Category: Features

Manorcunningham Celebrate Successful Year and Are Now Recruiting

Posted on      by     

John Kelly reports….After a year out in 2016, Manorcunningham Pipe Band made a welcome return to the Grade 2 pipe band competition arena in 2017 picking up an amazing 41 trophies in a most successful year. To celebrate this success the band held a celebratory dinner in the Arena 7 Restaurant, Letterkenny on Saturday 7th October.  Earlier in the day the band members gathered in the band’s practice hall in Manorcunningham village for what…

More Manorcunningham Celebrate Successful Year and Are Now Recruiting

New Composing Competition for Young Pipers

Posted on      by     

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust have sent this: ‘A competition to find Scotland’s next superstar young composer and an iconic new tune for our national instrument has launched today ‘Piping Hit 2018′.  Youngsters across Scotland are being asked whether they think they have the x factor and to compose a hit tune suitable for the great Highland bagpipe.  ‘The competition is open to every school pupil in Scotland.  Music charity organisers, the Scottish Schools Pipes and…

More New Composing Competition for Young Pipers

Last Black Watch Piper to Play at President Kennedy’s Funeral Dies

Posted on      by     

The Dundee’s ‘Courier’ newspaper has reported the passing of Bruce Cowie the last Black Watch Piper to play at the 1963 funeral procession of former US President John F Kennedy. Piper Bruce (78) was aged 24 when he took part in the march through Washington from the White house to St Matthew’s Cathedral in 1963 (see pic above). PP readers can re-visit our extensive feature on these few tragic days…

More Last Black Watch Piper to Play at President Kennedy’s Funeral Dies

Glasgow City Pipe Band and Grade 2 Prospects for 2018

Posted on      by     

Our Grade 2 watcher MacStig regrets to note that Glasgow City Pipe Band has disbanded after 2 years…… It’s always sad to see a band packing up and calling it a day, and there have been many over the years. Glasgow City tried hard in a very competitive market for players, stepped out in Grade 2, and made it through two seasons, albeit this past season probably signposted challenges with…

More Glasgow City Pipe Band and Grade 2 Prospects for 2018

Appeal for More Information on P/M Willie Jack of the Dalziel Highland Pipe Band

Posted on      by     

Reader Kerry MacIver has written asking for information about her grandfather, P/M William Jack of the Dalziel Highland Pipe Band. Kerry writes: ‘I am wanting to find out more about my grandfather and I was wondering if you could help. His name was Willie Jack and he was Pipe Major of the Dalziel Highland Pipe Band. I believe it was based in either Motherwell or Wishaw. ‘He passed away in…

More Appeal for More Information on P/M Willie Jack of the Dalziel Highland Pipe Band