History: How MacAdam’s Roads Spawned the Modern Day Pipe Band

The late piping scholar, historian and military music expert David Murray wrote this article for Pipe Band Magazine in 2002. It traces the earliest origins of the pipe band. Of the picture above David wrote: It shows drummers of the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in 1883. Note the size of the bass drum and that seven of the drummers carry flutes. Seven wear the medals for the 2nd Afghan War of…

It is Time to Follow the Example of Pipe Bands in Encouraging Our Judges to Teach

Twelve years ago Pipe Band Magazine reported on an important ruling adopted by the then RSPBA Adjudicators Panel. Headlined ‘Rule Change at AGM Means Judges are Free to Pass on Their Knowledge’ it basically cleared the way for judges judging bands they taught or assisted with. Lordy, lordy pipe bands showing the way for our solo administrators! Compare that with the retrograde rulings from the Solo Piping Judges Association of recent…

PP Ed’s Blog: CITES, Boghall, David Murray, Jimmy Anderson

Bagpipe manufacturers looking to explore the CITES regulations and how they affect blackwood trade with Australia should click here. Be prepared for a difficult trawl through. A meeting was held in Bristol last week between the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA), the body that polices CITES in the UK, and the Society of Instrument Manufacturers. I am awaiting info from the meeting, but the latest I have heard is…

PP Ed’s Blog: Celtic Conns/Red Hackle/ Virginia

The Celtic Connections festival kicks off next weekend in Glasgow and looking through the programme I could find dashed little of piping interest. The highlight will be the concert by Inveraray & District and Breton band Bagad Kemper at 12.30pm on Jan 28 (tickets  £15). There is also a concert on Feb 3 featuring ‘Breabach’ a folk group that uses pipes but outside of that very little of the piob mhor…

Piobaireachd Society Reveals Full Line-up for Conference ’17

The 2017 Piobaireachd Society Conference will take place on Saturday/Sunday 25/26 March at the Birnam Hotel, Perthshire. Booking arrangements are slightly different this year than in the past. Those staying at the hotel for the weekend should contact reception directly on 01350 728030. Rates are available for two nights bed and breakfast including conference dinner on the Saturday evening. A conference fee of £40 is payable directly to the Piobaireachd Society via their…