Uist & Barra Line Up/ Northern Ireland Band News

The first major professional solo contest of the year, the Uist & Barra, takes place in the old College of Piping building (now part of the Piping Centre) in Otago Street, Glasgow, on March 9th. Piping Convenor John Angus Smith has confirmed the following line-up, playing order, and tunes for the Ceòl Mòr: Finlay Johnston – My Dearest on Earth Give Me Your KissCraig Sutherland – MacLeod of Colbeck’s LamentWilliam…

History: A Lament for GS McLennan

This is from a late 1970s article by journalist Alistair Campsie. Though often a controversial figure, Mr Campsie was a good writer. Some readers will know him through his entertaining but largely discredited book, ‘The MacCrimmon Legend: the Madness of Angus MacKay’. …. Just over 50 years ago, one of the biggest funeral processions ever seen in Aberdeen jammed the city centre with 20,000 mourners, three pipe bands and a…

Editor’s Notebook: PPBSO Suspension/ Watson’s Contest/ Florida Academy/ Lewis Recital

The Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario have suspended one of their prominent members for 12 months, according to several reliable sources. I understand the suspension is in response to this individual’s consistently belligerent attitude towards the RSPBA with whom the Society have always had a good working relationship. The Society has been embarrassed into taking action but are refusing to discuss it. Well done to them for keeping…

WAPOL Looking for New Pipe Major

Western Australia Police Force are currently advertising for the position of Pipe Major of their pipe band. The position is permanent and full time and has an annual salary of circa. £46,000 per annum. The force state: ‘Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV). Your CV should provide enough detail (dot points are sufficient) to allow the selection panel to assess your skills, experience and qualifications. ‘Your…

Editor’s Notebook: John Burgess Gold Medal/ Recordings Mystery Solved/ Jimmy McIntosh Memorial/ Reminders

Referencing my earlier post about young lowlander Norman Graham being denied a place at the Northern Meeting in 1970, it occurred that special dispensation must have been given to John Burgess two decades earlier. We all know that John was the youngest ever winner of the Gold Medal when he was awarded the coveted prize in 1950 playing Castle Menzies. Twenty years later young Norman, also 16, was denied the…