Major John M. Allan MBE 1934-2024

The death has been reported of Major John Allan MBE. He passed away peacefully at Castlehill Care Home, Cradlehall, Inverness. He was 89. Major Allan (Queen’s Own Highlanders) was Director of Army Bagpipe Music from 1981–1990. Only last week his former graduates at the school presented him with a tune as a thank you for all he did for them during their time at the Army School then based in…

A Glasgow Taxi, A Stolen Set of Pipes and a Lucky Coincidence

Around 1975/6 I was building a house in Bridge of Weir in Renfrewshire, a few miles west of Glasgow. To generate money to finance this project I decided to drive a Glasgow taxi for a couple of years as I was told that it was a very well paid occupation at that time if you worked hard. I sat the topographical test (known among London cabbies as ‘the Knowledge’) and to my amazement…

A New Tune for Major John M. Allan MBE

Earlier this month, seven former pipers from the Queen’s Own Highlanders visited Major John Allan MBE at Castlehill Care Home, Cradlehall, Inverness. The purpose of the visit was to present John, now 89, with a new piobaireachd as a thank you for all that he did for those Army pipers who had the good fortune to attend the various courses run at the Army School of Bagpipe Music (ASBM), Edinburgh…

CLASP Live in Glasgow Results

The latest round in the popular CLASP amateur competition series was held in Glasgow at the Piping Centre in McPhater Street yesterday, March 2. Overall Winners were: Grade 1 – John Frater, Grade 2 – John Nevans, Grade 3 – Kathryn McEwan. Grade 1 Piob: 1 John Frater, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig 2 Eddie Boland 3 Graham Farr 4 Robert Wilson 5 Stewart Allan 6 Craig TurnbullGrade 2 Piob:…

Uist & Barra Line Up/ Northern Ireland Band News

The first major professional solo contest of the year, the Uist & Barra, takes place in the old College of Piping building (now part of the Piping Centre) in Otago Street, Glasgow, on March 9th. Piping Convenor John Angus Smith has confirmed the following line-up, playing order, and tunes for the Ceòl Mòr: Finlay Johnston – My Dearest on Earth Give Me Your KissCraig Sutherland – MacLeod of Colbeck’s LamentWilliam…