Category: History

History: Pipe Band Competitions After WW2

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We conclude our look at the history of the pipe band movement…. In 1947 the Association decided to take the World Championship away from Cowal. They had had a good offer from Edinburgh City Council who wanted it to be held there to coincide with the new international arts festival. Cowal refused to give up the championship or hand over the trophies. The dispute was long and bitter and involved…

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Editor’s Notebook: Singer Pipe Band/ Solo Judging/ Stirling Recital and Contest/ NZ National Youth Pipe Band

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Thanks to reader David Moore for the above picture of Singer Pipe Band, Clydebank. David was mentioned in last week’s article along with two other ex-members, George McEwan and Murdo MacLean. David writes: I knew both George and Murdo well as we all lived in the same area along with many other Singer employees. George and myself played with Pipe Major Maurice Pert at Duthie Park, Aberdeen, in 1970 winning…

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Responses to ‘Judge’s Dilemma at Glenfiddich’ article

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Neil Mulvie: ‘I find it difficult not to be impressed by the approach to judging and scrutiny that Norman [Matheson] describes in his letter to Andrew Wright. And I am certain that Andrew would have totally agreed with Norman’s views. ‘Andrew often quoted Andrew MacNeill, saying that he was more comfortable awarding a prize to the piper, ‘who went off the tune rather than one who was never on it…

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History: Judge’s Dilemma at Glenfiddich Competition

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In 1993 there was a boycott of the main piping competitions by a large tranche of the competing piping community. They had been driven to take such drastic action by what they perceived as the poor standard of judging then extant. The boycott led to the formation of the Joint Committee for Judging representing all interested parties, pipers, promoters, judges. It was to oversee matters of dispute. Andrew Wright was…

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Editor’s Notebook: Uist & Barra/ Airdrie Recital/ London Irish Rifles/ Singer Pipe Band/

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The first major solo contest of the year, the Uist & Barra Invitational, has been confirmed for March 7. As before, it will be held at the Piping Centre in Otago Street. The competition is under new management and it looks as though they have hit the ground running. Invites to a dozen or so pipers have already been sent out and they are merit-based. They include both 2025 Gold…

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