Category: Pipe Bands

RSPBA Responds to Concerns Over Date of 2025 UK Championships

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The RSPBA have issued a statement regarding the 2025 UK Pipe Band Championships. It comes two days after Piping Press highlighted the concerns being felt in Northern Ireland over the choice of date, July 12th, writes the Editor. The statement is from Chief Executive Colin Mulhern and reads: ‘Dear Members, Competitors, and Supporters, We wish to address the concerns raised regarding the scheduling of the [UK] Pipe Band Championship on…

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News from Across the Water: Terry Tully Audience/ King’s Honours/ Drum Majors to Canada/ 75th Anniversaries/ Tribute Band/ Leinster Solos

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Irvine Memorial are delighted to be able to bring the renowned piper and former Pipe Major of St Laurence O’Toole, Terry Tully, to the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone. on 7th February for another ‘Audience With’ event. In addition, there will be performances by Stephen Creighton, leading drummer of the current World Champion drum corps, and P/Sgt. and Northern Ireland man, Brendan Murphy. The evening will take the form of previous…

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Editor’s Notebook: College Band 1953/ Cancale Video/ Scots Guards KO/ Malcolm Ferguson Contact request

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Interesting response to Allan Hamilton’s comment on Dolina MacKay and her son Evan. Allan wrote: ‘Evan MacKay, a prominent pupil of the College of Piping in the ’50/’60s. Quite a character too. Attended Woodside Academy [Glasgow] and always dressed in the kilt. All the time. In his 20s he joined the Army for a week and decided it wasn’t for him. He joined Glasgow Police …. before joining Hong Kong…

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Discontent in Northern Ireland at Date of UK Championships

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The recent announcement by the RSPBA parent body that the UK Championships are to be held on the 12th July 2025 at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, near Edinburgh, has caused some consternation amongst the local pipe band fraternity in Northern Ireland. On a number of fronts this date does not suit bands from Ulster and adjacent counties – and they are not all associated with the Twelfth of July…

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John Scott, Dolina MacKay and the Scottish Pipers

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Logan Tannock, President of the Scottish Pipers’ Association: ‘Thank you for the stories on John Scott. They brought back memories of my early days at the SPA club nights at the Dorchester Hotel. I remember John, Captain Alex Fraser and Dolina MacKay, and yes I remember the Thow drones and how sweet they sounded. ‘John was always willing to offer advice to me as a young player, or indeed any…

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