Category: Letters

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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Editor’s Notebook: Northern Winter School/ Callum Beaumont/ Croydon BB/ Hero Piper/

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To Germany today for the Northern Winter School. It has attracted its usual large crop of students, evidence of the sustaining interest in piping and drumming in that country. But not everywhere in Europe is doing so well. Looking around we can detect a falling off in a Scandinavia, once so strong. Where are the schools in Denmark and Sweden? Maybe there is stuff happening that I am unaware of….

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History: Pipe Bands in the East of Scotland Part 4

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I am extremely grateful to reader Iain McAlister for forwarding the pictures which illustrate this article and for the information on the bands in the photographs. Of the one above, Iain writes: ‘The picture of the band in uniform is Whitrigg, unknown year, Pipe Major Elkie Clark. Kneeling front right is a very young Robert Martin, later to become P/M of Boghall.’ Iain has sent three other very interesting pictures…

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New Information on Worlds Adjudicator Controversy: Discrepancies in Summary Sheets

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The background to the controversial decision to delete one judge’s results at the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships can be revealed today. The Board of Directors of the RSPBA met last week and there was lengthy discussion on the events surrounding the Grade 1 competition on the Friday of the Worlds. The Chairman read out comprehensive notes from the Adjudicator’s Panel Management Board (APMB) minutes regarding the removal of one…

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