Editor’s Notebook: Pitlochry Piobaireachd/ JB Robertson/ Eden Court/ Manilla Piper/ Glasgow Transport PB

When we were trying to convince the committee at Pitlochry Games to hold a piobaireachd event I mentioned the fact that before WW2 there had been such an event at these games. I’d seen a poster somewhere but unfortunately could not produce the evidence. The Committee thankfully went ahead anyway but now after a bit of research I have that evidence. Results from Pitlochry Games September 5th 1931:Piobaireachd: 1 Malcolm…

Army School Features in National Press/ Jimmy McIntosh Memorial Weekend Workshop

One of the UK’s largest selling newspapers, the Daily Telegraph, has a full length feature on the Army School of Piping and Drumming today. It follows last week’s story which revealed the late Queen’s concern for the school’s future. In today’s article the School’s current Director, Major Gordon Rowan, reveals he piped around the Queen’s dining table on many occasions and talks of her pride in ‘her pipers’. His second…

My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 6

We continue with our correspondence from Robert Reid jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh. This abridged letter is dated 3rd November, 1993. There are mentions for John MacDougall Gillies, James Center, Sandy Cameron, Willie Connell and Allan Dodd…. My father was approximately 18½ years with John MacDougall Gillies. As it was, Gillies was his second choice of tutor. James Center was the first but he had too many pupils at that time…

History: The Man who Built the Glenfinnan Monument and His Piper

Any piper who has played at Glenfinnan Highland Gathering will recognise this setting as one of the most magnificent in all Scotland, writes the Editor. It is close to the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745 and called on the clans to support his campaign to restore a Jacobite king to the British throne. Central to the vista is the tall monument commissioned by local landowner…

Editor’s Notebook: Army School and The Queen/ SLOT Headgear/ Terry’s Address/ Drum Request/ Wellington’s Piper

It should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II stepped in to stave off any threat to the Army School of Piping in Edinburgh. Her initiative came to light this week in a podcast interview with former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. He revealed that during an audience, Her Majesty challenged him on rumours of financial cuts at the school. Osborne feigned…