The annual contest of the Glasgow Uist & Barra Association was held today in the Otago Street premises of the National Piping Centre. Eleven pipers played in each category. Tunes were selected and given to the pipers one week in advance. Overall champion was Angus MacColl. Piob: 1 Finlay Johnston, Craigellachie 2 Angus MacColl, Phantom Piper of the Corrieyairick3 Iain Speirs, MacLeod of Clobeck’s Lament 4 Glenn Brown, The Edinburgh…

Callum Beaumont came out on top at the semi final of the Scottish Pipers’ Association Knock Out competition held last night in the Otago Street premises of the National Piping Centre. His opponent was Stuart Liddell. There was a substantial crowd and each member of the audience had a vote in who went forward to the final on May 2 where Callum will play against John Patrick. The Irish Pipe…

Covid -19: It is too early to get drastic but all pipers must observe with more vigilance than ever the normal hygiene practices associated with our instrument. Keep that practice chanter clean, wash out the blowstick and bag with warm water and mild disinfectant. Don’t swap and share. Will there may soon be a need for pipe majors to use antiseptic wipes every time they test a chanter or tune…

It is with sadness that it was learned that Ian Fraser, affectionately known as ‘The Sheriff’, passed away in a care home in Grantown-on-Spey, Moray. Ian had celebrated his 90th birthday in December 2019. For many years he had a small agricultural holding at West Forigen, near Carrbridge, Inverness-shire. His parents had been there before he took over its running. His piping teachers were among the best: Pipe Major William Ross…

By Robert Wallace I remember the day well. It was Aberdeen 1970. The Worlds. Shotts first Muirheads second in Grade 1. Apart from Shotts’ big win (Hills of Alva or Peter MacKenzie Warren set?) what was significant was that they had done so playing a medley, not an MSR. The conspiracy theorists back then said John MacAllister had worked his magic with the RSPBA to get them to change the…