Famous Pipers: Angus MacKay/ Forres Thoughts

The first part of our latest Famous Pipers column is carried today. It concerns one of the great piping figures of the past, Angus MacKay. Not only did Angus MacKay provide the modern era with a link to the MacCrimmons, he also produced a book of music highly esteemed since it first appeared in 1838. In addition to this, MacKay co-invented the ‘competition’ pipe march, was the first Sovereign’s Piper…

Aberdeen Games/ BC Games (updated)

Aberdeen Games 20/6/15 Dry to begin with; rain in afternoon. Gordon McCready continued his impressive run at the games with another ‘Champion Piper’ title. Piob 1 Edward Gaul, Lament for Viscount of Dundee 2 Ben Duncan, MacDougall’s Gathering 3 Gordon McCready, Big Spree 4 Allan Russell 5 Jonathan Simpson Judges: Norman Matheson, Duncan Watson March 1 Gordon McCready 2 Ben Duncan 3 Allan Russell 4 John MacDonald 5 Jonathan Simpson…

Forres Prepared/ USPF Solos/ New England Piping Academy/ New CD

Preparations for next weekend’s European Pipe Band Championships are well in hand. The promoters, ‘Piping @ Forres’, have sent this:  ‘Final Piping At Forres preparations are in place for the European Pipe Band Championships, sponsored by Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, being held in Forres on Saturday 27 June. 105 bands, including eleven Grade 1 bands and the current European and World Champions, will play in Grant Park in…

Draw for the Scottish PB Champs./ John MacDougall Gillies MS (updated)

The RSPBA website is back up after a few hours down for essential maintenance. The new draw for the Scottish Championships to be held at Dumbarton on July 25 is announced as: Grade 1 – Final 01 14:15 Peoples Ford – Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia 02 14:25 Cullybackey 03 14:35 Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles 04 14:45 Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia 05 14:55 Inveraray and District 06 15:05 Scottish Power 07 15:15…

Funeral of Roderick Cannon/ More on Ru’glen PB

The funeral of the late piobaireachd and piping scholar, Professor Roderick Cannon, will take place at the Christ Church, Norwich, at 11.30am on July 6. All friends and colleagues are welcome to attend the service. Professor Cannon passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on June 8. He had recently enjoyed a happy holiday with his wider family at a villa in Spain. His wife Elizabeth has asked that we thank…