Better known these days as a prominent member of the RSPBA’s Adjudicator Panel, Sam Young from Australia was, in his early career, a student of piobaireachd. In this interview with the Editor he talks of how he started playing and of his lessons with Bob Nicol, Balmoral, one of the great figures in 20th century piping….. My father taught me the pipes when I was a boy of nine years…

Leading drummer Alex Connell died on Saturday after several months of ill health. He was 85. Alex was a legend in the pipe band movement and won eleven Worlds titles with the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, eight as leading drummer and three as a corps drummer under L/D John Kirkwood. Today the band’s Pipe Major during those glory years, Ian McLellan, paid a heartfelt tribute to Alex. Said Ian: ‘Alex…

We regret to announce the passing of Allistair Sinclair of the William Sinclair Bagpipemaking dynasty. Allistair passed away after a long illness Allistair took over the Wm Sinclair workshop in Leith near Edinburgh on the passing of his father. Allistair, a master craftsman, carried on the fine tradition of both his father and grandfather. Modest to a fault, Allistair quietly worked away producing beautiful hand-crafted instruments and chanters for customers around…

The World Pipe Band Championship for Grade 1 will go to the band with best placings over two days of competition provided the entry does not exceed 17 bands, it was announced today. At the moment bands play on the Friday for a place in the 12-band final on the Saturday. The only caveat to the change is that there must be an entry of less than 18 bands. If…

Jimmy Banks: Calum Brown won our KO yesterday (Apr. 28) against Calum Watson and will meet Cameron MacDougall in the final on Sunday 19 May. Venue is the Scots Guards Club, Haymarket, Edinburgh. Get there early as there is sure to be a large crowd. Contact: jmb9194@hotmail.com for more. Andrew Carlisle reports: Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship 2019, Norfolk VA, April 27. Grade 3 MSR1 Carnegie Mellon University2 Ulster…