Archive copy of ‘Highland Wedding’ from John MacDougall Gillies

Interesting letter today posted by Jimmy McIntosh re the performance of John Burgess in the Clasp contest at Inverness and mentioned in our Famous Pipers column last week. Read the letter here. Pipemaker Blue MacMurchie has again delved into his copious archive for the benefit of Piping Press readers. This time Blue has sent us a handwritten copy of the 2/4 march Highland Wedding in a setting by John MacDougall…

Shotts: Band President and Chairman Talk of Future for the Band

Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band have a new leading drummer. He’s Andrew Lawson and he takes over after 12 years playing under former leading tip, the world-renowned Jim Kilpatrick. Andrew’s immediate task will be to fill several vacancies in the Shotts corps which resulted from the recent changeover. Ewan McAllister, Band Chairman, said ‘Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band has a long and successful history. Andrew will help lead…

Support Needed for Juvenile Pipe Band Concerts and New Fund

The very active and popular  Ross and Cromarty Pipes and Drums School are holding three concerts later this month. The school is led by one of Scotland’s top pipers, double Gold Medallist Niall Matheson, and as you would expect play to a high standard. The concerts are on November 23/24/25 in Tain, Invergordon and Dingwall. Tickets are available locally or at the door and are priced at £8, Concessions £5 and Family…

PP Editor’s Blog: Edinburgh Police/ John Burgess/ Andy White/ John MacLellan Contest

One thing I forgot to mention in my report on the London Championship 10 days or so ago was breakfast. Not what I had, but who I was sitting with: three Grade Two World Pipe Band Champions no less. They were Dr Jack Taylor who lifted the trophy with Buchan Petersen in 2013, Walter Cowan (left) who did the same as P/M of the Annan Ex-Servicemen’s band and Archie Maclean…

Famous Pipers: John D. Burgess/ Calum Campbell Concert

It is hard to believe that it is ten years since the death of one of the great pipers and characters of the recent past, P/M John D. Burgess. Today we mark this anniversary with a feature on John in our Famous Pipers column. Read it here. A concert is being held in Balivanich Hall, Benbecula, tomorrow night to celebrate the launch of a book of music ‘Ceol Chaluim’ by…