History: Pipe Bands in the East of Scotland Part 3

The response to these articles has been particularly encouraging and I am grateful to reader Ian Sword for forwarding this very interesting photograph [above]. Iain writes: ‘I enclose a photograph of Kinglassie and District Colliery Pipe Band winning the Grade 2 Scottish Pipe Band Championship at Blairgowrie in 1948, under the leadership of Pipe Major Sandy Burnside. ‘It was taken when I competed with the band on my 12th birthday…

Review: Lochnell Intermediate Piping Championship 2023

My words last week about our tradition being secure with the younger generation of pipers was here manifest. The ceòl mòr began with a fine rendition of the Daughter’s Lament from Luke Kennedy. Composed, controlled, he glided through this difficult piece making light work of the top hand technicals. It was as an assured a delivery as one could have hoped for. Dissonance of drone intruded towards the end, but…

Lochnell Intermediate Piping Championship Results

This prestigious contest for professional solo pipers aged under 22 was held on Saturday, October 21st, at Lochnell Castle, Benderloch, Argyll. The overall champion piper with most points in the Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey & Reel sections was Brodie Watson Massey. He is pictured above with overall trophy and the Jimmy McIntosh Memorial Trophy for Piobaireachd. In addition he also received the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Bronze Medal and £200….

Editor’s Notebook: Lochnell Championship/ World Drumming/ Fife Police/ Northern Meeting 1983/ Kid’s Pipes

To Argyll today for the Intermediate Piping Championship at romantic Lochnell Castle. The contest brings together some of our finest young talent all aged under 22. It gladdens the heart when you hear them play. You know the tradition is in good hands. We read so much about youngsters only being interested in the kitchen piping, folk groups and bands. But these fellows are made of sterner stuff, its heavy…

P/M John Roe and His Tune, Kate Wrenbury

Piping Press readers were quick off the mark following our request for information on the 6/8 march Kate Wrenbury. Here is a selection of responses: Gordon Tughan-Jones: The tune was written by John Roe for Lord Wrenbury’s daughter Elizabeth who was getting married. Wrenbury was the founder of the Pinstripe Highlanders. The story is that John used the wrong daughter’s name and then, with support from Lord Wrenbury, decided he…