‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald, Inverness’, by John H Shone – A Review

The name of John Macdonald, Inverness, must be one of the best known and illustrious in piping history. However, until now, there has not been a single account of his life and his influence on the development of piping, and piobaireachd in particular, during a critical period towards the end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. By Alan Forbes John Shone has put that right in his…

Aberdeen Games/ Eilidh’s Trust/ SunBelt Invitational

Fraser Maitland: Aberdeen Highland Games are on Sunday, 15th June, at Hazelhead Park. Entry form is now live here. Three tunes in senior categories. We encourage those interested to enter before midnight 6th June; those who do will receive free entry to the park. Later entries accepted until 24 hours before the start of the games. Those entering on the day will play first and at the discretion of the…

RU Brown Gold Medal Results

This annual competition was held over two days in St Aloysius College, Adelaide, South Australia, last weekend. The winner of the Gold Medal was Dan Nevans from Airdrie (pictured with trophy and medal). Clasp for Former Winners (four tunes): 1 Martin Frewen – Earl of Ross’s March – (AUD$2,000) 2 Struan Thorpe ($1,000) 3 Jonathan Quay ($600) Gold Medal (four tunes): 1 Dan Nevans – Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute – ($900)…

Sale of RT Shepherd & Co Confirmed by Insolvency Company

Within hours of Piping Press reporting rumours of a sale of RT Shepherd & Co., the company handling the insolvency has confirmed that the firm will be taken over by Broadleys Bagpipes & Reeds. Fife-based Broadleys have a growing reputation within the pipe band world with many top bands already playing their instruments and reeds. Proprietor Ross Watson is a former employee of Shepherds. The Interim Liquidator Steven Wright was…

Highlands & Islands Festival Report

I don’t think we ladle on enough praise to the volunteers who keep the wheels of piping progress so well oiled with their cheery energy and dedication. A case in point was last Saturday’s Highlands & Islands Festival in Oban. For close on nine hours Convenor Iain Hurst and his team were run off their feet trying to corral youngsters to their allotted classrooms and at the same time keeping…