St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band were declared Scottish Pipe Band Champions today at a damp Levengrove Park, Dumbarton. P/M Alen Tully and his band are pictured at the line. Unluckiest band in Grade 1 were Shotts & Dykehead who had to play through a torrential downpour but still managed a sixth place. The weather had an effect on the crowd but there were still significant numbers enjoying the music and…

Weather – light rain clearing to sunshine and strong breezes. Champion Piper Brian Lamond is pictured above. Piobaireachd 1. Brian Lamond – Lament for the Only Son 2. Ben Duncan – The Battle of Waternish 3. Andy Graham – Catherine’s Lament 4. Callum Wynd – MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart MSR 1. Brian Lamond 2. Ben Duncan 3. Andy Graham 4. Callum Wynd Hornpipe & Jig 1. Ben Duncan 2. Brian Lamond 3….

Damp conditions confronted the first bands on at today’s Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton. The picturesque park juts out into the confluence of the rivers Clyde and Leven and as such can be very exposed in high winds. Defending Grade 1 champions Inveraray are pictured above. Today’s competition, the penultimate championship of the pipe band summer, is seen as an important pointer for the World Pipe Band…

The world’s best pipers will converge on the west Highland town of Oban on August 22 and 23 for the annual Argyllshire Gathering. Entries for all events are, as expected, very high but the organisers say they are particularly encouraged by the entry among the younger pipers for their two main events, the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd sponsored by the Highland Society of London, and the Intermediate March, Strathspey and Reel…

Canadian composer Michael Grey (pictured) has produced his seventh book of bagpipe music. It will be launched as part of the 2018 Piping Live! Festival in Glasgow. Michael has sent this information: ‘“More Music for Everyone”, will be showcased at a session at the National Piping Centre’s auditorium, Wednesday, August 15 at 2:30 pm. The book is his most ambitious to date with over 20 contributors, a perfect bound 92 page full…