‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald Inverness’, by John H Shone – A Review

The name of John Macdonald, Inverness, must be one of the best known and illustrious in piping history. However, until now, there has not been a single account of his life and his influence on the development of piping, and piobaireachd in particular, during a critical period towards the end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. By Alan Forbes John Shone has put that right in his…

Aberdeen Games/ Eilidh’s Trust/ SunBelt Invitational

Fraser Maitland: Aberdeen Highland Games are on Sunday, 15th June, at Hazelhead Park. Entry form is now live here. Three tunes in senior categories. We encourage those interested to enter before midnight 6th June; those who do will receive free entry to the park. Later entries accepted until 24 hours before the start of the games. Those entering on the day will play first and at the discretion of the…

RU Brown Gold Medal Results

This annual competition was held over two days in St Aloysius College, Adelaide, South Australia, last weekend. The winner of the Gold Medal was Dan Nevans from Airdrie (pictured with trophy and medal). Clasp for Former Winners (four tunes): 1 Martin Frewen – Earl of Ross’s March – (AUD$2,000) 2 Struan Thorpe ($1,000) 3 Jonathan Quay ($600) Gold Medal (four tunes): 1 Dan Nevans – Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute – ($900)…

Bob Shepherd, a Man of Innovative Ideas

The news that the company of RT Shepherd has been taken over by a former employee should please everyone who knew the company’s founder, Bob Shepherd, writes the Editor. Bob was an innovator in every way: new products, new manufacturing systems, better quality control, new thinking about how pipe bands should go about their business. The video below confirms his reputation as a man who was determined to push pipe…

Sale of RT Shepherd & Co Confirmed by Insolvency Company

Within hours of Piping Press reporting rumours of a sale of RT Shepherd & Co., the company handling the insolvency has confirmed that the firm will be taken over by Broadleys Bagpipes & Reeds. Fife-based Broadleys have a growing reputation within the pipe band world with many top bands already playing their instruments and reeds. Proprietor Ross Watson is a former employee of Shepherds. The Interim Liquidator Steven Wright was…