Piping & Drumming Upsurge in South West Scotland Thanks to Local Academy

There is great work being done for piping and drumming by the South West Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy. Building on a tradition established by John Cowan, Walter Cowan (pictured instructing above), Alfie Geddes, Ian Clowe, Jim McConnachie and the late Tony MacDonald, the South West Scotland Piping & Drumming Academy is forging ahead with a programme of tuition which is sure to produce many top-level players if not champions in…

P/M Bob Kilgour MBE, Scots Guards, 1924 -2017

We regret to report the passing of P/M Robert Kilgour late of the Scots Guards. P/M Kilgour died at his home in Edinburgh.  Bob Kilgour was born in Edinburgh in 1924 and in 1940 he received a practice chanter for his birthday and started to learn piping thus, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. He joined the Scots Guards in 1944. He attained the rank of Pipe Major of…

PP Ed’s Blog: South Florida Academy/ History Pic/ Fred Morrison Recital/ Cardenden Tune

Noah Morrissette of the South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy: Hello, I hope everyone has had an outstanding summer and competition season…unless you’re in South Florida. Competition season in Florida takes place during the winter and spring months. The South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy is five full days of world-class pipe and drum instruction. In the past we have had the academy run from Wednesday to Sunday. This has…

Manorcunningham Celebrate Successful Year and Are Now Recruiting

John Kelly reports….After a year out in 2016, Manorcunningham Pipe Band made a welcome return to the Grade 2 pipe band competition arena in 2017 picking up an amazing 41 trophies in a most successful year. To celebrate this success the band held a celebratory dinner in the Arena 7 Restaurant, Letterkenny on Saturday 7th October.  Earlier in the day the band members gathered in the band’s practice hall in Manorcunningham village for what…

Steven Wins Australian Drumming Title (picture added)

Steven Shedden has been awarded the 2017 ‘A’ Grade Snare Australian Solo Drumming Championship in Canberra today, receiving the top McCormick Award presented for the first time. All champions and placegetters receive special McCormick Award certificates honouring the inaugural principal drumming with the Australian Pipe Band College, Alex McCormick. The championships were promoted by Canberra College of Piping and Drumming with the support of sponsors and Pipe Bands Australia. Other…