More on the Remarkable Vic Herman/ Cupar Pipe Band

Eighteen months ago we ran an interesting story on Victor Herman, boxer, painter, piper. Vic learned the pipes in the Jewish Lads Boys Brigade in Glasgow. When he found fame with the gloves he would pipe himself into the ring. He loved his piping and when he discovered another talent as a painter, set about creating images of our master pipers of old in oils. Reader Peter Candy takes up…

Editor’s Notebook: Dollar Contest/ Lochaber Piping Society/ Cupar PB/ EUSPBA Rankings

I hear that Dollar Academy are once more running their popular and successful pipe band contest at the end of May. All grades and D/Ms are catered for I believe. Ample and picturesque grounds at the foot of the Ochils make a perfect setting for such an event. Reasonably easy to get to, the contest always attracts a large entry. If I were running the RSPBA I’d be on the…

Readers React to Loss of Fifth Major Pipe Band Championship

Ian Plunkett: ‘Well done to Ian Forbes for speaking up. Remember there used to be six majors if we include Cowal, which was not only a championship but a massive all day event finishing after midnight. ‘For too long all bands have been taken for granted by the organisation and I believe therein lies the problem. If all worked together there probably would be a bit more tolerance with the…

RSPBA Formally Confirms No British Championship in 2025 and Format Change for Euros

The RSPBA have now formally confirmed that there will be no fifth major pipe band championship this summer. Bands were notified privately two weeks ago but until today there had been no announcement made to the pipe band public or media. They have also today confirmed our story of last week that the Euros in Perth on Aug 9 will be a two leg contest in Grade 1. In a…

Change of Format a Possibility at the European Pipe Band Championships

I hear that bands competing for the Grade 1 title at the European Championships will face a more stringent test than at the other majors – the Worlds excepted. If my information is correct, bands at Perth on August 9th will have to play an MSR in the morning (four parts) and then submit two medleys for an afternoon run. I stress that this has yet to be confirmed officially….