Category: Pipe Bands

Pipe Band News: Northern Ireland Chairman Stands Down/ Grant Cassidy Leaves Shotts

Posted on      by      2 Comments

The pipe band community in Northern Ireland has been surprised by yesterday’s resignation of the RSPBA Northern Ireland branch Chairman, Alastair Patterson, writes Gilbert Cromie. In a statement Alastair said: ‘I have taken the decision to stand down from my role as Chairman of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch. This has not been an easy decision, but the amount of time and commitment needed has been having an impact on…

More Pipe Band News: Northern Ireland Chairman Stands Down/ Grant Cassidy Leaves Shotts

Background to Historic Juvenile Trophies Explained

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Piping historian Jeannie Campbell has sent this following the recent mention of two famous Scottish Pipers’ Association trophies….. On 6th November 1920 the Oban Times announced that the Clan Macrae Society had presented a trophy (above left) in memory of the late Pipe Major Farquhar MacRae to the Scottish Pipers’ Association. The SPA were to manage competitions in connection with the trophy. They also received two other trophies formerly used by…

More Background to Historic Juvenile Trophies Explained

College Band/ Inveraray Dinner/ Balvenie Medal

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Scott Bennett replies to last week’s article on the College of Piping band. He writes: Yes that was Evan MacKay behind the pipe major in photo of the CoP band in Brittany in 1953. And if you look very carefully you can see me – the small boy behind the Pipe Sergeant. The P/Sgt was none other than the renowned accordionist of Mishnish Hotel, Tobermory, fame, Bobby MacLeod. Bobby composed…

More College Band/ Inveraray Dinner/ Balvenie Medal

Editor’s Notebook: Oban & Inverness/ Fifth Major/ Uist & Barra/ Ross McCrindle/ RUC Pipe Band

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Entries for Oban and Inverness close at midnight tonight. If you haven’t got your name down you need to move quickly. No late entries will be accepted and this includes all senior events. Of course an entry is no guarantee that you will be allowed to play. This will be decided at a meeting of promoters, with input from the Competing Pipers’ Association, on February 16. Pipers will be notified…

More Editor’s Notebook: Oban & Inverness/ Fifth Major/ Uist & Barra/ Ross McCrindle/ RUC Pipe Band

RSPBA Responds to Concerns Over Date of 2025 UK Championships

Posted on      by      2 Comments

The RSPBA have issued a statement regarding the 2025 UK Pipe Band Championships. It comes two days after Piping Press highlighted the concerns being felt in Northern Ireland over the choice of date, July 12th, writes the Editor. The statement is from Chief Executive Colin Mulhern and reads: ‘Dear Members, Competitors, and Supporters, We wish to address the concerns raised regarding the scheduling of the [UK] Pipe Band Championship on…

More RSPBA Responds to Concerns Over Date of 2025 UK Championships