European Pipe Band Championships 2026 Results

The North Inch, Perth, was the venue for this year’s European Pipe Band Championships, the third major of the season. 119 bands entered. Field Marshal Montgomery were crowned Grade 1 champions. The weather was dry, warm but overcast. Grade 1 bands submitted two medleys, one chosen at the line. G2 bands two MSRs one chosen at the line; G3 one medley; Juv. MSR. Grade 1 1 FMM2 Boghall3 SLOT4 Inveraray5…

Editor’s Notebook: Old Recordings & Jeannie Book/ Mull Games/ Neil Clark/ Worlds Tickets

Reader Michael Dunn has alerted me to his excellent collection of early, re-mastered, piping recordings. Click on the picture of Willie Ross to hear the maestro play Captain Norman Orr Ewing and the link below for many other tunes. There’s music from the likes of JB Robertson, Robert Reid, Henry Starck (bagpipe maker), John Macdonald, Inverness, Glasgow Police under P/M John MacDonald (1945), and many more. Full play list here…

RSPBA CEO Steps Down After Difficult Period in Office

That Colin Mulhern has decided to step down as RSPBA Chief Executive Officer will not surprise anyone on the inside track at the Association, writes the Editor. Mr Mulhern has had difficult times since he took over from Ian Embelton five years ago. He has offered his resignation before – before being persuaded to withdraw it. The uncertainty surrounding provision of the major championships has always been a major concern…

Review: ‘Around the Worlds’, a New Book on the Development of the Grade 1 World Championship

In October last year I was contacted by the author Iain Duncan seeking some assistance with regard to Northern Ireland’s Grade 1 bands for a project he was working on relating to the World Pipe Band Championships.  As the months went by Iain’s project developed into a publication entitled ‘Around the Worlds’. It focusses on the development and evolution of the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championship and also the…

Editor’s Notebook: Judging & Teaching/ Plaid Brooch/ Iain Bruce/ World Cup

I cannot see any reason why Colin MacLellan’s judging/teaching proposal should not be given at least a pilot run, a properly monitored assessment over several events. If it doesn’t work, well, fair enough, it’s back to the drawing board. But gather the evidence, examine the pros and cons, and make a fact-based decision. If approved, we then leave it up to the promoters as to whether or not they wish…