Category: History

Donald MacLeod Memorial Report

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The Pipe Major Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition took place on the last weekend in March and was hailed a great success with piping fans travelling from far and wide to listen to eight of the world’s best pipers playing the music of the legendary piper and composer from Stornoway. By Katie Laing Long-time competitor Angus MacColl took the top honours in the invitational senior competition on Friday, March 28, and…

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RT Shepherd & Sons Officially in Liquidation

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The liquidation of the once world-beating bagpipe and reed manufacturers RT Shepherd & Sons has been announced. It will be a sad day for all friends and followers of the founder, P/M Bob Shepherd, who started the company in the 1970s following his Worlds-winning spell with Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band. Bob died in 2019. The company’s chanters and reeds were played worldwide and it was responsible for some outstanding…

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The Piobaireachd Society Annual Conference 2025 – Another Outstanding Success

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It is not often you get to hear two superb, vintage sets of pipes in the one day. The first was John MacDonald, Inverness’s played by Duncan MacGillivray and the second, Bob Brown’s played by Dan Nevans. Neither disappointed. The occasion was the annual conference of the Piobaireachd Society held last weekend in the Royal George Hotel, Perth. Society committees met on the Friday night. The General Committee approved grants…

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RSPBA Report on their Annual General Meeting

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The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association was held at our Washington Street Headquarters on March 8th, writes Jackie Allen of RSPBA Marketing & Media. Delegates and band representatives heard that the year focused on restoring our financial position, delivering a successful season of major competitions, and developing our education and training programs. The number of bands in membership in 2024 was 366. The Standards and…

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Some Reflections on Changes at the Worlds

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Thank you to all those who have contributed to the debate over the recently announced changes at the Worlds, the main one being the decision to hold Juvenile and Novice grades on the Friday. I have a few thoughts to share in response. The problem with making the Friday of the Worlds ‘heats’ day – as has been suggested by a number of correspondents – is overseas bands. By the…

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