Category: Letters

Editor’s Notebook: Scott’s Competition March/ Piobaireachd Grounds/ Scottish Pipers/ Pipes Plea

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Following Dale Brown’s recent piece on the ‘same old, same old‘ pipe marches being chosen in competition, James MacHattie contacted us with regard to a less well known tune he often submits and is asked to play: Margaret Anne MacLeod. It is by the late Scott MacAulay and seems a good going piece. Following James’s message, Dale has now kindly forwarded us a copy of the tune. Could someone oblige…

More Editor’s Notebook: Scott’s Competition March/ Piobaireachd Grounds/ Scottish Pipers/ Pipes Plea

Editor’s Notebook: Hogmanay/ Stuart Liddell/ Queen’s Comment/ Grading/ Royal Bagpipe

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I hope everyone had a good New Year. The Hogmanay celebrations augured well for piping. Television channels BBC Alba and BBC2 had the pipes welcoming in the midnight bells (the latter featuring the Scots Guards P&D) and Buckingham Palace even put out a video showing Paul Burns, Sovereign’s Piper, piping down the steps at Buckingham Palace playing Auld Lang Syne (best to finish on high A with that setting Paul!)…

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Editor’s Notebook: Iain Murdo/ SPA Entry/ SPA Vets/ Glasgow Transport Band

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A little more on Iain Morrison may be apposite following yesterday’s piece by Alastair McInnes. Iain was the finest light music player I ever heard and I know I am not alone in that. The lift he gave to his tunes set him apart from others playing in the ’70s and ’80s and I include such great names as P/M Angus MacDonald, John MacDougall, John Burgess et al. He certainly…

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Pipers Gather to Share Memories of Iain Murdo Morrison’s Visit to Australia

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A dedicated group attended Castle Dangerous (Murdo MacLeod’s manor) in Maclean, New South Wales, last week to acknowledge the passing of Pipe Major Iain Murdo Morrison two years ago, the virus having torpedoed last year’s initial anniversary.  In 1987 the local Scottish Society opened the purse strings and ‘brought out’ an unforgettable touring party: Iain, singer Kathleen MacDonald and accordionist the late Tommy Darky who died in 2021. All were…

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Entries Open for SPA Juvenile and Professional Contests/ New Contest for Ireland

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The Scottish Pipers’ Association committee meeting last week decided to go live with the online entry for both our SPA Professional (22nd April) and Juvenile competitions (18th March), writes President Logan Tannock. Entries for the professional competition will be limited to 25 per grade on a first come first served basis. Entries £10 per event. SPA memberships (£20) required. The professional contests in all grades will be in the Piping…

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