Category: History

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

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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,…

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

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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,…

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Important New Government Legislation Affects Those with Ivory Pipes

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Pipers owning a bagpipe with ivory mounts should be aware that the government is now enacting a new, tough ban on elephant ivory sales. They have published new advice for owners of antiques or musical instruments containing ivory, The Ivory Act 2018 came into full force last summer (2022), putting the UK ‘at the forefront of global conservation’. It involves a near-total ban on the buying and selling of goods…

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History: Cowal Gathering Programme from 1947 Reflects SPBA Dispute

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I have recently acquired a copy of the Cowal Highland Gathering programme from 1947, writes Trevor Clydesdale. The dispute between the Gathering’s organisers and the then Scottish Pipe Band Association was in full flow and it is interesting to note that no band names for the Cowal World Championship were shown in the programme. Presumably this may have been due to the uncertainty over entries with threats of bans for…

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Editor’s Notebook: PS Conference/ NI Bands/ D.R. MacLennan’s Pipes/ Missing Trophy

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A week from now we will have the first Piobaireachd Society Conference since 2019. It can be difficult to re-kindle enthusiasm after so long a gap, easy-option Zoom meetings making us all lazy and complacent. But the benefit of human contact and a face to face welcome cannot be underestimated, and the Conference has been part of the furniture in the piping world since as far back as many can…

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