New Knockout Contest Aims to Bring Europe’s Best Pipers Together


The European Knockout Bagpipe Competition is an innovative and thrilling event designed to showcase the best talent from across the continent. Modelled after the Eurovision Song Contest, this competition aims to celebrate the bagpipe traditions of different European countries while fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the piping community.
 The goal is to reach a wider community than the typical piping audience. Next year each participating country will…

SPA Veterans Results/ Ardmore Cup Details/ NZ Bands

Five played in the Scottish Pipers’ Association Veterans competition held at the Piping Centre in Glasgow last Friday (December 6). Only first places for each category were awarded.  The judge was Tom Johnstone who is pictured far left (above) with the contestants, Logan Tannock, Dave Mason (new member), Brian Mulhearn, Neil Cameron and George Johnstone. Results: Slow Air: Logan Tannock ; 2/4 March: George Johnston ; Medley: Dave Mason. Details of…

Robert Reid Pipes for Sale at Glasgow Auction House

The family of Robert Reid have put up for auction selections of pipes and chanters belonging to the famous piper. There are six lots comprising full sets of pipes, a ‘child’s set’ and two ‘small’ sets, and a box of miscellaneous joints and chanters. They will go under the hammer at McTears in Glasgow this Thursday, December 12, at 10am. One set could be that which is featured in the…

Editor’s Notebook: Reid Pipes/ RSPBA Majors/ SPA Veterans/ Brittany Events

An intriguing story has come in following yesterday’s about Willie Reid’s ‘MacDougall’ pipes. Reader Robert Stewart writes, ‘As a teenager I new Willie Reid well. ‘Latterly, before emigrating to New Zealand, he was P/M of the Glasgow Fire Service Pipe Band. On one of my regular visits to his barber shop he was quite excited. ‘One of his bandsmen had attended a fire at an old cottage and found a…

Were Pipes Which Belonged to P/M Robert Reid Made by J&R Glen or MacDougall, Aberfeldy?

In 1967 Willie Reid, Robert’s brother, came to New Zealand with two sets of pipes. One was his own 1910 Hendersons, the other a set he said were owned and played by the famous Robert, but not the pipes you always saw him with in photographs. By David Philip Willie and local piper Barry Brougham became friends and at the time Barry was doing well on the solo boards. At some stage…