Category: History

History: ‘A great deal more could be done to give Scots, and visitors to Scotland, a chance of enjoying our unique musical heritage..’

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The following article appeared in the Scotsman newspaper, and subsequently the Piping Times, 60 years ago. It is by Seumas MacNeill, co-founder of the now defunct College of Piping and a Gold Medallist. He also had the ability to write about piping in a cogent, entertaining, yet deeply felt manner. This article, is of its time, yet still relevant today….. The many visitors who attend Highland Gatherings throughout Scotland have…

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Editor’s Notebook: Malcolm Ferguson/ Euros and Worlds Confirmed/ Scots Guards KO/ BB Reception/ Iain Glass/ Piper Poem

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Response to yesterday’s Malcolm Ferguson tune riddle: ‘My name is Colin Moulson and my late grandfather, Pipe Major Malcolm Ferguson who died in 1981, was very close friends with ‘wee’ Donald MacLeod for many years. ‘It has always been a source of great pride to all the family that he had a tune dedicated to him by not only his great friend Donald but by a man who happened to…

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Mrs Donald MacLennan or Malcolm Ferguson? Riddle Over Donald MacLeod Slow Air

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Who gets to lay prior claim to this brilliant Donald Macleod composition; Malcolm Ferguson, or my granny? My name is Ben Maclennan, I live in South Africa, and my grandfather Don was a stalwart of the Scottish and piping community in Johannesburg in the 1960s. He played host to a number of visiting pipers, among them Donald Macleod, who expressed his gratitude with this hand-written tune: As you see, it’s…

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A Tribute to Ian Duncan, Winner of the 2024 Balvenie Medal for Services to Piping

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There are people who are born music teachers and this year’s recipient of the Balvenie Medal, Ian Duncan, is most certainly that. Countless children and young people have been introduced to our wonderful music by him. For Ian, everyone can gain something from piping. It might not always be medals or trophies, but they can take something from this art form and the amazing community which surrounds it. By Craig Muirhead…

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Piobaireachd Society News/ Archie Kenneth Quaich/ Cowal Gathering Manager

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The Piobaireachd Society have announced that their popular series of online tutorials, ‘Talk Piobaireachd’, will return for winter 2024/25. Starting next month, the talks will highlight beginner tunes and tunes from the set lists for next year’s Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting Gold and Silver Medal competitions. The dates and presenters, all members of the Society’s Music Committee, are as follows: Nov 20 – Peter McCalister: Lament for Alasdair Dearg,…

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