Scottish Pipe Band Launch Funding Plea after Extensive Flood Damage Ruins Practice Hall

Craig Black, Pipe Major of the City of Brechin Pipe Band (above), has been in touch following the recent flooding disaster in the Angus area of Scotland.  He writes: ‘Our band is the oldest civilian pipe band having been formed in 1878. We are a self-funded band which provides free tuition for all ages and practice once a week at our hall. ‘The flooding in Brechin caused by Storm Babet…

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…