PP Ed’s Blog: Modern Piobaireachd/ AKQ/ Uist & Barra/ Fergie Tune

Writing of Dr John MacAskill’s self-penned piobaireachd on Friday served as a reminder of the current impetus there is behind ‘modern’ ceol mor. At the end of the month we will have the Donald MacLeod Memorial contest in Stornoway (see banner ad.) where his music will be enjoyed once more by the large crowd. Donald’s tunes feature in this year’s Silver Medal lists too, and other modern tunes such as…

RSPBA Headquarters Damaged By Fire – Updated with Pictures

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association’s Headquarters in Washington Street, Glasgow, have been badly damaged following a fire in the early hours of this morning (see pic above). The blaze happened when an upstairs storage heater malfunctioned and caught fire. Fortunately a skylight in the roof above blew out releasing the intense heat and smoke. This has saved the building from more extensive damage and a possible total loss. However…

Report on the Army Contest/ Date for Capt. John MacLellan Mem./Pipes for Sale/ Young Piper

After a hiatus of seven years, last weekend (March 4/5) saw the Army Piping and Drumming Championships take place at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, writes Major Gordon Rowan, Director of Army Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming. The school, at Inchdrewer House in Edinburgh, resounded to the sound of bagpipes, drums and bugles, as pipers and drummers from across the British Army competed with each other…

Preview of Scottish Schools’ Pipe Band Championship/ USPF Entry Alert & Judges for 2017 Contest

The 5th Annual competition moves to James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh this Sunday (12th March) for the annual competition. There will be over 80 performances with a record 81 bands, 11 quartets and freestyle ensembles in a variety of categories ranging from piping quartets for smaller groups to the top Juvenile bands going head to head for the Grand Prix. Bands from all over Scotland and the north of…

Army Piping & Drumming Championships 2017

This comprehensive series of contests was held today at Inchdrewer House, Edinburgh, under the authority of the Director of Army Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, Major Gordon Rowan. The picture above features Col. Wallace, Deputy Commander,  Champion Piper P/M Peter MacGregor- 4 SCOTS, and Champion Drummer Sgt. Marr, Royal Military Police. Army Piping and Drumming Championships 2017 Results 2