It is the ‘drum, drum, drum of hoofbeats in the sand’ and like the Red Shadow and his Riff gang (younger readers look it up on Google) our MacStig has quietly arrived, delivering an analysis of the forthcoming World Solo Drumming contest in Glasgow in two weeks time…….. Ah yes, the autumn leaves begin to flutter down, the temperatures are colder and darkness falls. No, not the march past at…

The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming will again be hosting the Captain John A MacLellan Piping Championship on Saturday the 5th of October, writes WO2 P/M Peter MacGregor   Held at Inchdrewer House within Redford Barracks, this event features some of the best solo pipers in the country with separate Piobaireachd and Light Music events in P, A, B and C grades and a Hornpipe and Jig…

We conclude our report taken from the Oban Times of almost 50 years ago. The article is unattributed. We would be interested to hear from anyone who was at this gathering featuring as it does some of the great names of the past and present…. Forty-six competitors had entered for the Strathspey & Reel competition, however some were unable to be present and others were unable to complete their tunes….

The death has been reported of Trevor Dear, pipe major, pipe band adjudicator, teacher and pipe music collector. Trevor, who was 79, had been ill for some time and died in hospital yesterday evening. He had been due for discharge but collapsed and could not be revived. Trevor was born in Forfar, Angus, and began piping aged seven being taught by P/M Norman Meldrum of Invercauld, Braemar. After what he…

The Editor: We continue with the second excerpt of the Oban Times report from Inverness of almost 50 years ago. Thanks to those who have been in touch regrading our quest for the writer’s identity. One described him as a ‘big tall guy who as far as I recall walked with a bit of a limp. He often wore the kilt and seemed to turn up regularly. I can picture him fine, but…