Category: Pipe Bands

PP Academy: Jigs Ain’t What They Used to Be

Posted on      by     

In last week’s references to Duncan Johnstone I deliberately avoided mention of his oft-used description as ‘King of the Jigs’. I don’t know where or how he assumed this epithet but it was one he disliked. He was good at them mind. His was a rounder style, perhaps, given his Barra roots, an island way of handling this much-maligned tune form. Duncan’s presentation was often misinterpreted as straight as a die…

More PP Academy: Jigs Ain’t What They Used to Be

PP Editor’s Blog: UK Champs Draw/ Willie Lawrie/ PP Audio Archive/ SPA KO

Posted on      by     

The draw for the UK Pipe Band Championships in Belfast on June 11 has been posted on the RSPBA website. First on in Grade 1 are Dowco Triumph Street from Canada. I presume they are giving the Worlds a miss this year given the expense involved in getting to Stormont two months before.  If this is the case it is a loss to Glasgow Green. This band is always very…

More PP Editor’s Blog: UK Champs Draw/ Willie Lawrie/ PP Audio Archive/ SPA KO

PP Editor’s Blog: Busy Brighde/ May’s Funeral/ Forres Pix/ ANZAC Day

Posted on      by     

Last week was a busy and successful time for 17-year-old Skye piper Brighde Chaimbeul. Not only did she pick up first place in the Highlands & Islands C Grade MSR but she also won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award for 2016 – at a glittering ceremony in London’s Royal Albert Hall no less. Brighde won through to the finals from hundreds of young folk musicians from throughout Britain. She…

More PP Editor’s Blog: Busy Brighde/ May’s Funeral/ Forres Pix/ ANZAC Day

PP Editor’s Blog: Highlands & Islands/ Skye Gathering/ Oz Livestream/ SPA KO

Posted on      by     

Spare a thought for piper Darach Urquhart who suffered the opposing emotions of elation and disappointment at the Highlands & Islands Festival on Saturday. Firstly the piping steward read out his name as the winner of the March, Strathspey & Reel contest only for him to realise much later – and after he had been photographed with the winners’ trophy – that in fact there had been a mistake and the prize…

More PP Editor’s Blog: Highlands & Islands/ Skye Gathering/ Oz Livestream/ SPA KO

Settlement on Long-Running Bagpipe Seasoning Dispute

Posted on      by     

Bagpipe manufacturers RG Hardie & Co and businessman Mr David Ogilvie have reached an agreement concerning the famous ‘Airtight’ bag seasoning. An agreed statement as per the settlement agreement, the terms of which are confidential, is as follows: ‘R. G. Hardie & Co Ltd wish it to be known that they accept that Mr Ogilvie purchased the company of Robertsons Original seasoning in good faith and was not fully advised of the longstanding…

More Settlement on Long-Running Bagpipe Seasoning Dispute