Category: History

Northern Ireland: Bands on BBC/ Ulsters/ Belfast Tattoo/ Antrim/ Big Rab

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Recently there was the return of the popular series ‘The Band’ on BBC Northern Ireland television which has three episodes and should now be available on iPlayer. The series marks USA 250 by exploring the stories of people who emigrated from Northern Ireland to America and Canada and found friendship and belonging through their passion for bands.  The series follows Danielle Hamilton Cooper from Cookstown, who emigrated to Philadelphia after…

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Pipe Band Commentary – Readers Have Their Say

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Our readers have been exercising their keyboards covering Worlds qualifying, bands travelling to compete and various arrangements at the recent Scottish Championships…… Dave Gatcum: Perhaps it’s time to look at lower grades qualifying to compete at the Worlds. I’m not sure it’s a great thing to have lower grades playing at silly o’clock in the morning to see if they qualify – spending thousands of pounds to be told they’re…

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Silver Chanter 2026 Result (Updated)

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The winner of the 59th Silver Chanter is Steven Leask (pictured above). His tune was the Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck. It was Gold Medallist Steven’s first win of the prestigious award and at his first attempt. The recital / competition was held tonight (August 5) before a large audience at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Gaelic College, Sleat, isle of Skye. The sponsors were Torabhaig Malt Whisky, the Piobaireachd Society and…

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Observations on the 2026 Pipe Band Championships

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The Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton last Saturday completed the first four majors of 2026. The results have been quite variable this year so it is difficult to predict who might prove to be this year’s World Championships winner – there are a variety of factors which might affect the outcome.   Firstly, however, it was pleasing to see the return of the five majors this year, there having…

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Arisaig Games Results/ Games News

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A blustery, overcast day on the west coast at Arisaig, but the sun came out for the last competitor on the boards. Nine played in the seniors. Two Northern Irishmen took the main awards, Peter McCalister the Piobaireachd and Andrew Hall, Champion Piper. Piobaireachd: 1 Peter McCalister, Red Speckled Bull 2 Martin Kessler, Battle of Auldearn No. 2 3 Andrew Hall, Battle of Waternish 4 Thomas Cangolosi, Battle of the…

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