Modern History of the Pipe Band Movement from WW2

This article first appeared in PIpe Band magazine in 2003. The writer was Jeannie Campbell….. The Second World War interrupted the pipe band contests, which were resumed in 1946. In 1947 the Association decided to take the World Championship away from Cowal as they had had a good offer from Edinburgh City Council which wanted it to be held there to coincide with the new Festival. Cowal refused to give up…

PP Ed’s Blog: Adjudicator Panel/ London Pictures/ Inverness Recital etc.

Congratulations to John Wilson (left) on his election as Convenor of the RSPBA’s Adjudicator Panel following their meeting last weekend. The full list of appointments was: Convener: John Wilson Vice Convener: Peter Snaddon Secretary: Robert Mathieson Drum Major Adjudicators’ Representative: John Noble Piping Adjudicators’ Representative: Donald MacPhee Drumming Adjudicators’ Representative: Paul Turner Ensemble Adjudicators’ Representative: Cameron Edgar I hope the previous difficulties are now forgotten and the panel can move on. I hope too that they will consider reinstating Ian…

PP Ed’s Blog: Bruce’s Prize/ Scottish School Champs/ Argylls Book/ Trad Nominees/ Piob Query

When is piobaireachd preference not piobaireachd preference? Last Saturday’s showpiece Glenfiddich Championship at Blair Castle produced a three-way tie in points between three pipers Roderick MacLeod, William McCallum and Bruce Gandy.  The results were: Ceol Mor – 1 R MacLeod 2 S Liddell 3 I Speirs 4 J Lee 5 B Gandy Ceol Beag – 1 W McCallum 2 B Gandy 3 A MacColl 4 F Johnston  5 I Speirs Points were allocated on a 5,4,3,2,1, basis and…

PP Ed’s Blog: Wm Grant Poll/ Duncan’s Wedding/ World Solo Drumming/ Letters/ Queensland Recital/ Brittany

Following yesterday’s piece on piping’s biggest sponsor, the William Grant Foundation, we’d like to know what readers think: [polldaddy poll=9567284] Congratulations to Glasgow Police P/Sgt and former P/M, Duncan Nicholson, on his nuptials last weekend. Duncan’s best man was his pipe major Iain MacPherson and a great time was had by all at the wedding in Glasgow. The Livestream from the World Solo Drumming is now available on YouTube with…

The William Grant Foundation and the Sponsorship of Piping

It was reassuring to see Mr Nick Addington, Chief Executive of the William Grant Foundation, the sponsor,  present the prizes at the weekend’s Glenfiddich Championship at Blair Castle. I am sure he would have been impressed by the organisation and the general enthusiasm for the old competition now in its 42nd year, and he will have seen at first hand where the money he disburses on behalf of the Foundation goes…