The PP history archives are raided today for a fascinating look at piping half a century ago. Back then Edinburgh rivalled Glasgow a the world centre for solo piping with thriving competitions run by the City of Edinburgh Police Pipe Band and the Eagle Pipers’ Society. These were senior events attended by all the leading players of the day with all the top judges manning the benches. The picture above…
Firstly congratulations to P/M Ian McLellan BEM on his 80th birthday. It hardly seems anytime at all that we used to see him marching off with his brilliant Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and yet another Worlds trophy. Ian remains the most successful Worlds winner of all time though the equally brilliant Richard Parkes and FMM are running him close. Whatever; no one can change history and the music Ian’s band…
The big event today is the joint Celtic Connections concert being given by Stuart Liddell’s Inveraray & District Pipe and Bagad Kemper from Brittany, France. Tickets have sold very well and there will be a large crowd at the event which kicks off at 12.30pm in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, but some places are still available. Here’s the link. Writing about Jimmy Anderson last week I forgot to mention his…
It is with sadness that we report the passing of piper Elaine Marnoch. Elaine, married name Elaine Potts, was aged 58 and had been suffering from cancer. Elaine was a leading player in the 70s and 80s and played with many bands in the north-east of Scotland in both amateur and professional solo ranks and was a leading figure in Officers Training Corps. She was the first lady piper to…
Noticing the advert for the new RG Hardie pipe cases I was wondering what happened to the old wooden pipe box. I mean what do pipers sit on these days when they are waiting for a bus? Sorry, I forgot; they don’t do that any more. If you turn up at your band practice in anything less than a Ford Fiesta Titanium you get frowned on. Taking the boat to…
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