We conclude our look at the history of the pipe band movement…. In 1947 the Association decided to take the World Championship away from Cowal. They had had a good offer from Edinburgh City Council who wanted it to be held there to coincide with the new international arts festival. Cowal refused to give up the championship or hand over the trophies. The dispute was long and bitter and involved…
One hundred and forty pipers and drummers converged on the German city of Bremen at the weekend for the Northern Winter Competition, writes the Editor. Organised by the Bagpipe Association of Germany, it was a triumph of efficiency and balance: camaraderie, fierce competition in equal measure. Piping judges were myself, Barry Donaldson, Peter Hunt and Allan MacDonald. There were solos at every level and quintets for bands. This last worked…
Thanks to reader David Moore for the above picture of Singer Pipe Band, Clydebank. David was mentioned in last week’s article along with two other ex-members, George McEwan and Murdo MacLean. David writes: I knew both George and Murdo well as we all lived in the same area along with many other Singer employees. George and myself played with Pipe Major Maurice Pert at Duthie Park, Aberdeen, in 1970 winning…
In 1993 there was a boycott of the main piping competitions by a large tranche of the competing piping community. They had been driven to take such drastic action by what they perceived as the poor standard of judging then extant. The boycott led to the formation of the Joint Committee for Judging representing all interested parties, pipers, promoters, judges. It was to oversee matters of dispute. Andrew Wright was…
The Board of Directors of the RSPBA met last Saturday at their Washington Street HQ in Glasgow and among other things confirmed the band playing requirements for the 2026 season. These are as follows: To download a copy of this sheet click on the two right-pointing arrows top right. Marketing and Media Convenor Jackie Allan also issued the following press release: The RSPBA’s Board of Directors had a busy weekend….
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