How We Won the Worlds – Interview Part 3 by P/M Robert Mathieson

In this concluding part of the interview given after his band, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia, had triumphed in the 2000 World Pipe Band Championships, the popular pipe major talks us through the actual day of victory. Read the first part of this revealing and informative interview, first published in Pipe Band Magazine, here. ‘I think this year our MSR was better than when we won in 1997, and though people might think…

How We Won the Worlds – Part 2 of P/M Robert Mathieson’s Interview

Now a respected member of the RSPBA’s Adjudicators’ Panel, P/M Robert Mathieson won no less than five World Grade 1 Pipe Band Championships in his highly successful career at the helm of Shotts & Dykehead. Here we run the second part of the interview he gave to Pipe Band Magazine after winning his third in 2000. It will be of great interest to everyone aspiring to similar success. Robert is pictured…

PP Ed’s Blog: NSW Results/ U&B Recording/ Kintyre Cancelled/ Draw for the British – comment

The New South Wales Piper’s Society ran it’s annual Silver Chalice solo competition at the Presbyterian Ladies College, Sydney, on Saturday 16th April. Results were: Silver Chalice Piobaireachd: 1st: Jason Craig – Earl of Seaforth’s Salute 2nd: Dennis Browning – Old Men of the Shells 3rd: Stephen Ross – The MacDonalds are Simple Judge: Malcolm McRae Ron Clement MSR: 1st: Adam Wishart 2nd: Charlie Hunter 3rd: Dennis Browning Judge: Aaron O’Neill…

How We Won the Worlds by P/M Robert Mathieson

One of the best pipe majors of the recent past was undoubtedly Robert Mathieson, firstly with Polkemmet Grorud and then House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead. His five World Grade 1 championships alone have earned him the right to break bread with the greats of the game. Now retired from competing, Robert is Secretary of the RSPBA’s Adjudicators’ Panel (recently in the news) and will be on duty judging throughout the…

PP Editor’s Blog: Willie’s Funeral/ Willie Ross/ Frazer’s Gesture/New Letters etc.

The funeral of Willie McCallum Senior will be held on Saturday, 16 April, at 1pm at Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown.  Willie (87) passed away after collapsing after attending the Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Willie was an unfailing servant of piping, though not a player himself. He was instrumental in establishing the Kintyre Piping Society and dedicated himself to its promotion over a 60 year period….