Editor’s Notebook: BAG School/ Inveraray Games/ Judging/ Argylls Book/ US Contest/ British Legion 1971

I am in Germany for the annual Bagpipe Association of Germany School at Breuberg Castle in the Odenwald about an hour south of Frankfurt. A great team of instructors including drummer Carel Ooms who taught with me in Denmark 25 years ago, and Dixie Ingram, retired RSPBA judge and Scots Guardsman. Dixie has been coming here for 30 years and tells me he is just back from a fortnight at…

Dunvegan Medal Draw/ Chatsworth Entry Details

The prestigious Dunvegan Medal for MacCrimmon Piobaireachd will take place at this year’s Skye Gathering from 8.30am on August 2. The venue is the Skye Gathering Hall in Portree. The list of entrants is already oversubscribed with a waiting list being held in reserve. The running order is as follows: Gordon Barclay 1 Andrew Donlon 2 Andrew Hall 3 Anna Smart 4 Greig Canning 5 Jamie Elder 6 Andrew Ferguson…

Ten Years After – the Worlds Revisited

The World Pipe Band Championship looms large yet again – thank goodness. We thought readers might be interested in what the Editor wrote about the contest in 2012. The winners that day were Field Marshal Montgomery pictured above….. Field Marshal Montgomery are World Champions yet again, a record eighth win for P/M Richard Parkes. In terms of the Worlds it makes him the second most successful pipe major in history…

Lochaber Gathering/ Mallaig Games/ Aboyne Games

Ken Cameron, Chairman of Lochaber Gathering: This year we are re-introducing Junior (18 & Under) classes and the entry form for that is available here. Entries are restricted to 20 and allocated on a first come first served basis. Closing date is 12th August or when entries are full; further entries at the discretion of the committee. The Gathering takes place on Aug 26. Last year Senior entries had to…

Tribute Band to Mark Shotts & Dykehead’s Worlds Winning Medley in 1970

In a little over three weeks I hope to play at the World Pipe Band Championships for the first time in 44 years. I have been asked to be part of a ’70s Tribute Pipe Band’ formed to celebrate the introduction of the pipe band Medley in 1970 and honour the bands that pioneered the format. By the Editor The Tribute band was due to play in 2020 on the…