Balmoral Schools Announce EUSPBA Scholarship Match Funding Initiative/ Strathallan School Rock On

This year, the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association is offering eight $250 scholarships to be awarded to either pipers or drummers, and to be used for schools, lessons, or workshops. By Elaine Lee The Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming is happy to announce that we will provide matching funds to any recipient of an EUSPBA scholarship who chooses to use their scholarship to attend our 2023 summer schools….

Bid to Identify Iain MacPherson’s Pipes

I was taught by Donald MacPherson and remember him talking about his brother Iain who died mid 1990s and that he lived abroad. He spoke very highly of how good he was but how he was not really into solo competition. By Bruce Erskine The reason for this article is that I had the great pleasure recently of playing Iain’s pipes. My friend Willie Kidd, who is a little older…

Scots Guards KO Result/ Niall’s New Tune/ New Dollar Pipe Band Contest Information

Angus J MacColl (pictured) won the Scots Guards Knock Out contest after a closely fought final in the Guards Club at Haymarket, Edinburgh, yesterday March 26. Organiser P/M Jimmy Banks MBE reported a ‘a great day of very good piping before an audience of approximately 50’. The other finalist was John Dew of Inveraray & District Pipe Band. Judging was by audience vote and nominated judges seated in the audience….

Editor’s Notebook: Northern Meeting 1903/ Donald’s Fingers/ Tartan Week/ Gourock Contest/ Vic Herman

New York based piper Yahya Hussein has been in touch regarding the 1903 photograph from the Northern Meeting. He writes: ‘After studying the photo for several days now, and finding the lists of the competitors for the 1903 Gold Medal, here is what I have. ‘It’s the best I could do unless the original photo has a list of the players on the back. Front rank from the left: ‘Andrew MacDonald, brother of John MacDonald,…

Important New Government Legislation Affects Those with Ivory Pipes

Pipers owning a bagpipe with ivory mounts should be aware that the government is now enacting a new, tough ban on elephant ivory sales. They have published new advice for owners of antiques or musical instruments containing ivory, The Ivory Act 2018 came into full force last summer (2022), putting the UK ‘at the forefront of global conservation’. It involves a near-total ban on the buying and selling of goods…