The great lockdown has begun, writes the Editor. The omens for what’s left of the piping and pipe band season are not good. May gone, June gone, July gone, August under threat. After that who knows? The important thing during this unprecedented period is to obey the rules, stay safe and be busy. For pipers that means keeping the instrument going, learning new tunes. Moreover, the pipes have always been…

In light of the ongoing global health risk posed by COVID-19, we’ve taken the difficult decision to close The National Piping Centre for the time being, writes Helen Urquhart. Of course, this is incredibly disappointing news for us to share with you, but the well-being of our students, staff, customers and visitors will always be a top priority to us. Our position as a school, restaurant, shop and tourist destination…

At a time when piping and drumming news is both scarce and exceedingly downbeat to say the least I am delighted to inform readers of some truly upbeat news. Gary Smyth the lead organiser of the Kids with Cancer Charity concert that took place in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, Northern Ireland, on Saturday 22nd February 2020 has advised that the amazing total of £14,165 was realised.  On the night the concert…

The P/M Donald Macleod MBE Memorial Piping Competition has been postponed until later in the year due to the coronavirus outbreak. The prestigious competition was due to be held in Stornoway on Friday, April 3 but has been postponed until the autumn, with the exact date to be confirmed later. Organisers The Lewis and Harris Piping Society announced the postponement today (March 17) after discussion with NHS Western Isles.  A…

Margaret Dunn and Finlay Johnston of the National Piping Centre have instituted a superb way of keeping the next CLASP contest for amateur pipers alive during the Covid-19 shutdown. It could form a basis for others to follow. In a letter to all contestants Margaret writes: ‘Yesterday CLASP proposed an alternative format which would allow the competition to run as planned, but instead of gathering together in one location, it would be…