News from Across the Water: Piper of the Year/ Solo Piping & Drumming Champs./ New Leading Drummers

Saturday, September 28th saw the annual Piper of the Year competition in the Adair Arms, Ballymena. There was a decent attendance to listen to the eleven invited pipers who competed in the afternoon in the Piobaireachd section and then in the evening’s MSR and Hornpipe and Jig. The pipers played in the following order: Andrew Pattison, James Frazer, John McElmurry, Alastair Donaghy, Andrew Nelson, Kris Coyle, James Stone, Marc Warnock, Scott…

Legendary Boys Brigade Company Honoured with a Civic Reception in Home City

Last Friday my old Boys Brigade Company, the 214th Glasgow, was honoured with a Civic Reception from the city to mark 100 years since the company’s founding. It was held in the City Chambers off George Square. Glasgow has deserved much of the recent criticism of its roads, litter, shop closures…but you cannot complain about the City Chambers. If you have never visited you must. There won’t be finer marble…

Editor’s Notebook: Search for Silver MacDougalls/ Ian Plunkett/ Captain John Contest/ Letters

Dr Katherine Macaulay: ‘I recently read an article by you on ‘History of the Scottish Piping Society of London; The Post War Years’ written in 2016. In the article you mentioned Lewis Beaton Memorial Pipes … but, sadly, the actual pipes have disappeared somewhere along the timeline. Apparently they were actually Lewis Beaton’s silver mounted MacDougalls. Where are they now? ‘My father is Iain Macaulay, nephew to, and taught the pipes by,…

Kuala Lumpur Highland Games

This year’s Kuala Lumpur Highland Games were a resounding success, bringing a touch of Scotland to the heart of Malaysia, writes our Asia correspondent. Held at the prestigious Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, the event was run by a dedicated team of expatriates who infused the day with both energy and authentic Highland spirit. The KL Games provided an extraordinary day filled with tradition, competition, and community spirit. It…

George Watson’s Announce Details of Junior Competition/ St Columba’s School Bass Section Tutor

We are pleased to announce that entries for ‘The Caritas Banner’ are now open, writes Ben Duncan, Assistant Pipe Major, George Watson’s College. The competition, aimed at promoting the study and performance of piobaireachd in young pipers will run for its second year on Sunday 24th November 2024 at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh. There are categories to suit most young players, which are as follows: 14 & Under Urlar and…