A parent has raised questions about access arrangements for the forthcoming Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships. The Championships are growing in popularity attracting dozens of bands and hundreds of followers to the annual event.  Indeed the promoters, the Scottish Schools Pipe & Drum Trust, say next year’s contest, to be held on March 10 will be the biggest yet with an estimated 150 bands taking part. The venue is Inveralmond Community…

One event conspicuously absent from the November piping programme this year has been the ‘Echoes of Oban’ concert, writes the Editor. Started originally by Seumas MacNeill and Tommy Pearston at the College of Piping in the 50s, I revived it circa 2008 using their format – though in the early years they invited winners from Inverness too. Luckily we always had sufficient players to be able to keep it true…

The leading drummer of Grade 1 Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band, Gary Corkin, has resigned citing ‘personal reasons’. His place will be taken by Adrian Hoy, currently with Vale of Atholl Pipe Band. It is anticipated that Adrian will take his corps from the Vale to Lomond & Clyde. Alisdair Tennant, Band Secretary: ‘Lomond and Clyde confirm that Adrian Hoy has been appointed as our new Leading Drummer bringing top level…

Today is the last opportunity to vote for your Scottish Pipe Band of the Year in the MG Alba Trad Music Awards. The contenders are: North Lanarkshire Schools Inveraray and District Preston Lodge Novice B Pipe Band Scottish Power Pipe Band Half of the PP office will be voting for North Lanarkshire and the other half for Preston Lodge (pictured). Register your preference here. Promoter ‘Hands up for Trad’ hosts…