Good Advice from MacStig on Playing in Arena 1

‘They seek him here, they seek him there, those pipers seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven or is he in hell, the elusive pipe band pimpernel?’  The MacStig algorithm and spreadsheet stack is more complex than the Cameronian Rant. I’m trying to keep tabs on who is where and when this hectic week. I have been a moving target all week, dipping in and out of practices around Glasgow…

Weekend Grade 2 Round-Up and Look Ahead to the World Championships

Some say the only tunes he knows are the ones he takes when he has a cold….others suspect he is a band bus driver on the make, even more that he’s the pay of the RSPBA. All we know is he’s called MacStig…… Phew! That was the weekend that was. To be dubbed the ‘wet and wetter weekend’, as band enthusiasts and bands tried to cram in both main Scottish…

PP Editor’s Blog: Fintan Lalor/ Gary Innes/ Lochaber/ Highland Games/ Poll result/ McCallum’s Marathon

Following John Kelly’s informative feature on the history of the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championship, Patrick Byrne has sent us this atmospheric picture (above). It is of the famous Fintan Lalor Pipe Band parading through the streets of Dublin in the 1960s.  Can anyone help us to identify the pipers? Black mark to Gary Innes (pictured) the presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s popular ‘Take the Floor’ country dance music show. In…

Bands: Grade 2 Mid Season Update and Look Ahead/ Co. Antrim Champs.

Our Special Correspondent has been covering our important Grade 2 contests all season. His reporting and comment has been very well received by the bandsmen and women in this grade and he has highlighted some of the excellent playing you can hear in this grade. Today he takes stock of their season so far…. With a number of Grade 2 overseas bands slated to play at Glasgow Green in August…

Fine Selection of Second Hand Books Offered for Sale by Piping Press Shop Now Sold

Six classic piping books were offered for sale today for by the Piping Press Shop. These have now sold within one hour of going on sale. The books, first lot, were the ‘Seaforth Highlanders Collection’, Seumas MacNeill’s ‘Tutor for Piobaireachd’ and Roderick Cannon’s ‘Highland Bagpipe and Its Music’. Revenue from these sales will help maintain Piping Press’s not for profit, subscription-free service. The ‘Seaforth Collection’, currently retailing new at £25, was first…