Many congratulations and best wishes to James Warnock the pioneer chanter and reed maker who last week celebrated his 100th birthday. Better known to all as Jim, he was born into a farming family on the outskirts of Cookstown, County Tyrone, on 18th July 1919. Like his brothers he followed his father into farming as well as sharing his interest in piping by joining Tullylagan Pipe Band. In the 1930s, under Pipe Major…

I appreciate that Attorney General Bill Barr is not the most popular lawyer on one side of the political divide in the US, but all I can say is that he was generous, affable, relaxed and welcoming to me. I was flattered that knew me and said that he had followed my writings for many years. He agreed to our interview without any caveat or proviso. He set no boundaries….

A pleasant day weather wise at Mackie Academy Playing Fields. The picture shows the winners in the U-18 piping. U-18 March1 Hazel Whyte2 Jake Robertson3 Callum Ross U-18 S&R1 Jake Robertyson2 Hazel Whyte3 Kieran Walker Senior March1 Jeffrey Lawson2 Craig Black3 Ben Hall Senior S&R1 Jeffrey Lawson2 Craig Black3 Ben Hall Local prize: Callum Ross

The weather in the wilds of the Cairngorm National Park was ‘rather nasty at times with rain, but it wasn’t cold’. Eight pipers played. The contest was well supported by local distilleries. Champion Piper was P/M Ben Duncan and he is pictured abpve with trophies and spoils. The games committee arranged a presentation of an inscribed cuach to Mr Norman Matheson MBE, recognising his attendance at the games judging the…

A warm day at this popular Perthshire games held at the loch side today (July 20th). The winner of the piobaireachd received the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Bronze Star and a trophy. Nineteen played in the ceol mor and 21 in the ceol beag. Piob (three tunes)1 Darach Urquhart, Blind Piper’s Obstinacy 2 Ben Mulhearn, King’s Taxes3 William Geddes, Kintarbert’s Fancy4 John Dew, Marquis of Argyll’s Salute Judges: M McRae,…