Angus Lawrie’s funeral with be at Ayr Crematorium on Wednesday, December 19 at 1.15pm. Angus, five times winner of the Worlds crown with Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, passed away last weekend aged 88. Originally from Oban, Angus was taught piping by his father. After leaving the police he was briefly P/M of the Britoil and Johnstone Pipe Bands but then concentrated on his composing and on establishing his pipe bag…

We are grateful to reader Clive Douglas for forwarding his copy of the programme for Oban Games in 1977. Clive writes: I noticed my name in the Oban programme you posted today, the good old days apparently! I don’t think I played that year, that was me about a year into the Focal Dystonia thing. I never competed again. It’s a really strange disorder and 20 years later it’s still there….

Ross Miller won the latest round of the Scots Guards Knock Out competition held in the SG Club, Haymarket, Edinburgh, yesterday (Dec 9). Ross was playing against Alan Clark and a large crowd enjoyed some excellent piping from both contestants. The next round, on January 27, sees Calum Watson take on John Dew and on the 24th February William Rowe faces Calum Brown. Organiser P/M Jimmy Banks MBE will hold…

The RSPBA have announced playing requirements for the 2019 season. They are as follows: British Champs, Paisley, May 18; closing date April 3, draw April 10thGrade 1: Two MSRsGrade 2: Medley (4-6 mins)Grade 3: MSRGrade Juv: Medley (3-5 mins)Grade 4A/ Nov A: Prescribed MSRGrade 4B/ Nov B: Prescribed Marches UK Championships, Belfast, June 15th; closing date May 1, draw May 8thGrade 1: Two Medleys (5-7 mins)Grade 2: 2 MSRsGrade 3:…