Category: History

Piobaireachd Society Approached Regarding Running of Silver Chanter

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There is uncertainty over the future of the prestigious Silver Chanter recital competition. The National Piping Centre has run it for the last five years after taking over from Skye Piping Society. It was initially moved from Skye to the Centre in Glasgow but last year was held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on the island. The Centre has stated that due to funding cuts they can no longer…

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Mystery Reel Played by Bob Nicol Revealed as a Composition of GS McLennan

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We had a very good response to to yesterday’s story on the playing of RB Nicol and in particular the unidentified tune mentioned. Thanks to everyone who took the trouble. Duncan Watson: Aha! That reel that Bob was recorded playing is called Anon and is a composition of GS McLennan. Anon spelled backwards comes out as ‘Nona’ which was the name of GS’s wife. He also composed a slow air…

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More Light Music Recordings of Bob Nicol Courtesy Patrick Molard, Brittany

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Following the article of a couple of weeks back, we asked Breton piper Patrick Molard how he came to have such excellent recordings of Bob Nicol, Balmoral, playing light music. Patrick responded promptly and, we are delighted to say, also supplied us with several other recordings from his archive. Thank you Patrick! He wrote: It is such a long time ago (51 years!) that it is difficult for me to…

More More Light Music Recordings of Bob Nicol Courtesy Patrick Molard, Brittany

Editor’s Notebook: Practice Time/ Low G Taorluath/ Sgian Dubh/ Internship/ Coronation Tune/ Results 1996

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How many of you come close to following the guidance in this practice table? I suspect not many will manage the five hours a day. The maximum I could ever do, in say the run up to to Oban and Inverness, would have been two hours. For my pupils I recommend a minimum of an hour a day. This can be split into three sections: 20 minutes on the practice…

More Editor’s Notebook: Practice Time/ Low G Taorluath/ Sgian Dubh/ Internship/ Coronation Tune/ Results 1996

Pipers Play a Leading Role in Historic 1956 Visit to the Western Isles by the Late Queen

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With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last year, I thought some readers might be interested in the two tunes below. They were composed to commemorate Her Majesty’s historic first-ever visit by a British monarch to Scotland’s Western Isles. The year was 1956, and Barra and North Uist were just part of her itinerary.  Accompanying her were Prince Philip and their two children at that time, Prince (now…

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