My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 6

We continue with our correspondence from Robert Reid jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh. This abridged letter is dated 3rd November, 1993. There are mentions for John MacDougall Gillies, James Center, Sandy Cameron, Willie Connell and Allan Dodd…. My father was approximately 18½ years with John MacDougall Gillies. As it was, Gillies was his second choice of tutor. James Center was the first but he had too many pupils at that time…

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

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…

George Watson’s Contest/ CPA Award/ School Pipes

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…

My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 5

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…

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

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….