This short interview was made in 2001 when P/M Duncan retired after his landmark time at the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band. As well as taking the band from Grade 4 to the top of Grade 1 in 11 years, Ian and his brother Gordon set the trend for much of the pipe band music that is played today. A significant achievement. Ian is now a respected senior solo adjudicator and pipe…
Two new letters this morning, the first from Brian Mulhearn begins: ‘Hello Rob, Having been following the recent judging developments, I think you are looking at the situation from only one side…. The next is from Bill Robertson in New Zealand and begins: ‘Hello Rab, About two days ago I was on TV for the BBC world news when an item came up about the female Lone Piper for the Edinburgh Military…
According to our copy of that year’s programme, sixty-one pipers entered for the senior events – not too dissimilar to today’s restricted event at Inverness. In 1972 anyone could play but the burgeoning numbers were soon to prove impossible for promoters to handle. This Northern Meeting was held in the Dr Black Hall and the Caledonian Hotel Ballroom – the move to Eden Court a few years off. The dates…
Reader Eric MacIntrye reminds us today that it is exactly 100 years since the death of the great Willie Lawrie (see Letters). Many pipers are fortunate to excel in one branch of our art either as a teacher, player or composer. Some are fortunate to master two; seldom three. But for Willie Lawrie this trinity of achievement came as naturally as mother’s milk. Genial, warm, humourous, articulate was how his contemporaries…
We are always keen to promote and publicise Army piping and drumming and especially those who work so hard in maintaining this pillar of the piping establishment. Part of that support comes in recording the history of the various regiments and their Pipes & Drums. The above photograph is from the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons) Collection and the caption tells us that it was taken at Tidworth in…
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