Category: Features

John MacColl’s Missing Piobaireachd – Part 2

Posted on      by      8 Comments

Thanks to permission from the National Library of Scotland we are now able to publish a copy of the hitherto ‘lost’ Lament for Donald MacPhee by John MacColl. Donald MacPhee (1841-1880) was a prominent professional piper and bagpipe maker during his short lifetime; he published a bagpipe tutor book and bagpipe music. By John Frater This from Seumas MacNeill’s ‘Masters of Piping’: ‘…at Bonawe Games young John [MacColl] had heard…

More John MacColl’s Missing Piobaireachd – Part 2

Found! A Missing Piobaireachd by Master Composer John MacColl

Posted on      by      1 Comment

I recently had another very enjoyable and productive session in the Special Collections reading room of the National Library of Scotland (NLS) in Edinburgh.  The main purpose of this visit was to take another look at Robert Meldrum’s manuscript, where, in January, I had found a score entitled the Rout of Glenlivet, which I realised was the same tune the Piobaireachd Society had published in its Book 16 as Nameless…

More Found! A Missing Piobaireachd by Master Composer John MacColl

RSPBA Confirm Friday Move for Juvenile Bands

Posted on      by      8 Comments

The RSPBA has confirmed that the Friday of the Worlds (August 15) will be day for Juvenile and Novice contests. There will be no such contests on the Saturday. The clarification comes after Piping Press reported a parent’s concern about the mooted change last Friday. He said there had been a lack of communication with band members and their parents and that the Friday move would alienate the children from…

More RSPBA Confirm Friday Move for Juvenile Bands

Editor’s Notebook: Concern Over Worlds Juvenile Contests/ Senior Piobaireachd/ Pitlochry Band/ Brodie Picture

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

I received this anonymous message earlier this week: ‘This segregation of the Worlds is all kinds of wrong. My son plays in the Juvenile grade and says the kids now feel like second class musicians, not worthy of sharing the big day with their adult heroes. ‘It does not happen at other majors and there is no good reason for it to happen at the Worlds (RSPBA ineptitude aside). My…

More Editor’s Notebook: Concern Over Worlds Juvenile Contests/ Senior Piobaireachd/ Pitlochry Band/ Brodie Picture

Bill Livingstone’s Life Remembered and Celebrated

Posted on      by      1 Comment

The Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario have announced a special ceremony to commemorate the life of Bill Livingstone, writes PPBSO President Malkie Bow. Bill died last month aged 83. A celebration of his life will take place in the ballroom of the Old Mill Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this Sunday, March 23, 2025. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube. Here is the link. The time is…

More Bill Livingstone’s Life Remembered and Celebrated