New Music: The Pinkman Family Collection

I have compiled a new book of bagpipe tunes written by pipers from three generations of the Pinkman family. The majority of the tunes, which number over 300, were written by Pipe Major Robert (Rab) Pinkman (KOSB) pictured above.   There are also tunes from Rab’s father, Edward Pinkman, his grandfather, Robert D Pinkman and Archie Pinkman of Bilston Glen Colliery Pipe Band fame. By Stephen Beattie The book, with 354…

News from Across the Water: Bill Livingstone Remembered/ Waterford Solos/ St Patrick’s Day/ Drumlough 75th/ MacDonald Solos/ Video Archive

Many local pipe band enthusiasts were sad to hear of the passing of Pipe Major Bill Livingstone. Bill will ever be associated with his leadership of the 78th Fraser Highlanders from Ontario, Canada. He brought the band to Scotland in the early 1980s and in 1987 they went on to become the first from overseas to win the World Championships. Several days before that iconic event the band played in…

RSPBA Drop Change of Date for the UK Championships, AGM Imminent

The RSPBA has dropped the idea of a switch in date for the UK Pipe Band Championships. They canvassed bands over a possible change from July 12 to May 3. Returns showed the majority were against. Many had already booked buses, hotels, flights to Ingliston’s Royal Highland Centre. Others thought it too early in the season and had other commitments that day. By the Editor It remains to be seen…

New Cameronians Book of Pipe Music

Connor Jardine, Dan Nevans and myself have been working on publishing a collection of pipe tunes based on Lanarkshire tunes/composers. We’re now ready to announce the book publicly. We have been researching music within the famous, but now defunct, Cameronians army regiment and the wider Lanarkshire community with the aim of collating and preserving the music, new and old, to create ‘The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Pipe Music Collection’. By Cameron…

Possible Change of Date for the UK Pipe Band Championships

The RSPBA is canvassing bands over a change of date for the UK Pipe Band Championships. These are due to be held at Ingliston’s Royal Highland Centre near Edinburgh on July 12. The date has raised considerable controversy. It clashes with important parades in the Northern Ireland band calendar. By the Editor It also comes during a traditional family holiday period with Scottish and Northern Irish schools closed during July….