Northern Ireland Pipe Band Round-Up: Parades, Contests and Exhibitions Keep Tradition Alive

Over here in Northern Ireland the traditional parading season will wind down over the next month. On Saturday the 28th August the parades of the Royal Black Institution took place on a local basis. These parades have traditionally featured a significant proportion of our pipe bands, many of which will take their autumn break before resuming winter practices, and in most cases the tuition of learner classes supported by grants…

Donald Morrison Archive: Notes on the Introduction of Teaching of Piping to South Uist

This very interesting, but unattributed article is from the archive of Donald Morrison. It gives an insight into the history of piping in the Outer Isles and in particular South Uist. It is not by Donald himself but mentions his father Donald John Morrison. Canon Alexander MacDougall was a native of Morar and died there on 10th December, 1944, at the age of 85 years. His first parish in the…

Memories of My Father, Donald Morrison, Part 2

Donald’s daughter Sheona MacDonald, Aberdeen, has agreed to share with us her memories of her father and also his extensive archive of photographs, letters and newspaper clippings. We will publish what we can over the coming weeks. Mrs MacDonald has also kindly given permission for her father’s book of tunes to be published for download. Again this will be available via the Piping Press Shop in due course. The above…

Reduced Capacity Piping Live! Hailed a Huge Success

Piping Live! celebrated a welcome return and successful 18th year as it burst back onto the Glasgow events calendar last week, welcoming around 1,200 attendees across 52 events and streaming to 10,000 fans from 20 countries across the globe, writes Corrie Campbell. The 2021 edition of the globally recognised event closed last night after a nine-day run of jam-packed world class performances, competitions, music sessions, recitals, book launches and workshops, all celebrating…

Memories of My Father, Donald Morrison

Our earlier articles on the renowned piper Donald Morrison led to contact with his daughter Sheona MacDonald, Aberdeen. Seona agreed to share with us her memories of her father and also his extensive archive of photographs, letters and newspaper clippings. We will publish what we can over the coming weeks. Sheona has also kindly given permission for her father’s book of tunes to be published for download. Again this will…