By Duncan Watson Early in September 2019 saw the Braemar Gathering taking place. The piobaireachd competition has long attracted notable pipers to the event and history tells us that the likes of John MacDougall Gillies attended in 1875 and was the winner of the competition. I don’t know what tune he played. Not taking anything away from the man or his performance, but going by the historic records, only three…

In this excerpt we explore in more detail some of the terminology the RSPBA expect its adjudicators to use in critique sheets which provide the feedback to pipe bands on competition performances.  The aim is to help pipe band personnel to better understand adjudicator comments and learn from the experience. Please be aware that these comments are from my time working on adjudicator training for the RSPBA and details and…

The blurb: The very best dru​​mmers from top pipe bands around the world are back in Glasgow to compete for honours at the World Solo Drumming Championships 2019!   This year’s championship will take place on Saturday 19 October at Glasgow Caledonian University. Musicians will be tested in two events; March, Strathspey and Reel, and Hornpipe and Jig. The champion will be the drummer with the highest aggregate scores after both…

Well that’s the solo Highland games season over for another year. I think the support has been higher than in the recent past so well done to the pipers who got out there for a tune and to all the volunteers who keep these vital events going. There’s no sign of a resurrection at Perth, Crieff or Stirling – and Invercharron looks decidedly iffy for 2020. As regards the majors…

We have just concluded our biennial conference of Pipe Bands Australia. All members of the national management committee were re-elected: President Chris Earl, Secretary Steve Patterson, Treasurer Tim Bodey, Committee Tony Bidgood and James Cowie The current principals of college were also re-elected viz. Piping: Brett Tidswell, Drumming: Dean Hall, Drill and Dress: Tony Bidgood, Rules and Administration: Jamie Forsyth. The Principal Ensemble position, in which Brett has been acting…