Well what a week that was. Small but perfectly formed, the 2019 Florida P&D Academy went like a breeze and Jacksonville proved a perfect location. Plans are already underway for 2020. We might change the date, moving it back a week to butt on to the North East Florida Highland Games. The school could then prove attractive to those competing there and wishing to brush up on their skills beforehand….

Metro Cup Invitational Solo Piping Competition, Newark, New Jersey, ­ 16 February 2019.  Overall: Callum Beaumont (pictured playing at the Piobaireachd Society’s Edinburgh Fringe concert last August). Piobaireachd1st Derek Midgley, Lord Lovat’s Lament2nd Callum Beaumont, Lament for the Earl of Antrim3rd Andrew Carlisle, The Red Speckled Bull4th Angus D. MacColl, The Battle of the Pass of Crieff5th Alex Gandy, Rory McLoude’s Lament Judges: John Cairns, Michael Cusack Medley1st Callum Beaumont2nd…

The Piobaireachd Society has launched an online shop where customers can buy and download digital versions of their highly acclaimed music collections. Included are books 1 – 16 from the PS series, the Kilberry Book, the most popular book of Ceol Mor in history, and Side Lights on the Kilberry Book. Books are availably singly for only £8 each; books 1 – 8 and 9 – 16 can be had…

The first qualifier for next year’s Silver Medal competitions at Oban and Inverness has been won by Alex Gandy from Nova Scotia. Alex now has automatic entry to both 2020 competitions. The contest was held as part of the annual Metro Cup competition held at Newark, New Jersey, on Friday 15th February with many pipers flying in from around North America and some from Scotland to compete. Alex is pictured…

The comments below followed yesterday’s article by Nicholas Taitz on whether pipers should dress their instruments with oil. Responses seem to depend on where you live. One American pipe maker even has specific humidity guidance on when and when not to oil. MacLellan Bagpipes in North Carolina state: ‘We recommend pharmaceutical grade almond oil mixed with a drop of Vitamin E oil.  ‘We oil a bagpipe this way: after playing…