Category: History

Editor’s Notebook: 2026 Majors/ RSPBA Fundraising/ Mod Piping/ Lochnell Championship/ Letters

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I wonder how the RSPBA are getting on with the planning for next year’s major championships? Will it be five or the three and a half we had this year? Looking back it seems there was confirmation of the Worlds, the Euros, the Scottish and the UKs for 2026. The latter was a bit of a non-event given the date on which it was held (July 12) but the Association…

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News from Canada

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St Andrew’s College in Ontario, Canada, are looking for a new Director of Piping & Drumming. The full time job begins in August next year. The prospectus reads: Our Pipes & Drums program has been in existence since 1915. With the help of world-renowned piping and drumming teachers, aspiring pipers and drummers can begin their journey at St Andrew’s and graduate with a lifelong hobby of piping or drumming, with…

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Northern Ireland Pipe Band & Solo Round Up

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Ballynahinch High School was the setting last Saturday (Sept.27) for the third annual Down Academy Juvenile Solos. The adjudication panel comprised Richard Parkes and David Chesney (piping), and Gordon Parkes (drumming). The Parkes brothers presented the prizes in their respective disciplines. They said a high standard of playing had been on display throughout the day and they were particularly encouraged by the quality of teaching which augured well for the…

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Northern Ireland Piper of the Year/ Caritas Entries

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The Northern Ireland Piper of the year competition took place in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, on Saturday 27th September 2025, writes Ken Stewart. Adjudicators were Logan Tannock and David Caldwell. Pictured above (l-r) with their trophies are winners James Stone, Andrew Nelson and James Frazer. Results as follows: Piobaireachd:     1 Ashley McMichael, MacFarlane’s Gathering2 Kris Coyle, Lament for the Viscount of Dundee3 Alastair Donaghy, Massacre of Glencoe MSR:…

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Peter Bain’s Bagpipe – Part 2

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I was contacted by the current owner, Peter Aumonier, and a previous student of my great-grandfather’s, Malcolm McRae, writes John Gillies. Malcolm purchased the pipes on behalf of Donald Bain who took them with him to New Zealand after my great-grandfather’s death. Peter and I were able to video call so I was able to see the pipes, a beautiful set of 1908 hallmarked silver and ivory Hendersons, with a unique…

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