Category: Pipe Bands

New Composing Competition for Young Pipers

Posted on      by     

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust have sent this: ‘A competition to find Scotland’s next superstar young composer and an iconic new tune for our national instrument has launched today ‘Piping Hit 2018′.  Youngsters across Scotland are being asked whether they think they have the x factor and to compose a hit tune suitable for the great Highland bagpipe.  ‘The competition is open to every school pupil in Scotland.  Music charity organisers, the Scottish Schools Pipes and…

More New Composing Competition for Young Pipers

Last Black Watch Piper to Play at President Kennedy’s Funeral Dies

Posted on      by     

The Dundee’s ‘Courier’ newspaper has reported the passing of Bruce Cowie the last Black Watch Piper to play at the 1963 funeral procession of former US President John F Kennedy. Piper Bruce (78) was aged 24 when he took part in the march through Washington from the White house to St Matthew’s Cathedral in 1963 (see pic above). PP readers can re-visit our extensive feature on these few tragic days…

More Last Black Watch Piper to Play at President Kennedy’s Funeral Dies

PP Ed’s Blog: Chris Terry/ P/M Andrew Donaldson’s Funeral/ Letter/ Lohheide Winter School/ Queensland/ FMM Bass Drummer

Posted on      by     

A lot of interest already in the Shasta Piping Society’s Piobaireachd Composing Competition. The organisers like to keep the panel international and this year it will comprise myself, Bill Livingstone and South African Chris Terry (pictured above). Chatting to Chris at Inverness he said he believed he held a rather unenviable record of being placed in the Gold Medal more times than anyone else without actually winning it. He got…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Chris Terry/ P/M Andrew Donaldson’s Funeral/ Letter/ Lohheide Winter School/ Queensland/ FMM Bass Drummer

Happy Ending for Niall and His Missing Bagpipe

Posted on      by     

After an anxious few days we are pleased to report that top professional piper Niall Stewart has recovered his missing silver and ivory Henderson bagpipe. Niall and pipes are pictured above. The pipes, valued at £6,000 ($8,000US) went missing last Saturday. Niall had left them in the unlocked boot of his car outside his home in the quiet village of Kyle of Lochalsh in the north west Highlands. Going back…

More Happy Ending for Niall and His Missing Bagpipe

PP Ed’s Blog: Fintan Lalor/ Andrew Donaldson (pix added)/ SG KO/ Florida/ Russian Tune Book

Posted on      by     

Joe Fitzpatrick from Dublin has sent these names from the above picture of the Fintan Lalor Pipe Band parading in Dublin in the 1960s. Joe writes: ‘In the front row are P/M Tim Keogh, Colum O’Brien, Liam Keogh and P/Sgt Tommy Moore. Middle row from the right are Anthony Fitzpatrick, not sure, Bisto Keogh;  Back – Paddy Leeh, Jimmy Hennessy and myself. The side drummer is Frank Saunders. Some names I…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Fintan Lalor/ Andrew Donaldson (pix added)/ SG KO/ Florida/ Russian Tune Book