Aboyne Flag is Lowered Before 2020 Online Piping Contest Begins (updated)

By Dr Jack Taylor Below are the the results from Saturday’s Aboyne Games online competitions, sponsored by George Strachan Ltd. I think it was judged a success, but everybody hopes not to be repeated.  Aboyne was chilly early on but warmer later. The committee, kilted and bonneted, gathered on a quiet Green, the flag was raised to Games Day at Aboyne, the Earl of Aboyne spoke elegantly, drams appeared from…

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MacGregor Finalists Announced by Argyllshire Gathering (Updated with Videos of Winning Tunes)

Judging for the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd was completed this weekend after the deadline for submissions of July 29. The eight young pipers selected to go forward to the final are: Ross Conner,  Campbeltown.Luke Kennedy,  Strathaven.Liam MacDonald, Wellesley, Ontario, Canada.Angus MacPhee, Inverness.Henry Paluch, Aorora, Ontario, CanadaAnna Smart, Dunfermline.Hazel Whyte, LarkhallCampbell Wilson. Christchurch, New Zealand. Piping Convenor Torquil Telfer: ‘All recordings submitted were of good quality. Highland dress was always worn. Details…

Silver Chanter Draw/ Remembering Tommy/ Shasta Piobaireachd

The draw for next Saturday’s Silver Chanter (Aug 8) has been announced as follows: 1) Connor Sinclair – Lament for Donald Ban MacCrimmon2) Stuart Liddell – Lament for the Children3) Sarah Muir – Lament for the Earl of Antrim4) Callum Beaumont – Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck5) Iain Speirs – Lament for MacSwan of Roaig6) Fred Morrison – Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon More details here. The editor has compiled this memorial to his…

New Radio Programme About P/M Alex M MacIver and 214 BB Pipe Band

Pipe Major Alex M MacIver was one of the men behind the incredible success of the 214 Boys Brigade Pipe Band in Glasgow. He led the band to unprcedented success for a juvenile band at the time from post WW2 until 1980. A soldier, piper, pipe tutor and life long supporter of the Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association, Alex is now the subject of a radio programme about his life….

Tommy Johnston 1955-2020

By Robert Wallace It is with sincere regret that I report the passing of Tommy Johnston, one of the great characters of pipe band drumming and piping, much loved father of Finlay and joint proprietor of world famous reedmaking company Pipe Dreams. Tommy passed away in hospital last night after a short illness aged only 65. His loss will be felt by all who knew him and his hundreds of…