Some Thoughts on London 2015

I first travelled to London for the annual competition in 1976 and have always found it an enjoyable experience. I can’t quite put my finger on why this should be. A chance to meet up with piping colleagues in a far off land? A different competing environment? The beer? I don’t know. Certainly the lure of the big prizes, the Bratach Gorm and Gillies Cup and all the history attached…

PP Editor’s Blog: Pipes for Sale/ London Contest/ Caption Contest Winner

Superb set of Lawrie full ivory pipes for sale today. If you’ve something to sell be sure to reach thousands of your potential customers by contacting PP Classified Ads: An interesting letter from Joyce McIntosh apropos the story about the ‘Westinghouse Bagpipe Band’ of a couple of days ago. Amazingly Joyce tells us she has the P/M’s pipes! See Letters page. To London tomorrow for the annual Scottish Piping Society…

Westinghouse Pipe Band/ Archibald Campbell Part 2/ Pipes for Sale/

We hear much about piping in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, these days: the Carnegie Mellon Pipe Band under the expert leadership of Professor of Piping Andrew Carlisle, and the piping degree course established at CM University by Jimmy McIntosh, a trailblazer for similar courses around the world. But how many denizens of the steel town know of this band of yesteryear? They are the ‘Westinghouse Bagpipe Band’ from Wilkinsburg and the ‘Piping, Drumming…

PP Editor’s Blog: Pipes for Sale/ 2016 Band Tunes/ Comedy Caption

Piobaireachd authority and renowned teacher Jimmy McIntosh has a superb set of Robertson pipes for sale. Check out PP Classifieds. James Robertson was an Edinburgh based pipe maker who took over the business of John and James Center when they emigrated to Australia in 1908. His instruments are distinguished by the large, heavy projecting mounts and a deep, steady tone (see pic above). <a href=”https://ppresshop.myshopify.com/cart/7581451075:1″ target=”_blank”>Buy Highland Bagpipe Makers by…

PP Editor’s Blog: David Murray/ Glenfiddich/ Advertisers/ Pipe Band Roadshow

It was a pleasure yesterday to speak to David Murray on the phone. David has just celebrated his 94th birthday and is still taking a keen interest in piping via Piping Press. In his time he was President of the Piobaireachd Society, Piping Convenor at the Northern Meeting, a highly respected Senior Adjudicator, Director of the Edinburgh Tattoo, and a writer of note. His articles on competitions and piping history…