Piper Tom Plays On After Injury to His Birl Finger

A US-based piper has suffered an unfortunate accident to his little finger but is determined to play on after doctors pinned it back together again. Tom Hyatt plays with the US Border Patrol Pipes & Drums and is based at Marta Station in Marta, Texas. The band is made up of Border Patrol pipers and drummers from around the US. Tom takes up the story: ‘I injured the pinkie finger…

PP Editor’s Blog: Aberdeen Games/ Europeans PB Champs/ John Hughes/ George Ackroyd

Sunday ‘s Games at Aberdeen have been cancelled due to ‘heavy and persistent rain’. The venue, Hazelhead Park, is currently waterlogged and more rain is forecast until Saturday. Aberdeen City Council has made the decision to cancel the popular annual event following an inspection of the site earlier today (Wednesday 15 June). Even if the rain stops ahead of the Games the ground will not be suitable to host this large scale event….

PP Editor’s Blog: New England Academy/ UK Champs/Tune Search/BB/Rod McFadyen

The New England Pipe and Drum Academy began last night with a two-hour workshop at the Clan MacPherson band’s practice. They’re going to the Worlds to play in G4b. I spent some time with them going through their tunes on practice chanters and then sorting pipes. They have been good supporters of the Academy but the cost of going to Scotland has meant many of them couldn’t attend individually this…

Games Round-Up: Strathmore, Corgarff

Strathmore Games: Gordon McCready had a very successful day at a very wet & cold competition held in the grounds of Glamis Castle.. Piobaireachd 1 Gordon McCready (Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute) 2 Craig Martin 3 John MacDonald 4 Dan Nevans Judges: Duncan Watson, Gordon Clark March 1 Gordon McCready 2 Dan Nevans 3 Craig Martin 4 John MacDonald 5 Niall Robertson S&R 1 Gordon McCready 2 John MacDonald 3 Dan…

P/M Parkes Comments on that Big Win in Belfast

Pipe Major Richard Parkes of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band has spoken of his band’s success at last weekend’s UK Pipe Band Championships held in the grounds of Stormont Castle, Belfast, Northern Ireland. His band were placed first ahead of Inveraray by a  clear eight points. An emphatic win, their first since the Europeans at Forres last year. FMM started 2015 in fine style winning both the British Championships and then the UKs….