none other than the renowned accordionist of Mishnish Hotel, Tobermory, fame, Bobby MacLeod. Bobby composed…

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