Category: Features

PP Editor’s Blog: Aberdeen Games/ Europeans PB Champs/ John Hughes/ George Ackroyd

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Sunday ‘s Games at Aberdeen have been cancelled due to ‘heavy and persistent rain’. The venue, Hazelhead Park, is currently waterlogged and more rain is forecast until Saturday. Aberdeen City Council has made the decision to cancel the popular annual event following an inspection of the site earlier today (Wednesday 15 June). Even if the rain stops ahead of the Games the ground will not be suitable to host this large scale event….

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PP Editor’s Blog: New England Academy/ UK Champs/Tune Search/BB/Rod McFadyen

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The New England Pipe and Drum Academy began last night with a two-hour workshop at the Clan MacPherson band’s practice. They’re going to the Worlds to play in G4b. I spent some time with them going through their tunes on practice chanters and then sorting pipes. They have been good supporters of the Academy but the cost of going to Scotland has meant many of them couldn’t attend individually this…

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PP Editor’s Blog: Live in Ireland Winners/ Blue Lagoon/ Lochaber Entry/ Gairloch Contest

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Winners of the ‘Live in Ireland 87’ video downloads are John McFadden and Chris Lee. The questions were: 1 Name two piobaireachd heard on 78th Fraser CDs. 2 What do Canadians like best about Scotland? a) The weather b) The fish suppers c) The Worlds The correct answer to the first was Lament for the Children from the ‘Live in Ireland’ CD and A Flame of Wrath For Squinting Patrick from…

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Is Famous Song Source of ‘When the Battle’s O’er’?

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It’s a familiar call whether in pipe or massed bands: Green Hills / Battle’s O’er’.  Indeed, ‘When the Battle’s O’er’ is a tune almost every piper in the world has either played or heard more than once. The tune is attributed to William Robb (1863 – 1909, pictured top). P/M Robb was born in Stirling and won the Gold Medal at Oban in 1893 and the Marches at the same gathering….

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PP Editor’s Blog: Weekend Contests/ Lorient/ Breton CD/ Piobaireachd Letter

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Shotts band contest today and Markinch tomorrow. Weather forecast good for both. Results for the first on the RSPBA website and the second here as soon as we get them. Tom Johnstone, Scottish Organiser for the Lorient Festival, has sent these details about this year piping events: Pipers representing Scotland: Callum Moffat, David Shedden and Fred Morrison. Scottish Judges: Andrew Frater and Bruce Hitchings The MacCrimmon Trophy, for which contestants play music from…

More PP Editor’s Blog: Weekend Contests/ Lorient/ Breton CD/ Piobaireachd Letter