Bob Hain 1937-2024

We report the sad and sudden passing of piper and reedmaker Bob Hain, Leslie, Fife. He was 87. After a career in the Black Watch, during which time he was selected to be Lone Piper at the Edinburgh Tattoo, Bob left the Army and joined Cupar & District Pipe Band. Only a short while after joining he was elected Pipe Major. This began a very successful period for the band…

SPA Professional Date/ Talk Piobaireachd/ EUSPBA Elections

The Scottish Pipers’ Association have set the date for their 2025 annual professional contest: April 12. The venue is the Piping Centre, McPhater Street, Glasgow. The SPA is the first open professional contest of the season. Pictured above is Ben Duncan, one of the big winners at the 2024 SPA. The competition has enjoyed substantial sponsorship from the Piobaireachd Society. The Uist & Barra, an invitational contest, is on March…

Analysis: The ‘Strange’ Crunluath Revisited

The set tunes for 2024 had two tunes which had ‘open’ toarluath and crunluath fosgailte movements, the Nameless tune from Angus MacKay set for the Gold Medal, and the MacNabs’ Gathering set for the Silver, the tunes appearing in the PS Book 3 on pages 148 and 149.   By Duncan Watson There are about five or six other tunes which come to mind where this open fosgailte can occur…

Pipe Major Robert Reid Pipes Sell for Substantial Sum at Glasgow Auction

Pipes and chanters previously owned by P/M Robert Reid earned over £10,000 following an auction in Glasgow yesterday The main set, almost certainly that pictured above being played by the master piper (r). Rubber bands on the drone slides can still be seen on the picture below. This set attracted interest from around the world after it was featured on Piping Press pre-sale. It sold for £6,000. The name of…

SPA Veterans Results/ Ardmore Cup Details/ NZ Bands

Five played in the Scottish Pipers’ Association Veterans competition held at the Piping Centre in Glasgow last Friday (December 6). Only first places for each category were awarded.  The judge was Tom Johnstone who is pictured far left (above) with the contestants, Logan Tannock, Dave Mason (new member), Brian Mulhearn, Neil Cameron and George Johnstone. Results: Slow Air: Logan Tannock ; 2/4 March: George Johnston ; Medley: Dave Mason. Details of…