We are grateful to reader Mrs Massie for passing on these photographs and newspaper clippings. They offer an interesting snapshot of life and society in and around the Brechin/ Kirriemuir area of Angus in the late 19th century. If anyone can help her in her quest please get in touch…. Mrs Massie writes: I recently commented on the thoughts on ‘History of the Pipe Band and the Worlds’ by Keith…
Gaelic broadcaster, writer and photographer, Cailean Maclean has unearthed a new piobaireachd composed by the late Dr John MacAskill. What’s more he has provided a copy of the tune and a recording of the writer playing it. Dr John, who died in 2003, was a renowned composer of such ceol beag masterpieces as the reel Lexie MacAskill and an article on him featured earlier in Piping Press. Cailean writes: ‘Dr John…
Director of Army Bagpipe Music, Major Gordon Rowan, has sent this picture of the editors in close confab using a giant screen to proof and edit the book. Such technology! No excuse for errors now lads! They are poring over the last tune in the book which is scheduled for launch at the Piping Live festival in August. Don’t forget the Army solo and band contests at Inchdrewer House this…
The first major professional competition of the year, the Uist & Barra, takes place in Glasgow on Saturday. Entry is £12; venue: College of Piping; date: March 4 at 9am. Pipers will compete in ceol mor, ceol beag and port grad-charach (hornpipe) and port cruinn (jig). Here is the running order and the tunes chosen by the committee for the pipers to play: Ceol Mor: 1 Glenn Brown, Patrick Òg MacCrimmon’s…
Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE seldom spoke of his early years or of his adventures during World War Two. What little we know from various sources reveals him to be much more than a marvellous musician and teacher. Donald was an extremely resourceful and courageous soldier. We had all heard the rumour that he had for a short time been a prisoner of the Nazis but had escaped. Wee Donald would almost always divert any…
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