The July 2016 edition of Pipe Band Magazine, the official publication of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, is now available. The magazine comes free courtesy the RSPBA. It features an interview with P/M Ross Harvey the new pipe major of Grade 1’s Boghall & Bathgate. Other features look at the judging of drumming and ensemble, go behind the scenes at a major championship. There’s an obituary for Fred Walker…
P/M Alen Tully is one of the new breed of Grade 1 pipe majors. Still aged only 33, P/M Tully has already secured two major championships for his band, St Laurence O’Toole, Dublin – and this in less than three seasons in charge. His latest success was at the European Championships at Forres last Saturday. Here he talks of what that meant to the band, of their meticulous preparation before every major…
Solo piping adjudicator Archie Maclean has sent the following: ‘Enjoyed the interesting article on P/M George Ackroyd. Please find attached, a rather creased and tattered photograph cutting from the ‘Oban Times’ (circa. 1939) under the heading ‘Pipe-Majors of the Highland Brigade’. ‘P/M Ackroyd is standing fourth from the left, the only one wearing a feather bonnet. The accompanying text has him as Pipe Major G. Ackroyd (Depot) Black Watch. You’ll make out ‘big’ Donald…
Former Scots Guards Pipe Major Sandy Davidson died at home last Thursday morning from a suspected heart attack. Sandy (74) was considered a thorough gentleman by those who knew him. He is survived by wife Margaret, son Alex, daughter Gillian, and many grandchildren. Sandy joined the 7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in Stirling before transferring to the Scots Guards in the early 60s. He became Pipe Major of the 2nd Batt in January…
Last month we had the British Pipe Band Championships at Paisley but younger readers may not know that the area hosted the same championships for many years prior to 2016. In the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s it was held at nearby Renfrew. Here’s a report from the Piping, Drumming and Dancing Journal from before WW2: British Pipe Band Championship, Renfrew The annual Pipe Band Contest organised by the Renfrew…
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