Editor’s Notebook: Yardley Medal/ Silver Chanter/ MacDougall’s House/ Luss, Bute & Annan Contests

Reader Phil Meyer has been in touch from Tasmania. Phil writes: ‘I  am a descendent of George Yardley and was wondering if the attached medal [front and back above] has any value from an insurance point of view? ‘George was my great-grandfather on my grandmother’s side so I have never met him. In fact I believe neither my father or his two sisters actually met him either. I will see…

My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 2

We continue with our articles based on the letters sent by Robert Reid Jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh from 30 years ago. This excerpt, dated 28th July 1993, confirms Reid senior’s reputation for brusque assertiveness, a characteristic clearly passed on to his son….. Dear Mr McIntosh, Re the cassettes, I would much prefer to have control over the recording of the existing tapes myself. My father and I spent a great…

My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 1

Thirty years ago, in 1993, Jimmy McIntosh had extensive correspondence with Robert Reid Junior domiciled in Shettleston, Glasgow. The subject was the life and career of Bobby jnr’s father, P/M Robert Reid (above), multiple award winner and a forthright advocate of his own talents. These letters, passed to our Editor by Jimmy before he died, make for excellent reading and will appear here over the next few weeks edited, but…

Editor’s Notebook: Boghall/ Regradings/ MacDougall Pipes/ Band Quartets/ British Legion 1970

There are a couple of things that need to be said following the Boggies big win last weekend. This very much a community band with a loyal membership that has stuck with it over the decades irrespective of success or lack of it. This loyalty was much more common when I played in bands than it is today with butterfly bagpipers flitting around hither and thither before landing on another…

Editor’s Notebook: PS Summer School/ Larkhall Boost/ John Cruickshank VC/ Learning the Basics

The Piobaireachd Society Summer School has come to a close after a blazing week on the isle of Skye. Even if the weather had not been kind it would have been a rewarding experience. The venue was the Gaelic college at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Sleat, an ideal facility, with an extensive library and plenty of teaching space and an excellent refectory. More than anything, SMO has staff who are…