PP Editor’s Blog: Hamish Henderson/ Virginia Tattoo/ Murray Henderson/ Funding for Youngsters

Terrific programme the other night on the late Scottish poet, songwriter and folklorist Hamish Henderson (left). Well done to Producer Alasdair MacCuish and his Bees Nees team, and to broadcaster MG Alba for a real quality show which did the great man full justice. Poignant film of the late Martyn Bennett on smallpipes accompanying Hamish on ‘Freedom Come All Ye’ and remarkable, historic footage of the Pipes and Drums of various…

Northern Ireland’s Blackthorn Pipers’ Society Meet in New Venue

The new season of Northern Ireland’s Blackthorn Pipers’ Society gatherings, previously held in Dromore, Co Down, got off to a great start last night, 21st September, in a new Belfast city centre venue, the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre in Gordon Street, writes John Kelly.  Grahame Harris, who has succeeded Andy Wilson as the Society’s Secretary, welcomed the piping enthusiasts to the new venue.  Taking part in the great evening’s craic were the main recitalist Kris Coyle…

New Competition for Original Piobaireachd Works Offers Substantial Prize Money

The Shasta Piping Society (US) and the Burley Bagpipe Company (BC, Canada) have announced the following: Original Piobaireachd Music Competition Sponsored by Shasta Piping Society and Burley Bagpipe Company This competition calls for copies of original piobaireachds to be submitted by composers to a panel of qualified judges, Mike Cusack (USA), Bill Livingstone (Canada) and Robert Wallace (Scotland – chair).  The piobaireachds must be original to the composer(s), of any style, and…

PP Editor’s Blog: Grampian Placings/ Roddy Ross/ BB Letter/ Piobaireachd Analysis

Patricia Grant has sent the final placings in the John Milne Fine Arts Grampian Games Association Piping League 2016. Well done to all those pipers, junior and senior, who supported these important north-east games. Patricia writes: ‘It is encouraging to see that there are new names appearing on the League placings and hopefully the efforts of the Grampian Games Association to promote all aspects of Highland games is paying off.  I know that…

All Ireland Results/ London Reminder/ Band Regradings

Reminder: Andrew Hall, President of the Scottish Piping Society of London, has asked us to remind everyone that entries for this year’s competition close on September 30th and that late entries will not be accepted. The draw for the competition will be announced early next month. Andrew added: ‘We are particularly keen to encourage more juvenile entries.  There are three events in that grade which are all own choice tunes. …