RSPBA Tune Lists

The RSPBA’s comprehensive and updated  list of set tunes for Grades 4 and Novice is now available here. All tunes are available for download and the Music Board has selected some great and challenging tunes for the lists. Make sure you have the up to date versions of the tunes. Here’s the first ten 2/4s: Achany Glen (Added for 2015) Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering (Revised for 2015) Auchmountain’s Bonnie Glen (Revised for 2015) Australian…

Schoolboy’s Weekend at Winterstorm; Dougie’s Funeral

Cameron McCall (14) is in Form III at Dollar Academy and plays in their current Scottish, European and World Champion Juvenile pipe band. He was third in his category at the 2014 World Solo drumming championship. He attended the popular contest/ workshop weekend ‘Winter Storm’ in Kansas City earlier this month. As his trip involved taking time away from school, Cameron’s father imposed a condition that he must keep a…

Band Playing Requirements for 2015 Season – Important Amendments

The RSPBA has issued revised details of tune sets competing bands will be expected to play this summer at the various major championships. The Association has apologised for the earlier errors. The first is the British at Bathgate on May 30th where Grade 1 will submit two MSRs, Grade 2 one medley, Grades 3a and 3b one MSR, Juvenile a Medley, Grade 4a one four-part or two two-parted marches and two…

Strathclyde Police at Cowal Gathering

The above picture shows the front rank of the all-conquering Strathclyde Police Pipe Band in the 1980s playing up the road at the Cowal Games. It comes to us courtesy P/M Barry Donaldson, now of the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band. P/M Donaldson writes: ‘The picture shows the band parading up the street on the Saturday morning. The picture shows [left to right] P/M Ian McLellan, the late Harry McAleer, myself and…

Douglas Elmslie – Funeral Details, Pictures added

Douglas Elmslie, one of the mainstays of the legendary Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band in the 1960s, has died after a short illness. He was 68. His funeral will be held at Daldowie Crematorium, Glasgow, next Friday, January 23rd, at 9am, repeat 9am, and to which all friends and family are respectfully invited. Douglas, or Dougie as he was better known, learned his piping in the 214th Glasgow Company of…