PP Ed’s Blog: Pipe Band Majors/ Ross & Cromarty P&D/ Small Highland Games

The debate over moving the European Pipe Band Championships to Forres will continue, particularly among bands who just can’t afford to journey up to the Moray Coast. Down the grades this is particularly inconvenient for Irish bands, few of whom, outwith Grade 1, attend. The reverse holds true for the UK Championships in Belfast with many Scottish bands electing to stay at home for that one. It all points to…

Inveraray & District Are European Pipe Bands Champions

Inveraray & District Pipe Band (pictured above courtesy Piping @ Forres) were crowned European Pipe Band Champions today after winning the Grade 1 contest at Forres on Scotland’s Moray Coast. The result means that the Argyllshire outfit, under the renowned P/M Stuart Liddell, now move clear at the head of the Champions of Champions table with two majors to go. In a nice touch the Inveraray band played a tune…

European Pipe Band Championships Underway at Forres

From the Highland town of Forres, in Moray, and Grant Park, the European Pipe Band Championship is underway, writes our Special Correspondent. The running order has approaching 110 listed to play across all grades. The first band – Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Novice Juvenile B, steps off at 10am on the dot. In adjoining arenas, Grades 4A and B will be underway too. The top Juvenile bands are on early…

New Boghall Pipe Sergeant/ Brittany/ Young Piper of the Year Entries

Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band have sent this: ‘We are pleased to announce the appointment of Calum Watson to the position of Pipe Sergeant of the Grade 1 band. He takes over from Alexander Scougall who will shortly be moving to the north of England to take up a promoted post with his current employer. ‘An accomplished solo player and bandsman, Calum Watson joined the Peoples Ford…

Preview of the Grade 2 European Pipe Band Championship

The major pipe band championship wagon will again roll into the Highland town of Forres this Saturday for the Europeans, writes our Special Correspondent.  Past events have been blessed with improving weather, big crowds and excellent facilities in and around Grant Park. The local organisers really pull out the stops and bands have been welcomed into the bus park with hampers of goodies, visitors have enjoyed the food festival and…