The Scotsman newspaper reports today on the unveiling of the design of a sculpture (above) to commemorate the murder of piper Eilidh MacLeod, who died in the terrorist bomb outrage in Manchester two years ago. The paper reports: ‘Work is continuing on the bronze sculpture – featuring a young female bagpiper with her pipes at rest, reaching out a hand to a young boy also learning the instrument – which…

In Adelaide for the RU Brown Gold Medal competitions. On arriving one is yet again impressed by this most English of cities and of the state in general. The coming place? South Australia has arrived. Everywhere one looks is spectacular development, order, parkland, litter-less walkways, a wonderful autumn climate ……. and piping’s doing well too. Local teacher Brett Tidswell tells me of hundreds of youngsters studying the piob mhor, this…

He’s back! Fresh from his winter hibernation polishing the old Triumph two wheeler and sharpening his pen. We know readers have missed him as much as we have……….. With Sir Billy Connolly leading a long line of pipe bands, headed by the North Lanarkshire Schools massed pipes and drums, in central Manhattan, spring has sprung. Although I still wouldn’t cast a cloot until the May broom bloom is oot –…

The first major of the season will be held at St James Playing Fields in Paisley on May 18. Here is the draw and the approximate playing times in Grade 1: Grade 1 – Final14:30 Field Marshal 14:40 SLoT 14:50 Scottish Power 15:00 Fife Police15:10 PSNI15:20 Lomond and Clyde 15:30 Johnstone 15:40 Boghall 15:50 Shotts 16:00 Inveraray 16:10 Glasgow Police 16:20 Glasgow Skye Adjudicators: Maurice Rhodes Robert Worrall Paul Brown Cameron…

The Scottish Pipers’ Association celebrates its 100th Anniversary next year. Our showpiece event in the annual piping calendar is the professional contest to be held this Saturday in Glasgow. In my programme note I write: ‘Welcome to the Annual Professional Contest of the Scottish Pipers’ Association. ‘The SPA was founded in 1920 by the leading pipers of that era and continues to this day encouraging all pipers, young and old…