The RSPBA AGM was held in Glasgow today with representatives from 37 member bands attending. After a delayed start (10.30am), President George Ussher welcomed everyone to the meeting in the elegant Trades Hall and presented a Honorary Life Membership to Mrs Vi McMorran for her long service to the Association as a results compiler (see picture below). Mr Ussher then handed proceedings over to Chairman John Hughes. Mr Hughes thanked…

By the Editor I have heard a rumour that Perth Highland Games have excised all solo piping competitions from their programme for 2019. If this is the case, and I have no reason at the moment to doubt my information, it is another worrying blow to our Highland games tradition. I have contacted Perth Games Committee seeking confirmation, or as I sincerely hope, contradiction. However the Perth Games website has…

To the BBC for a ‘Pipeline’ interview ostensibly about the forthcoming Piobaireachd Society Conference. First time I had been in their Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow and very impressive it is too. That said, it lacks some of the homely feel of Queen Maggie Drive in the west end and that warren of studios known to so many pipers and pipe bands over the years. Interviewer Gary West tells me…

The Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band have sent this… We are delighted to announce that Scottish Power Pipe Band will headline this year’s ‘Pre-Worlds’ concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday, 14th August 2019.  ‘We are thrilled once again to be able to secure one of the biggest names in the piping world for our annual pre-Worlds concert,’ said Kurt Mackintosh of the Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band,…

Les Hutt reports…. Inverness Music Festival held its Piping Contests on 2nd March at Eden Court, Inverness. Again, numbers were down in the 15-18 categories and the Festival are looking to address this over the months ahead, in discussion with the local tutors and pipe bands.  Nevertheless, there many strong performances particularly in the Under 15 Piobaireachd, with both piobaireachd winners featuring in the traditional music prize lists with medley  performances…