Category: History

Lance Corporal Patrick Milne: Another Heroic Piper on the Heights of Dargai

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Two Victoria Crosses and seven Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to the Gordon Highlanders for gallantry at the battle for the Heights of Dargai on the North West Frontier of British India on 20th October, 1897. All pipers will be aware of the Victoria Cross presented to Piper George Findlater following the action, who ‘though shot through both legs, continued, while sitting on the ground, to play his pipes undauntedly’. …

More Lance Corporal Patrick Milne: Another Heroic Piper on the Heights of Dargai

Editor’s Notebook: RT Shepherd & Co./ Entries at UKs/ Clan Fraser PB/ Correspondence/ Iowa Highlanders/ Scottish Schools

Posted on      by      1 Comment

I am sure that we are not the only people who are have failed in our attempts to get in touch with bagpipe manufacturer RT Shepherd & Co. On a visit to Fife this week I called in to their premises in Cardenden to find the place locked up with curtains closed and blinds down. Local enquiries yielded scant information other than that around a month ago the premises had…

More Editor’s Notebook: RT Shepherd & Co./ Entries at UKs/ Clan Fraser PB/ Correspondence/ Iowa Highlanders/ Scottish Schools

New Music: The Pinkman Family Collection

Posted on      by      3 Comments

I have compiled a new book of bagpipe tunes written by pipers from three generations of the Pinkman family. The majority of the tunes, which number over 300, were written by Pipe Major Robert (Rab) Pinkman (KOSB) pictured above.   There are also tunes from Rab’s father, Edward Pinkman, his grandfather, Robert D Pinkman and Archie Pinkman of Bilston Glen Colliery Pipe Band fame. By Stephen Beattie The book, with 354…

More New Music: The Pinkman Family Collection

News from Across the Water: Bill Livingstone Remembered/ Waterford Solos/ St Patrick’s Day/ Drumlough 75th/ MacDonald Solos/ Video Archive

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Many local pipe band enthusiasts were sad to hear of the passing of Pipe Major Bill Livingstone. Bill will ever be associated with his leadership of the 78th Fraser Highlanders from Ontario, Canada. He brought the band to Scotland in the early 1980s and in 1987 they went on to become the first from overseas to win the World Championships. Several days before that iconic event the band played in…

More News from Across the Water: Bill Livingstone Remembered/ Waterford Solos/ St Patrick’s Day/ Drumlough 75th/ MacDonald Solos/ Video Archive

RSPBA Drop Change of Date for the UK Championships, AGM Imminent

Posted on      by      2 Comments

The RSPBA has dropped the idea of a switch in date for the UK Pipe Band Championships. They canvassed bands over a possible change from July 12 to May 3. Returns showed the majority were against. Many had already booked buses, hotels, flights to Ingliston’s Royal Highland Centre. Others thought it too early in the season and had other commitments that day. By the Editor It remains to be seen…

More RSPBA Drop Change of Date for the UK Championships, AGM Imminent