Category: Piobaireachd

P/M Iain Macey 1955-2025

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We report the passing of Pipe Major Iain Macey, a well-known professional competitor in the 1980s and 90s. He was 70. Iain was from the north east of Scotland and joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1971. His early instruction was from Major John Allan and Captain Andrew Pitkeathly at the Army School of Piping, Edinburgh Castle. He passed his Pipe Majors’ Certificate with distinction in 1978. He later moved to…

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Editor’s Notebook: Cowal Gathering/ Solo Judging/ Clan MacRae Comment/ New Year

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Yesterday’s story on the founding of the SPBA mentioned the current relationship between pipe bands and Cowal Games. Correspondent Ian Forbes sums things up well: ‘The demise of the Cowal Pipe Band Championships is an historic and cultural tragedy in the world of piping. ‘From 1906 and for over 40 years, Dunoon hosted the ‘unofficial’ world pipe band championships, as part of the Cowal Highland Gathering. Hundreds of  thousands of…

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Piobaireachd Society Conference/ RSPBA Graeme Johnston Juvenile Contest

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The Piobaireachd Society has formally announced details of its 2026 Annual Conference. It will be held in the Royal George Hotel, Perth, from March 27-29. The conference features four presentations: ‘The Life and Music of Bill Livingstone’ by Michael Grey, Ontario, the ‘Origins of Piobaireachd’ by Dr Hugh Cheape and Dr Peter McCalister, ‘Let Piobaireachd Flourish’, a look at ceòl mòr from a Glasgow perspective by John Mulhearn, and ‘100…

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Editor’s Notebook: Solo Judging/ Ian’s Funeral/ Fifth Major Secured/ Diary Dates

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Following our report from the Solo Judges Association last week we received this anonymous comment: ‘In your report on the judging of solo piping there is a reference that judges must not judge their pupils and I understand this has been extended to include genres of pipe music the judge may in fact not teach that individual. ‘It would appear that if she/he teaches him solely ceòl beag, she/he may not…

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A Look Back at the Northern Meeting 1978

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We are grateful to the reader who forwarded the complete programme from Inverness 1978. We are sure it will jog the memories of all the pipers who were there. Prizes of note include the Gold Medal going to Dr Bill Wotherspoon (Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon), the Clasp going to John MacDougall (MacLean’s March) and the Former Winners going to P/M Angus MacDonald. John was looking to complete the ‘big…

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