Iain MacPherson MM, the Man and His Pipes

Several readers contacted Piping Press after our article on the pipes belonging to the late Iain MacPherson, brother of the more famous Donald, but an expert piper in his own right. Piping historian Jeannie Campbell, who knew Iain well, was the first to get in touch. In addition to her comments, we are grateful to Jeannie for supplying the pictures of Iain: ‘Iain MacPherson’s pipes were Kintail, mounted with imitation…

Bid to Identify Iain MacPherson’s Pipes

I was taught by Donald MacPherson and remember him talking about his brother Iain who died mid 1990s and that he lived abroad. He spoke very highly of how good he was but how he was not really into solo competition. By Bruce Erskine The reason for this article is that I had the great pleasure recently of playing Iain’s pipes. My friend Willie Kidd, who is a little older…

Review: Piobaireachd Society Conference – A Successful Return After Fallow Period

This was the first Piobaireachd Society Conference for four years. It was held in the Fair City of Perth. If we’d listened we might have heard the Bells.  But there was never enough silence so enthusiastic was the chatter and the tunes.  The Royal George Hotel proved an ideal venue, a stone’s throw from St John’s Church where those bells still ring. Friends old and new gathered on Friday evening. …

Editor’s Notebook: Northern Meeting 1903/ Donald’s Fingers/ Tartan Week/ Gourock Contest/ Vic Herman

New York based piper Yahya Hussein has been in touch regarding the 1903 photograph from the Northern Meeting. He writes: ‘After studying the photo for several days now, and finding the lists of the competitors for the 1903 Gold Medal, here is what I have. ‘It’s the best I could do unless the original photo has a list of the players on the back. Front rank from the left: ‘Andrew MacDonald, brother of John MacDonald,…

P/M Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition Returns with New Junior Event

The Pipe Major Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition, last held in 2019, returns to the Caladh Inn, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, on Friday, April 7. For the first time a ‘Junior Donald MacLeod’ competition will mirror the senior with six young pipers from the Hebrides taking part in a new event on April 6. Lewis and Harris Piping Society, the promoter, has announced the senior pipers as: Callum Beaumont, Glenn Brown,…