It was with considerable sadness that I learned of the passing of Iain MacDonald, Pipe Major of the Neilston Pipe Band, and a man who did so much to build bridges between the piping world and the folk. Iain, who was 70, was a great enthusiast and collector of bagpipes of other countries and amassed an estimable personal collection. He had a great life travelling to folk festivals the world…

In 2002 FMM won the drumming in the Medley at the Worlds. It set me on my road with what I was going to do with the corps; more hard work, a few extra players, looking at our instruments, how our instruments worked, checking the final detail of our presentation of our drumming by introducing dynamics. The great Shotts & Dykehead were, in my book, losing some of their lights…

Lonach Highland Gathering and Games and its iconic march were due to be held on Saturday, 22 August. Their cancellation is a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. This is the first time since 1945 that the gathering and the march of the Lonach Highlanders, a 220-strong body of men dressed in kilts and full Highland regalia, have not been held, writes Ian MacLaren. Held in the Aberdeenshire village of Bellabeg in Strathdon, the…

By Bill McCall As a regular reader of Piping Press it was a privilege to support last year’s competition to compose a tune for Flight Lieutenant John A Cruikshank VC. Indeed it was a pleasure to attend the formal luncheon at the Royal Northern & University Club (RNUC) in Aberdeen where, by happy coincidence, Mr Cruikshank and I are both members. A glittering array of his fellow members of the…

The committee of the gathering report: ‘As a result of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, Braemar Royal Highland Charity and the organising committee of the Braemar Gathering have decided to take the difficult but necessary decision to cancel this year’s event. ‘Whilst we know the decision will be disappointing for many, we feel it is the right one to protect the safety of the local community, competitors, spectators and officials many…