Category: History

A Look Back at the 2023 Northern Winter School

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A superb set of pictures issued yesterday perfectly captures the atmosphere and success of last week’s Northern Winter School. It is held at a youth hostel at Müden/Örtze on Germany’s northern plain. Set among vast fields, woods and streams there’s nowhere to go. You have to get along. We do. By the Editor Fifty-two students, mostly pipers, worked to a curriculum and system we established at the first College of…

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History: The Man who Built the Glenfinnan Monument and His Piper

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Any piper who has played at Glenfinnan Highland Gathering will recognise this setting as one of the most magnificent in all Scotland, writes the Editor. It is close to the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745 and called on the clans to support his campaign to restore a Jacobite king to the British throne. Central to the vista is the tall monument commissioned by local landowner…

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Editor’s Notebook: Army School and The Queen/ SLOT Headgear/ Terry’s Address/ Drum Request/ Wellington’s Piper

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It should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II stepped in to stave off any threat to the Army School of Piping in Edinburgh. Her initiative came to light this week in a podcast interview with former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. He revealed that during an audience, Her Majesty challenged him on rumours of financial cuts at the school. Osborne feigned…

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George Watson’s Contest/ CPA Award/ School Pipes

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Organiser Ben Duncan has asked us to remind all parents and tutors the there are still places available for young pipers wishing to play in the new George Watson’s piobaireachd competition. Ben writes: ‘Would you mind please sharing this advert for ‘The Caritas Banner’ on Piping Press? Entries are healthy but there are still spaces in all events. ‘This could be a great opportunity for young aspiring pipers to perform…

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My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 5

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We continue with our correspondence from Robert Reid jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh. This abridged letter is dated 28th September, 1993. In the firing line are judges and professional pipers…. My father had quite a varied career in that his first job was as a piper and dancer in a music hall company touring Germany before the First World War. Being a champion boy dancer and piper he attracted quite a…

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