PP Editor’s Blog: Cape Breton Piping/ Chatsworth Entry/ Band Formations/ ‘Freestyle’ Piping/ Audio Archive

Listened to the BBC’s ‘Travelling Folk’ last night on Radio Scotland and an interview with bellows piper Hamish Moore. It was astonishing. No, not Hamish’s wacky views on how the British Army destroyed piping; how those old guys in tatty tweed jackets sitting playing on kitchen chairs somewhere in Cape Breton were the repositories of the true tradition. No, not that, but the fact that the presenter swallowed lock, stock…

Tomintoul Games

A cold windy day which made playing difficult, but the pipers coped well according to piobaireachd judges Norman Matheson and Duncan Watson. Piob: 1. Ben Duncan, Desperate Battle of the Birds 2 Gordon McCready, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute 3. Greig Wilson, MacLeod of Raasay’s Salute 4. Edward Gaul, Too Long in this Condition March 1. Ben Duncan 2. Gordon McCready 3. Greig Wilson 4 John Macdonald S&R 1. Gordon McCready…

Taynuilt Games

A blustery day at the Argyllshire village games near Oban. Rain threatened but never materialised. Eight played in the ceol beag and six in the ceol mor. Champion piper was Darach Urquhart. Piob 1 Darach Urquhart (Big Spree) 2 Euan Dewar 3 Jamie Forrester Judges: G Clark, R Clark March 1 Darach Urquhart 2 Gordon MacLean 3 Jamie Forrester S&R 1 Euan Dewar 2 Darach Urquhart 3 Jamie Forrester Jig…

Updates: Stonehaven, Balloch & Roseneath Games Latest News

Balloch Games went ahead today despite very poor weather – wind and rain, but tomorrow’s graded event at Roseneath and the games at Stonehaven, have been cancelled due to flooding. Roseneath’s statement reads: ‘It is with deep regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the games. Unfortunately this is due to the adverse weather conditions and flooding.’ The picture shows the opening parade at last year’s games. Other games…

Band Formations Poll/Nicol-Brown Information/Hawick BB

There was considerable response to yesterday’s essay on pipe band formations and to further gauge opinion we have a new poll. We hope as many readers as possible will respond:   [polldaddy poll=8982241] Our last poll on 2/4 marches posed the question: ‘Should we be free to alter music for 2/4 marches as we see fit’. 33% said ‘yes’, it was traditional music after all; 31% it depended on the…